A Few Words About A few words about...™ Three Coins in the Fountain -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Three Coins in the Fountain is one of the quintessential early scope productions, brimming with wide shots of the hills of Rome, and those fountains, along with a slight case of mumps, inherent in the process

As directed by Jean Negulesco, it was a crowd pleaser of the era, if only for the travelogue aspects, as the plot is paper thin.

As far as CinemaScope goes, it was in its second year of productions. Fox released three in 1953, and then the floodgates opened, with seventeen in 1954. Three Coins was released relatively early on, in May.

The other studios came in with far lower numbers, presumably because the process was owned by Fox. M-G-M released seven, equal to WB, while Universal had two. Paramount had created a superior process in VistaVision.

Twilight Time's new Blu-ray is a pleasant way to watch the film, although color doesn't quite pop as I recall in the original prints, which I believe were dye transfer.

The image is clean, with requisite grain, and the audio is nice to hear in 5.1 (or 4.0) stereo. Aspect ratio is proper in the early 2.55 ratio.

A pleasant film, and an important historical part of CinemaScope's early history.


Image - 4.25

Audio - 5

Pass / Fail - Pass

Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely

Recommended

RAH

 

[Thomas T]

Some of the early comments had me on the fence about buying it but your 4.25 rating is good enough for me to take the plunge. I love the movie!

 

[Robert Crawford]

Yeah, there is going to be some push back on your 4.25 video grade from other people that were very disappointed in this TT release.

 

[Robin9]

Yeah, there is going to be some push back on your 4.25 video grade from other people that were very disappointed in this TT release.

I rarely disagree with Mr. Harris, but I do on this occasion.

 

[PMF]

I have resigned myself to accepting that not every film can have the pop and luster of those other rare and cherished titles that have displayed what a full restoration can do. In other words, I have resigned myself in the knowledge that such expectations require far more monies; other people's monies, as a matter of fact; than I, myself, could ever hope to acquire within my own lifetime. So, what's the next best thing that we can hope for? Simply having or knowing that there are accesses to the voluminous catalog titles that weren't present from the year(s) before.

More often than not, such groups as Twilight Time and those who offer such regarded titles as "Three Coins in the Fountain" continue on in their efforts and strive to present an image/sound that is at its utmost, within the means that are realistically available. Having not yet seen "Three Coins in the Fountain", I've been looking forward to seeing this film; albeit, due to its Oscar win for Best Cinematography; but will just have to supply my own imagination as to what those possibilities may have been within its own maximized color palates. No doubts, I'll begin to recognize what others may be saying about "Three Coins in the Fountain" and declare or wish that this, among many other films, should also receive a full restoration.

Truly, with the immense advancements of film restorations, the Genie has been released from its lamp and can never be put back. We know what we know. But in most cases, it seems to be mostly about funding. As it is, "Three Coins in the Fountain" has luckily been made available to us just under the wire; being its from 20th Century. i.e. The Fox that turned into a Mouse.

Glad we've got "3 Coins in the Fountain" and I'm looking forward to ordering mine.

 

[Kyrsten Brad]

Brad here. RAH, I also picked up on the slightly faded looking color on this film. Not that any of my family noticed.

I have a cousin (Hailey) who is graduating college this month and has some sort of internship set up over In Italy. This film will make a nice pre-trip gift for her. Hope TT’s site allows for sending gifts.

@Twilight Time : Any way on the TT site I can put in an order and have it sent to a different address as a gift?

 

[Robert Harris]

Brad here. RAH, I also picked up on the slightly faded looking color on this film. Not that any of my family noticed.

I have a cousin (Hailey) who is graduating college this month and has some sort of internship set up over In Italy. This film will make a nice pre-trip gift for her. Hope TT’s site allows for sending gifts.

I’ve not tried a tiny boost in projection chroma, which may help. I keep settings locked.

 

[Matt Hough]

I'm going to be reviewing it for HTF, too, and I'm looking forward to seeing it when the disc gets to me.

 

[notmicro]

...and speaking of 1954 in CinemaScope, Disney STILL hasn't released 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea on Blu yet!?!

 

[Josh Steinberg]

No, but there is a fantastic HD transfer available for rental and/or purchase at most digital retailers.