British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[David M]

With DVD and television sized screens, a player can make or break it. The frequency response of the scaling algorithm makes a huge difference. Well-done DVD can look very good at TV sizes, but there are players which don't make the most of the detail that's on the disc.

And since this is a BFI thread, it's worth noting that PAL has an additional hurdle. There are much fewer players which activate film mode deinterlacing for the 2:2 cadence, so a lot of them throw away vertical resolution and show jaggies. Even the players that can detect 2:2 don't always stay locked on during the entire film.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

Dunno if it's just me, but decided to check out to DVD version's of both A Woman Under The Influence & Shadows. Both look as good as blu ray versions.

I've seen Shadows on a 46" screen and I doubt any DVD could look the way it did. It's not a sharp pristine image, but has a wonderful organic grainy look that would be very difficult to do right on SD.

[theprestige85]

Well to be honest I only had a brief look at Shadows blu and DVD so i'll have to compare again during the week at some point, but i'm glad others are saying that the difference between A Woman Under The Influence DVD and blu aren't that big though, because they really aren't, and my vision is just under 20/20.

I'll check out and compare the Shadows versions during the week.

[BigNickUK]

Not posting this to be smart or rude but you cannot ignore facts

[tenia]

Actually, caps-a-holic have some comparing caps for A Woman Under The Influence and as we wrote earlier, you can clearly see that the BD improves on the DVD, at least by getting the grain better resolved through the higher resolution and higher bitrate. The bigger your screen, the more obvious this will look.

[nitin]

to be fair, he said difference isnt that noticeable for AWUTI not that there is no difference.

And I tend to agree, although grain and texture do come out heaps better.

[theprestige85]

^I did indeed say that, thank you for pointing that out to the rest.

Obviously it's going to have better grain structure and compression, it's just not immediately obvious without having to analyse caps, that's all. It's not a night and day difference, you'd probably need a screen that's nearing the 60 plus to see a major diff. With AWUTI, it's not night & day.

My screen is 40 inches and I use a PS3 as a blu ray. Not massive compared to most of you home cinema enthusiasts but certainly not small either, specially since it's in my tiny bedroom. I'm easily able to appreciate the difference between 480 and 1080p. I can even see an appreciable difference between 1080p and 720p at times. I think it all depends on your space and the distance you sit from the TV. 9 times out of 10 the benefits of blu's over standard def. are p

9 times out of 10, the benefits of blu ray over standard definition is so obvious that it sometimes hurts having to watch upscaled discs of films I really enjoy.

It comes down to the way AWUTI was shot and that is that, I think.

[charnier]

I know that this is not blu-related, but there's a terrific bargain on the Ozu silent gangster films - £7.75 on Amazon UK.

[rapta]

Another answer from BFI regarding the upcoming Herzog blu-rays...

My question about Nosferatu (on their Facebook page):

when's the Blu-Ray out

and Aguirre and Kaspar Hauser?

Their response:

Early 2014!

No word on whether that's just Nosferatu, or all three. But I'm glad they'll be out 'early' next year, and I'm going to guess March/April/May time seeing as they've already announced January/February releases. Cannot wait for more Herzog!

[Hintermann]

I just pre-ordered the superb looking BFI's Blu-Ray / DVD combo of the 1940 release of Gaslight with Anton Wallbrook. I seem to be in the minority who feels that this British film is superior to the better known American version with Ingrid Bergman made 4 years later.

Is there any truth that MGM tried to 'sabotage' the British film's negatives in order to promote their own version of the film? If so, was any material lost?

[BAKA]

Originally Posted by Hintermann

I just pre-ordered the superb looking BFI's Blu-Ray / DVD combo of the 1940 release of Gaslight with Anton Wallbrook. I seem to be in the minority who feels that this British film is superior to the better known American version with Ingrid Bergman made 4 years later.

Is there any truth that MGM tried to 'sabotage' the British film's negatives in order to promote their own version of the film? If so, was any material lost?

I read this too, in the latest issue of MovieMail's lovely little monthly catalogue. I'm kind of shocked, the 1944 version is one of my all time favourite films, and I'll be very surprised if I end up appreciating the 1940 version more (I haven't seen it), but if it is better it'll be something truly special. Cannot wait for the release.

I'm quite curious about who they're licensing the original from. I noticed a Warner copyright on the adverts I've been seeing for it in various publications. It would be amazing for Warner and the BFI to build a relationship, as Warner are notorious for rarely licensing their product out (they did with the BFI for The Devils though). Possibly it's artwork or title related though?

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by BAKA

I'm kind of shocked, the 1944 version is one of my all time favourite films, and I'll be very surprised if I end up appreciating the 1940 version more (I haven't seen it), but if it is better it'll be something truly special. Cannot wait for the release.

It depends on one's tastes, but both Haliwell and Maltin rate the British film to be the superior. I have to agree because the actors/characters, are more down to earth and the camerawork is more imaginative. The script is considerably slicker and as a result the film is almost 30 minutes shorter. Despite the latter's Oscar, British actress Diana Wynyard more than matches (and is better looking) than Ingrid Bergman. But Anton Walbrook is significantly better than the rather bland Charles Boyer.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by Hintermann

British actress Diana Wynyard more than matches (and is better looking) than Ingrid Bergman.

I'm sorry, but no one is better looking than Ingrid Bergman.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Hintermann

The script is considerably slicker and as a result the film is almost 30 minutes shorter.

That's interesting. My main problem with the latter film was it's length given that the film telegraphed Boyer's evull-ness right from the start, and it became for me an exercise in waiting for a very predictable end.

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

I'm sorry, but no one is better looking than Ingrid Bergman.

A matter of opinion. IB is pretty but lacks character in her facial expressions. Perhaps I should say "expression" (singular) because she has that same pained look in most of her English films. For me, that sort of thing is a quick put-off.

ravenus : That's interesting. My main problem with the latter film was it's length given that the film telegraphed Boyer's evull-ness right from the start, and it became for me an exercise in waiting for a very predictable end.

Believe me, the biggest difference between the two films is the hero/villain. Walbrook more than wipes the floor with Boyer.

[MacEachaidh]

Thanks for this discussion, folks. I've never seen the British version of this story, and this is really piquing my interest.

But while what you say about Bergman is possibly justified, Hintermann, I still swoon over her in Casablanca. We'll always have Ingrid.

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

But while what you say about Bergman is possibly justified, Hintermann, I still swoon over her in Casablanca. We'll always have Ingrid.

Agreed. She is perfect for that role in Casablanca, but (not unlike Bogart, her co-star in that film) Bergman does not have a great deal of acting range. Oddly enough, the role where I admired her purely for acting was in The Yellow Rolls-Royce. Though a lot older, she came across as elegant.

[nitin]

excuse me what, have you seen the Rossellini films or Autumn Sonata?

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by nitin

excuse me what, have you seen the Rossellini films or Autumn Sonata?

Got your point. I should have said Bergman in her Hollywood films.

In the past Hollywood have had a tendency of typecasting their 'borrowed' European stars so that they probaly do not get the opportunity to demonstrate their true acting skills.

[Melodious Thunk]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

I'm sorry, but no one is better looking than Ingrid Bergman.

I agree wholeheartedly. Ahh, Ingrid...

I'd like to see the UK version of Gaslight though, Anton Walbrook is good in what I've seen him in.