Halloween 4K UHD (1978)

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by chas speed

There are some reviews up, but when I bought the last 4K there wasn't any of this garbage about the 4K transfer really not being taken from the best sources etc.. I have no doubt they will be saying the same thing in a year or two about this release when another version comes out.

To be fair, no-one knew what the previous 4K transfer was taken from. That it was the OG neg was the working assumption, as who would use an IP for a new 4K HDR pass unless they had no other choice (Beastmaster) or are named Christopher Nolan? That the Shout is the first transfer of this movie from the neg makes it a milestone and I don’t think it’s getting any betterer from here, unless Cundey changes his mind yet again

[BobSimms]

Originally Posted by chas speed

There are some reviews up (Home Theater Forum and a few others), but when I bought the last 4K there wasn't any of this garbage about the 4K transfer really not being taken from the best sources etc.. I have no doubt they will be saying the same thing in a year or two about this release when another version comes out.

Even from the caps on the dreaded Hi Def Digest, the 2021 blu-ray (not even the UHD), you can see finer resolution and detail compared to the 2018, so I’m inclined to believe that previous release really was from an interpositive, and this new’n is indeed from the OCN. As I said in an earlier post today, look at the detail on the paperback novel in Lynda’s bag in the still of the 3 girls walking home from school, compare 2021 to 2018.

Unless HDD just totally borked their screencap, making the 2018 look worse somehow. I guess that’s possible.

[mad_max2000]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

That’s exactly how the Fathom Events screening began. Does it at least have the original 1978 logo for Compass in the movie itself?

Also, is the “extended version” the new transfer, does it have the original mono, and does it restore the “Smith’s Grove/May 1965” title cards?

Yes, the opening credits are completely untouched. There are just 2 new (well, new to home video) logos at the start.

The extended cut appears to be a direct port of the version that was on the 15-disc box set; 5.1 track and all. I did just watch a chunk of the "Broadcast" version and that does have the title card you refer to.

In a move that I'm sure will please all 2 people who care more for the 2003/2007 HD transfer, the "Original Color Timing" transfer does give the option of either mono or 5.1 and optional subtitles. The Extended cut is 5.1 only and the "Broadcast Version" is mono only (obviously) and neither one has any subtitles.

[chas speed]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

To be fair, no-one knew what the previous 4K transfer was taken from. That it was the OG neg was the working assumption, as who would use an IP for a new 4K HDR pass unless they had no other choice (Beastmaster) or are named Christopher Nolan? That the Shout is the first transfer of this movie from the neg makes it a milestone and I don’t think it’s getting any betterer from here, unless Cundey changes his mind yet again

I wouldn't mind having another go at this, but 28 dollars is a little high for a re-release.

[steel_breeze]

I'm lovin' this release and it's become my "definitive edition" of Halloween... but I still can't bring myself to update "My Movies" on blu-ray.com with the new artwork. Unfortunately, it will forever look like I only own the Lionsgate UHD edition, lol, even though I've happily tossed that older disc aside.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by chas speed

I wouldn't mind having another go at this, but 26 dollars is a little high for a re-release.

I heard that, and as it’s import only for me (no local UK release) then that automatically makes it more ‘spensive, like ‘tat-laden collectors edition’ kinda ‘spensive. I don’t mind paying that money for an actual tat-laden release but for a slipbox with extraordinarily terrible new art it’s a bit much. Doesn’t have a digital code I can sell either.

Happy to wait on this for either a price drop or for a European label to pick up the new master.

[Conan The Barbarian]

Which disk has the broadcast version? I thought it was disk 3, but that’s only the giving me the extended cut.

[GeoffOliver]

Originally Posted by mad_max2000

The extended cut appears to be a direct port of the version that was on the 15-disc box set; 5.1 track and all. I did just watch a chunk of the "Broadcast" version and that does have the title card you refer to.

In a move that I'm sure will please all 2 people who care more for the 2003/2007 HD transfer, the "Original Color Timing" transfer does give the option of either mono or 5.1 and optional subtitles. The Extended cut is 5.1 only and the "Broadcast Version" is mono only (obviously) and neither one has any subtitles.

Goddamn it. That’s my preferred version when watching as a double feature with H2.

[BillieCassin]

Has anyone pulled "the stats" for this disc yet? I'm really curious about the file sizes. I'm watching it a second time to listen to the Carpenter/Curtis commentary (which I haven't heard before - it's really entertaining), so I'm watching the bit rate meter.

I don't pay a ton of attention to that normally, so I could be wrong, but I feel like the numbers I'm seeing are rather high. It's consistently in the 72-74Mbps range, occasionally dipping as much as 68 but then going as high as 80+. I know size doesn't mean everything, but it certainly seems like a generous encode.

[BobSimms]

Originally Posted by Conan The Barbarian

Which disk has the broadcast version? I thought it was disk 3, but that’s only the giving me the extended cut.

Unless my eyes are deceiving me, the “broadcast cut” isn’t even listed on the back cover under the discs’ special features.

[mad_max2000]

Originally Posted by BobSimms

Unless my eyes are deceiving me, the “broadcast cut” isn’t even listed on the back cover under the discs’ special features.

It's not listed on the back of the box, but it is there on the 3rd disc in the set.

[BillieCassin]

Can someone explain the difference between the "Broadcast Cut" and the "Extended Cut (with television inserts)"? I get that one is in HD with SD inserts, and one is just in SD - but are they otherwise the same? (Sorry, I know this is a dumb question, LOL - this is the first time I've owned the original Halloween since VHS).

[flash.over]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

Can someone explain the difference between the "Broadcast Cut" and the "Extended Cut (with television inserts)"? I get that one is in HD with SD inserts, and one is just in SD - but are they otherwise the same? (Sorry, I know this is a dumb question, LOL - this is the first time I've owned the original Halloween since VHS).

The broadcast cut is censored for 1981 TV standards and uses some different takes near the end.

[JediJones77]

Wild guess, but wouldn't the broadcast one be edited down for violence or language? The other one might keep the R-rated cut but insert the new TV scenes.

[NeilZ]

So for those who have it, has the aspect ratio turned out "correct"? Because of High Def and their wonky captures making the Shout release look slightly stretched (and squished vertically) I'm left waiting to hear for confirmation that it's not before proceeding with my purchases.

[mad_max2000]

Originally Posted by JediJones77

Wild guess, but wouldn't the broadcast one be edited down for violence or language? The other one might keep the R-rated cut but insert the new TV scenes.

Correct!

Extended Cut = theatrical cut with TV scenes inserted

Broadcast Cut = exactly as the film aired on NBC in 1981, removing language, violence and nudity.

[Brosef78]

Originally Posted by JediJones77

Best Buys here have zero Halloween IIs. Is that why the release date was delayed? Because part II wasn't going to be ready in time?

I was wondering if that's why my Best Buy order was delayed, as 1 & II's shipping were updated to be "worked on" yet III, 4 and 5 (which BB lists as streeting on the 5th) shipped out today. I ended up buying 1 for in-store pickup but since a disc is loose I'll keep it in the wrapper in case it does ship and, according to reports, I miraculously receive one with no loose discs.

[PraiseAhnuld]

I picked up mine from Best Buy and I’m constantly getting this flickering effect 15 minutes in that honestly makes it feel unwatchable. The discs were loose when I opened it. Looks like there was some scratches but the movie isn’t freezing or skipping. Is it possible this is from the scratches or something else? Anyone else having this problem? Honestly it’s bad enough I can’t watch it and turned it off.

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by PraiseAhnuld

I picked up mine from Best Buy and I’m constantly getting this flickering effect 15 minutes in that honestly makes it feel unwatchable. The discs were loose when I opened it. Looks like there was some scratches but the movie isn’t freezing or skipping. Is it possible this is from the scratches or something else? Anyone else having this problem? Honestly it’s bad enough I can’t watch it and turned it off.

Dolby Vision is the problem.

[Noremac Mij]

Originally Posted by PraiseAhnuld

I picked up mine from Best Buy and I’m constantly getting this flickering effect 15 minutes in that honestly makes it feel unwatchable. The discs were loose when I opened it. Looks like there was some scratches but the movie isn’t freezing or skipping. Is it possible this is from the scratches or something else? Anyone else having this problem? Honestly it’s bad enough I can’t watch it and turned it off.

That’s almost certainly a hardware issue