Spartacus (1960) (Restored Edition)

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

I hope not -- not with his recent denial of the black crush on Sony BDs.

Technical hiccups like that aside, RAH is one of the best in the business and he's forgotten more about film than most people will ever know. He helped restore Spartacus in 1991 so I don't think there's anyone alive who's more suited to the job of restoring it now. If he's involved, it'll be a cracker.

[Akijama]

Robert Harris is indeed involved in the restoration.

Since last summer Universal Home Video has been working with restoration guru Robert Harris on a digital high-def restoration of Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus (’60). This new version will, I’m told, look more detailed and more Super Technirama 70-ish than the somewhat derided “shiny” Spartacus Bluray that came out in 2010. The new version, which is both a restoration and a reconstruction, was going to be screened this weekend at the TCM Classic Film Festival but Universal yanked it at the last minute because it couldn’t be finished in time. It’s now expected to pop on Bluray sometime next fall.

“The bottom line is that the new Spartacus is going to be gorgeous,” Harris told me earlier today. “The work has been underway since last July, and it’s been a huge, huge project. I’ve been consulting with them, and Universal is taking this very seriously. They’re doing everything that I asked for, and in 4K. You’re going to see detail and color than you haven’t seen since the restored 70mm version screened 24 years ago.”

http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/2...-2/#more-65243

[Illy Scorsese]

Originally Posted by Akijama

The Lost Weekend is actually from '45, meaning that it's celebrating the 70th anniversary this year. There's a good chance that it will released on blu-ray this year.

I sure hope you're right...

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Robert Harris is indeed involved in the restoration.

http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/2...-2/#more-65243

I couldn't ask for more. Great news. I'll be buying it on Blu-ray first up, but it could look seriously saucy on UHD BD.

I think folks are right when they say that 4K has lit a fire under Universal's ass; the studio has realised that things are moving on at pace, and if they don't start investing some money into remastering their back catalogue (and even properly restoring it, in the case of Spartacus) then they'll be left behind.

After years of lowballing their home video presentations, wouldn't it be crazy if one of the first companies to start taking advantage of UHD BD with lots of spanking new restorations was Universal? Feels like I'm in the ****ing Twilight Zone.

[UseY0ur1llusi0n]

Here's hoping they fix "The Sting" next.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I couldn't ask for more. Great news. I'll be buying it on Blu-ray first up, but it could look seriously saucy on UHD BD.

I think folks are right when they say that 4K has lit a fire under Universal's ass; the studio has realised that things are moving on at pace, and if they don't start investing some money into remastering their back catalogue (and even properly restoring it, in the case of Spartacus) then they'll be left behind.

After years of lowballing their home video presentations, wouldn't it be crazy if one of the first companies to start taking advantage of UHD BD with lots of spanking new restorations was Universal? Feels like I'm in the ****ing Twilight Zone.

They mismanaged bluray to such a degree they needed to get in on the ground floor and do things right

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by UseY0ur1llusi0n

Here's hoping they fix "The Sting" next.

Turns 45 in 2018. Let's hope it's redone sooner than that. I was willing to buy the Blu-ray sometime this year after having only seen it for the first time in like January, but maybe it's wise to hold off on the Universal catalogue purchasing for now.

[reanimator]

I've been as big a critic of Universal as anyone, but I also feel you should give credit when credit is due...

SPARTACUS, BREAKFAST CLUB, APOLLO 13 -- then add most of their Spielberg titles, then throw in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER and their recent remaster of OUT OF AFRICA -- fact is, somebody over there seems to finally "get it."

... but I must resist these until UHD-BD...

[EVERYONE LIES]

I'm so glad I held off on the blu-ray. I hate waiting on anniversaries. I imagine Back to the Future being announced any day now.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by reanimator

I've been as big a critic of Universal as anyone, but I also feel you should give credit when credit is due...

SPARTACUS, BREAKFAST CLUB, APOLLO 13 -- then add most of their Spielberg titles, then throw in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER and their recent remaster of OUT OF AFRICA -- fact is, somebody over there seems to finally "get it."

... but I must resist these until UHD-BD...

They probably realize that they can't get away with using those old HD masters made during DVD's prime for UHD-BD...

[rkolinski]

Joy to the World that a Remastered BD of Spartacus is in the works! I was overjoyed when I first saw this relatively new thread so I'm looking forward to the release of a BD where I don't have to say in the headline of my review GIVE IT A RENT! I just LOVE this movie and if Universal said it would cost me $100 to own it, it would be a day one purchase. It will make a wonderful addition to my Spartacus collection which includes: 4 original one sheet movie posters, a complete lobby card set, a hardcover theater book, the original release hardcover novel with original dust jacket, a 1960 tie-in Spartacus gladiator model (still unbuilt) and all of these autographs https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&folderid=1777.

[The Rider]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

So there's a reason I've held off on this all these years.

Between this and The Breakfast Club, Universal have no excuse not to give Jurassic Park the same treatment now. Oh yeah, and The Thing.

Fully agree! Jurric World in the theaters is the perfect opportunity for Universal to remaster thease films.

Please sign this petition for remastered Blu-rays, maybe it works.

https://www.change.org/p/universal-p...eds-a-remaster

[Blu-21]

What would you guys say is the lesser of the 2 evils when it comes to the current HD presentations? The HD-DVD or the Blu-Ray?

[Dubstar]

Robert Harris is certainly taking his damn time fine tinkering with 'My Fair Lady' ...

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

What would you guys say is the lesser of the 2 evils when it comes to the current HD presentations? The HD-DVD or the Blu-Ray?

the HD DVD

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by Brian81

They probably realize that they can't get away with using those old HD masters made during DVD's prime for UHD-BD...

Exactly. Let's not give them TOO much credit. These are titles they realized absolutely could NOT be brought to UHD in their previous state.

It's a start, but I'm not getting excited just yet, it's pretty obvious these are going to be double dips with UHD format.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Blu-21

What would you guys say is the lesser of the 2 evils when it comes to the current HD presentations? The HD-DVD or the Blu-Ray?

As mentioned above, the HD DVD is better but not really in a good way, if that makes sense. It's an old transfer plagued with noise, noise which was then blasted away for the Blu-ray which makes it look even worse. But I kept the HD DVD anyway.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

Joy to the World that a Remastered BD of Spartacus is in the works! I was overjoyed when I first saw this relatively new thread so I'm looking forward to the release of a BD where I don't have to say in the headline of my review GIVE IT A RENT! I just LOVE this movie and if Universal said it would cost me $100 to own it, it would be a day one purchase. It will make a wonderful addition to my Spartacus collection which includes: 4 original one sheet movie posters, a complete lobby card set, a hardcover theater book, the original release hardcover novel with original dust jacket, a 1960 tie-in Spartacus gladiator model (still unbuilt) and all of these autographs https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&folderid=1777.

I just glanced through your collection. Holy cow man! I'm impressed!

[reanimator]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

... it's pretty obvious these are going to be double dips with UHD format.

... which is why I'm trying to show some fiscal discipline and resist these for the time being...

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I just glanced through your collection. Holy cow man! I'm impressed!

Thanks and please leave a comment and rating!