Lightning Jack (1994) - Paul Hogan, Cuba Gooding Jr.

[danny24]

So I wanted to watch this again in HD and checked all streaming sites and it's missing in action. I have the DVD but I would love to revisit it in HD. Does anyone know if an HD version of this film even exists? this reminds me of Young Einstein, Party Monster, etc. Movies without HD masters. The DVD says it was with HBO video so I wonder who has the rights for it in USA now.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Lightning Jack was a Village Roadshow production released by Savoy Pictures in the US, Village Roadshow in Australia, and Buena Vista International overseas. HBO distributed Savoy's output on video, but it was a temporary licencing deal that expired when Savoy folded in 1997. Most of the Savoy Pictures catalog ended up with IAC/USA Entertainment Network, then finally ending up at Universal/Focus Features when they bought USA.

I don't think Universal owns US rights to Lightning Jack as they never did a recent DVD/HD airing and the streaming versions out there don't list Universal as the provider. Ether Village Roadshow or one of the other Australian producers control US distribution nowadays.

[meremortal]

Just a guess, but the US dvd is a 2000 release in "4:3 letterbox" and so the master could've possibly been as old as the one used for the 1994 LD release. Even an anamorphic dvd would be an ugprade at this point, let alone hd. Digital hd or blu would certainly be a huge upgrade at this point.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by meremortal

Just a guess, but the US dvd is a 2000 release in "4:3 letterbox" and so the master could've possibly been as old as the one used for the 1994 LD release. Even an anamorphic dvd would be an ugprade at this point, let alone hd. Digital hd or blu would certainly be a huge upgrade at this point.

Anything HD and WS would be an upgrade at this point. There is a WS version on Youtube but it's SD and looks like VHS. The 4:3 DVD still looks better despite not having correct AR. The poster above you mentioned Australian producers having the USA distribution rights so it's possible they want to much for it.

Another Savoy pictures movie that has no HD master is Exit To Eden the Rosie/Aykroyd erotic comedy. I want that in HD or on BD.

Hoping Kino Lorber or Shout looks into maybe getting LJ and ETE.