Biblical-Roman-Egyptian epics not yet on Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

So, now that Christmas is gone, the next big Holiday is Easter in 3,5 months.
The genre of the title, is one of my most favourite genres, and I think such films would look spectacualr in HD.

Has anyone heard anything about classic films (except for Solomon and Sheba that is coming from TT) on the way?

A list of my most wanted films that aren't yet on Blu is this:

David and Bathsheba (1951) (I know about the Scandinavian release)
Salome (1952)
Land of the Pharaohs (1955)
The prodigal (1955)
[test][test]The story of Ruth (1960)[/test][/test]
Esther and the King (1960)
Barabbas (1961)
[test]Sodoma and gomorra (1962)[/test]
Jesus of Nazareth (1977) (I know about some European/Mexican releases)
King David (1985)

What else would someone like?

A Criterion blu-ray of Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings (1927) would be nice. Also, The Sign of the Cross (1932) and the The Crusades (1935) would be welcome as well.

Pharaoh (Faraon) 1966 directed by Jerzy Kawalerowicz.

I love the films already mentioned and ALL are at the top of my "most wanted" list. Keep hope alive for Kawalerowicz's Faroan which was recently restored and can be previewed at . It was listed as "soon to be released" at http://bluedvd.pl/category/filmy-blu-ray-filmy-polskie, a Paypal friendly Polish DVD store, for some time but the pre-order was recently pulled, which seems to suggest that we will see it made available in the very near future. Happily, all the BDs I've bought from that releasing company have an English subtitles option.

I don't know of anyone who watches The Silver Chalice (1954) for any other reason besides kitsch-giggling over young Paul Newman, but I've wanted to see it again just for the strange anachronistic visual design.

THE BIG FISHERMAN. By all accounts a terrible film but I've never seen it and need to cross it off my list!

well, that's why i like threads with lists (although some people don't want the forum cluttered with such threads).

I had never ever heard of Farao, and it seems really interesting!

Found a great trailer here:


@ed
Since the pre-order date was pulled, how does that mean we will see it?
Maybe it was cancelled?

FARAON was nominated for an Academy Award in the Foreign Picture category. It's been unavailable for years. I'm salivating...

bujaki said:

FARAON was nominated for an Academy Award in the Foreign Picture category. It's been unavailable for years. I'm salivating...

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Unavailable in what?
There is a PAL DVD of it..

Konstantinos said:

Unavailable in what?
There is a PAL DVD of it..

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I stand corrected. I don't want a compromised PAL DVD of this film. I want to watch a restored BD. But thanks for the info.

Douglas R said:

THE BIG FISHERMAN. By all accounts a terrible film but I've never seen it and need to cross it off my list!

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Not by all accounts. Lee Garmes, one of the legendary cinematographers, said this film contained his best work. A widescreen film lit by Lee Garmes starring Martha Hyer must be worth watching. Unfortunately Disney has been hiding this film for the longest time.

Konstantinos said:

A list of my most wanted films that aren't yet on Blu is this:

David And Bathsheba (1951) (I know about the Scandinavian release)
Salome (1952)
Land Of The Pharaohs (1955)
The Prodigal (1955)
[test][test]The Story Of Ruth (1960)[/test][/test]
Esther And The King (1960)
Barabbas (1961)
[test]Sodom And Gomorrah (1962)[/test]
Jesus Of Nazareth (1977) (I know about some European/Mexican releases)
King David (1985)

What else would someone like?

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A good list and I'd like every film on it in high definition. What else? What about all those Italian movies? Not just those starring Steve Reeves although I'd certainly like his two Hercules films. What about Messalina starring Belinda Lee? S'matter of fact: how many people have heard of Belinda Lee?

I've heard of and seen Belinda Lee movies. But then, I'm older...

Robin9 said:

Not by all accounts. Lee Garmes, one of the legendary cinematographers, said this film contained his best work. A widescreen film lit by Lee Garmes starring Martha Hyer must be worth watching. Unfortunately Disney has been hiding this film for the longest time.

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I saw The Big Fisherman when it came out. I was in love with biblical epics, and this one felt flat to me at the time. Needless to say, I had no idea at the time who the great Lee Garmes was, nor the great Frank Borzage. Now that I know their past work, well, that's 2 reasons why I'd like to see a good BD of it.

Not exactly in your category, but would love to see The Colossus of Rhodes, get the blue ray treatement.

considering the subject matter at hand, and the fact that Uni is releasing some Classic TV (Battlestar) would be nice to see the Complete version of Masada all 394 min in glorious HD, O'Toole in a perfect role. Goldsmith score,

this has a special place in my heart, as in my first deployment in the Navy , I got to take a tour of the mountain fortress at Masada, and hear the story , as watching the army work on training.

Richard V said:

Not exactly in your category, but would love to see The Colossus of Rhodes, get the blue ray treatement.

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Sergio Leone's first film if I recall...

Kind of a mixed bag, but interesting. Guess it depends on the elements. WB's DVD looked kind of rough...even in SD.

Robin9 said:

Not by all accounts. Lee Garmes, one of the legendary cinematographers, said this film contained his best work. A widescreen film lit by Lee Garmes starring Martha Hyer must be worth watching. Unfortunately Disney has been hiding this film for the longest time.

Click to expand...

I understand this has been shown on TCM, but unfortunately cropped to 4:3.
I see it's on schedule on February 18 again.

Richard V said:

Not exactly in your category, but would love to see The Colossus of Rhodes, get the blue ray treatement.

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There is a German BLuray which looks quite good, but unfortunately without English subtitles.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Colossus-of-Rhodes-Blu-ray/30460/

Also there is an Italian one, again without subtitles.

ROclockCK said:

Sergio Leone's first film if I recall...

Kind of a mixed bag, but interesting. Guess it depends on the elements. WB's DVD looked kind of rough...even in SD.

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I got the German Blu-ray and fortunately it looks good enough to be a sizable upgrade to the DVD:

http://www.caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/multi_comparison.php?art=part&x=283&y=153&action=1&image=3&hd_multiID=1096&cap1=4825&cap2=4492&disc1=473&disc2=439&lossless=#vergleich

Certainly not spectacular but is is more a matter of a lower resolution HD master than of any unnecessary filtering or digital manipulation.

Konstantinos said:

I understand this has been shown on TCM, but unfortunately cropped to 4:3.
I see it's on schedule on February 18 again.

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It is my understanding that it never was aired in its proper aspect ratio. Disney should be ashamed to let it be aired like that.