A Few Words About The Big Country (redux) -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

For me, any time we have the release of a new well-produced Blu-ray of a William Wyler film, it's a time to pause and celebrate.

And his 1958, The Big Country, is one such cause for celebration.

But we'll up the ante.

Gregory Peck

Jean Simmons

Carrol Baker

Charlton Heston

Burl Ives

Charles Bickford

A momentous score by Jerome Moross

Cinematography in Technirama by Franz Planer

No reason to go further.

The Big Country is one of the greatest westerns ever created.

One more important point.

The de-anamorphosis problem in the original Blu-ray has been fixed. Color and density ride a bit better.

Only negative are some dissolves that don't work properly. But that's a tiny negative, among a world of positives.

A great release from Kino, that should be in every serious collection.


Image - 4.6

Audio - 5

Pass / Fail - Pass

Upgrade from previous Blu-ray - Absolutely!

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

 

[Mark VH]

Very exciting news! Good to know my decision to jump on this has been validated. Can't wait to watch it.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Jean Simmons

I'm already on record that this is usually enough to push me towards ordering a disc. But I'll take the rest of Robert's positive remarks, too.

It's already safely in my "to watch" pile (along with this week's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). I hope it's not sitting there too long.

 

[PMF]

But Mr. Frezon, who needs to have 7 Brides when all you need in life is just one Jean Simmons?

 

[Robert Harris]

But Mr. Frezon, who needs to have 7 Brides when all you need in life is just one Jean Simmons?

One of the nicest, most real people, one could ever hope to meet!

 

[Mark VH]

Jean Simmons is probably my all-time classic movie crush (edging out Teresa Wright).

Also, FWIW, Jeff Wells has some interesting inside info from Kino as to exactly what transpired with the remaster. Turns out MGM were the ones who ultimately remastered the title at the request of Kino. Based on previous comments from Kino I was under the impression it was they who incurred the cost and did the grunt work in remastering it. Makes one wonder why MGM didn't recognize the issues with the original disc and remaster/re-issue it (given that many at the time complained about the stretching and flicker issues). Regardless, glad it's all been taken care of now and I'm excited to receive my copy.

http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2018/06/big-country-bluray-update/#disqus_thread

 

[benbess]

Really enjoyed watching this new blu-ray of The Big Country. One of my top 5 Westerns from the 1950s....

 

[Doff Hat]

Makes one wonder why MGM didn't recognize the issues with the original disc and remaster/re-issue it (given that many at the time complained about the stretching and flicker issues). Regardless, glad it's all been taken care of now and I'm excited to receive my copy.

Not that I noticed that much at the time, but has it been confirmed the flicker issues are now corrected in this release?

 

[JoeBond]

Great news that they got this one right. I'm annoyed though that almost every online retailer has this title out of stock. Clearly it's selling quicker than Kino anticipated. I'll wait till it comes back in stock. Hopefully it's soon.

 

[dpippel]

I screened part of this last night, and it looks FABULOUS! The title card on my copy, however, read The Big COUNTRY. Must be defective.

 

[PMF]

The Big Country is currently listed with Best Buy as "Sold Out".
I hope that's true, rather than a case of none ever being in stock.
Yes, "Sold Out" would be very encouraging news, indeed.

 

[GerardoHP]

Chuck Connors COULD act.

 

[Allansfirebird]

I said to hell with my limited funds and the moment, and am expecting my copy sometime this week. I've been waiting too long to see this set.

 

[John Hermes]

Chuck Connors COULD act.

If you ever have the chance to watch The Rifleman episode "Deadly Image", do so. Chuck plays both the mild-mannered Lucas McCain, and his evil lookalike, a character named Earl Bantry. Great range of acting by him in that show.

 

[Dave B Ferris]

Great news that they got this one right. I'm annoyed though that almost every online retailer has this title out of stock. Clearly it's selling quicker than Kino anticipated. I'll wait till it comes back in stock. Hopefully it's soon.

I'm also annoyed. I ordered from Amazon on release-day, 6/5.

On 6/8, I received an automated message that started: We have good news! We now have delivery date(s) for your item(s) listed below.

The quote-unquote good news was for a date-range from 6/20 through 6/27. I contacted Amazon (a random rep) to let them know that a +/- 3 week delay is most assuredly *not* "good news". I never swore, or cursed, but the rep knew I was angry. Just as the rep started to offer compensation, I hung up - because the presumably meager compensation she would have offered was never the point. The point was to get across the notion that a +/- 3 week delay from the biggest store on earth is *not* "good news".

I think at least one rep now understands that point, but as for the rest of the company, meh.

 

[Randy Korstick]

I await confirmation that the flicker issue of the previous blu ray has been corrected before upgrading.

 

[Bob Cashill]

CineSavant says yes: https://trailersfromhell.com/the-big-country/

 

[Richard V]

Jean Simmons is probably my all-time classic movie crush (edging out Teresa Wright).

Also, FWIW, Jeff Wells has some interesting inside info from Kino as to exactly what transpired with the remaster. Turns out MGM were the ones who ultimately remastered the title at the request of Kino. Based on previous comments from Kino I was under the impression it was they who incurred the cost and did the grunt work in remastering it. Makes one wonder why MGM didn't recognize the issues with the original disc and remaster/re-issue it (given that many at the time complained about the stretching and flicker issues). Regardless, glad it's all been taken care of now and I'm excited to receive my copy.

http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2018/06/big-country-bluray-update/#disqus_thread

Please excuse my ignorance up front, but curious what the cost difference is between a remaster, and a restoration (i.e. The Alamo). Again, I'm ignorant on the topic and wondering if the cost difference is that wide a gulf?

 

[Jimbo64]

CineSavant says yes: https://trailersfromhell.com/the-big-country/

Thank you for posting this

 

[BiffGrimes]

Just watched a few selected scenes and OMG it looks amazing !
Very happy indeed.