"The Alamo"s Status? (4 Viewers)

[Allansfirebird]

I've not seen mention of this Todd-AO western in a little while, so I was curious if I could ask Mr. Harris & others that're in the know, what's going on with it? I mean, as far as the potential restoration of the roadshow version of the film?

I apologize if this question has been answered before.

 

[David_B_K]

There is thread devoted to this somewhere. There are few new posts because the only known remaining print of the long version was allowed to deteriorate to nothingness. If it ever comes out on Blu-ray, it will be the 160 minute version. Try to find the laserdisc or VHS of the so-called roadshow version if you ever want to see it.

 

[Robert Harris]

I've not seen mention of this Todd-AO western in a little while, so I was curious if I could ask Mr. Harris & others that're in the know, what's going on with it? I mean, as far as the potential restoration of the roadshow version of the film? I apologize if this question has been answered before.

The question has been asked before.But things seem to be changing. Updates to come.RAH

 

[Charles Smith]

But things seem to be changing.

Sometimes it's the little things, like this, that keep us going and get us up for another round.

 

[Lromero1396]

The question has been asked before.But things seem to be changing. Updates to come.RAH

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but this is the first good news we've heard in 3 years, so it's a bit hard not to.

 

[JoHud]

The question has been asked before.But things seem to be changing. Updates to come.

Good news? Could it be??

 

[Matt Hough]

I will let my hopes be raised a little, but I certainly am glad I still have my laserdisc set.

 

[Allansfirebird]

The question has been asked before.But things seem to be changing. Updates to come.RAH

I appreciate the response. That's wonderful to hear that at least something is happening now, I'm eager to find out what!

I'm glad that I at least have the VHS of the roadshow version, so for now, I can enjoy it in that format.

 

[rsmithjr]

I saw the shorter version during original release, and then saw it a few times afterwards. Not at all impressive. The full-length LD is a very different story. Let's hope we see the long version showcased, if at all possible.

A question for Mr. Harris: is it possible that more recent restoration techniques may bring us the longer version more effectively than what would have been possible a few years ago?

 

[Robert Harris]

I saw the shorter version during original release, and then saw it a few times afterwards. Not at all impressive. The full-length LD is a very different story. Let's hope we see the long version showcased, if at all possible. A question for Mr. Harris: is it possible that more recent restoration techniques may bring us the longer version more effectively than what would have been possible a few years ago?

More effectively, yes, however there are currently no large format elements from which a quality image can be harvested without high end restoration and heavy lifting. The original roadshow version might best be oriented toward HD uses, while the shorter version could be taken out theatrically -- but with great effort and immense data throughput.Sorry, but nothing more to report at this time.RAH

 

[DennisBassi]

I always click through on any thread concerning this movie with great trepidation, as I can't stand the thought of some bad news about something irreversible concerning the elements. I have a factory sealed VHS widescreen 193 minute version that I keep and will watch when all hope is lost about something better coming along. Very depressing. I hope that at the very least the situation does not get worse.

 

[rsmithjr]

I always click through on any thread concerning this movie with great trepidation, as I can't stand the thought of some bad news about something irreversible concerning the elements. I have a factory sealed VHS widescreen 193 minute version that I keep and will watch when all hope is lost about something better coming along. Very depressing. I hope that at the very least the situation does not get worse.

Try finding the LD boxed set.

 

[Jacksmyname]

I have it on VHS, still sealed. Two casettes. How to tell if it's the roadshow version?
Running time?

 

[John Hermes]

I have it on VHS, still sealed. Two casettes. How to tell if it's the roadshow version?
Running time?

The short version is 161 minutes, 202 minutes on the laser long version.

 

[Jacksmyname]

The short version is 161 minutes, 202 minutes on the laser long version.

Thanks John.

 

[DVBRD]

The short version is 161 minutes, 202 minutes on the laser long version.

I had a VHS of this film that displayed the running time as "2 hours and 53 minutes" (173 minutes). If you have that copy, Jack, the 12 additional minutes consists entirely of the overture, entr'acte, and exit music. It's still the short version.

 

[Bob_S.]

More effectively, yes, however there are currently no large format elements from which a quality image can be harvested without high end restoration and heavy lifting. The original roadshow version might best be oriented toward HD uses, while the shorter version could be taken out theatrically -- but with great effort and immense data throughput.Sorry, but nothing more to report at this time.RAH

Wait a minute. That was the "updates to come"? Man, what a bummer, I was hoping for something more than that.

 

[JoeDoakes]

Wait a minute. That was the "updates to come"? Man, what a bummer, I was hoping for something more than that.

Mr. Harris put nothing more to report at this time a few hours after updates to come. I imagine updates are a matter of weeks or months not hours.

 

[schan1269]

The issue with movies like this, and have seen the same discussions, is when there are more than 1 version of a movie...you can't expect all versions to survive the same way.

I would be happy with this movie if the short and long versions were combined into one. Obviously better versions of the short version exist. If parts were added in from "what was available" I'd still buy it.

By the way, one of the original intentions of "BD Live*" was to allow "internet introduced" elements into films at the time of playback. Meaning, you buy your disc and it includes the short version of a movie. I'll use Cinema Paradiso as an example here. A movie where the short "shitty version" is the only version on BD.

At one time, BD Live* was supposed to allow the watcher of a given movie to put the disc in their BD player and watch the movie as contained. However, you could enable BD Live and splice in the extra minutes of the movie(everywhere they should go) from the 'net. Sure the movie would go from 1080P to 480P, but you'd have the entire movie.

Where did that ability go? I would watch certain movies that way...if that were the only way to see it.

*This was before profile 2.0/BD Live hit the consumer market. HD-DVD was working on a similar idea.

 

[Jari K]

I never use BD Live (or if I use it, there are just some trailers or connection issues). If they want to add extras, they should be included on the disc(s) itself. Blu-ray is a physical media. If I want to dl or stream stuff I use other sources.