The Piano (1993) Jan 20th 2014

[manicsounds]

The Piano

Suddenly realized that Studio Canal is putting this out next year. I passed on the US disc, because it was barebones, and the Australian disc being interlaced. Hopefully all the DVD extras from the 2-disc Optimum edition will be ported over.

[samdvd1]

I own the Australian release as I wanted the extras, but the picture - as you say - is 1080i. It's not bad, but very inconsistent. I would rate it a C+. I'd definitely be down for double dipping if Studio Canal include all the extras.

[Dickieduvet]

There is also a German version which is quite nice, I had the Australian version which wasn't too bad as mentioned but it'd be nice to have the extras.

[filmmusic]

I wonder if this will have 5.1 audio like the German release and if it will be the same video transfer with the blues in the teal side.
I prefer the blues of the US release but it has 2.0 audio.

[Jafar]

So looking forward to it. Hopefully this will be a fine transfer without any of the problems plaguing the US and Australian releases. Extra features on this release have already been announced:

Audio commentary
Interview with Jane Campion and producer Jan Chapman
Making-of featurette
Trailer

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Jafar

So looking forward to it. Hopefully this will be a fine transfer without any of the problems plaguing the US and Australian releases. Extra features on this release have already been announced:

Audio commentary
Interview with Jane Campion and producer Jan Chapman
Making-of featurette
Trailer

So, this seems to be the same with the German release..
unfortunately, as i've said, the blues are in the teal side:

https://whatimg.com/i/f39d9e.png
https://whatimg.com/i/eawiaf.png
https://whatimg.com/i/krajms.png
(better copy and paste the link because it doesn't show otherwise)

compare with the colours in the seashore scene here:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-P...5/#Screenshots

i'm pretty sure these were the original colors when i saw it at the cinema (like in the US release).
now, this is too green..

[Cvalda]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

So, this seems to be the same with the German release..
unfortunately, as i've said, the blues are in the teal side:

https://whatimg.com/i/f39d9e.png
https://whatimg.com/i/eawiaf.png
https://whatimg.com/i/krajms.png
(better copy and paste the link because it doesn't show otherwise)

compare with the colours in the seashore scene here:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-P...5/#Screenshots

i'm pretty sure these were the original colors when i saw it at the cinema (like in the US release).
now, this is too green..

I saw the film at the MoMA back in 2008 and also recall it looking more like the US transfer. Ah well :/ The US Blu-ray is garbage with missing subtitles for Maori scenes and no extras, so I think I'll still get this new release.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Cvalda

I saw the film at the MoMA back in 2008 and also recall it looking more like the US transfer. Ah well :/ The US Blu-ray is garbage with missing subtitles for Maori scenes and no extras, so I think I'll still get this new release.

are we sure that the new release has subtitles for the maori scenes, and are we sure that they were supposed to have subtitles in the first place?

anyway, i love this film and probably i'll buy the uk release too.
it was the first more "artistic" film that i ever saw when i was 13 years old, so it holds a special place in my heart as it had a huge impression on me..

i just watched the trailer again, and i hate to think all those beautiful blues of the opening scenes have become green.

[Rockercub]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

are we sure that the new release has subtitles for the maori scenes, and are we sure that they were supposed to have subtitles in the first place?

It's been so long since I saw it in the theater, but I seem to remember the subtitles being there. And the Optimum region 2 special edition DVD has them. Missing subtitles aside, I think the U.S. blu-ray is a bit too grainy in the darker scenes, so I'm up for a new transfer. But, yeah, I don't like that teal at all. Waiting on reviews!

[Jafar]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

So, this seems to be the same with the German release..

Are you sure? Maybe Studio Canal is using a different transfer? I don't want it with a green tint Saw it years ago, but remember it being closer to the US screenshots, of course.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Jafar

Are you sure? Maybe Studio Canal is using a different transfer? I don't want it with a green tint Saw it years ago, but remember it being closer to the US screenshots, of course.

I don't think it would be possible for the same studio to use 2 different tranfers for 2 european releases.
(the german release is also from studio canal).
if it was a different studio, it would be possible.

[Jafar]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I don't think it would be possible for the same studio to use 2 different tranfers for 2 european releases.
(the german release is also from studio canal).
if it was a different studio, it would be possible.

Ah thanks, didn't know that the German release was by Studio Canal. So no chances of thiis release getting things right?

[Jafar]

So is this identical to the German release?? Can someone confirm?

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Jafar

So is this identical to the German release?? Can someone confirm?

I am not sure, but it's the same studio (Studio Canal) that released this Bluray in both countries, so.......?
I'd say it's exactly the same. It's evident from the screenshots too which have the same colors.

[JackTwist]

I found the quality of the image to be far more convincing, at least in the stills, in comparison to the Lionsgate release. That release was my most anticipated since the birth of blu-ray and is my 2nd favorite film of all time. It certainly was an improvement to the DVD but disappointing to say the least.

In regards to the color timing, when did these special feature first appear. I wonder whether they are new to the blu-rays, and if so could that mean the transfer was approved by Campion. Either way, the new timing seems more accurate to an older print I saw in film school, but that may not be the best comparison due to the age of the print.

I've pre-ordered it and can't wait to dust off my region free player for it. I'm hoping more reviews will surface will similarly positive results.

[manicsounds]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

In regards to the color timing, when did these special feature first appear. I wonder whether they are new to the blu-rays, and if so could that mean the transfer was approved by Campion.

Same extras that were on the UK 2-disc DVD.

[Yami]

I haven't found anything specific regarding the colour but I found this:

"When asked how the notion of the Gothic formed the film, [Stuart Dryburgh] spoke mostly in terms of the color of the film and added that the filmmakers had not worked with any antecedent visual style"

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

I found the quality of the image to be far more convincing, at least in the stills, in comparison to the Lionsgate release. That release was my most anticipated since the birth of blu-ray and is my 2nd favorite film of all time. It certainly was an improvement to the DVD but disappointing to say the least.

In regards to the color timing, when did these special feature first appear. I wonder whether they are new to the blu-rays, and if so could that mean the transfer was approved by Campion. Either way, the new timing seems more accurate to an older print I saw in film school, but that may not be the best comparison due to the age of the print.

I've pre-ordered it and can't wait to dust off my region free player for it. I'm hoping more reviews will surface will similarly positive results.

You mean the teal colors seem more accurate to you?
I had seen the film in the theater when it first came out, and I don't remember it so greenish. Also i remember all the publicity stills in magazines etc. I also have the book, which had images from the movie in the covers.
Again, no teal.

Anyway. I'm gonna buy this, because it seems better than the US release in terms of extras, audio, video clarity, detail etc..

(By the way, I was wondering what is your favourite film of all time, since this is your 2nd favourite. )

[JackTwist]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

You mean the teal colors seem more accurate to you?
I had seen the film in the theater when it first came out, and I don't remember it so greenish. Also i remember all the publicity stills in magazines etc. I also have the book, which had images from the movie in the covers.
Again, no teal.

Anyway. I'm gonna buy this, because it seems better than the US release in terms of extras, audio, video clarity, detail etc..

(By the way, I was wondering what is your favourite film of all time, since this is your 2nd favourite. )

I didn't mean the teal colors. I meant the overall look seeming much tighter: grain structure, whites not blown out, and better texture/details in the faces and backgrounds. My memory of the the print is not vivid but there's no way a film as delicately photographed as this film could have such overblown contrast, etc. Again, I think the extras and the tighter look overall means instant buy for me. Edit: I do hope more reviews surface before the release that are just as promising.

It is a film I've always considered in my top 10. I remember seeing it the first time on VHS and thinking it had changed my life as a filmmaker. And it did.

If I had to say, my personal top five is: 1) Casablanca 2)The Piano 3)Imitation of Life (1959) 4)Midnight Cowboy 5)Apocalypse Now

[eChopper]

teal