James Bond: The Ultimate Collection (1962-2012) + Volume Collections

[chewbabka]

I’m curious what kind of say Eon has in this. Do they have any real input in whether these get released and how they’re presented? Or do they just get a royalty check?

[captainsolo]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I believe the DVDs only did that outside the US, right? I don't have mine anymore, but I could have sworn the US SE DVDs all retained the original mono.

It was on the UE DVDs that had multiple audio tracks and commentaries like LALD and FYEO. The SE DVDs had original audio only except for the few that got 5.1 upmixes.

Originally Posted by Markgway

It might be worth an American poster here summerising this information and contacting MGM Home Ent. At least that way we'll know they have this information and can't plead ignorance of the facts later. Links to those audio pages wouldn't hurt either as it proves the case.

I'd do it in a heartbeat but I don't know who to contact. Of course I got my first ever leave us alone MGM letter in middle school so I'm an old timer when it comes to this stuff.

Originally Posted by chewbabka

I’m curious what kind of say Eon has in this. Do they have any real input in whether these get released and how they’re presented? Or do they just get a royalty check?

I have no real idea. They got quoted in the Lowry 2006 era stuff but I don't really think they do much with the home releases. They did participate in some of the 2006 extras. I'd give anything to be the archivist in charge of getting these right. It's not like I'm sitting at home comparing the audio of almost 15 copies of FRWL right now...oh wait I am doing that...

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

It was on the UE DVDs that had multiple audio tracks and commentaries like LALD and FYEO. The SE DVDs had original audio only except for the few that got 5.1 upmixes.

Ah, my mistake, that was a typo, I meant to say UE DVDs. I only ever owned a couple of the SE DVDs, but I had the whole UE set (well, all 4 box sets which, together, made up the whole set)

I could have sworn the UE DVDs in the US all included original audio options, and it was only the overseas versions of the UE DVDs that dropped original audio from some films, to free up space for more foreign dubs.

I sold my 4 UE DVD box sets when I got my BD set in 2012, so I can't check and I could be wrong.

[SpazeBlue]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

Of course I got my first ever leave us alone MGM letter in middle school so I'm an old timer when it comes to this stuff.

Ooh, what for?

[captainsolo]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Ah, my mistake, that was a typo, I meant to say UE DVDs. I only ever owned a couple of the SE DVDs, but I had the whole UE set (well, all 4 box sets which, together, made up the whole set)

I could have sworn the UE DVDs in the US all included original audio options, and it was only the overseas versions of the UE DVDs that dropped original audio from some films, to free up space for more foreign dubs.

I sold my 4 UE DVD box sets when I got my BD set in 2012, so I can't check and I could be wrong.

I know it’s LALD and FYEO for sure and maybe one or two more. It was really infuriating back then especially since LALD is my favorite film. For years I stuck with the SE DVD because of that fact.

Originally Posted by SpazeBlue

Ooh, what for?

I mentioned it in the long 4k Kino GBU thread but it was after the release of the 2003 extended English cut of The Good The Bad and The Ugly. I asked why they made certain decisions which contrasted with the original production and director’s wishes and got a leave us alone letter. Had there still been some kind of contact email in 2006 when the Lowry masters came out on the ultimate edition DVDs I would have been emailing them like crazy asking what happened.

[captainsolo]

Blah ray has posted updated findings on FRWL. Now that I’ve chipped in with all my editions this is without question the most comprehensive audio analysis the film has ever gotten. I even went over my time compressed copies and vhs tapes.
https://blah-ray.blogspot.com/search...%281963%29?m=0

In short the mgm letterbox LD in the Connery collection box or poster art standalone version is unbelievably superior. Plus though it’s not credited the analog right channel of this release is an isolated music and effects track.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

I'd do it in a heartbeat but I don't know who to contact. Of course I got my first ever leave us alone MGM letter in middle school so I'm an old timer when it comes to this stuff.

Maybe someone here knows the best place to contact them? Studios aren't interested in non-Americans which is why I stopped trying. Social media (ugh) - if MGM have a F*c*book or Tw*tter page - might be a good idea. Reposting the link might also get more people ignorant of the muffled mono issue (like me until recently) on board.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Can we not mention Facebook and Twitter here?

[thelwig14]

Did anyone’s Target shipper have a Vol 1 Connery or Dalton? I was able to get Brosnan.

[chewbabka]

Originally Posted by Markgway

Maybe someone here knows the best place to contact them? Studios aren't interested in non-Americans which is why I stopped trying. Social media (ugh) - if MGM have a F*c*book or Tw*tter page - might be a good idea. Reposting the link might also get more people ignorant of the muffled mono issue (like me until recently) on board.

Are they even interested in Americans?

[dhwm]

Vudu has 2 listings for the Ultimate James Bond, one with no time to die and one without.

[50strat54]

The Blu-ray only Disc of No Time To Die arrived today from eBay and now my Ultimate Collection is truly complete…for now.

Just watched it and it looks amazing and I think it’s the best of the Craig Bond films.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

Can we not mention Facebook and Twitter here?

I didn't, you did!

I said F*c*book and Tw*tter.

[Krynoid-Man]

I rewatched Dr. No recently and it's the first time I've really noticed just how bad the noise reduction on the 5.1 mix is. I always put the flat and slightly muffled quality of the sound down to it's age, but after listening to those clips of the laserdisc audio on the Blah-Ray blog, not only can I see that's not true the actors sound like robots in places by comparison.

[Bourne1886]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

The Blu-ray only Disc of No Time To Die arrived today from eBay and now my Ultimate Collection is truly complete…for now.

Just watched it and it looks amazing and I think it’s the best of the Craig Bond films.

Errrr, yes it looks amazing but no it’s not the best. That honour would belong to Casino Royale. That is the best one of his 5 film tenure. Glad you like it though.

[captainsolo]

Originally Posted by Krynoid-Man

I rewatched Dr. No recently and it's the first time I've really noticed just how bad the noise reduction 5.1 mix is. I always put the flat and slightly muffled quality of the sound down to it's age, but after listening to those clips of the laserdisc audio on the Blah-Ray blog, not only can I see that's not true the actors sound like robots in places by comparison.

You could call the Connery era mixes and in fact all the Bond monos more hot mixes than anything. They were designed to be aggressive and in your face a bit especially when compared to other films of the time. That's why it pains me so that they've been made to appear so bland and dull for so long. There's a reason why Norman Wanstall won the Oscar for Goldfinger. You remember all the sounds to the point that in your head you can or at least I can always hear the sound of Bond being tossed around the floor of Ft. Knox. That has to do with the intensity of the original mix. Peter Hunt also supervised the mix levels on the earlier films which is why they get loud at points.
The smashing coffee cup and tray in Dr. No are louder than most film explosions!

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

There's a reason why Norman Wanstall won the Oscar for Goldfinger.

That hack! What does he know? I take my lead from studio sound engineers who weren't even born when that film was made. Now where's the Dolby Fantomas? The thought of mono (ugh) makes my ass cheeks twitch!

[dan10017]

Originally Posted by Rocklandsboy

The 4K set that is hopefully (!) coming will surely improve on these sound mixes, right? At least including the original mixes losslessly for the first time...? #getbondright

Hopefully and also Atmos for the Craig and Brosnan films, with NATIVE or Remastered 4K (not upscaled from 2K) HDR/Dolby Vision for all 25 films.

[koberulz]

Plus an actual gold bar included with Goldfinger, while we're being completely delusional.

[Markgway]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Plus an actual gold bar included with Goldfinger, while we're being completely delusional.

And a heroin-flavoured banana.