Spartacus (1960) (Restored Edition)

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

Ha, now don't be cheap. It probably won't be that expensive, their redo of Apollo 13 was very reasonable, but releases of big old movies done properly is such a rare event these days, I don't mind paying a few bob extra.

Yes, depending on how good this turned out, and perhaps any premium packaging options out there, I'd possibly get it sooner. I agree, Universal are very reasonable with their prices of catalog titles typically.

[Bolty]

I will buy it if I can get it for$7.37 or less.

[acua]

Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by Bolty

I will buy it if I can get it for$7.37 or less.

If it's $7.40 you mean you won't?

[Bolty]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

If it's $7.40 you mean you won't?

I just can't break my standards for any movie.
The movie is 194 minutes and I refuse to pay more than 3.9 cents per minute for any upgrade of a movie already in my collection.

For new movies I pay up to 12.7 cents per minute.

It's all about the finances.

[AlexIlDottore]

Originally Posted by Bolty

I just can't break my standards for any movie.
The movie is 194 minutes and I refuse to pay more than 3.9 cents per minute for any upgrade of a movie already in my collection.

For new movies I pay up to 12.7 cents per minute.

It's all about the finances.

This reminds me a little about another poster who always zoomed on the image to make sure that there were no remaining black bars, if there were any to begin with. He said that his TV was expensive so he wanted to be sure that every pixel was used.

Do you do this too? I'm sure a combination of the two procedures would certainly maximise your financial pleasure.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

Do you think that 7.1 has changed/updated audio effects in comparison to the original 6-track audio?
Also it would be great if they had retained the original mono too, for archival purproses.

interestingly the DCP of 'My Fair Lady' retains the original five front channel configurement - one would hope Universal could do the same with the theatrical DCP of 'Spartacus' and mirror what the premier 70mm engagement sounded like.

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by Bolty

I will buy it if I can get it for$7.37 or less.

I'd think you'd be able to buy 3 or 4 copies of the old disc for that, have a few spares

[Bolty]

It really amazes me that after all this time we are finally getting a proper release of this classic and folks start talking about what the price has to fall to for them to pull the trigger.

[tama]

Originally Posted by Bolty

It really amazes me that after all this time we are finally getting a proper release of this classic and folks start talking about what the price has to fall to for them to pull the trigger.

That's because people are cheap asses.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Bolty

It really amazes me that after all this time we are finally getting a proper release of this classic and folks start talking about what the price has to fall to for them to pull the trigger.

Originally Posted by tama

That's because people are cheap asses.

Since this is directed at me. I thought I made my point pretty clear. It's not so much about the price as it is the possibility of Criterion putting out their own disc not too long after. Clearly if I'm waiting for that, it isn't about the price since the CC disc would be even more money. It's not a film I absolutely must see the first day the restoration comes out on Blu-ray, but if it is for you guys, then great.

[tama]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Since this is directed at me. I thought I made my point pretty clear. It's not so much about the price as it is the possibility of Criterion putting out their own disc not too long after. Clearly if I'm waiting for that, it isn't about the price since the CC disc would be even more money. It's not a film I absolutely must see the first day the restoration comes out on Blu-ray, but if it is for you guys, then great.

Sorry if you thought my post was directed at you. Believe me it wasn't. I'm referring to those in general that get a great release and cheap it out for bargain bin prices.

But to your thoughts on a Criterion release if the extras are good on this upcoming release I really don't see Criterion re-releasing this title anytime soon.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by tama

Sorry if you thought my post was directed at you. Believe me it wasn't. I'm referring to those in general that get a great release and cheap it out for bargain bin prices.

But to your thoughts on a Criterion release if the extras are good on this upcoming release I really don't see Criterion re-releasing this title anytime soon.

The extras are posted on the previous page. They're mostly just the ones from the previous disc.

• Digital Copy of Spartacus (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
• Includes UltraViolet (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
• I Am Spartacus: A Conversation with Kirk Douglas
• Restoring Spartacus
• Deleted Scenes
• Archival Interviews
• Behind-The-Scenes Footage
• Vintage Newsreels
• Image Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer

Here's what the Criterion disc has, for comparison:

SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET

• Stunning new 16×9 transfer of the 1991 fully restored Super Technirama version
• Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack
• Audio commentary by producer-actor Kirk Douglas, actor Peter Ustinov, novelist Howard Fast, producer Edward Lewis, restoration expert Robert A. Harris, and designer Saul Bass
• Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s scene-by-scene analysis
• Restoration demonstration
• Rare deleted scenes
• Vintage newsreel footage
• 1960 promotional interviews with Jean Simmons and Peter Ustinov
• 1992 video interview with Peter Ustinov
• Behind-the-scenes “gladiatorial school” footage
• The 1960 documentary The Hollywood Ten, plus archival documents about the blacklist
• Original storyboards by Saul Bass
• Hundreds of production stills, lobby cards, posters, print ads, and a comic book
• Sketches by director Stanley Kubrick
• Original theatrical trailer
• Additional Alex North score compositions
  
  Cover based on a theatrical poster by Saul Bass

[Dylan34]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

The extras are posted on the previous page. They're mostly just the ones from the previous disc.



Here's what the Criterion disc has, for comparison:

So, is there going to be a Criterion release for sure and these are the extras, or what?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Dylan34

So, is there going to be a Criterion release for sure and these are the extras, or what?

No, a Criteiron release isn't certain, but the extras from the DVD should be ported over if there is one. Criterion hasn't lost any distribution rights for the title from Universal, so to me it's not a matter of if, but when. I'm not telling anoyne to hold off buying this if they really want it though. Who knows, I will probably end up biting once I see some screenshots

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by tama

But to your thoughts on a Criterion release if the extras are good on this upcoming release I really don't see Criterion re-releasing this title anytime soon.

Criterion's "criteria" for releasing titles already out seem to hinge on extras and/or different cuts, but NOT PQ. They had the offer to release Silence of the Lambs on blu after the MGM disc came out, but Becker declined because the MGM already used their extras and the only bump would've been PQ. Perhaps is a cost issue doing new scans and cleanup in relation to estimated units sold, who knows. But it's more likely for them to release a new remaster and utilize their own extras (again, perhaps due to cost) as long as those extras haven't been exhausted by someone else.

[pi2loc]

Originally Posted by tama

That's because people are cheap asses.

Or they're just cautious with their money.

[MifuneFan]

For reference, here are some co-existing releases between Criterion and Universal (US only) with release dates

Brazil: December 2012 (Criterion) / July 2011 (Universal)
Charade: September 2010 (Criterion) / July 2013 (Universal)
Dazed and Confused: Oct 2011 (Criterion) / August 2011 (Universal)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: April 2011 (Criterion) / Feb. 2010 (Universal)
The Game: September 2012 (Criterion) / Feb 2015 (Universal)
Moonrise Kingdom: September 2015 (Criterion) / October 2012 (Universal)
Traffic: January 2012 (Criterion) / April 2010 (Universal)

So the shortest time has been 2 months, and the longest just under 3 years.

[Bolty]

My post wasn't really directed at anyone--just the general phenomenon of people stating what they will pay for a certain title/release.
Since everybody's financial situation is different it's kind of meaningless.

You could be a cheapskate millionaire willing to pay just $10 or a homeless panhandler sacrificing $10 for a certain title.

I've loved this movie since 1967 (the edited "catholic League of Decency" version) and I really don't care about the extras. I've seen and heard the Criterion extras and I don't need to see them again.

But starting in October I will be able to watch a well restored version from now on!

And I'd probably be silly enough to overpay for this particular title, but I doubt I will have to.

And of course the only extra I'd really be interested in is deleted scenes and of course the only ones that exist are the 2-4 that I have already seen and which I presume will be on this new release.

[filmmusic]

I hope this title to be a huge success, so that studios start releasing more Roman/Egyptian/Biblical epics on Bluray.
This genre looks wonderful on HD, and it benefits much if properly restored.

We get tons of horror B-movies restored in 2K or 4K, but not many classic epic films!
Films like Barabbas, Land of the Pharaohs, Sodom and Gomorra etc.