Alfred Hitchcock The Masterpiece Collection Limited Edition - 10/30, 2012 Reviews

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well Marnie sounds like it may have an actual "real" issue, if the pq suddenly improves for the last 20% of the film, so let's hope that is looked into.
maybe it's actually something that Universal didn't plan on being there--an actual technical digital realm computer error or the like.
we can hope right?

That's my hope. I've tried to be open-minded but if they've screwed the pooch on MARNIE, that's the deal-breaker for me.

[MifuneFan]

I'd be surprised if this actually does have a delay. If it does though, that would be the second major set delayed that was slated for September 25th, the first being the Marvel Avengers Phase One collection. Quite a cursed release day I'd say

[aimforsilence]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'd be surprised if this actually does have a delay. If it does though, that would be the second major set delayed that was slated for September 25th, the first being the Marvel Avengers Phase One collection. Quite a cursed release day I'd say

Don't jinx it. I NEEEEEEEEED Bond 50. Avengers box set delay was Marvel's fault. Hopefully they delay Hitchcock, it needs more work!

[streckfus]

Originally Posted by aimforsilence

Don't jinx it. I NEEEEEEEEED Bond 50. Avengers box set delay was Marvel's fault. Hopefully they delay Hitchcock, it needs more work!

Agreed. Bring on Bond 50 and fix Hitch. My wallet would thank me, as these would both be Day 1 purchases for me, in addition to The Game and The Avengers. Yikes.

It really is unfortunate that such a prestigious collection could be sent out the door with the type of problems described here, but at least Universal appears to be doing the right thing by delaying the set and getting it right.

We obviously can't expect full restorations of all films (although that begs the question of why this wasn't considered before doing the set in the first place), but given the quality of the previously released Psycho, you'd think Universal would anticipate that Hitch fans would be all over this set, and that they'd be expecting the same type of quality for the rest of the Hitchcock films.

I'll be the first to admit that some of these flicks are much higher on my "favs" list than others, but when you drop over $200 on a set of 15 films, you should be able to rest assured that all films are presented in the best possible light - save a complete restoration - regardless of how popular each individual film may be. We'll all agree to disagree about which films in the set are the best, but if any title is included at all, it should be given the utmost care.

[klauswhereareyou]

In no way was I expecting a restoration for Family Plot, Frenzy, or Marnie, but I was at least expecting something more on par with their Halloween II release from last year. A print kind of rough around the edges, but passable and a definite upgrade from any previous home release, not something that has been heavily digitally fiddled with.

[Cbeck]

I am not canceling my pre order. I want to see the discs on my own system. I don't doubt the credibility of the reviewer, but I would like to see a review of the US set with screen caps. Not just pics taken with a phone. They will have to fix the credit errors, that is a potential legal issue for them. They may just offer replacement discs though.

[Strevlac]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

In no way was I expecting a restoration for Family Plot, Frenzy, or Marnie, but I was at least expecting something more on par with their Halloween II release from last year. A print kind of rough around the edges, but passable and a definite upgrade from any previous home release, not something that has been heavily digitally fiddled with.

The term "restoration" as it is used today has lost all meaning anyway. Most of these highly-promoted "restorations" aren't even restorations by the dictionary definition of the term. They usually do a bunch of stuff that changes the image into something that was never even seen in the first place. Stuff that isn't necessary to get the film to looking like when it did when it premiered in the best cinemas. That should be the goal. That is what a restoration is, and I bet 90% of the time that is cheaper and requires less effort than what Universal is currently doing.

[Yojimbo68]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

In no way was I expecting a restoration for Family Plot, Frenzy, or Marnie, but I was at least expecting something more on par with their Halloween II release from last year. A print kind of rough around the edges, but passable and a definite upgrade from any previous home release, not something that has been heavily digitally fiddled with.

That's what I was expecting as well. It sounds like with Frenzy that if they fix the credits and turn down the DNR, we could be could to go. Marnie, on the other hand, that sounds like it's a mess.

[MikeyHitchFan]

Originally Posted by Cbeck

I am not canceling my pre order. I want to see the discs on my own system. I don't doubt the credibility of the reviewer, but I would like to see a review of the US set with screen caps. Not just pics taken with a phone. They will have to fix the credit errors, that is a potential legal issue for them. They may just offer replacement discs though.

This. I think he's likely got a huge display, so on my little 40" they might look pretty damn good. Not to say that they shouldn't all look as good as possible with the budget they have. Anyway, I never expected perfection on every title. We'll see what happens..

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Strevlac

Off the top of my head, Deliverance, Unforgiven, Out Of Africa, The African Queen. Deliverance and African Queen looking particularly atrocious. One could create more natural, organic looking titles using off the shelf software on their PC in about an hour.

Wow!! I had no idea this is happening for BD. I don't own any of those titles. That's terrible. What a lazy way for them to "restore" films. I'm glad to learn about this. Thanks!

[Strevlac]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Wow!! I had no idea this is happening for BD. I don't own any of those titles. That's terrible. What a lazy way for them to "restore" films. I'm glad to learn about this. Thanks!

It been going on for years, it didn't just start with BD. Even in the VHS era film titles were routinely replaced with crude video based titles.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Strevlac

It been going on for years, it didn't just start with BD. Even in the VHS era film titles were routinely replaced with crude video based titles.

Wow. Had absolutely no idea. That's awful. I hope Frenzy gets fixed now with the delay.

[ccg1978]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Wow!! I had no idea this is happening for BD. I don't own any of those titles. That's terrible. What a lazy way for them to "restore" films. I'm glad to learn about this. Thanks!

I thought the African Queen looked stunning on my TV! This review below also supports that!!

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/2875/africanqueen.html

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by ccg1978

I thought the African Queen looked stunning on my TV! This review below also supports that!!

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/2875/africanqueen.html

We were actually discussing only replacement of original titles, but the context got lost because only the most recent message gets quoted.

[dsman71]

Speaking of titles, I remember a lot of the Godzilla movies had title alterations such as Monster Zero, Terror of MechaGodzilla (where the VHS had no title of the film at all) AMC played Monster Zero as Godzilla vs. Monster Zero. So many title fonts/alterations arent so uncommon
Come to think of it Gamera was Gammera in the USA
What does this have to do with Frenzy, title-wise maybe something...in the big scheme of things and life, not much

[mzupeman]

I don't know. I want some of these movies really, really bad. But Christmas is coming up, and there are a lot of other 'smaller' releases I want that are far cheaper and could use my Amazon credit to pay for that stuff instead, since I won't be able to afford a lot of those smaller titles in the upcoming months. *sighs* This is truly a tough decision.

[GaragePoet]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'd be surprised if this actually does have a delay. If it does though, that would be the second major set delayed that was slated for September 25th, the first being the Marvel Avengers Phase One collection. Quite a cursed release day I'd say

ironically, the only way i could afford this right now is because the Marvel set was delayed... oh, what next?

[HonestJohn]

Cancelled my order yesterday as problems with this set seemed to be building up and money is tight. The bright-side is I can now afford to pickup the Indiana Jones Collection and the the Uni-Monsters Essential set is just right around the corner. So the possible delay is actually welcome as it will give me a chance to build up some bank for this set. Might even wait for individual releases as I really only wanted 5 titles out of this set anyway. Already own Psycho and NbNW Digi. Damn, wish I was rich.

[ShellOilJunior]

Folks are starting to take it to the streets --- the Amazon product page.

[mzupeman]

I have decided to cancel. It is a lot of money to gamble on. And I can now afford a bunch of other releases I wouldnt have been able to after buying this set.