This is one of my favorite films, for various reasons (the primary one probably being that I watched it at just the right age and it imprinted on me at just the right time). I've got a copy of the 2009 blu-ray release but the transfer on there is in pretty rough shape: dust, scratches, image shake... pretty sad. I contacted Arrow and Shout! and begged them to do a restoration but they both said it wasn't anywhere in their near term plans (and I've got an open email out to
The Film Foundation).
Which leads to me to my only remaining option: doing it myself.
What are the chances a lone individual could go to MGM, acquire a license, pay for a (preferably) 4K scan, do the restoration and color grading themselves, then actually package it up and sell it? I found
another thread where folks mused on the financials of doing this. Estimates for the licensing fee were all over the place, but disc production had some
solid numbers: $5,000 for 1,000 discs, or $8,000 for 2,000.
I wonder if anyone like Arrow or Shout! would actually distribute a restored movie completed by someone else? That would definitely cut down on costs. I wouldn't even necessarily be in it to make a profit: I just really want to have a pristine copy of this film, and also the experience of doing the restoration.
Am I out of my mind or is this actually somewhat feasible? Is money the only obstacle? Let's say I had a wealthy benefactor who would be willing to help foot the bill...does that change the equation?