A Few Words About A few words about...™ On the Beach -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

On the Beach, a 1959 production from Stanley Kramer, offers an extraordinary cast, in a quality film, offered here in Blu-ray by MGM via Kino Lorber.

I'm just finding a bit of time to sample the Kino Lorber MGM releases, and generally I'm coming away reasonably pleased, even though some of them appear to have an unfinished appearance.

On the Beach is a bit problematic.  A nice black & white image, offered at 1.66 appears to been taken from an elements that was over-used or repaired at some point.  Splice-bumps occasionally get annoying, as they need not be present.  I'm thinking that whatever element was used was a dupe derived from an OCN with I-beam splice repairs at cuts.

Nonetheless, it's good to have the film on Blu.  Densities seem alright, if not perfect, along with gray scale.  A bit of dirt, especially in dupes (which may have always been there).

My Oppo was not able to gain proper audio sync.

Image - 2.5

Audio - 4

RAH

 

[JoeDoakes]

My Oppo was not able to gain proper audio sync.

Does that mean that the audio is probably out of sync on the blu-ray?

 

[Matt Hough]

Once again, I'm glad you received this, Robert, since it was also requested for me but didn't arrive. Sorry to read it's not as good as it could have been. It's such an important, if somber, movie.

 

[Robert Harris]

Does that mean that the audio is probably out of sync on the blu-ray?

Need to check on other equipment.

 

[Mark McSherry]

Glenn Erickson's review of ON THE BEACH also mentions the audio-synch problem-

"KLSC has released the movie separately on both Blu-ray and DVD. I've checked my Blu-ray copy on two separate players (Sony and Toshiba) and the audio sync looks soft throughout. Individual scenes appear to play back with even more of a sync problem. I personally would still buy the disc -- I have several favorites with worse flaws that I've watched multiple times -- but if this flaw is on all copies Kino Lorber might want to re-press. I'd not advise prospective buyers to cancel out on my say-so -- check other reviewers first."

 

[JohnMor]

A nice black & white image, offered at 1.66 appears to been taken from an elements that was over-used or repaired at some point. Splice-bumps occasionally get annoying, as they need not be present. I'm thinking that whatever element was used was a dupe derived from an OCN with I-beam splice repairs at cuts.


RAH

I found them even more noticeable on The Children's Hour blu.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I'll give this BD a 3.0 on the video while the audio is 4.0, but with a sync issue that I alleviated with some equipment adjustment.

 

[AdrianTurner]

I know negative views are not wholly appreciated here but On the Beach is one of my all-time worst movies. Waltzing Matilda, Fred Astaire as a racing driver . . . . unbelievably stupid.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I know negative views are not wholly appreciated here but On the Beach is one of my all-time worst movies. Waltzing Matilda, Fred Astaire as a racing driver . . . . unbelievably stupid.

I don't know why you would say that????

Over the last 50 years or so, I've only watched this film maybe 3-4 times in its entirety. Not because it's an awful film, but it's so damn depressing.

 

[JohnMor]

Over the last 50 years or so, I've only watched this film maybe 3-4 times in its entirety. Not because it's an awful film, but it's so damn depressing.

This is a film I saw decades ago as a teen and then I approached it strictly intellectually and politically. Now, at the mid-century mark, seeing it again I approached it completely emotionally. Man is it depressing! But very moving.

 

[Mark-P]

It is a rather realistic depiction of what could happen after a nuclear holocaust. The technology to escape the earth didn't exist, so what would you do? Make your way to the the furthest regions from the fallout and then wait to die. As for Fred Astaire as a race car driver, why not? This film marked his departure from musicals into serious dramatic acting. Waltzing Matilda has been described as the "unofficial anthem of Australia" and is therefore wholly appropriate to the film.

 

[haineshisway]

I'm just going to say that if any other label had released a transfer like this (and a few of the other Kino MGM titles I've viewed) there would be much howling and calling for recalls and heads to roll - it is fascinating that that is not happening here. Here it's "well, it's good to have the film on Blu."

 

[Robert Harris]

I'm just going to say that if any other label had released a transfer like this (and a few of the other Kino MGM titles I've viewed) there would be much howling and calling for recalls and heads to roll - it is fascinating that that is not happening here. Here it's "well, it's good to have the film on Blu."

When the film isn't jumping at cuts, it can be pleasing. It received a 2.5 out of 5, which is a fail. I try not to howl.

RAH

 

[JohnMor]

Well, I'm certainly not going to fault Kino for MGM's shoddy work. Just as I wouldn't fault Twilight Time or any other independent, boutique label. It's clear the studio has no intention of releasing these films itself, so I doubt it will put any further funds into newer, better HD transfers. So, given that, yes, I think it is better to have the films on blu than not. Do I wish some of them were better transfers? Absolutely. Especially The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. But I don't think it's better to go without.

 

[Mark-P]

I'm just going to say that if any other label had released a transfer like this (and a few of the other Kino MGM titles I've viewed) there would be much howling and calling for recalls and heads to roll - it is fascinating that that is not happening here. Here it's "well, it's good to have the film on Blu."

Other than the lip-sync issue which I was able to compensate for with audio delay, I thought the disc looked great.

 

[ROclockCK]

Oh bloody hell.

Until 2 weeks ago, I was playing wait-see with this KLSC series, sitting out the pre-orders until the reviews hit, to help me cherry pick.

Yet early word on Witness for the Prosecution was encouraging, so I took a chance on that one and was very pleased with what I saw and heard at home. No foul there. This gave me enough confidence to apply my standard Tarzi/Olive buying practice, which basically accepts that if it's a black & white title, it might be dirty or battered in spots, but at least it won't assault my senses with badly mastered colour, which bugs me even more than intermittent specks and scratches. So flipping a coin, I ordered my 2nd KLSC Blu-ray On the Beach...a movie I hadn't seen since the mid-90s and never widescreen...but after my WFTP experience, I liked the odds of getting a good or good enough disc.

Now I learn that On the Beach not only has out of sync audio but also shows "splice lines"??? Oy...I can't even remember the last time I saw splices on a studio-sourced master! Although that might be quaintly nostalgic the first couple of times, after that, it's bound to be terribly distracting.

Bummer. Bummed.

 

[Paul Rossen]

On the Beach simply needs a lot of work. Audio is good. MGM. Enough said.

 

[ROclockCK]

On the Beach simply needs a lot of work. Audio is good. MGM. Enough said.

Then why in the name of all that's cinematically holy did they release it in such a sorry state Paul? This only confirms my earliest impression of the KLSC series...a quick, opportunistic cash grab...the line of least resistance with the least amount of work.

Certainly sealed the tomb for On the Beach though. I mean, who else, including MGM, will touch that title after this release sucks whatever life remains for it among 'core fans and collectors?

 

[Paul Rossen]

Then why in the name of all that's cinematically holy did they release it in such a sorry state Paul? This only confirms my earliest impression of the KLSC series...a quick, opportunistic cash grab...the line of least resistance with the least amount of work.

Certainly sealed the tomb for On the Beach though. I mean, who else, including MGM, will touch that title after this release sucks whatever life remains among 'core fans and collectors?

I think you said it all. It certainly appears that for the many of titles becoming available MGM simply sold off as much as they could with as little work as possible. A title such as On the Beach should be treated better... The funny thing is I still enjoyed my viewing as it was in stereo and Ernest Gold's score never sounded as good.

 

[ROclockCK]

As you say Paul, it deserved better.