Frankenstein The True Story - Japan Blu-ray 4/15/15

[Partyslammer]

Frankenstein: The True Story Blu-ray

Some info - it appears to be a 2 disc release - unknown if it's one disc for the theatrical version and one disc for the full broadcast (and uncut) version which was released on dvd about a decade ago in the US. Or maybe "part 1" and "part 2" will each get their own disc.

The movie itself is an obscure gothic treasure from the mid 70's. Although the plot takes huge liberties with the original story, it features a fantastic cast, epic gothic production and most importantly, a fantastic score. IMO, it rests just behind the first two Universal Karloff Frankensteins and the Terrence Fisher-directed Hammer Frankensteins. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Hopefully this release will finally do the movie justice on home video. Gonna be a day one purchase.

The Google translation of the Amazon Japan item listing page shows this:

"Forty years or even of long time in over sealed have legends of horror film, finally Japan first softening in full version!

● only shortened version has been TV aired, most original to faithfully imaging has been Frankenstein work of the highest peak, finally lifted!

● "Romeo and Juliet" in the world by storm was Leonard Whiting, David McCallum of "0011 Napoleon Solo", Jane Seymour, etc. Bond Girl & "One day somewhere", gathered gorgeous staff & cast.

● finally full version of more than 3 hours to take off the veil + TV aired during the dubbed version of the Collector's specification 2 Disc.

● now still will continue to masterpiece after another to discover and release the illusion that memorable "The Great Archives series" 3rd!

[Content commentary]
<Story>
Doctor Victor Frankenstein, has returned to the London hospital leaving Elizabeth fiance.
He who lost a brother in a freak accident in which to continue the study of life resuscitation, get to know the surgeon named Henry.
Victor at Henry's house, to witness the sight of one arm that has been cut and the device to make the Android starts to move.
Two people to dig a corpse from the grave, the end of the experiments using the solar energy, has finally created a android ...

[Special Description / Benefits]
[Image privilege] Photo Gallery
[Inclusion privilege] leaflet"

[Partyslammer]

OK.... I took one for the team and bought and received this one today.

The good news. It is a two disc (both BDs) set. Disc 1 has both Part 1 and Part 2 television broadcast versions including the James Mason "modern day" intro and the lengthy preview of Part 2 that was originally broadcast at the conclusion of Part 1 totaling just over 3 hours in length. Audio is DTS-Master stereo although it sounds like a mono two channel mix. The TV cut has English language with optional Japanese subtitles.

The 2nd disc has the "Theatrical Cut" which is a terribly compressed 89 minute version (the same cut that was released on lousy quality 6 hour mode vhs tape a couple decades ago) of the movie in Japanese language only thanks to an extremely lousy dub job. It also has Japanese subtitles but I could not get them to work on this disc. The theatrical cut is beyond worthless and I can't imagine anyone bothering to watch it once they watch the full 2 part broadcast version. The 2nd disc is rounded out by one extra feature containing 50+ stills and promo images from the production.

Now the bad news, and it's BAD.

The transfers are 1080i in 4:3 aspect ratio. It appears the same "meh" soft, worn source print used on the 2006 US-released dvd (which is the 3 hour tv cut) was used for this release. In fact, I am suspicious that this is probably a standard def 480i upscale. There's been some sort of "motion smoother" filtering done on both versions resulting in the dreaded "Soap Opera Effect" when clearly the movie was shot on film (except for James Mason modern day scenes). There's an odd, fine line combing pattern often noticeable in backgrounds like the movie was projected on burlap.

While the older US dvd release suffers from the same murky, soft print further harmed by clumpy compression artifacts and of course being in standard def, imo it's actually the better overall viewing experience. The only thing a viewer would miss going with the dvd is the Part 2 preview between the two halves of the movie. My recommendation is to avoid this release and seek out the old US dvd easily found on places like eBay for just a few bucks.

Such a great movie, such a huge disappointment with this ratty release.

[Dickieduvet]

Thanks for the info, this was on my wish list. I'll remove it

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

[Show spoiler]OK.... I took one for the team and bought and received this one today.

The good news. It is a two disc (both BDs) set. Disc 1 has both Part 1 and Part 2 television broadcast versions including the James Mason "modern day" intro and the lengthy preview of Part 2 that was originally broadcast at the conclusion of Part 1 totaling just over 3 hours in length. Audio is DTS-Master stereo although it sounds like a mono two channel mix. The TV cut has English language with optional Japanese subtitles.

The 2nd disc has the "Theatrical Cut" which is a terribly compressed 89 minute version (the same cut that was released on lousy quality 6 hour mode vhs tape a couple decades ago) of the movie in Japanese language only thanks to an extremely lousy dub job. It also has Japanese subtitles but I could not get them to work on this disc. The theatrical cut is beyond worthless and I can't imagine anyone bothering to watch it once they watch the full 2 part broadcast version. The 2nd disc is rounded out by one extra feature containing 50+ stills and promo images from the production.

Now the bad news, and it's BAD.

The transfers are 1080i in 4:3 aspect ratio. It appears the same "meh" soft, worn source print used on the 2006 US-released dvd (which is the 3 hour tv cut) was used for this release. In fact, I am suspicious that this is probably a standard def 480i upscale. There's been some sort of "motion smoother" filtering done on both versions resulting in the dreaded "Soap Opera Effect" when clearly the movie was shot on film (except for James Mason modern day scenes). There's an odd, fine line combing pattern often noticeable in backgrounds like the movie was projected on burlap.

While the older US dvd release suffers from the same murky, soft print further harmed by clumpy compression artifacts and of course being in standard def, imo it's actually the better overall viewing experience. The only thing a viewer would miss going with the dvd is the Part 2 preview between the two halves of the movie. My recommendation is to avoid this release and seek out the old US dvd easily found on places like eBay for just a few bucks.

Such a great movie, such a huge disappointment with this ratty release.

Hi Partyslammer,

Thanks for making this purchase and coming here to let us know.

I think I may be able to add some additional information to this situation.

First, to the different versions. It seems that the shorter version was broadcast on Japanese TV back in the day, and this could explain why it offers only Japanese audio, as perhaps it was designed only for Japanese dubbing. The Japanese subtitles that are present on the disc are probably only there to fill in gaps where the dubbing is absent--it seems many Japanese dubs no longer exist in complete form.

Secondly, I had looked into getting this release, as it comes from Pony Canyon, one of my favorite Japanese labels. The reason that I did not buy it right away was because of the following info at the bottom of the Amazon.co.jp product description:

Originally Posted by Amazon.co.jp

[発売元]有限会社ジェットリンク

(C)1973 Universal City Studios, Inc.

[発売元][Publisher] limited company jet link

(C)1973 Universal City Studios, Inc.

This told me that Pony Canyon was probably only distributing the title, and not responsible for the materials directly.

Naturally, I went to Google to find "jet link", and this page is what I got.

As you can see, Jett Rink (Japanese: ジェットリンク) is a label of eclectic, seemingly DVD-only tastes. Also, I was concerned that their web site doesn't seem up-to-date, and that Pony Canyon had not posted anything about the release on their site.

It took me a while to find them, but just now in fact, I was able to find some other BDs from Jett Rink via Pony Canyon which seem to be similarly 1080i and/or BD-25 discs:



All of these also have the back covers on Amazon.co.jp, and if you look closely, you can see the specs and the little Jett Rink logo.

So for now, I would avoid other Jett Rink BDs from Pony Canyon in the future. In fact, if I see further releases from them, I will post them in the forum to advise everyone.

[Partyslammer]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Hi Partyslammer
As you can see, Jett Rink (Japanese: ジェットリンク) is a label of eclectic, seemingly DVD-only tastes. Also, I was concerned that their web site doesn't seem up-to-date, and that Pony Canyon had not posted anything about the release on their site.

It took me a while to find them, but just now in fact, I was able to find some other BDs from Jett Rink via Pony Canyon which seem to be similarly 1080i and/or BD-25 discs:

Yeah, the garish Jett Rink logo comes up when either disc loads before you get to the program menus and my first reaction was "uh oh."

I've willfully bought and in a few cases really liked a few 1080i BD releases, notably the Australian BD release of the Hammer horror film "Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell." If the source and transfer is really superior to any prior home video release, 1080i isn't a big deal breaker for me. In this case though, the release being 1080i is probably the least of the issues this BD has. Like I mentioned in my original comments, I just don't understand what and why the cheesy digital motion smoothing filter was used on the transfer, whether it was an upscale or not.

[Monroville]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

OK.... I took one for the team and bought and received this one today.

Such a great movie, such a huge disappointment with this ratty release.

That is a bloody shame. Was looking forward to this release. Any chance on seeing a few screen captures?

[Partyslammer]

Originally Posted by Monroville

That is a bloody shame. Was looking forward to this release. Any chance on seeing a few screen captures?

It may take me a couple days to get around to it, but I'll try to post some caps at the beginning of the next week along with some comparison caps with the older US dvd release.

[Monroville]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

It may take me a couple days to get around to it, but I'll try to post some caps at the beginning of the next week along with some comparison caps with the older US dvd release.

Thanks for that... will be patiently awaiting. Sounds like another THE CHANGELING again.

(Sigh) Damn you, Japan! Stop getting my hopes up!