Complete series of "The Storyteller" on blu coming August 2025

[octobercountry]

From Viavision, all 13 episodes of Henson's The Storyteller coming in August. Great series!

https://viavision.com.au/shop/jim-he...ition-blu-ray/

[octobercountry]

From what I understand, the series was shot on 35mm film and finished on tape (as was common during this time period). So the question is, are the blu-rays upscales which are sourced from the standard definition tapes, or have the episodes been rebuilt so as to be in true high definition?

If this was finished on PAL video, the native detail would be limited to the 576 active lines of resolution the system features. Best case scenario, however, is a new scan from the negatives with re-done effects shots. Don't know if there's any chance of that happening---though with a total running time of only about five-and-a-quarter hours, it seems like it's doable, if the negatives are still around.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by octobercountry

From what I understand, the series was shot on 35mm film and finished on tape (as was common during this time period). So the question is, are the blu-rays upscales which are sourced from the standard definition tapes, or have the episodes been rebuilt so as to be in true high definition?

If this was finished on PAL video, the native detail would be limited to the 576 active lines of resolution the system features. Best case scenario, however, is a new scan from the negatives with re-done effects shots. Don't know if there's any chance of that happening---though with a total running time of only about five-and-a-quarter hours, it seems like it's doable, if the negatives are still around.

"Presented in the highest quality possible using the available HD masters as supplied by the studio, derived from the videotape masters."

The link has the answer.

[PonyoBellanote]

Yeah; this was filmed on 35mm, but sadly, had a lot of post-pro effects and edits and composites that were done on tape. I'm not sure if the original negatives even exist, but even if they were.. the cost and work of recreating everything would be impossible. That's why it hasn't been done so far.

See, and I wouldn't mind this being an upscale if the quality was decent. I believe the cropped crap I saw years ago didn't look good at all...

[GonzoTheGreat]

Originally Posted by octobercountry

From Viavision, all 13 episodes of Henson's The Storyteller coming in August. Great series!

https://viavision.com.au/shop/jim-he...ition-blu-ray/

Will the Via Vision version be region free?

[Mocro]

Originally Posted by GonzoTheGreat

Will the Via Vision version be region free?

I had the same question. From the looking around thst I've done, the answer is Yes(thought to be fair, there's no official answer from ViaVision). Umbrella (also Australia) blurays are region free so it would make sense.

[GonzoTheGreat]

Originally Posted by Mocro

I had the same question. From the looking around thst I've done, the answer is Yes(thought to be fair, there's no official answer from ViaVision). Umbrella (also Australia) blurays are region free so it would make sense.

A rep from Via Vision just emailed be back after I asked and told him my Players are Region A. Said: "This will safely play in your player."

Just pre-ordered

[octobercountry]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

"Presented in the highest quality possible using the available HD masters as supplied by the studio, derived from the videotape masters."

The link has the answer.

Ah---that information wasn't in the description, when I originally posted.

It's a pity this release is just going to be an upscale, rather than true HD, but there's nothing to be done about it. If there's even a small uptick in quality from the DVDs, I'm interested...

[LMFAObros]

Originally Posted by octobercountry

Ah---that information wasn't in the description, when I originally posted.

It's a pity this release is just going to be an upscale, rather than true HD, but there's nothing to be done about it. If there's even a small uptick in quality from the DVDs, I'm interested...

It should be similar to Cosmos which was also finished on tape and Via Vision upscaled that and it looked pretty good considering

[octobercountry]

I see that some retailers are already selling out of this title, so I thought I'd better do my pre-order now rather than waiting till later. (This time around I ordered through North Carolina-based Orbit, rather than doing a direct import from Viavision.)

[James Luckard]

There's also a UK edition:

[beantherio]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

There's also a UK edition:

I missed that. Ordering from Europe this would have been a more convenient option for me. Not going to change my order anymore though.

[octobercountry]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

There's also a UK edition:

Though I guess the question is, is this release limited to Region B? The Imprint version should be region-free.

[PonyoBellanote]

Honestly, I'm surprised Shout! isn't releasing a US version as well. If they aren't now, they'll do it eventually.

[supes78]

Does anyone know if the UK version will have the bonus features listed on the AU Via Vision site?

[octobercountry]

Originally Posted by supes78

Does anyone know if the UK version will have the bonus features listed on the AU Via Vision site?

That's a good question. I haven't found any specifics on the UK version; whether it has the two extras found on the Imprint edition.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by octobercountry

That's a good question. I haven't found any specifics on the UK version; whether it has the two extras found on the Imprint edition.

Now listed on the store of Fabulous Films, the label releasing it.
https://fabulousfilms.com/products/t...50891664884053

EXTRAS
* NEW 22-minute documentary with Steve Barron, director of multiple episodes, offering fresh insights into the making of this beloved classic.

[octobercountry]

Originally Posted by The Hornets

Now listed on the store of Fabulous Films, the label releasing it.
https://fabulousfilms.com/products/t...50891664884053

EXTRAS
* NEW 22-minute documentary with Steve Barron, director of multiple episodes, offering fresh insights into the making of this beloved classic.

So.... this "making of" segment is different from the "making of" segment on the Viavision version?

At this point, with all this incredibly stupid, short-sighted and ill-planned tariff BS in the US, I'm wondering if I'm even going to be able to get a copy. Is anyone even shipping to the US now?

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by octobercountry

So.... this "making of" segment is different from the "making of" segment on the Imprint version?

At this point, with all this incredibly stupid, short-sighted and ill-planned tariff BS in the US, I'm wondering if I'm even going to be able to get a copy. Is anyone even shipping to the US now?

I expect Amazon U.K. will as they sort out sales tax and duty the other way US to U.K. from Amazon.com

However, Fabulous Films are very likely to RB lock their version, their standard practice, whilst Imprint are pretty much always region free.

[beantherio]

Received my copy today. After watching the first episode of the original series it seems to be an upscale. PQ is somewhat better than my DVD copy but not by much. Still happy to have it on blu-ray though.

Originally Posted by octobercountry

Though I guess the question is, is this release limited to Region B? The Imprint version should be region-free.

The packaging of the Viavision copy (it isn't an Imprint release) mentions that it is region B.