Ben-Hur Ultimate Collector's Edition Blu-ray - Review up

[tama]

Review is up. The Screen shots look very good. The review is great as well. Can't wait to add this film to my collection.

Ben-Hur Blu-ray Review

[MacEachaidh]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

In his glowing review over at The Home Theater, Robert Harris does mention some mis-cuts (which he doesn't think most people will notice), he also mentions that the original negatives were in a real state, so maybe there was the odd frame missing. It sounds like a just in time restoration, & it sounds like they did a fantastic job. I can't wait to see it.

I think it would have had to have been more than just an odd frame or two to make the image noticeably jump, wouldn't it? (Just thinking out loud.)

But Harris' comment about the restoration and the generally dire state of the film puzzles me; if the film was in such a condition, then what did they restore it from for the previous 4-disc DVD release? That version itself was a spectacular improvement on any transfer that had gone before, so I'm wondering what they used for that transfer? Surely he doesn't mean the film had gone into such a poor state in the six or so years since the DVD was made?

But.... I will have to, as I'm buying it & passing to my family so they can give it to me as a Christmas present (along with a few other Blu's), as it seems I'm "difficult" to buy presents for!

That's very generous of you!

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

But Harris' comment about the restoration and the generally dire state of the film puzzles me; if the film was in such a condition, then what did they restore it from for the previous 4-disc DVD release? That version itself was a spectacular improvement on any transfer that had gone before, so I'm wondering what they used for that transfer? Surely he doesn't mean the film had gone into such a poor state in the six or so years since the DVD was made?

I'm guessing that DVD SE restoration was performed at the transfer stage and not on the negative itself.

This was a full blown 8k restoration of the original elements.

Perhaps someone can ask RAH over at the HTF...

[MacEachaidh]

I thought I'd read that the DVD transfer itself was from an original camera negative. But that's obviously not definitive.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

I thought I'd read that the DVD transfer itself was from an original camera negative. But that's obviously not definitive.

That's what I mean, they did the transfer but then performed the corrections after that. The corrections weren't saved to a negative.

[Deciazulado]

?

you're not making sense

Saved to a negative?

There's only one negative. The one that went through the camera.

[s2mikey]

Why cant stoopid Netflix have the blu-ray edition of this flick? I just put it in my que and noticed it was the special edition DVD. BARF! This film(Im assuming) needs to be seen in all its glory in High Def!

Damnit - Ive never seen it and have a strict NO blind-buy policy. Arrrgghhh!

Guess Ill have to watch the damned DVD.

[nathan_393]

God I want this.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

?

you're not making sense

Saved to a negative?

There's only one negative. The one that went through the camera.

They make a new negative from the restored 8k digital master.

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

?

you're not making sense

Saved to a negative?

There's only one negative. The one that went through the camera.

Only one original negative, but I'd think lots of dupe negs. 65mm interpos & interneg, 35mm reduction interpos & interneg & maybe CRI's. I bet they had lots of stuff to work from without going back to the actual cut camera negatives. To scan them, grade them & clean them up, that's where the money went.

[filmmusic]

Can anyone confirm the Greek subtitles please? because there are always mistakes in the tech specifications in the bluray reviews..

[42041]

Seems to look very nice. Wish the image was bigger

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Why cant stoopid Netflix have the blu-ray edition of this flick? I just put it in my que and noticed it was the special edition DVD. BARF! This film(Im assuming) needs to be seen in all its glory in High Def!

Damnit - Ive never seen it and have a strict NO blind-buy policy. Arrrgghhh!

Guess Ill have to watch the damned DVD.

Past time to give Netflix the boot, I've never seen a company treat it's customers like such . I switched to Blockbuster by Mail last year because of Netflix's practice of not getting most Blu-ray catalog releases while at the same time charging a surcharge to try to rent Blu-rays they don't carry. Blockbuster is even better now that Dish bought them. Ben Hur BD is in my Q for next week, this week I've been enjoying the original Star Wars trilogy on Blu-ray from Blockbuster.

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Why cant stoopid Netflix have the blu-ray edition of this flick? I just put it in my que and noticed it was the special edition DVD. BARF! This film(Im assuming) needs to be seen in all its glory in High Def!

Damnit - Ive never seen it and have a strict NO blind-buy policy. Arrrgghhh!

Guess Ill have to watch the damned DVD.

LOL! Too bad. But maybe you will come around once you have seen it.

Winner of 11 Oscars including Best Picture. One of which is the music score, which I think may be the best movie score ever.

I have had this on order since day one. Love it.

[dlevine]

Well, I'm ordering it blind. I've seen so many of Wyler's films, but haven't been able to see this one for some silly reason. If you have TCM, it is airing Saturday afternoon.

I was a little cautious getting a movie for $44.99 that I haven't seen before, but the reviews I'm seeing have sealed the deal for me. It looks great. Can't wait for Tuesday.

[oaguirre]

Originally Posted by tama

Review is up. The Screen shots look very good. The review is great as well. Can't wait to add this film to my collection.

Ben-Hur Blu-ray Review

5 of 5. This release looks promising.

[iceman]

Originally Posted by 42041

Seems to look very nice. Wish the image was bigger

Wide Screen VS Full Screen - YouTube

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by The Duke

Past time to give Netflix the boot, I've never seen a company treat it's customers like such . I switched to Blockbuster by Mail last year because of Netflix's practice of not getting most Blu-ray catalog releases while at the same time charging a surcharge to try to rent Blu-rays they don't carry. Blockbuster is even better now that Dish bought them. Ben Hur BD is in my Q for next week, this week I've been enjoying the original Star Wars trilogy on Blu-ray from Blockbuster.

Believe me, Im starting to at least think of just nuking blu-ray access to start with. Its not the $4 bucks a month its just the idea that they very often dont have the blu versions of films and that torks me off!

I suppose I could just buy it and if for some reason I didnt like it or didnt feel I needed to own it I could just sell it here or wherever for a minimal loss. Except...its $44 bucks. Geesh whiz.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Believe me, Im starting to at least think of just nuking blu-ray access to start with. Its not the $4 bucks a month its just the idea that they very often dont have the blu versions of films and that torks me off!

I suppose I could just buy it and if for some reason I didnt like it or didnt feel I needed to own it I could just sell it here or wherever for a minimal loss. Except...its $44 bucks. Geesh whiz.

I don't care for Warner's big box of fluff Collector's Editions, so by renting the blu-ray on release I can easily wait until there's a reasonably priced movie only version to own a copy. I've actually never seen it either, but I enjoy the epic Hollywood blockbusters of the 50s & 60s so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I bought The 10 Commandments and enjoyed it, despite a strong dislike of any religious element in movies.

[PRO-630HD]

I am dissappointed that the 1925 version is in SD especially considering it contains a few early technicolor sequences.