- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,425
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Lovers of the cinema, especially aficionados of the work of Alfred Hitchcock, are especially fortunate that To Catch a Thief, probably the singularly most beautiful film in the Hitchcock Canon, was shot on the earliest incarnation of Kodak's 5248 emulsion...
and in VistaVision.
Because of the early 5248 stock, dye fade is far less a problem that several years later, and as to VistaVision.
Just take a look.
The color, densities and sheer brilliance of image as captured by cinematographer Robert Burks is once again as astounding as it was in 1955.
Decades ago, before there was that thing called "home video," I had a 16mm dye transfer print of TCaT, and the overall look and textures of this new Blu-ray from Paramount reasonably accurately mimic that print, down to the rather odd cyan-green day-for-night shots, which are correct.
Grain on this release is virtually nonexistent. Jeff Wells over at Hollywood-Elsewhere will love it. The image, aside from a couple of bumpy dissolves, is extremely stable. Main Title sequence should have more of a gold metallic look to the lettering, but we'll excuse that.
I've mentioned before that I'm extremely jealous of those seeing certain films for the first time. You can only do it once.
And this is one of those times. Have I spoken of color?
Wait until you see the final gala sequence. And keep in mind that this is only the second generation Kodak tri-pack negative stock, replacing 5247 -- the first 5247. Kodak has an odd way of using the same numbers of totally different stocks.
I'll leave it to the HTF reviewer to give you a few details as to plot, but suffice to say that Paramount has pulled a rabbit out of a hat with this one. I believe the image harvest was performed several years ago, and previously used for the SD version, but no matter.
To Catch a Thief on Blu-ray is about as stunning as a Blu-ray from this (or any) era will get. Barred none.
Stars?
Image 4 1/2
Audio 5
One of the great classics of the '50s, and prime Hitchcock.
Very Highly Recommended.
RAH
and in VistaVision.
Because of the early 5248 stock, dye fade is far less a problem that several years later, and as to VistaVision.
Just take a look.
The color, densities and sheer brilliance of image as captured by cinematographer Robert Burks is once again as astounding as it was in 1955.
Decades ago, before there was that thing called "home video," I had a 16mm dye transfer print of TCaT, and the overall look and textures of this new Blu-ray from Paramount reasonably accurately mimic that print, down to the rather odd cyan-green day-for-night shots, which are correct.
Grain on this release is virtually nonexistent. Jeff Wells over at Hollywood-Elsewhere will love it. The image, aside from a couple of bumpy dissolves, is extremely stable. Main Title sequence should have more of a gold metallic look to the lettering, but we'll excuse that.
I've mentioned before that I'm extremely jealous of those seeing certain films for the first time. You can only do it once.
And this is one of those times. Have I spoken of color?
Wait until you see the final gala sequence. And keep in mind that this is only the second generation Kodak tri-pack negative stock, replacing 5247 -- the first 5247. Kodak has an odd way of using the same numbers of totally different stocks.
I'll leave it to the HTF reviewer to give you a few details as to plot, but suffice to say that Paramount has pulled a rabbit out of a hat with this one. I believe the image harvest was performed several years ago, and previously used for the SD version, but no matter.
To Catch a Thief on Blu-ray is about as stunning as a Blu-ray from this (or any) era will get. Barred none.
Stars?
Image 4 1/2
Audio 5
One of the great classics of the '50s, and prime Hitchcock.
Very Highly Recommended.
RAH