A Few Words About A few words about…™ Spartacus - in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[PMF]

Look what just came. Both with RAH’s recommendation. Can’t wait to watch.

Which one are you going to check out first?

 

[Brian Husar]

Which one are you going to check out first?

“I’m Spartacus”

 

[Robert Harris]

FORGIVE ME IN ADVANCE- watching the film for the first time- is there SUPPOSED to be (what looks to be) an accidental editing skip at 10min13sec.....? Video right below.

That’s the way the film was released in 1960. I asked Bob Lawrence about it, and apparently there was negative damage/ processing problem on day one. This was the best take, and the easiest fix at the time.

Speaking of Mr. Lawrence, a superb editor, and a dear man, don’t miss his “double slap.” It’s worth viewing frame by frame. And something that most people never see. They feel the impact.

 

[DavidDTS]

That’s the way the film was released in 1960. I asked Bob Lawrence about it, and apparently there was negative damage/ processing problem on day one. This was the best take, and the easiest fix at the time.

Speaking of Mr. Lawrence, a superb editor, and a dear man, don’t miss his “double slap.” It’s worth viewing frame by frame. And something that most people never see. They feel the impact.

I'm suppose it comes up with every video iteration. My turn to be 'the guy'.

 

[Johnny Angell]

That’s the way the film was released in 1960. I asked Bob Lawrence about it, and apparently there was negative damage/ processing problem on day one. This was the best take, and the easiest fix at the time.

Speaking of Mr. Lawrence, a superb editor, and a dear man, don’t miss his “double slap.” It’s worth viewing frame by frame. And something that most people never see. They feel the impact.

What is the “double slap”? An extra on the disc?

 

[Reed Grele]

What is the “double slap”? An extra on the disc?

I think it's near the end of the film

Spoiler

when Crassus loses hi cool with Spartacus.

You'll know when you see it. One of the most powerful moments in the film.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Is the Blu-ray copy included with this the same from the 2015 remaster or a new one?

 

[Reed Grele]

Is the Blu-ray copy included with this the same from the 2015 remaster or a new one?

I believe it's the same as the 2015 remaster. Looks the same to me anyway.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I believe it's the same as the 2015 remaster. Looks the same to me anyway.

Thanks!

 

[Reed Grele]

Do the opening titles have a better black level?

Mr. Harris says (and I agree) that the contrast has been improved, but I've never seen a completely black background during the main titles. It's more of a charcoal gray effect as the backgrounds behind the various statues are of dimly lit walls or tablets engraved with Roman text and numerals. And I haven't noticed any black crush or banding during the main title sequence.

 

[trajan007]

It seemed to me that the black level was quite deep in some of the titles when I saw It in 70mm. But maybe my memory serves me wrong.

 

[Radioman970]

Was so nervous when I returned a big lots blu ray deal a few ago. i wish I could buy it again and return it with smiles this time.

 

[trajan007]

When I saw the bluray of 2001 I had thought that the black levels were not deep enough,but when the 4K came out they looked quite good. Either way I am sure I will be pleased with this new SPARTACUS.

 

[Jason Adams]

I've owned the Criterion DVD, the restored Blu, and the 4k is by far the best I've ever seen Spartacus.

I haven't had the pleasure of seeing this on film, as of yet.

 

[Christian D66]

The credits look fantastic, deep black and those blues...

 

[Carlo_M]

Somehow I managed to miss that this was released last week. I've since remedied and placed my order at BB. Pickup for tomorrow (assuming they find the one Steelbook copy their system claims is at my local store...)

 

[roxy1927]

Yes also went to see Harris's phenomenal restoration of this film at the Ziegfeld towards the end of its run there. Never having seen the film before it was tremendous. Then followed it to the west side to the Worldwide cinemas where I also saw Eyes Wide Shut twice. The negative reaction to that film was nuts.

 

[trajan007]

The credits look fantastic, deep black and those blues...

Thanks. Glad to hear.

 

[trajan007]

Spartacus is a film near and dear to my heart. I know it well, having first seen it theatrically, in 70mm, in 1960.

When it was re-issued in 1967 it had been shorn (much like Lawrence) of much of the material that held the film together, inclusive of the original ending.

Photographed in 35/8 Technirama, by Russell Metty, who won the Academy Award, it received a digital restoration several years ago by the team at Universal, but was only seen in HD by the home theater audience.

That has now been remedied by the studio's new 4k release, and the results of all the digital work are permitted shine.

An exquisite 4k, perfectly stable, with gorgeous color, wonderful high (and low) lights, great shadow detail, and perfectly a reproduced grain structure.

Audio is now offered in DTS-X, and it fills the room, as it should.

I'm a happy camper.

Well, almost.

I had a tiny problem making an initial incision into the outer wrapping protecting the Best Buy steel case, but it did protect the case from bumps and scratches nicely.

I'm sure the packaging would please Mr. Kubrick no end.

Image – 5

Audio – 5 (DTS-X)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from Blu-ray - Absolutely!

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

How is the improvement in detail?

 

[buckmichaels]

Just got my 4K copy, and Spartacus looks fantastic! Although I've always thought the last blu ray was fine too.