Link to piece on restoration of Story of a Patriot... (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

For those with an interest in film restoration, here's a link to Colonial Williamsburg's website and an article on the restoration of their Visitors Center production -- Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot.

http://www.cwf.org/Foundation/journa...04/patriot.cfm


I'm told that it will make its way to DVD late this year.

For further information on the VistaVision process, I suggest a visit to The Wide Screen Museum.

RAH

 

[Jeff Swearingen]

The article says the new print will open in Williamsburg in late 2004. Any idea on when "late 2004" is?

 

[oscar_merkx]

Hi Robert

I read about this in an earlier Bits Column from you that was fascinating to say the least.

I will buy the dvd when it comes out

Cheerio

Oscar

 

[Robert Harris]

I believe the plan is late summer, after the replacement of screens and lamphouses to totally update their projection systems.

 

[Jeff Swearingen]

I was down in Alexandria VA today, and saw something about if you fill out this paper with your address and email, you get a complimentary copy of "Story of a Patriot" on DVD and information about visiting Williamsburg VA. I've been looking over the Williamsburg websites to find out more information to forward to other HTF members, but if you are at any site that the Jamestown 400th anniversary replica ship sails on the east coast in the next few weeks, stop by the visitor booths and try to find the booth with this offer.

 

[John Skoda]

Does anyone know if this DVD is anamorphic and stereo? I bought a VHS tape of this film in Williamsburg a year or two ago, and it was pan/scan and mono.

 

[Robert Harris]

The DVD is both anamorphic as well as 5.1, derived from the original Todd-AO 70mm format.

It does however, have a very basic compression format.

RAH

 

[John Skoda]

Good enough!

 

[TedD]

Huh???? The original element was Vistavision, not Todd-AO.

If this gets released in HD-DVD, sourced from the restored digital VV master, I'll be all over it.....

Ted

 

[Damin J Toell]

It had Todd-AO 6-track sound. RAH indicated that the DVD's DD 5.1 track is derived from that.

DJ

 

[andySu]

Robert Harris


This high resolution digital film scanner, is it higher than what film can possibly deliver, I read somewhere that “DLP” is less resolution than 65mm or 15perf “IMAX” so what sort of cost are we talking about to restore “The Patriot” 1957.

Is there an example of what “differential shrinkage” sounds like the frames won’t mach up, something like that, and 21,000 CD’s WOW! Now that’s is a bundle, I doubt very much there would be room to swing a cat in, with all those CD’s!

It’s amazing, the amount of data the eye sees in a day! Much less, a feature film that only runs for a few hours.

Good heavens above Robert’ “fourteen terabytes” what type of computers are you running there, “Cray super computers” I have heard there is a new data storage system that is 3-D holograph, produced by “IBM.” I’m not very bright when it comes down to computers, computers are mealy a valid tool for the user, and I find the some of its use, indispensable.

Looks like I picked the wrong day to watch those clips Robert as my pc started to cow up! But I read the article fascinating.

Final question, just how long is this film, I thought “Cleopatra” was longest running time for a motion picture?

 

[John Skoda]

I've ordered the DVD. Some amazing credits on this film--Bernard Herrmann provided the score.

 

[Cees Alons]

Ruling out "foreign" films (there are many longer than Cleopatra), we have:

The Godfather: The Complete Epic (1981) Francis Ford Coppola, 386 min.

OK, it could be argued that it's a TV version.

Hotel Terminus: The Life and Times... (1987) Marcel Ophüls, 267 min.

Alright, it's a documentary.
But:

Renaldo and Clara (1978) Bob Dylan, 292 min.
Gettysburg (1993) Ronald Maxwell, 248 min.

and only then:

Cleopatra (1963) Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 243 min.




Cees

 

[Robert Harris]

"Longest running" meaning continually screening since opening in 1957.

RAH

 

[Cees Alons]

Robert,

Very interesting article. Thanks for directing us to it.
Nice picture of you! The story about your son's reaction is grand.

I must admit here ( ), I didn't even know about this movie. Will buy the DVD as soon as it comes out!

Longest running indeed! That's even longer than the longest running British show (play), The Mousetrap (by Agatha Christie), which premiered on 12th April 1958 in London.


Cees

 

[Robert Harris]

http://www.williamsburgmarketplace.c...0602&langId=-1

 

[Cees Alons]

That's the restored version? Great, thanks!

Later: They don't ship abroad, but I'll see if I can get it from my usual i-net retailer (or else on Amazon).


Cees

 

[Stephen Orr]

We live near Williamsburg and have had a VHS copy of this for years. I guess it's time to trade up.

 

[GlennH]

We visited and toured Colonial Williamsburg on a short family vacation last October, my first trip there since I was less than 10 years old. Got to see the restored "Story of a Patriot" in the visitor center. I have been getting a lot of mailings from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation ever since. Yesterday a free copy of the DVD arrived in the mail (although a request to provide a gift to the foundation is included).

 

[RMajidi]

Mr Harris, do you know whether there's any plans/interest/likelihood in presenting Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot on Blu-ray?

Large-format VistaVision, historical significance, record-setting theatrical run, restoration by your good self... this surely demands an HD release!

Edit: I'm tempted to buy the restoration DVD, but would much prefer an HD presentation if one is forthcoming.