titch
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2012
- Messages
- 3,026
- Real Name
- Kevin Oppegaard
As there are absolutely no reviews anywhere of this 2024 Italian release, I ordered it. I've never heard of Sinister Film and their website has zero relevant information on it. Without having seen the Spanish "Backfire Productions" 2020 blu-ray, I'm certain that this Italian blu-ray is using the same DVD-era master - although it's AVC-coded - with a bitrate hovering around 25-30 Mb/s. The review on blu-ray.com mentions a lot of blemishes, scratches, nicks and dirt, all of which are prevalent here. I didn't notice any film grain on my projector screen - the picture quality is nowhere near what a new 4K scan of the original negative would render.
As regards the soundtrack - it seems to use the same DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital codecs, as on the Spanish blu-ray. I have blu-ray and SACD audio versions of Pink-Floyd's 5.1 mixes for Dark Side of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and Animals. Fans have been hoping for a James Guthrie 5.1 mix for The Wall for eons, but that will probably not see the light of day, as long as Roger Waters and David Gilmore are still alive. Thus, the blu-ray film is the only way to hear a high-resolution version of the album. The film soundtrack, although powerful, has a conservative front-centric mix, with effects spread out to the rear channels. It is nothing like the recent audiophile Atmos mix for Dark Side Of The Moon, or the stunning audiophile 5.1 mixes for Animals and Wish You Were Here.
The Italian blu-ray has the same extras featured on the DVD release: the commentary by Roger Waters and the film's graphic designer Gerald Scarfe. Two different making-of documentaries (one for the DVD release in the 1990's - no credits are attached - an another one produced before the theatrical release in 1982), production stills, and the film's trailer. The Alan Parker commentary, which is one of the most sought-after LaserDisc commentaries, is still missing.
The film and the supplements all have optional Italian subtitles. Included in the package is a booklet in Italian and some postcards with stills from the film. None of these justify the manufacturer's suggested retail price of €100 (about $100).
This blu-ray will be released again as a cheaper standalone version March 12th, with an MSRP of €30.
I'm really happy to have one, imperfect, version of this film in my library, as it is a key film from my teenage years. I was also a big Pink Floyd fan back in the day. One never knows; Arrow Video or Vinegar Syndrome might commission a new 4K scan from MGM, as this is a very desired cult title. It's definitely much better to watch this on a big screen, than the DVD.
Anyone picking this up, should do so with modest expectations.
As regards the soundtrack - it seems to use the same DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital codecs, as on the Spanish blu-ray. I have blu-ray and SACD audio versions of Pink-Floyd's 5.1 mixes for Dark Side of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and Animals. Fans have been hoping for a James Guthrie 5.1 mix for The Wall for eons, but that will probably not see the light of day, as long as Roger Waters and David Gilmore are still alive. Thus, the blu-ray film is the only way to hear a high-resolution version of the album. The film soundtrack, although powerful, has a conservative front-centric mix, with effects spread out to the rear channels. It is nothing like the recent audiophile Atmos mix for Dark Side Of The Moon, or the stunning audiophile 5.1 mixes for Animals and Wish You Were Here.
The Italian blu-ray has the same extras featured on the DVD release: the commentary by Roger Waters and the film's graphic designer Gerald Scarfe. Two different making-of documentaries (one for the DVD release in the 1990's - no credits are attached - an another one produced before the theatrical release in 1982), production stills, and the film's trailer. The Alan Parker commentary, which is one of the most sought-after LaserDisc commentaries, is still missing.
The film and the supplements all have optional Italian subtitles. Included in the package is a booklet in Italian and some postcards with stills from the film. None of these justify the manufacturer's suggested retail price of €100 (about $100).
This blu-ray will be released again as a cheaper standalone version March 12th, with an MSRP of €30.
I'm really happy to have one, imperfect, version of this film in my library, as it is a key film from my teenage years. I was also a big Pink Floyd fan back in the day. One never knows; Arrow Video or Vinegar Syndrome might commission a new 4K scan from MGM, as this is a very desired cult title. It's definitely much better to watch this on a big screen, than the DVD.
Anyone picking this up, should do so with modest expectations.
