Spartacus (1960) (Restored Edition)

[Maggot]

This is the kind of detail and splendor that everybody knew was there, waiting to be unearthed. It can now join the other large format films on Blu-ray that look ravishing. With those screenshots, the release date only feels that much further away. Damn it!

[captainjoe]

I'm blown away. The beautiful cinematography has really been done justice and is finally on full display here. Can't wait to watch!

[Yojimbo68]

That first Blu-ray of Spartacus is horrible. The only Blu-ray that might be worse with the DNR lather is the Predator UHE. I'm all in for the new transfer. Looks great!

[GaragePoet]

wow, i've got this in the Kubrick box set but never got around to watching it yet. never seen the movie, so will prob pick this up & swap it out before i get around to seeing it

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by 42041

Converted a few to 1080p and fixed the RGB range issue for a more apples to apples comparison of what you might see on the bluray:
http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/138831

Looking at Douglas' face in the second pic, it makes me weep for those severely DNR'ed Blu-rays that people kept saying looked so waxy because of the thick pancake makeup used on the actors' faces. Um...no. With the simple sweep of a mouse you can have pancake on, pancake off, pancake on, pancake off...

[kristoffer]

Originally Posted by 42041

Converted a few to 1080p and fixed the RGB range issue for a more apples to apples comparison of what you might see on the bluray:

http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/138831

Looks great!

[Mandalorian]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Looking at Douglas' face in the second pic, it makes me weep for those severely DNR'ed Blu-rays that people kept saying looked so waxy because of the thick pancake makeup used on the actors' faces. Um...no. With the simple sweep of a mouse you can have pancake on, pancake off, pancake on, pancake off...

He looks like he has a red clay facial on, or something. Can't wait to pick up the new disc.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by 42041

Converted a few to 1080p and fixed the RGB range issue for a more apples to apples comparison of what you might see on the bluray:
http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/138831

Possibly the most substantial quality upgrade I have ever seen. Thanks for posting.

[bubbafett73]

Wow this looks amazing. I have watched this movie on probably every format and I have never seen it look like this. I cannot wait to pick this up. It's been forever since I have watched it and can't wait to watch the remaster. It will probably be like watching it for the first time.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Looking at Douglas' face in the second pic, it makes me weep for those severely DNR'ed Blu-rays that people kept saying looked so waxy because of the thick pancake makeup used on the actors' faces. Um...no. With the simple sweep of a mouse you can have pancake on, pancake off, pancake on, pancake off...

I cannot believe people use make-up as an excuse for DNR when it's so obvious. lol That excuse was also used for the Trek films.

[Geoff D]

But...but....but...they're old so they needed lots of makeup!

[infiniteCR]

Mr Harris has done it again!

IF only we could implore him to save the 70mm Far and Away Ron Howard gem that got more than abused on blu.

[sartana]

Originally Posted by infiniteCR

Mr Harris has done it again!

IF only we could implore him to save the 70mm Far and Away Ron Howard gem that got more than abused on blu.

Here here. Far And Away looked Amazing in its original 70 MM theatrical run and it really needs a lot of loving attention to get it look right for home viewing.

As Mr. Harris has said, this is a new Universal, so hopefully we will see great things happen with Far And Away and Vertigo, among other films.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by sartana

Here here. Far And Away looked Amazing in its original 70 MM theatrical run and it really needs a lot of loving attention to get it look right for home viewing.

As Mr. Harris has said, This is a new Universal, so hopefully we will see great things happen with Far And Away and Vertigo among other films.

maybe with UHD Universal will get 'Jurassic Park' goddamn right this time round.

[RodChester]

Still haven't seen this film. Looks like this new release will make for a great first time viewing.

[Jobla]

I'd like to see a restoration of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1956). It's in much worse shape than VERTIGO.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by Jobla

I'd like to see a restoration of THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1956). It's in much worse shape than VERTIGO.

Same but most of all I wouldn't mind 4K restorations of all Hitchcock films from Universal. Even though I have that awesome set but have them listed individually because of Nissens covers.

SPARTACUS for me is a title I have no problems owning two different releases of from two separate companies to get the most out of it. In this case Universal and Criterion.
I'm glad this is being released onto Blu-ray and will be final time I buy the Universal release of the film until their own UHD Blu-ray.
It's one of my most mandatory titles to have in my collection starting all the way back to VHS which I've owned fairly much on differing formats over the years. Still considering getting the Criterion DVD but would rather wait for their eventual Blu-ray release. Been putting off buying this title for so long which is far preferred over the DNR/EE old master mess which was the HD DVD and first Blu-ray.

That comparison between the upcoming 4K compared to the old Blu-ray is literally and . I'm buying it release day!

EDIT: This Remaster release should be considered another case of where they screwed up or used an obsolete master on the first release and got the next one perfect. i.e. PATTON; RAIN MAN; The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (YMMV); WALL STREET; THE FRENCH CONNECTION; etc.

[Cook]

Back cover art:



Edit: Its already in the archive, but I guess it doesn't hurt having it in the thread.

[Blu-21]

Although not quite as bad, the HD-DVD was also pretty poor as well.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

Although not quite as bad, the HD-DVD was also pretty poor as well.

Same transfer used on the Blu-ray released in 2010 even though the Blu was released after. But less overscrubbed compared to it but still looked naff.