Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - The Emerald Forest (take 2) -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

John Boorman's The Emerald Forest is a beautiful film from 1985 shot by Philippe Rousselot. It was re-mastered about ten years ago, and released by Kino, but without the bit rate that it really demanded.

Now, Kino is re-issuing the film with an audio commentary, but the reason, presuming you appreciate the film, is that the bitrate is doubled, and the results can be seen on screen.

Back a decade ago, there were occasional bits of dirt, which interestingly remain. That dirt may have been caused by the negative being printed for a few 70mm blow-ups.

Image – 8

Audio – 10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - 7

Slipcover rating - 1

Recommended



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.

See on Amazon

 

[titch]

This was interesting - it will look better projected than the previous disc.

 

[Konstantinos]

Are you sure the audio is 5.1?
From what I remember, they said it would be stereo.

 

[Robert Harris]

Are you sure the audio is 5.1?
From what I remember, they said it would be stereo.

I’d have to re-check.

 

[PMF]

Yes, to The Emerald Forest.

As it is, I’ll support Kino’s higher bit-rate releases where double-dipping seems warranted to my title specific interests. As for The Emerald Forest, I luckily do not have this title in any format, so I’ll have a solid gain on this purchase.

 

[sbjork]

The old disc was 2.0. Same master, so I don't doubt that the new one is 2.0 as well.

I haven't ordered this one yet, but I have both the reauthored THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY and JUGGERNAUT, and the higher bitrates do make a difference. Not a dramatic one, but it's there. Kino is to be commended for adding value to these reissues that use the old masters: higher bitrates, slipcovers, and sometimes new commentary tracks. They're not screwing around with the bitrates, either -- the two that I have hold close to a rock-steady 40mpbs from beginning to end, with only fleeting variances. They're wringing everything that they can out of the old masters.

 

[Konstantinos]

The old disc was 2.0. Same master, so I don't doubt that the new one is 2.0 as well.

I think it was mono, and they said now it would be fixed to stereo.

 

[cineMANIAC]

I think the film deserves a complete remaster. It's always looked "dodgy" on every home media format I've watched it on and, while the I thought the Kino disc looks good, it still looks like a dated master (which it is). A fresh scan would remedy this but it all depends on the source, needless to say. Maybe it isn't worth remastering? I may double dip just for that slipcover on one of Kino's many future sales.

 

[sbjork]

I just popped the old disc in and yes, it's 2.0 mono. Don't have the new disc to compare it to, though.

 

[jremy7]

I just popped the old disc in and yes, it's 2.0 mono. Don't have the new disc to compare it to, though.

2.0 stereo with new one.

 

[commander richardson]

2.0 stereo with new one.

and like the DVD no English sub-titles except when the natives speak to each other in their foreign dialect.

 

[Ignacio]

The previous disc had some passages that were grainy as hell, and it didn't look to me like film grain at all. I hope this has been improved.

 

[sbjork]

The previous disc had some passages that were grainy as hell, and it didn't look to me like film grain at all. I hope this has been improved.

It's the same master, so if it wasn't noise from a bad encode, it'll still be there.

 

[Konstantinos]

and like the DVD no English sub-titles except when the natives speak to each other in their foreign dialect.

Again?
I thought the new blu-ray would have English subtitles for the English dialogue too..

 

[cineMANIAC]

Yes, to The Emerald Forest.

As it is, I’ll support Kino’s higher bit-rate releases where double-dipping seems warranted to my title specific interests. As for The Emerald Forest, I luckily do not have this title in any format, so I’ll have a solid gain on this purchase.

It'll take something more important than a higher bitrate for me to double dip. I always thought this needed a fresh scan and it deserves one. No more double dips for pretty cardboard for me.

 

[Wayne Klein]

Always thought it was a flawed but terrific film.

Again?
I thought the new blu-ray would have English subtitles for the English dialogue too..

it could use a new scan but looks pretty good. It does have English subtitles For the English dialogue.

 

[Wayne Klein]

and like the DVD no English sub-titles except when the natives speak to each other in their foreign dialect.

it does have English subtitles for the English portion.

 

[Konstantinos]

It does have English subtitles For the English dialogue.

You are sure, right? Because my purchasing this release will depend on that alone.

 

[Wayne Klein]

Yep. I just watched it last night with subtitles

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

Never doubt Zardoz when he speaks. The gun is good, this has subtitles.