A Few Words About A few words about...™ Dick Tracy -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

There are a handful of films that I've been waiting for on Blu-ray, as the increase in resolution and color accuracy should have a major affect on the final product.

Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy has been near the top of that list since Blu-ray arrived.

Unsung stars of the film are Richard Sylbert's production design, which along with Harold Michelson's Art Direction and Milena Canonero's Costume design, set a high standard. Then, the extraordinary make-up, special and visual effects...

The list can go on.

Want your color punched up, in your face, and drop dead gorgeous?

That's all well and good, but then who do you get to photograph what has been created?

Vittorio Storaro.

Not bad.

Word is that both Mr. Beatty and Mr. Storaro were checking and approving every frame of this new HD transfer, and with gentlemen of their ilk hanging around, chances are the final result will be better than good.

It is.

Dick Tracy is glorious, and will be one of the finest catalog Blu-rays of 2012. Actually, we can leave out the word catalog. It is one of the most beautiful Blu-rays of the year.

Back in 1990, when the film was released, blow-up prints were produced, which along with the 35s, were ENR. That 6-track magnetic audio comes to the Blu-ray via DTS-HD Master Audio, to round out a perfect Blu-ray release from Disney.

Color, densities, shadow detail, grain structure are all on the screen, creating a very cinema-like experience.

Great film, with a great cast of supporting players.

Image - 5

Audio - 5

Highly Recommended.

I'll say it again -- One of the most beautiful Blu-rays of 2012.

RAH

 

[ToEhrIsHuman]

A shame Disney didn't pony-up on this title in the bonus content category by bringing us a true "Collector's Edition", but at least they appear not to have skimped in the A / V department. Wonderful to hear and will be spinning my disc very soon now!

 

[Mark-W]

Okay, so maybe I won't wait for this to hit the less than $15 mark like I had planned.
I was hoping for extras, but if the image is that good, I am all the more eager to see it.

 

[JoshZ]

Word is that both Mr. Beatty and Mr. Storaro were checking and approving every frame of this new HD transfer,

If true, it's interesting that the disc was released in its theatrical 1.85:1 ratio. As I recall, both Beatty and Storaro have claimed in the past that they composed the frame for Academy 1.37:1 to emulate the square nature of comic strip panels, but studio resistance prevented them from releasing it pillarboxed on the 35mm prints.
Then, of course, Storaro also has his crackpot "Univisium" theory about wanting to crop everything to 2:1 no matter how it was composed. So there was really no telling what ratio this would end up at. I guess the theatrical ratio turned out to be a happy medium between the two extremes.

 

[Peter Neski]

sorry I love parts of this movie ,but I think there's problem for me with the images,I wish I could write better,and fake sets and back lots
isn't it,the matte paintings and storaro aren't the problem,Maybe its the director ,who is one of my Favorite stars and makes good films
but really dosn't have a bit of Visual talent,and just hiring talented people ,doesn't cut it,the print is fantastic like most Storaro films
i know I am alone ,most here love it

 

[jack phillips]

If true, it's interesting that the disc was released in its theatrical 1.85:1 ratio. As I recall, both Beatty and Storaro have claimed in the past that they composed the frame for Academy 1.37:1 to emulate the square nature of comic strip panels, but studio resistance prevented them from releasing it pillarboxed on the 35mm prints.

I used to have the LD. If I recall correctly, the Academy ratio was used on that release.

 

[Rocky F]

sorry I love parts of this movie ,but I think there's problem for me with the images,I wish I could write better,and fake sets and back lots
isn't it,the matte paintings and storaro aren't the problem,Maybe its the director ,who is one of my Favorite stars and makes good films
but really dosn't have a bit of Visual talent,and just hiring talented people ,doesn't cut it,the print is fantastic like most Storaro films
i know I am alone ,most here love it

I think the fake look was on purpose. I'm sure the budget would have allowed for a more realistic look, but Beatty was wanting the film to look like the comic strips it was drawn from.

I used to have the LD. If I recall correctly, the Academy ratio was used on that release.

I only owned the VHS, it was 4:3.
Along with Batman (89) and The Rocketeer, this was one of the few really great comic adaptations of my high school years, I really don't know why I haven't added all three of them to my BluRay collection yet, but hopefully they will be there soon.

 

[Matt Hough]

Originally Posted by Rocky F /t/326315/a-few-words-about-dick-tracy-in-blu-ray#post_4018033
Along with Batman (89) and The Rocketeer, this was one of the few really great comic adaptations of my high school years, I really don't know why I haven't added all three of them to my BluRay collection yet, but hopefully they will be there soon.

I think it's really great that all three are available on Blu-ray for you to add to your collection.

 

[Randal Gist]

While I can understand some folks not liking the stylized look and performances of Beatty's Dick Tracy, I have always loved the look and feel of the film. It's high underrated and deserves a good blu-ray release. This is exciting to read Mr. Harris. I like and appreciate good extras; but the film's the thing.

 

[lukejosephchung]

It's historically important to note that "Dick Tracy", along with "Terminator 2-Judgement Day", were the first two theatrically released movies to be produced with 5.1-channel digital surround sound, predating Dolby Digital by over a year...Cinema Digital Sound was the format's name if I recall correctly...I was just as blown away 22 years ago by the audio quality of this film as I was by Storarro's visual artistry in the film image when I saw this at San Francisco's Regency Theater back then...
Having seen and heard this blu-ray on my home theater setup, I can honestly say that it brought back those thrills!!!

 

[mgdvd0]

the visual is great if only the SCRIPT had been better

 

[MatthewLouwrens]

Good to get assurance from RAH that this looks so good. I've always loved this film as a visual experience, so am excited to pick it up.

 

[MielR]

Sorry...what's "ENR"?
I've loved this film since I saw it theatrically; the only weakness for me is....Madonna. But, I can manage to overlook her poor acting and weak singing because the rest of the film is so visually stunning, and has a sentimental quality that kept it from being just another mindless comic adaptation.

 

[Mark Oates]

Sorry...what's "ENR"?
I've loved this film since I saw it theatrically; the only weakness for me is....Madonna. But, I can manage to overlook her poor acting and weak singing because the rest of the film is so visually stunning, and has a sentimental quality that kept it from being just another mindless comic adaptation.

Bleach bypass?

 

[MielR]

Bleach bypass?

Beats me. I thought he was talking about aspect ratio of the release prints, but I probably misunderstood.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Electronic Noise Reduction, I believe.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

"ENR" (bleach bypass): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach_bypass

 

[Mark Oates]

Back in 1990, when the film was released, blow-up prints were produced, which along with the 35s, were ENR.

Hence the bleach bypass link to Wiki in my post as well.

 

[JoshZ]

Dick Tracy didn't use bleach bypass, though, did it? I can't imagine that it did. Doesn't have that look at all.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

"ENR" (bleach bypass): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach_bypass

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing, Mark and Peter.