Gladiator (2000)

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

Wow! So when will the corrected discs hit shelves and how can I easily identify them?

No word on a date yet. Supposedly, the new version will have yellow UPC stickers like Saving Private Ryan.

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

No word on a date yet. Supposedly, the new version will have yellow UPC stickers like Saving Private Ryan.

Thanks. I can't wait to get my hands on this and SPR.

[neo78956]

I find it odd that Paramount is having such inconsistencies with their Sapphire Series, and catalogue titles in general. When they get it right (The Godfather trilogy, Braveheart, Minority Report, War of the Worlds, Forrest Gump) they blow us out of the water. Then they have some disc error issues that keep an otherwise reference quality release (Saving Private Ryan) form being as such. Then they go and pull Gladiator on us. Hopefully they get their act together and go back to that gold standard they set with the amazing releases so that American Beauty and further catalogue (Sapphire Series) releases don't get screwed up.

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by neo78956

I find it odd that Paramount is having such inconsistencies with their Sapphire Series, and catalogue titles in general. When they get it right (The Godfather trilogy, Braveheart, Minority Report, War of the Worlds, Forrest Gump) they blow us out of the water. Then they have some disc error issues that keep an otherwise reference quality release (Saving Private Ryan) form being as such. Then they go and pull Gladiator on us. Hopefully they get their act together and go back to that gold standard they set with the amazing releases so that American Beauty and further catalogue (Sapphire Series) releases don't get screwed up.

Technically, the Godfather trilogy isn't part of the Sapphire Series, though they rebranded it to make it seem as such.

[neo78956]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

Technically, the Godfather trilogy isn't part of the Sapphire Series, though they rebranded it to make it seem as such.

True, but as you may have noticed by my listing of Minority Report and War of the Worlds, I was mostly just talking about big catalogue titles, not just Sapphire Series

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by neo78956

True, but as you may have noticed by my listing of Minority Report and War of the Worlds, I was mostly just talking about big catalogue titles, not just Sapphire Series

*ahem*

Originally Posted by neo78956

I find it odd that Paramount is having such inconsistencies with their Sapphire Series

You were saying?

[retablo]

Originally Posted by neo78956

I find it odd that Paramount is having such inconsistencies with their Sapphire Series, and catalogue titles in general. When they get it right (The Godfather trilogy, Braveheart, Minority Report, War of the Worlds, Forrest Gump) they blow us out of the water. Then they have some disc error issues that keep an otherwise reference quality release (Saving Private Ryan) form being as such. Then they go and pull Gladiator on us. Hopefully they get their act together and go back to that gold standard they set with the amazing releases so that American Beauty and further catalogue (Sapphire Series) releases don't get screwed up.

They didn't do the mastering on the original Gladiator disc. Universal did. So blame them, not Paramount.

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by neo78956

Then they go and pull Gladiator on us.

Shhh. I'll let let you in on a secret a lot of people already knew....

Paramount did not produce the Blu-ray Disc for Gladiator. Universal Studios Home Entertainment produced the Sapphire Series Blu-ray Disc.

See back in 2000, Gladiator was a Dreamworks Pictures and Universal Studios Pictures co-production. Dreamworks distributed the film theatrically in North America while Universal handled all other territories.

Wait, before 2006, Universal also distributed Dreamworks' films on DVD, VHS, and Laserdisc. Paramount picked up the distribution rights to the Dreamworks theatrical releases and home video products in 2006.

So the original elements were not available to Paramount to produce this disc so Universal produced not only their version but the Sapphire Series release for the US and Canada as well.

Now, Universal has released a version with remastered picture and is providing that one to Paramount (obviously, Paramount paid them for their second efforts) which is why there is no firm date on when the new stock will show up.

Oooh, and as for Saving Private Ryan, that mistake was on account of Technicolor who was responsible for the program replacement via mail. You were not sending the SPR discs to Paramount, you sent them to Techniclolor who admitted their mistake.

[Mike1981]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Shhh. I'll let let you in on a secret a lot of people already knew....

Paramount did not produce the Blu-ray Disc for Gladiator. Universal Studios Home Entertainment produced the Sapphire Series Blu-ray Disc.

See back in 2000, Gladiator was a Dreamworks Pictures and Universal Studios Pictures co-production. Dreamworks distributed the film theatrically in North America while Universal handled all other territories.

Wait, before 2006, Universal also distributed Dreamworks' films on DVD, VHS, and Laserdisc. Paramount picked up the distribution rights to the Dreamworks theatrical releases and home video products in 2006.

So the original elements were not available to Paramount to produce this disc so Universal produced not only their version but the Sapphire Series release for the US and Canada as well.

Now, Universal has released a version with remastered picture and is providing that one to Paramount (obviously, Paramount paid them for their second efforts) which is why there is no firm date on when the new stock will show up.

Oooh, and as for Saving Private Ryan, that mistake was on account of Technicolor who was responsible for the program replacement via mail. You were not sending the SPR discs to Paramount, you sent them to Techniclolor who admitted their mistake.

Still, it is their name and their reputation on the line. In the end, they should be accountable. With that in mind, they have done a very good job "putting out the fires."

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by Mike1981

Still, it is their name and their reputation on the line. In the end, they should be accountable. With that in mind, they have done a very good job "putting out the fires."

Which is why we are getting an exchange program nearly a year after it's release.

Did Disney do that for Gangs of New York? No way.

[blu_sharpy]

I've got some comparison Screenshots for you guys if you havent already had a chance to check them out. Just scroll over each pic. When you scroll over, the new 4K transfer is revealed:

http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/...8257/picture:0

[Darkhawk9587]

Originally Posted by blu_sharpy

I've got some comparison Screenshots for you guys if you havent already had a chance to check them out. Just scroll over each pic. When you scroll over, the new 4K transfer is revealed:

http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/...8257/picture:0

Wow, that's quite a stark difference between the two. Thanks for the post.

[Bunker]

Originally Posted by SwissHD

New Comparison with mostly wide shots:

http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/comparison/69939/

IMPRESSIV!!!

#3 is AMAZING.

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by blu_sharpy

I've got some comparison Screenshots for you guys if you havent already had a chance to check them out. Just scroll over each pic. When you scroll over, the new 4K transfer is revealed:

http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/...8257/picture:0

Grain field intact. Staggering difference.

How do we sign up for the replacement?

[reanimator]

Originally Posted by Bunker

#3 is AMAZING.

Agreed. And I think #5 is even better. I'm glad I held out on buying this -- but now I can't wait!

[thebluemax]

Anyone know what dealer has the REMASTERED version???

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by thebluemax

Anyone know what dealer has the REMASTERED version???

Quoting myself:

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Link to the Dutch version.

Another Link to the Dutch version.

It is pricey at around $35...

The new version will have a yellow UPC and has not been offically released in the US or Canada yet. When it is ready for release, Paramount will let media outlets know along with releasing detailed information on the replacement program.

Universal UK is telling UK customers to expect at least a 30 day wait for a replacement disc.

[RocShemp]

After showing those comparison pics to my mom, I can understand the J6P jokes people in forums actually make. She insists the old blurry transfer looks better than the new detailed transfer. Even picture #6 didn't sway her. After seeing that particular shot, she einsisted that the new transfer was the blurry one.

[raygendreau]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

After showing those comparison pics to my mom, I can understand the J6P jokes people in forums actually make. She insists the old blurry transfer looks better than the new detailed transfer. Even picture #6 didn't sway her. After seeing that particular shot, she einsisted that the new transfer was the blurry one.

Don't look now, but mom may have a point, particularly if she saw Gladiator in the theater:

http://www.dvdtown.com/review/gladiator/blu-ray/8291/2

https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post3546616

Film purists must feel violated yet again.

[gvortex7]

Just wondering, has any of you gotten a response to the email you sent to Paramount about the defective disc exchange, yet?