UHD Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - I Walked with a Zombie & The Seven Victim -- in 4k UHD (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Val Lewton was a producer at RKO in the 1940s.

One of my favorite filmmakers. Always been a huge fan of his subtle psychological horror films.

They began with The Cat People in 1942, and continued with I Walked with a Zombie, The Leopard Man, The Seventh Victim, The Ghost Ship (all 1943), The Curse of the Cat People (1944), The Body Snatcher and Isle of the Dead (both 1945), and Bedlam (1946).

Nine films, that in their own way, created their own category.

Over the past few years, all with the exception of the two in these Words, have become available in Blu-ray format.

For the final examples, Criterion has upped the anti, and presented Zombie and Seventh Victim in full-blown 4k UHD, derived from the OCNs.

For aeons, I've been making note of the fact that, at least in my opinion there is little (or nothing) to be gained from released films from the 1930s through 1960s in 4k. There are exceptions beyond large format, but generally, there just isn't enough meat on the bone to warrant the extra expense of a 4k release.

With those 2 vs 4k thoughts in mind, I've sampled the new Criterions, and have come away even more convinced that 4k releases of older films generally aren't worth the effort.

Both of these films have been lovingly harvested from the original Nitrate OCNs, and finished in the best way possible. Black levels, cleanliness, stability and grain structure are all exemplary.

But my final thoughts are that I actually prefer the 2k for critical viewing, and at a NSD, there is no discernible difference. Those who may wish to HDR or Dolby Vision aren't going to find it here.

To me, with all due respect to those distributors who go to the trouble and expense of releasing older films on 4k, there just isn't any there there. Zero increase in overall resolution.

Forensically, there's an increase in grain.

That's it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that every pre-modern film isn't worth the 4k treatment, but in general, the same new image harvest in 2k will serve the same needs as the 4k. Off the top of my head one 35mm Panavision film that would be worthy of 4k would be The Great Race.

Image

Forensic - 7.5
NSD - 10

Audio – 10 (Monaural)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Makes use of and works well in 4k - 5

Worth your attention - Yes

Slipcover rating - n/a

Very Highly Recommended


RAH




Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

https://www.amazon.com/Walked-Zombie-Seventh-Victim-Collection/dp/B0D9HZSLK7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=113UJAPSRX0HM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-ReT-q-Y5L6WutTfHxad1nBEtbtHscI2ccTQL-4wFUrGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.JIKglR75AD1AgYBztBKgmyDVjHSjovMlAQ4JzAlaD3s&dib_tag=se&keywords=i+walked+with+a+zombie+blu+ray&qid=1728105024&sprefix=I+walked+with+a+,aps,129&sr=8-1

 

[Robert Crawford]

Thank you for your review. Once I purchase this 4K/UHD release in November, I'll make an attempt to compare the 4K/UHD and Blu-ray. If they're not going to add any type of HDR then perhaps it's just best to release it on Blu-ray.

 

[Robert Harris]

Thank you for your review. Once I purchase this 4K/UHD release in November, I'll make an attempt to compare the 4K/UHD and Blu-ray. If they're not going to add any type of HDR then perhaps it's just best to release it on Blu-ray.

With dark and shadowy films, HDR may not be an asset.

 

[Wes Candela]

With dark and shadowy films, HDR may not be an asset.

So true, I am finding that Blu-ray wasn’t broken… There was no need to fix it in a lot of instances.

And I am finding that HDR … and I guess this is because of my photography background…is a visual option that I enjoy for the most part,
But I will never feel that it’s what was meant to be seen and applied to majority of films we’ve been seeing.
The extra resolution alone along with the wider bt.2020 color gamut we now have with 4K is enough for me most viewings.

That all being said,
When I see a series like Netflix’s “Ripley”, filmed in Lucious Black and white…with the Dolby Vision applied beautifully…

So exquisitely…

In those instances, I love the DV HDR format and how it has been implemented.

But I cannot say that definitively about all 4K HDR content I’ve seen.

As Mr. Harris is saying, I don’t see it necessary for older films, (although Citizen KANE looks beautiful.)

It’s nice to have options…

 

[TravisR]

Two of my favorite Lewton movies. Thanks for the review, RAH!

 

[JoeDoakes]

Val Lewton was a producer at RKO in the 1940s.

One of my favorite filmmakers. Always been a huge fan of his subtle psychological horror films.

They began with The Cat People in 1942, and continued with I Walked with a Zombie, The Leopard Man, The Seventh Victim, The Ghost Ship (all 1943), The Curse of the Cat People (1944), The Body Snatcher and Isle of the Dead (both 1945), and Bedlam (1946).

Nine films, that in their own way, created their own category.

Over the past few years, all with the exception of the two in these Words, have become available in Blu-ray format.

For the final examples, Criterion has upped the anti, and presented Zombie and Seventh Victim in full-blown 4k UHD, derived from the OCNs.

For aeons, I've been making note of the fact that, at least in my opinion there is little (or nothing) to be gained from released films from the 1930s through 1960s in 4k. There are exceptions beyond large format, but generally, there just isn't enough meat on the bone to warrant the extra expense of a 4k release.

With those 2 vs 4k thoughts in mind, I've sampled the new Criterions, and have come away even more convinced that 4k releases of older films generally aren't worth the effort.

Both of these films have been lovingly harvested from the original Nitrate OCNs, and finished in the best way possible. Black levels, cleanliness, stability and grain structure are all exemplary.

But my final thoughts are that I actually prefer the 2k for critical viewing, and at a NSD, there is no discernible difference. Those who may wish to HDR or Dolby Vision aren't going to find it here.

To me, with all due respect to those distributors who go to the trouble and expense of releasing older films on 4k, there just isn't any there there. Zero increase in overall resolution.

Forensically, there's an increase in grain.

That's it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that every pre-modern film isn't worth the 4k treatment, but in general, the same new image harvest in 2k will serve the same needs as the 4k. Off the top of my head one 35mm Panavision film that would be worthy of 4k would be The Great Race.

Image

Forensic - 7.5
NSD - 10

Audio – 10 (Monaural)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Makes use of and works well in 4k - 5

Worth your attention - Yes

Slipcover rating - n/a

Very Highly Recommended


RAH




Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

https://www.amazon.com/Walked-Zombie-Seventh-Victim-Collection/dp/B0D9HZSLK7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=113UJAPSRX0HM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-ReT-q-Y5L6WutTfHxad1nBEtbtHscI2ccTQL-4wFUrGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.JIKglR75AD1AgYBztBKgmyDVjHSjovMlAQ4JzAlaD3s&dib_tag=se&keywords=i+walked+with+a+zombie+blu+ray&qid=1728105024&sprefix=I+walked+with+a+,aps,129&sr=8-1

Thank you for your comments. As a mere consumer, it can be a question of what to purchase sometimes. This helps

 

[cda1143]

Thank you for your comments. As a mere consumer, it can be a question of what to purchase sometimes. This helps

Indeed. Or in this case - which to purchase. I opted for the significantly cheaper Blu rather than the UHD. I’m quite confident I won’t be missing out.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

So true, I am finding that Blu-ray wasn’t broken… There was no need to fix it in a lot of instances.

And I am finding that HDR … and I guess this is because of my photography background…is a visual option that I enjoy for the most part,
But I will never feel that it’s what was meant to be seen and applied to majority of films we’ve been seeing.
The extra resolution alone along with the wider bt.2020 color gamut we now have with 4K is enough for me most viewings.

That all being said,
When I see a series like Netflix’s “Ripley”, filmed in Lucious Black and white…with the Dolby Vision applied beautifully…

So exquisitely…

In those instances, I love the DV HDR format and how it has been implemented.

But I cannot say that definitively about all 4K HDR content I’ve seen.

As Mr. Harris is saying, I don’t see it necessary for older films, (although Citizen KANE looks beautiful.)

It’s nice to have options…

Remember that Ripley is shot digitally, on modern equipment and therefore more amenable to DV than 80 to 90 year old black and white film stocks. This is not to besmirch some of the excellent harvests and masters done from around the same era, but on average, 4K is probably best considered on a case-by-case basis for films of this era.

 

[Wes Candela]

Remember that Ripley is shot digitally, on modern equipment and therefore more amenable to DV than 80 to 90 year old black and white film stocks. This is not to besmirch some of the excellent harvests and masters done from around the same era, but on average, 4K is probably best considered on a case-by-case basis for films of this era.

Oh yes
I deviated from the main topic a bit

Stating my opinion on the use of HDR in film and tv on 4K media in general

Stating I feel what 4K media offers in terms of resolution and a wider color gamut is enough for me to get excited about.

However, I cannot make that statement definitively for all films and television is released in 4K HDR

My example being The excellent use of HDR in Ripley by Dolby Vision

The extra resolution alone along with the wider bt.2020 color gamut we now have with 4K is enough for me most viewings.

That all being said,
When I see a series like Netflix’s “Ripley”, filmed in Lucious Black and white…with the Dolby Vision applied beautifully…

So exquisitely…

In those instances, I love the DV HDR format and how it has been implemented.

 

[Kent K H]

I had purchased Zombie as an import blu ray and wasn’t wowed by the transfer, but I was happy to have something in HD. For me, getting 7th Victim to complete my Lewton horror/thriller collection is the prize and the reason I ordered it as part of Criterion’s recent flash sale. If it were a simple upgrade of Zombie, it’d be a bigger question, but I do hope it’s generally an improvement over the German release.

As for the question of 4K, I’ll usually take the most information I can get for preservation purposes, if nothing else. I would typically prefer to see a film from this era in 4K from the negative than one from the 80s when images seemed softer in general because of the film stocks. But I’ll take both.

 

[Robert Harris]

I had purchased Zombie as an import blu ray and wasn’t wowed by the transfer, but I was happy to have something in HD. For me, getting 7th Victim to complete my Lewton horror/thriller collection is the prize and the reason I ordered it as part of Criterion’s recent flash sale. If it were a simple upgrade of Zombie, it’d be a bigger question, but I do hope it’s generally an improvement over the German release.

As for the question of 4K, I’ll usually take the most information I can get for preservation purposes, if nothing else. I would typically prefer to see a film from this era in 4K from the negative than one from the 80s when images seemed softer in general because of the film stocks. But I’ll take both.

Film stocks from the ‘80s were more highly resolved. It’s what is exposed to that stock that is a harvested image.

 

[timk1041]

Blu Ray works for me.

 

[sbjork]

I agree that HDR isn't necessary in cases like these, but let's not forget that it's still 10-bit color instead of 8-bit color on this UHD. At a minimum, that decreases the chance of any banding that may be visible on some displays. But it's also quadruple the levels of gradations for the grayscale. While there may not be 4K worth of picture detail on the nitrate negatives, there's still the potential for more detail along the spectrum of the grayscale, and a smoother, more natural looking picture.

I watched both of them the last couple of days and while I didn't have time to try to compare them to the Blu-ray versions, I think that they look great in 4K. Any differences (outside of obvious banding, anyway) are going to be minimal, but they might still be there. Will it be enough to shell out the extra money for the 4K? That's a personal choice. I'm happy.

 

[Chuck Pennington]

I’ve seen this movie so many times, but this is the first time I noticed the alteration in the disclaimer. I Walked With a Zombie (1943) looks like a normal film now! I remember that it looked like it was from 16mm on the laserdisc boxed set of Lewton’s films (it was fuzzy and dark and in the worst shape of all the films). The DVD was an improvement, but now a scan from the camera negative?!? It still existed?!?

 

[Stephen_J_H]

View attachment 234529

I’ve seen this movie so many times, but this is the first time I noticed the alteration in the disclaimer. I Walked With a Zombie (1943) looks like a normal film now! I remember that it looked like it was from 16mm on the laserdisc boxed set of Lewton’s films (it was fuzzy and dark and in the worst shape of all the films). The DVD was an improvement, but now a scan from the camera negative?!? It still existed?!?

Seems the whole trick is access to elements.

 

[Robert Harris]

Seems the whole trick is access to elements.

ALWAYS!!!

 

[lark144]

View attachment 234529

I’ve seen this movie so many times, but this is the first time I noticed the alteration in the disclaimer. I Walked With a Zombie (1943) looks like a normal film now! I remember that it looked like it was from 16mm on the laserdisc boxed set of Lewton’s films (it was fuzzy and dark and in the worst shape of all the films). The DVD was an improvement, but now a scan from the camera negative?!? It still existed?!?

That's always been there. I first noticed it when it was screened at MOMA in the late 1960's.

 

[Filmic]

The increase in resolution is apparent from the opening of Seventh Victim, seeing (studio) trees jiggling about behind the large stained glass windows. And though that film is softer overall that the razor sharp Zombie, it is a huge improvement over anything I'm seen on this title before.

 

[Robert Harris]

The increase in resolution is apparent from the opening of Seventh Victim, seeing (studio) trees jiggling about behind the large stained glass windows. And though that film is softer overall that the razor sharp Zombie, it is a huge improvement over anything I'm seen on this title before.

Have you seen the 2k

 

[Filmic]

Have you seen the 2k

I've seen the new 2K Blu-ray, but not the 4K UHD. The increase in resolution on the Blu-ray is immediately noticeable, it is a significant improvement over any previous versions I’ve seen. I would imagine the 4K would enhance these details even further, subtle though that may be with older archive titles. It is an interesting point about the value of 4K on pre-1970s titles, and I am more than satisfied projecting the Blu-ray.