The Last Of The Mohicans

[dean1700]

This has been released in the US just recently and there is a lot of criticism about it not being the much preferred Theatrical release which is not even available in DVD form there, with many people who have seen the Directors Cut liking the Director, Michael Mann, to George Lucas, by butchering a film the audience loved in its original version.

In Australia, we have been lucky in that the Theatrical release has been the ONLY release available here but we have yet to have this film release on BD. I love the original version (although I admit I have not yet seen any of the Director's Cut) but can't help being extremely hesitant after hearing the wide spread criticism of his later version.

Has there been any word, whispers or rumours about when this is being released in Australia or whether we will see the original theatrical version or if we will get the Director's Cut here?

[Cevolution]

There was an Australian release date for the blu up on JB's and Ezydvd's webisites about 2 years ago, around the time when the U.S version was released, however the date come and went with no release happening. The UK version is the one that has just recently been released (which I've got on order), unfortunately it is the directors cut, however early reports are suggesting that the issues with the U.S release being too dark and suffering from black crush, are not present with this new UK release. There is still no word on a local release, hopefully it's not too far away, but when it is finally made available here, I'd say it will also be the directors cut, but who knows. In that case I will just keep my Aussie DVD theatrical version, in the same case with the directors cut blu-ray.

[dean1700]

I'll be keeping my DVD too but I've had it for sometime now so I might think about replacing it with another.

[raziel]

this being one of my favorite all time films i picked up the us version as i got sick
of waiting for a local release . very disappointed in the disc - it's so dark on
the projector you can barely make out most details (let's face it - i think
half the film takes place at dusk or night) and it only slightly improves on
my pioneer plasma - i prefer my old dvd copy (almost) can't complain about
the sound though - soundtrack is great in whichever disk is played
as for the transfer - here's hoping someone gets it right soon

won't comment on directors/theatrical cuts as can't remember the difference

[Sky_Captain]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

however early reports are suggesting that the issues with the U.S release being too dark and suffering from black crush, are not present with this new UK release.

Unfortunately, these reports are lies and the UK release looks identical. It's practically a coaster, IMO.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Unfortunately, these reports are lies and the UK release looks identical. It's practically a coaster, IMO.

Oh well, if that's how it is at least the UK version is region B, unlike the U.S version which is region A locked, so the people who might want it locally that don't have a region free players now can own it.

[gettodamoofies]

It appears we'll be getting the director's cut: http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/d...blu-ray/678603

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by atexp80

It appears we'll be getting the director's cut: http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/d...blu-ray/678603

It's good to see that it's finally coming out here. Though unfortunately it looks like I'll have to keep my Australian DVD for the theatrical cut.

[Idiot E. Que]

Hoo-boy. Haven't gotten through either of my two attempts at watching the region A disc. Robert Harris swears up and down that "especially on well tuned systems, [it] is absolutely gorgeous," but there is a throng of people calling bulls**t and I'm one of them.

[eChopper]

looked great on my Pioneer Kuro : dark where it was supposed to be . Each to his own

[dean1700]

At this price I just might get it to see how different the Director's Cut is but I'm far from impressived with the artwork. I definitely prefer the artwork from the original DVD.

Originally Posted by atexp80

It appears we'll be getting the director's cut: http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/d...blu-ray/678603

I agree and since the DVD with the theatrical cut is still available, and for only $8.83 at Big W, I think I'll replace my original copy of it which has seen its fair share of wear.

Originally Posted by Cevolution

It's good to see that it's finally coming out here. Though unfortunately it looks like I'll have to keep my Australian DVD for the theatrical cut.

[gunner99]

Originally Posted by eChopper

looked great on my Pioneer Kuro : dark where it was supposed to be . Each to his own

I have the US version and it looked great on my Pioneer Kuro too.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by eChopper

looked great on my Pioneer Kuro : dark where it was supposed to be . Each to his own

I actually agree with this. A few months ago I wouldn't have. I bought the U.S version towards the end of 2011, and when I watched it it was on the Bravia xbr4 in my bedroom (which back then wasn't calibrated as well as it is now) as the plasma in my lounge room was new. I was braking in the plasma at the time, and only watching 1.78:1 content on it. I did think it was a little too dark from that viewing on my Bravia xbr4, however that was the first and last time I watched it up until about a little over a month ago when I received the UK version, and compared both the U.S and UK discs. Upon my second viewing of it, this time on my plasma, I though it looked really good, everything looked how it should IMO.

[alexander323]

I've read mixed reports on the darkness. Some people find it ok. But in my experience it was simply too dark. For some reason they made it much darker than it should be. You can easily tell this if you compare with the scenes shown in the extra features. For example, the jail cell scene is way too dark in the film. But in the extra features the same scene is not as dark. You can see more details and it does not strain your eyes. I've uploaded a couple shots taken in complete room darkness. The difference is evident.ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359121797.989889.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1359121824.359858.jpg

[dean1700]

Well, I got this yesterday and, as before, I'm less than impressed with the changes to create The Director's Cut. I've even notice that music has been dialled up and down in certain scenes as well.

It seems as though the extended/new scenes don't do anything more for the story at all in so much as offering different views on existing scenes. Nor do they enhance the development of the characters at all and key dialogue that shows the relationship between Hawkeye and Duncan have been removed such as "Got nothing better to do on the lake today, Major?" as they're escaping the Huron massacre on the trail after leaving Fort William Henry.

For all the changes I'll still be watching my theatrical cut DVD as my preferred choice.

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=377524

[victortubeman]

Extra,s on disc,s are not graded or colour corrected so you can't compare scenes.

What type of display are you using?Any digital display have trouble with black level and just above black.CRT are king in this area.(forgot also have a pana 56inch CRT 1080i rear pro)which has true black levels and shadow detail , unlike any plasma and LCD ,led tv)

I picked this movie this week and it looks stunning on most scenes.Watched on a pana 60inch plasma, later will try on projector .I have 2 other plasma,s ,a Sony 70inch sxrd rearpro which are all not really any good with black level.The sxrd is way brighter when calibrated and can make black levels appear better than they measure on some scene,s

[alexander323]

@victortubeman - I have a Samsung LCD LED. I haven't optimised it. Just today I received the Disney Wow calibration disc. I shall see if there is a major difference after calibration.

I know that plasmas have the best black levels. But are you saying that you can see the back of her head perfectly when she visits him in jail?

With my tv's current settings I struggle to see what is happening during the dark scenes. Maybe once optimised this will not be so bad.

[nitin]

calibration is essential whether its plasma or LCD/LED. Most factory settings on tvs these days are rubbish.

Although I have to admit Samsung's LCD/LED default Movie mode settings are quite decent. Have you been watching with that mode?

[victortubeman]

Originally Posted by alexander323

@victortubeman - I have a Samsung LCD LED. I haven't optimised it. Just today I received the Disney Wow calibration disc. I shall see if there is a major difference after calibration.

I know that plasmas have the best black levels. But are you saying that you can see the back of her head perfectly when she visits him in jail?

With my tv's current settings I struggle to see what is happening during the dark scenes. Maybe once optimised this will not be so bad.

Hi,
I have 2 DVD ,s of this movie as well,region 4, and 1 directors expanded edition thx (USA ).

Yes to you question in the jail scene,but my CRT rear pro has far better detail than the plasma at or near black levels.
Calibrating a system is essential audio and video.
Even when black (below black) levels (brightness) ,contrast,colour and sharpness are adjusted to Ref .LCD ,led and plasma still will not be accurate in certain area,s due to limitation of all digital displays.

With all movies the reference is the original Negative or (DI) and this needs to fit bluray rec 709 color space ,as Robert Harris has mentioned on HTF it has been scanned from the Original Neg can't get better than that.
I checked the DVD today and certain scenes the brightness has been moved up,DVD is even more limited than bluray . I thought the bluray jail scene was darker but checking both frame bye frame same display pana plasma the DVD is only slightly brighter.Very little in it.The DVD remember is not correct,what is the O.Neg or DI .

[alexander323]

@victortubeman - thanks for taking the time to look it up. I didn't know CRT's had the best black levels.