Oliver Stone’s 1991 production, The Doors, is an interestingly constructed film, with some nice set-pieces, that has never really worked for me.
I’ll watch it whenever it arrives in a new format, and continually go back to my favorite reviewer, Roger Ebert’s comments, back in March of 1991, with which I fully agree:
“F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote that the problem with American lives is that they have no second act. The problem with Jim Morrison’s life was that it had no first and third. His childhood was lost in a mist of denial… and his maturity was interrupted by an early death, caused by his relentless campaign against his own mind and body. What he left behind was a protracted adolescence, during which he recorded some great rock ‘n’ roll.
If we can trust Oliver Stone’s new biographical film, “The Doors,” life for Jim Morrison was like being trapped for months at a time in the party from hell. He wanders out of the sun’s glare, a curly haired Southern California beach boy with a cute pout and a notebook full of poetry. He picks up a beer, he smokes a joint, and then life goes on fast-forward as he gobbles up drugs and booze with both hands, while betraying his friends and making life miserable for anyone who loves him. By the age of 27 he is dead. Watching the movie is like being stuck in a bar with an obnoxious drunk, when you’re not drinking.” – Roger Ebert
The entire review can be found on ROGEREBERT.COM
Lionsgate’s new 4k Blu-ray from Studio Canal, is a gorgeous representation of the film. A film that was apparently heavily damaged, possibly by deluxe labs, which may have over-printed the film, especially if there was no 65mm dupe produced for large format printing.
I have no direct knowledge of this, except that it has been presumably, heavily restored.
Whatever has been done, credited to a 4k scan at Fotokem in Burbank, and L’Immagine Ritrovata, in Italy, must be hiding a multitude of sins, as the marketing tells us that a major restorative effort was necessary.
Hopefully, they’ve recorded out a restored negative as an asset to replace the damaged article.
Whatever work was performed, and starting with that aforementioned scan at Fotokem, what the viewer has is extremely film like, with beautiful grain, lovely colors, and proper levels of black and shadow detail.
The track, which had an original 6-track mix, seems faithfully reproduced, now using Dolby Atmos to heighten things a bit.
The disc offers two cuts of the film, the only difference of which, as I recall, is an added ending.
If there’s a reason to grab a copy of this, it would be for Val Kilmer’s take on Morrison, which for me is worth the price of admission.
And then, of course, there’s the music of The Doors.
Image – 5
Audio – 5 (Dolby Atmos)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from Blu-ray – Yes
Recommended
RAH
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Who Replied?Angelo Colombus
Albeit, "The Doors" came out of Tri-Star; it would still be a welcomed addition to see Universal put out a 4K/UHD of "Snow Falling on Cedars" (1999). "Snow Falling on Cedars" was Robert Richardson's 4th of 9 Oscar nominations and his only AMPAS work that never received a BD release.
Robert Richarson's Oscar Nominations:
"Platoon" (1986)
"Born on the 4th of July" (1989)
"JFK" (1991)*
"Snow Falling on Cedars" (1999)
"The Aviator" (2004)*
"Inglorious Basterds (2009)
"Hugo" (2011)*
"Django Unchained" (2012)
"The Hateful Eight" (2015)
More, more, more of Robert Richardson on 4K/UHD !!

(*) Denotes Oscar Win
Billy Batson
Powell&Pressburger
Screenwriter
rsmithjr
Screenwriter
I may never have found myself in the Light My Fire ecstacy, but I remember well driving an old truck around the drive-in theater where I was the projectionist (summer of 67), finding and fixing speakers that had broken. I played The Doors album through the sound system so I could find the broken ones.
Then came Stanford, and from my perch there, I watched Morrison and many others overdo it. It is as though they took their own music too seriously as a pattern for their lives. Too many interesting people lost too young.
titch
Supporting Actor
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- 984
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- Kevin Oppegaard
Oliver Stone is one of the great American maverick directors and screenwriters. He is almost always interesting, regardless if he's made or written the screenplay for a great film or turkey (the exception being that dreadful Alexander, every single version of it). I remember being really bored with The Doors when I saw it all those years ago, but maybe it's worth another look? I haven't decided yet. I'm more anticipating the forthcoming 4K disc of Scarface.
Blu_rayfan66
Stunt Coordinator
A 4K/UHD of anything shot by Robert Richardson will always capture my attentions.
Albeit, "The Doors" came out of Tri-Star; it would still a welcomed addition to see Universal put out a 4K/UHD of "Snow Falling on Cedars" (1999). "Snow Falling on Cedars" was Robert Richardson's 4th of 9 Oscar nominations and his only AMPAS work that never received a BD release.
Robert Richarson's Oscar Nominations:
"Platoon" (1986)
"Born on the 4th of July" (1989)
"JFK" (1991)*
"Snow Falling on Cedars" (1999)
"The Aviator" (2004)*
"Inglorious Basterds (2009)
"Hugo" (2011)*
"Django Unchained" (2012)
"The Hateful Eight" (2015)
More, more, more of Robert Richardson on 4K/UHD !!
(*) Denotes Oscar Win
'Snow Falling On Cedars' being released on bluray November 5th...
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Snow-Falling-on-Cedars-Blu-ray/42398/
That title has been on our Pre-Order Listing for a while now.'Snow Falling On Cedars' being released on bluray November 5th...
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Snow-Falling-on-Cedars-Blu-ray/42398/
https://www.hometheaterforum.com/amazon-pre-orders/
Blu_rayfan66
Stunt Coordinator
That title has been on our Pre-Order Listing for a while now.
https://www.hometheaterforum.com/amazon-pre-orders/
I was not aware of such a listing at all- that's very helpful. Thanks for the heads up.
Lord Dalek
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The Doors was originally in 5.1 CDS.Does this disc also contain the films original Stereo audio track option?
Colin Jacobson
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Does this disc also contain the films original Stereo audio track option?
The 4K offers only an Atmos track - no other audio options...
Brian Husar
Second Unit
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Yes, in 35mm, but the film also played in 70mm 6-track mag with split surround. I saw it at the Ziegfeld in NYC in 70mm.The Doors was originally in 5.1 CDS.
ghostwind
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Michel_Hafner
Screenwriter
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US old, UK new.Can anyone here say if the included Blu-ray is from the new master or the old disc?
Grady Reid
Stunt Coordinator
Billy Batson
US old, UK new.
That's a bit naughty. And in Europe there's a stand alone Blu-ray of the new transfer, which I'll probably buy as I'm not 4K yet, & I don't know when I will be.
Colin Jacobson
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I know this cut is two minutes shorter than previous versions- according to Stone it’s changes to the ending. Has anyone detailed the actual changes?
I'll have a look at the 2 endings and see if I notice anything different...
Just a hunch, but I suspect that the first ending shows how one door closes;I'll have a look at the 2 endings and see if I notice anything different...
while, in the second, another one opens.