The Big Trail & The Barbarian and the Geisha - 5/8 | Wide Release 11/13

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The Big Trail Blu-ray

The Big Trail Blu-ray Review

In this sweeping pioneer adventure, a courageous young scout (John Wayne) leads hundreds of settlers across treacherous cliffs, though brutal snowstorms, Indian attacks and buffalo stampedes to their destiny out West. Along the way, he loses his heart to a beautiful pioneer woman (Marguerite Churchill) and never stops trying to win her love. Tyrone Power co-stars in this visually spectacular epic.

Presented in Black & White.

The Barbarian and the Geisha Blu-ray

The Barbarian and the Geisha Blu-ray Review

John Wayne stars in this historical drama of one man's successful struggle to open Japan to the western world. "The Barbarian And The Geisha" is the true story of Townsend Harris, who in 1856 was appointed by President Pierce to be the first American consul to Japan. Headquartered in Shimoda, Harris discovers that the Japanese thoroughly mistrust the Americans. Slowly, Harris earns the respect of the local power brokers and townsfolk and is permitted to enter the city of Tokyo. A beautiful Geisha, originally sent to thwart Harris' mission, falls in love with him and finally decides to protect him from harm.

[Arkadin]

OMG!!!!
incredible news!!!
more John Wayne!!!!

[DarknessBDJM]

Figures, after I spend the money on the French import for The Big Trail.

[Deciazulado]

Will The Big Trail have both the 35mm Academy and 70mm Fox Grandeur versions?

[Brad1963]

I've been wanting Big Trail. Great news indeed. I'm glad it did not end up as a Twilight Time title.

[benbess]

Good news! Any word on msrp? I have to admit, these releases are the times when I walk into my local Walmart.

[Arkadin]

Originally Posted by DarknessBDJM

Figures, after I spend the money on the French import for The Big Trail.

don't feel bad. there's just no way to know. I got burned on a bunch of Miramax bds from France and Germany. plus Pulp Fiction Scandinavian release.
(you took one for the team and we appreciate it)

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by benbess

Good news! Any word on msrp? I have to admit, these releases are the times when I walk into my local Walmart.

$12.96. I ordered it online and with tax and standard shipping it came to $16.06.

[benbess]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

$12.96. I ordered it online and with tax and standard shipping it came to $16.06.

Thanks!

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

Will The Big Trail have both the 35mm Academy and 70mm Fox Grandeur versions?

That's my question. I guess I don't care that much about the movie itself, but I would love to see what the 70mm version looked like. I wasn't aware that any of the large format films from the 1920s and 30s had survived (aside from Napoleon, which had the triptych sequences near the end).

The ones that I'm aware of are as follows:
1926 Rollercoaster Ride Essany Corp. 63mm Natural Version
1926 Niagra Falls Essany Corp. 63mm Natural Version
1927 The American Essany Corp. 63mm Natural Version
1929 Campus Sweethearts RKO Radio 63mm Natural Version
Apr-29 Fox Grandeur News (Short) Fox 65mm Grandeur 2.13:1
5/29/29 Fox Movetone Follies of 1929 Fox 65mm Grandeur 2.13:1

2/30/1930 Happy Days Fox 65mm Grandeur 2.13:1
1930 Danger Lights RKO Radio 63mm Natural Version
1930 You're In The Army Now (short, screening only) Lorenzo delRiccio 56mm 1.85:1 Paramount Magnafilm
1930 Niagra Falls (short) Fox 65mm Grandeur 2.13:1
1930 Song O' My Heart Fox 65mm Grandeur 2.13:1
1930 The Big Trail Fox 65mm Grandeur 2.13:1
1930 A Soldier's Plaything WB WB Vitascope 65mm (interlock Movietone disc?)
1930 Billy the Kid MGM MGM Realife (same as Grandeur)

1931 The Lash WB WB Vitascope 65mm (interlock Movietone disc?)
1931 Kisment WB WB Vitascope 65mm (interlock Movietone disc?)
? Larry Ceballos Review (short) WB WB Vitascope 65mm (interlock Movietone disc?)
1931 The Bat Whispers UA UA 65mm (may have been Magnafilm)
Mar-31 The Great Meadow MGM MGM Realife (same as Grandeur)

[Arkadin]

it will be the scope version 99% because that is the version that is out in France, so you have to assume it is based on the same transfer.
the US dvd obviously has both versions, and it would be really nice to have a 2 disc bd set, but at least we are getting something.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

don't feel bad. there's just no way to know. I got burned on a bunch of Miramax bds from France and Germany. plus Pulp Fiction Scandinavian release.
(you took one for the team and we appreciate it)

You & Me both! Really happy Fox is still going strong on bringing classic film to BD. I'll reward them with a day 1 purchase.

[DarknessBDJM]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

it will be the scope version 99% because that is the version that is out in France, so you have to assume it is based on the same transfer.
the US dvd obviously has both versions, and it would be really nice to have a 2 disc bd set, but at least we are getting something.

The restoration was transferred to anamorphic 35mm, but the 35mm version filmed at the time is not the one out in France.

Originally Posted by Arkadin

don't feel bad. there's just no way to know. I got burned on a bunch of Miramax bds from France and Germany. plus Pulp Fiction Scandinavian release.
(you took one for the team and we appreciate it)

It's early enough where I can hopefully send it back if need be

[stlcards]

I have never seen either movie but as a John Wayne fan will have to get both.

[Arkadin]

I just meant the bd in France is a widescreen presentation as opposed to academy ratio.
so what I was trying to say is that the US bd will 99% be a widescreen presentation and will most likely not present the film in 4:3.

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by DarknessBDJM

The restoration was transferred to anamorphic 35mm, but the 35mm version filmed at the time is not the one out in France.

As film resolution doubles every 60 years and it was ~80, I'd think a modern fine grain 35mm intermediate probably could capture most of it.

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

That's my question. I guess I don't care that much about the movie itself, but I would love to see what the 70mm version looked like. I wasn't aware that any of the large format films from the 1920s and 30s had survived (aside from Napoleon, which had the triptych sequences near the end).

ZoetMB, The Bat Whispers also has survived.

[TJS_Blu]

More great release news. I had the old fool screen version that I snapped up on release day and never upgraded, so it's nice that this one comes with a DVD.

[Akijama]

Interesting.I'd love to see more prominent 20th Century Fox titles like : The Grapes of Wrath,Laura,Leave Her to Heaven,My Darling Clementine,The Flight of the Phoenix,Zorba the Greek,Night and the City,Fallen Angel,etc.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Interesting.I'd love to see more prominent 20th Century Fox titles like : The Grapes of Wrath,Laura,Leave Her to Heaven,My Darling Clementine,The Flight of the Phoenix,Zorba the Greek,Night and the City,Fallen Angel,etc.

The Grapes of Wrath should be ready to go at the right time for the releases schedule - I have a 720p HDTV recording that looks fantastic.

[CinemaScope]

Barbarian is an odd choice, but it is the Duke. Good to see all these Fox 50's 'scope films released, & not just from Twilight Time. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter & Prince Valiant from Eureka in the UK & Warlock, Broken Lance & Garden Of Evil in France (hopefully not forced subs). Looks like Fox's licensing dept. is keeping busy.