Gladiator (2000)

[Swede]

Originally Posted by JRS03

Can we bottle the end now? We all agree that the Gladiator print wihile not perfect will suffice for the next 3 or 4 years! Its a pretty good disc..not too great but not too shabby! I am glad we can all agree on this now. Thanks to the OP and everyone for making this thread special!

Everyone deserves a big hug for the success of the thread!

Not really, no.

Originally Posted by JRS03

Now get out there and by this disc for all your friends for XMAS!

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

[Freekman]

I watched Gladiator on Blu and actually survived. That's success right there.

[blugojira]

As the first Blu-ray release in Paramount's Sapphire Series next to Braveheart, Gladiator undergoes one of the finest and most meticulous video transfers we've seen. Gladiator has been one of the most eagerly awaited Blu-ray releases since the format's inception and when it comes to sheer visual integrity, fans will not be disappointed. Although the precise technologies at work have not been detailed, it is clear that the video has been inspected with a fine-toothed comb. As a byproduct of its iconic director, Gladiator's visual composition goes through various color stages -- drab and gray in the first act during the barbarian wars, warm and yellow during Maximus' imprisonment, and a more neutral, naturalistic range during the latter acts in Rome. Through them all, however, the composure of the disc is absolutely staggering, with unprecedented detail and vibrance. There is absolutely no evidence of compression or grain, despite the 10-year lapse between theatrical and Blu-ray release. The Sapphire Series Blu-ray of Gladiator is a testament to the true potential of the format.

Score: 10 out of 10

[BStecke]

Whose review is that? Looks like IGN's, which was a total joke.

[gates70]

Originally Posted by blugojira

As the first Blu-ray release in Paramount's Sapphire Series next to Braveheart, Gladiator undergoes one of the finest and most meticulous video transfers we've seen. Gladiator has been one of the most eagerly awaited Blu-ray releases since the format's inception and when it comes to sheer visual integrity, fans will not be disappointed. Although the precise technologies at work have not been detailed, it is clear that the video has been inspected with a fine-toothed comb. As a byproduct of its iconic director, Gladiator's visual composition goes through various color stages -- drab and gray in the first act during the barbarian wars, warm and yellow during Maximus' imprisonment, and a more neutral, naturalistic range during the latter acts in Rome. Through them all, however, the composure of the disc is absolutely staggering, with unprecedented detail and vibrance. There is absolutely no evidence of compression or grain, despite the 10-year lapse between theatrical and Blu-ray release. The Sapphire Series Blu-ray of Gladiator is a testament to the true potential of the format.

Score: 10 out of 10

Personaly I've always stated on here that I loved it. BUT with a statement like that, look forward to a good beating on this forum

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by gates70

Personaly I've always stated on here that I loved it. BUT with a statement like that, look forward to a good beating on this forum

Oh don't worry about the DNR police...they are not that scary! They are about 500 strong though they like to claim 2.1 million!

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by DVDave

Always liked you, Elvis. Always will.

Love ya Dave....

[Jimbo976]

Well I finally got to see Gladiator on Blu-ray last night. It turned out as I expected all along. I have Dark City, Patton, the Star Trek collections, and some of the others that usually get complained about for DNR and others which the EE is supposedly really bad. Gladiator is not near as bad as these others for DNR/EE IMO. I have a 46" 1080p display and I sit between 6 and 7 feet away.

Yes there is DNR and yes there is EE but it is not near as noticeable to me as the DNR on some of the Star Trek movies, some scenes in Dark City, etc. I did not notice any issues in the famous fireball and arrow scenes. I'm sure if I paused or did frame by frame i would see it but that's just crazy. I did notice the one missing lightning bolt but I never would have if I didn't read all about it on the boards.

I would rate Gladiator in the bottom third for PQ of all the 300-400 Blu-rays I own but certainly better than many I have.

I think many people are more annoyed about the PQ since it's near the top of their favorite movie list and that of all releases it is one of the ones that should be near perfect. And some people seem to be caught up in the Sapphire marketing BS. I'm just looking at it as one of the titles in my collection and from that point of view I don't see it being near as bad as many feel. Sure Gladiator is one of my all time favorite movies and it would be great if it was a 5 star quality release but it is not. I'm sure they'll be putting out another version in a couple of years but asking for a recall on what I saw seems to be bordering on lunacy.

[JRS03]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

I did not notice any issues in the famous fireball and arrow scenes. I'm sure if I paused or did frame by frame i would see it but that's just crazy. .

DNR Folks watch these films frame by frame

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by JRS03

DNR Folks watch these films frame by frame

No wonder they hate all movies, must be so boring watching them frame by frame

[robertc88]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

Well I finally got to see Gladiator on Blu-ray last night. It turned out as I expected all along. I have Dark City, Patton, the Star Trek collections, and some of the others that usually get complained about for DNR and others which the EE is supposedly really bad. Gladiator is not near as bad as these others for DNR/EE IMO. I have a 46" 1080p display and I sit between 6 and 7 feet away.

Yes there is DNR and yes there is EE but it is not near as noticeable to me as the DNR on some of the Star Trek movies, some scenes in Dark City, etc. I did not notice any issues in the famous fireball and arrow scenes. I'm sure if I paused or did frame by frame i would see it but that's just crazy. I did notice the one missing lightning bolt but I never would have if I didn't read all about it on the boards.

I would rate Gladiator in the bottom third for PQ of all the 300-400 Blu-rays I own but certainly better than many I have.

I think many people are more annoyed about the PQ since it's near the top of their favorite movie list and that of all releases it is one of the ones that should be near perfect. And some people seem to be caught up in the Sapphire marketing BS. I'm just looking at it as one of the titles in my collection and from that point of view I don't see it being near as bad as many feel. Sure Gladiator is one of my all time favorite movies and it would be great if it was a 5 star quality release but it is not. I'm sure they'll be putting out another version in a couple of years but asking for a recall on what I saw seems to be bordering on lunacy.

I was a little surprised I hadn't read something before this from you about this movie and the BD quality. I almost PMed but I figured you just hadn't had time to get to it.

To tell the truth, I was getting more and more steamed about the audio when I was going back and forth after my initial viewings (which were much more focused with the PQ) doing comparisons with the SD DVD DTS ES 6.1 audio track with is very impressive by the way which I always remembered. Initially I thought the sound was very good BUT the audio on the BD could be MUCH better I'm afraid!

Folks wanting some examples of awful/terrible BDs for PQ, it isn't Gladiator by far!

But how would you rate it overall in comparison to just catalog titles? I'd say middle third, and I've watched plenty.

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

Well I finally got to see Gladiator on Blu-ray last night. It turned out as I expected all along. I have Dark City, Patton, the Star Trek collections, and some of the others that usually get complained about for DNR and others which the EE is supposedly really bad. Gladiator is not near as bad as these others for DNR/EE IMO. I have a 46" 1080p display and I sit between 6 and 7 feet away.

I own/watched those same titles as well but did find that Gladiator has the worst PQ of those titles.
You can't deny that some scenes had faces that looked like claymation.

Since I've watched Wallace and Gromet, I was used to it.

In regards to the audio, it was definitely low.
I had to turn up my volume 4 notches to get it to a decent level to hear dialog.

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Folks wanting some examples of awful/terrible BDs for PQ, it isn't Gladiator by far!

But how would you rate it overall in comparison to just catalog titles? I'd say middle third, and I've watched plenty.

I agree with the audio as well. It certainly isn't reference. I was a little disappointed in that. I was wondering if I had something messed up with my speakers for a while. I'd say for PQ it is likely in the 30th percentile of all the catalog titles I own and for AQ likely more in the 60th percentile range.

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by HDPlasma

I own/watched those same titles as well but did find that Gladiator has the worst PQ of those titles.
You can't deny that some scenes had faces that looked like claymation.

Yes there is DNR but I found many scenes in Star Trek III for example to be much worse. I almost turned off ST III and some of the ones after that in the set at a few points.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Oh don't worry about the DNR police...they are not that scary! They are about 500 strong though they like to claim 2.1 million!

Originally Posted by JRS03

DNR Folks watch these films frame by frame

You know, I realize there's some tongue-in-cheek ribbing going on here, but it still irritates me that you generalize and dismiss someone based entirely upon their opinion. I've never watched the movie frame by frame, I've never tried to chase someone off of this title, and yet I can definitely see the DNR and EE on this movie.

Why is it that so many members of this forum behave so immaturely when it comes to a discussion supposedly based on technical merits?

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by JRS03

DNR Folks watch these films frame by frame

And zoomed in 400%.. Plus it isn't just frame by frame, the screen shot "scientists" pick the worst frame they can find in a short span. It's basically a contest to see who can post the worst frames possible.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by singhcr

If I were you and if you owned the DVD, I'd open it, send in for the $10 rebate, and sell off the BD. I think it's pretty bad- you might want to rent it first.

Ah! Already sold the DVD on eBay several months ago. Not for $10, either.

[BStecke]

Originally Posted by aramis109

You know, I realize there's some tongue-in-cheek ribbing going on here, but it still irritates me that you generalize and dismiss someone based entirely upon their opinion. I've never watched the movie frame by frame, I've never tried to chase someone off of this title, and yet I can definitely see the DNR and EE on this movie.

Why is it that so many members of this forum behave so immaturely when it comes to a discussion supposedly based on technical merits?

Couldn't have said it better.

[retablo]

It's funny how people trying to shut up the DNR fanatics can only reply with "the transfer isn't THAT bad", which is still a negative connotation. True, it's not as bad in motion as when still, but the plain fact is that while not THAT bad, it could be WAY better. So I guess people are content with something just so-so? Why not ***** when something we spend our dollars on isn't all that it could be?

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by retablo

It's funny how people trying to shut up the DNR fanatics can only reply with "the transfer isn't THAT bad", which is still a negative connotation. True, it's not as bad in motion as when still, but the plain fact is that while not THAT bad, it could be WAY better. So I guess people are content with something just so-so? Why not ***** when something we spend our dollars on isn't all that it could be?

Everyone wants every release to be perfect - don't we? There are problems with almost every single release though. Some people have pegged this release as "terrible", "the worst ever", "don't ever buy it", etc. It just does not fit into that category from seeing it myself. If someone thinks doing all kinds of complaining on the internet and to the studio and such will get something changed then I guess most of us live in free countries and all the power to them. I am personally fine with the $14 I spent on this Blu-ray and don't think that the studio will do anything except put some new "extra super special" edition out a few years from now. Maybe the new one will use a new master (the main thing that needs to be done to make this look much better) and maybe it will use the same one but we'll have to wait and see.