- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,416
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
For those who know their film formats, there's a very specific "look," especially for early VistaVision productions.
If that "look" is missing, be it on a new print, or any video format, something is amiss.
Waiting for Olive's new Blu-ray of Anthony Mann's 1955 Vista production, to hit my screen, I was hoping that the necessary "look" would be in evidence.
And it was. In spades.
While this James Stewart / June Allyson (yes, their married on-screen again) starrer still entertains, it more important attribute is from a technical perspective, which is extremely important for a film that actually hit screens in 8-perf VistaVision and Perspecta sound.
Color and densities are generally superb, as is resolution, with an accurate appearing grain structure. Blues are important her, as they can represent fade, and they seem fine.
The only true fade that I noted was in 35/4 photography, which should have been able to be attended to. A minor point, and affected only in those areas where a Vista camera was either felt endanger or would not fit. Some models seem to have been shot in 35/4,
While I would have preferred to have heard the original audio (in this case Perspecta), there are numerous reasons why it may not have been used, the most probable -- it no longer exists. That point made, the monaural track is fine.
Strategic Air Command is a beautifully produced film, and should appeal to Stewart completists, technical devotees, and those with an interest in aircraft.
As asides, viewers should be aware that Mr. Stewart enlisted in the Air Corps , serving as a pilot in WWII, the first major star to join the military for the war effort. He wasn't simply playing a pilot in his aircraft scenes. He knew what it was all about.
His character, a third basemen for the St. Louis Cardinals, "Dutch" Holland, is drafted back into service for SAC. The basis is found in the life of Ted Williams, who after service in WWII, was brought back into uniform during the Korean conflict, taking away some of what would have been his best years in baseball.
Bottom line -- it's a Blu-ray winner.
Image - 4.95
Audio - 4 (lowered due to info that orig tracks survive, but not used)
4k Up-rez - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
If that "look" is missing, be it on a new print, or any video format, something is amiss.
Waiting for Olive's new Blu-ray of Anthony Mann's 1955 Vista production, to hit my screen, I was hoping that the necessary "look" would be in evidence.
And it was. In spades.
While this James Stewart / June Allyson (yes, their married on-screen again) starrer still entertains, it more important attribute is from a technical perspective, which is extremely important for a film that actually hit screens in 8-perf VistaVision and Perspecta sound.
Color and densities are generally superb, as is resolution, with an accurate appearing grain structure. Blues are important her, as they can represent fade, and they seem fine.
The only true fade that I noted was in 35/4 photography, which should have been able to be attended to. A minor point, and affected only in those areas where a Vista camera was either felt endanger or would not fit. Some models seem to have been shot in 35/4,
While I would have preferred to have heard the original audio (in this case Perspecta), there are numerous reasons why it may not have been used, the most probable -- it no longer exists. That point made, the monaural track is fine.
Strategic Air Command is a beautifully produced film, and should appeal to Stewart completists, technical devotees, and those with an interest in aircraft.
As asides, viewers should be aware that Mr. Stewart enlisted in the Air Corps , serving as a pilot in WWII, the first major star to join the military for the war effort. He wasn't simply playing a pilot in his aircraft scenes. He knew what it was all about.
His character, a third basemen for the St. Louis Cardinals, "Dutch" Holland, is drafted back into service for SAC. The basis is found in the life of Ted Williams, who after service in WWII, was brought back into uniform during the Korean conflict, taking away some of what would have been his best years in baseball.
Bottom line -- it's a Blu-ray winner.
Image - 4.95
Audio - 4 (lowered due to info that orig tracks survive, but not used)
4k Up-rez - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
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