UHD Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - Sean Connery - 6-Film Collection -- in 4k UHD (3 Viewers)

[Jack P]

I wasn't planning on getting this right away but I have learned something that changes my mind. Apparently the release of "Thunderball" has BOTH audio mixes for the film in which there are noticeable differences in music edits and even lines of dialogue (like after Bond escapes the shark pool. On one mix he gives the line, "Sorry old chap, better luck next time" and the other one, "Now you can tell them about the one that got away"; also the end of the film on one mix uses the Dr. No recording of the Bond theme, another uses a new arrangement)

 

[Konstantinos]

Well, those look quite impressive (taken from the other forum):

From Russia With Love UHD vs. BD | Slowpoke Pics

Slowpoke Pics image comparison service

slow.pics

Goldfinger UHD vs BD | Slowpoke Pics

Slowpoke Pics image comparison service

slow.pics

Now, the original audio tracks are lossless, right?
It remains to be seen (or heard) if they have been filtered to death or not..

Also, there are no extras whatsoever on the UHDs?
I have to buy the UK steelbooks to get them? (although I'm not an extras guy, but it'd be nice to have them)

 

[Paul Willson-Morris]

I wasn't planning on getting this right away but I have learned something that changes my mind. Apparently the release of "Thunderball" has BOTH audio mixes for the film in which there are noticeable differences in music edits and even lines of dialogue (like after Bond escapes the shark pool. On one mix he gives the line, "Sorry old chap, better luck next time" and the other one, "Now you can tell them about the one that got away"; also the end of the film on one mix uses the Dr. No recording of the Bond theme, another uses a new arrangement)

Wow! Wonder if anyone can confirm this? If true that is just amazing and was my ONE wish for this release to add from the previous iterations!

 

[Sultanofcinema]

Thunderball was the pinnacle of Technicolor for the Connery Bonds. Even beat up reissue prints of Thunderball had eye popping color. You Only Live Twice is pleasing to the eye because of Freddie Young's beautiful cinematography. You Only Live Twice was blown up to 70MM and had a six track stereo mixed on it (UK print was mono) at the Hibiya Theater in Japan. The laser disc for You Only Live Twice had a "fake stereo" mix that was pretty incredible (just as the laser disc for Bullitt had).

 

[Dave H]

Those screenshots look niiiice.

 

[JoeBond]

Wow! Wonder if anyone can confirm this? If true that is just amazing and was my ONE wish for this release to add from the previous iterations!

Pretty sure. There are two Dolby Atmos tracks and two DTS-HD mono tracks. I need to double check.

 

[bujaki]

She always has been in my eyes since I first saw the film!
View attachment 253803

She doesn't look like Lenya at all! Lenya was the greatest!

 

[SwatDB]

Here's what you get in the first set. One must presume that there will be more.

The first three films look the best that I've seen them. More detail than original dye transfer prints.

But still with no imagery above 2k.

Everything is captured, but don't think we’re losing 4k here, as there just isn't any to replicate.

The latter three, all filmed in Panavision, look a bit better. You Only Live Twice a bit better than Thunderball, but again, don't expect the look of a modern film, as once again, there is no 4k here.

Lovely imagery, especially You Only, and all six looking superb with proper grain, great color and superb blacks.

I wonder if MGM will hint us with on-screen restoration credits (like they with the Lowry Digital credits 2006 UE DVDs/MGM BDs) in case they didn't bother to have a booklet with names, facilities, studios, etc.

First glance of BTS of restoration (If I have read my homework [correct me if I'm mistaken]):

Restoration Supervisor: Scott Grossman [MGM]
Soundtrack: Not sure… Yet. [what audio mixes from which generation are they taken from? Have you checked "Thunderball" (1965) fx.* on the new set yet?]

* Are you aware that there were to Audio Mixes back when the film was released to theaters?
Maybe you can something of it

Picture: MGM
Home Video Distributor: WBDHV (via SDS)
Master Supplier (in the period following the release of Bond on 4K): Park Circus (Just an assumption)

Are Dr. No and Goldfinger also presented in 1.75:1? (like FRWL) [BTW, IIRC, the 1991 Criterion LDs also present them in that format]

Long story, it will be an interesting June to bust out for MGM with the first batch of the Classic Bonds, which hopefully should sound better than the previous Home Video editions ranging from 1982 to 2012 (home video-wise)

Ergo, I take my hat off to you with your "Few words" of the Connery Bonds. The 4K Masters will indeed serve us well. Congratulations.

We'll see you soon MGM…
Thank you
- David

 

[SwatDB]

Thunderball was the pinnacle of Technicolor for the Connery Bonds. Even beat up reissue prints of Thunderball had eye popping color. You Only Live Twice is pleasing to the eye because of Freddie Young's beautiful cinematography. You Only Live Twice was blown up to 70MM and had a six track stereo mixed on it (UK print was mono) at the Hibiya Theater in Japan. The laser disc for You Only Live Twice had a "fake stereo" mix that was pretty incredible (just as the laser disc for Bullitt had).

A: Regarding 70mm Blow-ups with 6-Track Mix? Here you go.
B: I can hardly wait to see if the UHD Mono beats the 2000 MGM SE DVD's Mono Audio Mix.
C: Any sign of OG UA/Transamerica logos? [YOLT and DAF]
D: Has anyone checked Diamonds Are Forever (1971) for an Uncensored shot of Mr. Kidd in flames? (previously found on the 1982 Warner Home Video German VHS)

 

[Robert Crawford]

Thunderball audio options:

 

[SwatDB]

Thunderball audio options:

View attachment 253823
View attachment 253824

Thank you very much

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

Thunderball audio options:

View attachment 253823
View attachment 253824

I don't have the words to express how happy this makes me.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Each movie has extras on each disc. Not all of them are the same. Thunderball has two commentaries and another extra Selling Bonds along with the other extras.

Thunderball 4K/UHD has the following extras:

Commentaries
Declassified: M16 Vault
Selling Bonds
Exotic Locations
Mission Dossier
Ministry of Propaganda

 

[Robert Crawford]

Okay, I watched Dr. No and From Russia with Love in their entirety. I think that’s enough James Bond for today. Tomorrow I’m going to watch my favorite Bond movie Goldfinger which was the first Bond movie I watched in a movie theater.

So far, they looked beautiful on my 77” OLED. Going forward I’m going to try to watch one movie each day.

 

[JoeBond]

Pretty sure. There are two Dolby Atmos tracks and two DTS-HD mono tracks. I need to double check.

Yep the other track has the alternate line and the alternate end title music. Cool!

 

[SwatDB]

Thunderball 4K/UHD has the following extras:

Commentaries
Declassified: M16 Vault
Selling Bonds
Exotic Locations
Mission Dossier
Ministry of Propaganda

Identical to 2006 UE DVD/2008 BD (sans Image Database?)

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

Okay, I watched Dr. No and From Russia with Love in their entirety. I think that’s enough James Bond for today.

In 2000 my friend and I went up to a theater in New York (about a 2 hour drive for us) to see all six Connery Bond's projected from 35mm.

 

[Jack P]

Here's a comprehensive overview of the differences in the two soundtracks (and their past history on home video releases).

 

[Osato]

From the Bits:

The Digital Bits - Home

The Digital Bits is the Internet’s leading source for DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and 4K Ultra HD industry news, reviews, analysis, and expertise. Founded in 1997, it’s THE place for cinephiles to celebrate their love of film.

thedigitalbits.com

Lots more disc reviews are definitely on the way, so be sure to watch for them. And I also wanted to let you know in advance that if news updates or social media posts are a little light over the next few days, it’s because I just got my hands on Warner and MGM’s new 007: James Bond – Sean Connery 6-Film Collection in 4K Ultra HD. So I’m going to crack that open and start working on detailed reviews of the films therein, but it’s probably going to take me through the weekend to get them all covered.

But if a cursory examination of Dr. No and From Russian with Love is any indication, these new 4K remasters are pretty terrific. They’re on 100GB discs, they feature very high data rates, and the color, detail, and grain are all very nice indeed. Fingers crossed, I think the Warner remastering team has nailed it. These are definitely a big improvement over the old Lowry Digital 4K masters. So watch for more on that in my reviews soon!

 

[Neil S. Bulk]

My copy arrived and I went straight for "Thunderball" and the Atmos tracks. This is only a cursory spot check.

The alt track is the one that matches the early video releases. It has "Now you can tell about the one that got away" after the shark tank scene. The Pinder line about manta rays is there. It also has the composed John Barry cue for the end titles.

Gone from both Atmos tracks are the ridiculous sound effects from the previous 5.1, such as the secret SPECTRE door in Paris that suddenly sounded like a noisy freight elevator.

Gate hairs and damage present on the old Lowry 4K transfers appear to have been dealt with.

MGM is to be commended for this release.