New restoration of GIANT (1956) to premiere at the 2022 TCM Film Festival (1 Viewer)

The 2022 TCM Film Festival will include a world premiere of a new restoration of Giant (1956), starring Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean. I know technology has advanced considerably since the now OOP 2013 Blu-ray was released, so I'm sure we're in for a treat. Here's hoping it will be released through WHV or the Warner Archive in due course.

For those interested, the TCMFF lineup will also include "theatrical premieres of new restorations of A STAR IS BORN (1937) and ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES (1938); a 90th anniversary screening of JEWEL ROBBERY (1932); the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical comedy THE GAY DIVORCEE (1934); the Gene Kelly musical IT’S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER (1955); the film noir classic KEY LARGO (1948); the action comedy THE LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER (1994); the Sammy Davis, Jr. drama A MAN CALLED ADAM (1966); and THE PAJAMA GAME (1957) presented in celebration of Doris Day’s 100th birthday."

Yup, looks like in 2022, we're getting a new BD release, but perhaps 4K/UHD release. I hope it's the latter.

Edit: On second thought, a 4K disc is out of the question due to the film elements and how this movie was filmed. Perhaps, a second BD release could be coming our way.

When i viewed the Blu-ray last year it was a mixed bag of some scenes looking nice and sharp and other scenes looking soft and fuzzy.

Judging from the history of the film and RAH's many articles about it, 4k is a fool's errand on Giant.

Looking at that list of other restorations premiering at the festival, I guess we can eliminate Gay Divorcée from the suspects for the mystery 1934 film that’s been delayed due to elements issues since they seemingly already have a restoration set for the festival.

Robert Crawford said:

Yup, looks like in 2022, we're getting a new BD release, but perhaps 4K/UHD release. I hope it's the latter.

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What would you do with 4k if you had it? The best part of the film isn’t 2k.

richardburton84 said:

Looking at that list of other restorations premiering at the festival, I guess we can eliminate Gay Divorcée from the suspects for the mystery 1934 film that’s been delayed due to elements issues since they seemingly already have a restoration set for the festival.

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My interpretation is that the wording of the press release only confirms that A STAR IS BORN and ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES are new restorations. ( We know that Pajama Game was already done earlier based on the stellar blu-ray )

Have to admit this puppy, which I have on a lackluster BD, could REALLY use a facelift! Still, wish they'd have done it for Raintree County.

Robert Harris said:

What would you do with 4k if you had it? The best part of the film isn’t 2k.

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I had a feeling my stated preference for 4K disc would elicit a response from you because I know the best part of film isn't in 2K. However, I'm a fan of applied HDR even though you aren't so, particularly if applied to older films. I understand that could change the look of the movie from what it was intended, but I think it would looked beautiful on my OLED so my preference is strictly a selfish one.

Edit: On second thought, a 4K disc is out of the question due to the film elements and how this movie was filmed. Perhaps, a second BD release could be coming our way.

Lord Dalek said:

Judging from the history of the film and RAH's many articles about it, 4k is a fool's errand on Giant.

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Wouildn't that largely depend upon whether the restoration can somehow resolve the cut-long edits? That alone would make it a double-dip for me, even if only 1980p Blu-ray.

Lord Dalek said:

Judging from the history of the film and RAH's many articles about it, 4k is a fool's errand on Giant.

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I guess I’m a fool then.

Not sure how they can get around Mr. Stevens' burnt-in slow dissolves, but maybe they can.

After Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging worked miracles on such WarnerColor films as THE PAJAMA GAME and MISTER ROBERTS, I'll assume they can make noticeable improvements on GIANT.

If only they would tackle another WarnerColor classic, LAND OF THE PHARAOHS. (Yes, some of us are obsessed with that title.)

Maybe they found some cans somewhere and will redo the opticals

otherwise I can’t see how they could improve on the already excellent Blu ray

willyTass said:

otherwise I can’t see how they could improve on the already excellent Blu ray

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Is my memory faulty again as I thought this BD was not well received video presentation-wise by many people around here?

The "already excellent blu ray" was a huge disappointment!

Robert Crawford said:

Is my memory faulty again as I thought this BD was not well received video presentation-wise by many people around here?

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your memory is not faulty. At the time it was described as best as it will ever be.

The biggest problem with Giant was the conformation of the cut negative in single strand with all of the printer functions cut long.

It's possible with today's digital tools that a tiny bit more information might be found in them, but it will be minimal.

On the other side, every bit helps.

Robert Crawford said:

Is my memory faulty again as I thought this BD was not well received video presentation-wise by many people around here?

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I speak only for myself but although I find the disc unwatchable, it's not because the disc is bad. When I saw the film in a cinema, my reaction was the same. It's those long, long dissolves.

mark brown said:

The "already excellent blu ray" was a huge disappointment!

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Prepare for an even bigger one then. Giant's deficiancies are entirely film level.