The Pianist (Studio Canal Collection)

[classicfilmcollector]

Anyone got this yet? how does it differ from Optimum release

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by classicfilmcollector

Anyone got this yet? how does it differ from Optimum release

It's an excellent transfer - I can't say categorically that it's "better" than the original Optimum one, which I no longer have, but I was very impressed with it and it's worth noting that the new Studio Canal is a BD50 whereas the original Optimum is a BD25. There are some extras on the new release which obviously account for some of the doubled capacity, but I suspect the video bitrate for the film is probably higher on the SC disc.

[DaveSimonH]

Was there not a problem with the subtitles not appearing during German language scenes in Optimum release, is that fixed in Studio Canal disc?

[BigNickUK]

I personally didnt notice any difference in PQ between the first standard Optimum release and their Studio Canal Collection version. The subs for the german speaking parts are definitely in there.
I double dipped because I have a couple of other Studio Canal Collection digibooks, love the movie and amazon.co.uk were offering the pre order originally at a ridiculously low price of £7.49 or something.
I have given the earlier release to my sister

[md99]

Is it likely the eventual region A Universal release will be based on a new master or are we looking at the same AV transfer?

[sapphire_nick]

Looking forward to seeing this - should be waiting at home for me. I have the Elephant man in the SC collection and I personally love the packaging.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by Farid

Picture quality looks absolutely awful!!

I have the original release and it's certainly not 'awful'...I'd agree with the review...it's slighly above average 7/10. Definetely a step up over the DVD especially on larger screens. I will say however, like many of the StudioCanal releases, I can't help thinking that Criterion would have done a much better job with these titles.

[sapphire_nick]

That shot certainly does look rather torrid! I will still hope that there will be a USA release by the vastly superior Universal someday... Well, I can only hope!

[Dubliner1]

^^^^ I think its only fair to judge a disc once you have actually watched it or the overwhelming majority of reviews have said its awful- judging it only from a screenshot seems a little foolish to me. The only review online so far says its ok and I think its decent too- but both of above members who have never even seen the disc are saying its 'awful'..??? Just my 2 cents.

[Adam_ME]

Mine's on the way from Amazon UK. When I get it, I'll A-B it with the Universal HD-DVD.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by Adam_ME

Mine's on the way from Amazon UK. When I get it, I'll A-B it with the Universal HD-DVD.

Be cafeful removing the disc from center spindle- they are extremely tight and my brand new copy of 'Breathless' now has a 1/2" crack.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by ImportFanatic

The Region A release on HD DVD from Universal was great. Make no mistake about it, this is NOT the best this film can look.

You have compared the HD-DVD to the brand new bluray release disc (not screenshots) and the HD-DVD looks better?....

[md99]

I had the HD-DVD version and it did indeed look great. I'm waiting to see what Universal do with their BR version before opting for the region B release.

highdefdigest 4.5/5 PQ

Universal's domestic HD DVD edition of 'The Pianist' follows an import version issued in the UK last year by Optimum Home Entertainment. Boasting a stellar 1080p/VC-1 encode, this new domestic HD DVD looks to be identical to that previous edition. I was happily impressed with how lovely and elegant 'The Pianist' looks in HD, particularly compared to the previous DVD, which was good but is easily trumped here.

'The Pianist' is narratively and visually structured into two halves. The early scenes of the film are vivid and natural, then slowly, as Szpilman's world is systematically decimated, contrast becomes more drab, with colors drained of vibrancy. The master handles it with ease. The source is pristine, with no defects. It's also worth noting that though the second half of the film is certainly not pretty, the film is not truly gritty, and grain is kept in check.

Detail holds firm throughout, with a richness and sense of texture readily apparent. Depth is also strong, and blacks never falter. Likewise, the transfer is quite sharp but not too edgy (though there does appear to be a very slight amount of enhancement applied). Compression artifacts are not an issue, and the image is always very stable and free from noise. Overall, an excellent transfer.

[Dubliner1]

Here's a review by someone who has actually watched the bluray, not some hazy screenshots and it sounds rather good...I really wish people would stop passing judgement and dismissing something before even seeing it...

http://www.dvdtherapy.com/review_inf...type=2&id=2260

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

Here's a review by someone who has actually watched the bluray, not some hazy screenshots and it sounds rather good...I really wish people would stop passing judgement and dismissing something before even seeing i

I could not agree any more with you. But lately there has been a lot of "reviewing" like that going on.

Pro-B

[poland626]

Also, this form of comparison:
dvdbeaver.com

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by poland626

Also, this form of comparison:
dvdbeaver.com

The new release looks to be the better of the two. They appear to have been struck from the same print as the framing is identical, but the colour tone is slightly different and the earlier disc has more edge enhancement.

[Antiochus]

Does the disc have English subtitles for the film (for both English-speaking and German-speaking parts)? I'm asking this because DVDBeaver review says 'yes' while all other sources say 'no'.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by MoneyLover

Does the disc have English subtitles for the film (for both English-speaking and German-speaking parts)? I'm asking this because DVDBeaver review says 'yes' while all other sources say 'no'.

It has English subtitles for the German dialogue - but (although I haven't tried it), I think it's already been reported that it doesn't have an English subs option for the whole film.

[Antiochus]

Thanks for the answer.