International THE ALAMO (John Wayne's extended cut) (1 Viewer)

[OliverK]

The various running times of this film are somewhat bemusing. The "basic" version runs 162 minutes. Supposedly this is 26 minutes shorter than the LA premiere version, which makes that version 188 minutes. However the version passed by the BBFC in the UK (and presumably shown at the Astoria, Charing Cross Road on its UK premiere roadshow run) is 193 minutes, which is also the running time quoted in the Monthly Film Bulletin review. Presumably the UK running time includes overture, entre'acte and exit music (which the 162 minute version lacks). so accounting for the difference between this and the putative 188 minute version. The 1993 UK VHS release runs 202 minutes at 25 fps (PAL 4% speed up), which works out at 210 minutes at the correct speed and appears to be a version never shown theatrically. Presumably the new German Blu-ray of the 202 minute version is 25 fps, while the BD of the 162 minute version is 24 fps (the DVD in the set runs 155 minutes at 25fps).

The LD is also 202 minutes so that seems in line with the length of the Blu-ray. I would expect that UK VHS to not really be 202 minutes at 50 Hz after all. Most likely is some kind of typo regarding the length or the tape was really NTSC and not PAL. The German version is indeed 720p 23,976 Hz and most of the other versions probably mainly differ because the overture, intermission and exit music can make quite a difference through their absence or inclusion either separately or as a whole.

 

[Paul Tilburgs]

Yes it looks a bit like a missed opportunity that they would not use the multichannel tracks for the long version.

It is a DTS-HD MA 2.0 surround track. The English one, I mean. The German track is mono.

 

[Reed Grele]

It is a DTS-HD MA 2.0 surround track. The English one, I mean. The German track is mono.

When mine arrives, I'll compare the 2.0 "surround track" on the BD to the LD with AC3 5.1.

 

[Robert Harris]

Yes it looks a bit like a missed opportunity that they would not use the multichannel tracks for the long version.

It's one of the finest recorded and mixed tracks - ever.

 

[Douglas R]

The LD is also 202 minutes so that seems in line with the length of the Blu-ray. I would expect that UK VHS to not really be 202 minutes at 50 Hz after all. Most likely is some kind of typo regarding the length or the tape was really NTSC and not PAL. The German version is indeed 720p 23,976 Hz and most of the other versions probably mainly differ because the overture, intermission and exit music can make quite a difference through their absence or inclusion either separately or as a whole.

I copied my UK VHS video to DVD years ago and it does run to 202 minutes, including Overture, Entr'Acte and Exit Music. The VHS box actually says 203 minutes. So presumably the VHS was NTSC.

 

[OliverK]

I copied my UK VHS video to DVD years ago and it does run to 202 minutes, including Overture, Entr'Acte and Exit Music. The VHS box actually says 203 minutes. So presumably the VHS was NTSC.

That would be a good decision to keep it in NTSC as PAL speedup would really have been an issue with such a beautiful soundtrack.

 

[Robert Harris]

Amazon Said to Make $9 Billion Offer for MGM

The ecommerce giant has been in talks to acquire the legendary studio and its library for several weeks.

variety.com

 

[Robert Crawford]

Amazon Said to Make $9 Billion Offer for MGM

The ecommerce giant has been in talks to acquire the legendary studio and its library for several weeks.

variety.com

I don't quite understand why Amazon would want MGM. The Bond franchise doesn't have the same luster as it did years ago.

 

[Robert Harris]

I don't quite understand why Amazon would want MGM. The Bond franchise doesn't have the same luster as it did years ago.

IP

 

[Robert Crawford]

IP

????

 

[ahollis]

IP

Intellectual Property ?????

 

[Robert Crawford]

Intellectual Property ?????

Still for 9 Billion, not worth it in my opinion.

 

[Robert Harris]

Still for 9 Billion, not worth it in my opinion.

Hopefully, someone is smart enough to examine the details of the elements in the library

 

[Robert Crawford]

Hopefully, someone is smart enough to examine the details of the events in the library

Not a good investment because there is a general lack of interest in older films among most of the general public.

 

[mark brown]

In any event, this purchase might be the answer to the problem with the library!

 

[TravisR]

Not a good investment because there is a general lack of interest in older films among most of the general public.

That's my take on it too but Amazon is obviously run by people who know how to make money so maybe they plan on remaking a ton of MGM's movies. However, considering the relative lack of impact that MGM has had with the remakes of Ben Hur, The Magnificent Seven, Tomb Raider, Death Wish, Overboard, or Valley Girl in recent years, I don't know that I'd gamble $9 billion on making back that much from remaking even more of their library.

 

[Robert Crawford]

In any event, this purchase might be the answer to the problem with the library!

I wouldn't count on that, but we can be hopeful!

 

[ahollis]

I think the streaming companies are buying up any content they can. Just as the film companies were acquiring the assets of failed film companies during the great home video era. It’s not the cost so much as how large is the library.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I think the streaming companies are buying up any content they can. Just as the film companies were acquiring the assets of failed film companies during the great home video era. It’s not the cost so much as how large is the library.

That's probably it and I'm sure they did a complete cost analysis to support this possible purchase.

 

[Worth]

I don't quite understand why Amazon would want MGM. The Bond franchise doesn't have the same luster as it did years ago.

And MGM only controls 50% of Bond and can't make any major decisions regarding the series unilaterally.