Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

[jj5206]

Just got back from the 7pm showing and it was my first time seeing this. My mind was absolutely blown. Truly amazing.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

Yes, I've glimpsed the Blu-ray since I got it in the mail a couple weeks ago (UK version). It is indeed extraordinary, and the detail on display in the theater today is perfectly reflected on that BD (as you say). But the sheer size of the presentation on the big screen blew that away. I've heard for years that you haven't seen Lawrence of Arabia until you've seen it on the big screen, and that was proved true today. Just WOW.

I'm just really thrilled that Fathom Events didn't drop the ball on quality like they typically do. This was an insanely high quality presentation (4K, I believe).

Fathom didn't drop the ball because unlike most of their presentations, which tend to problematic satellite feeds, Sony insisted and produced DCP's for this one night event - and boy did it make for one incredible screening - thumbs up to Sony (okay... and Fathom)

[singhcr]

I got back from the showing tonight. The picture is amazing, although not quite as pleasing as the 70mm print I saw a few years back. I also liked the audio on the 70mm print more, but overall this 4k showing was very fun to watch and I am glad I saw it on a big screen. My friend had never seen it until tonight and it was fun to see him see it for the first time.

My hat goes off to Sony for the restoration and for the killer 4k showing. All DCP's should be at 4k and subsequently, so should all DIs.

[42041]

Just watched this in 4K projection, looked very nice, though rather dim and not quite up to the quality of projected 70mm film. However, that's the theater's fault; Sony did a fantastic job, it's the best-looking digital master of a older 70mm film I've seen.

[seannyd]

Wow. I'm really bummed out I missed this. I didn't go because I heard mixed reviews about Fathom presentations, and the closest theater near me playing it was nearly 20 miles away. And now everyone is talking about how incredible it looked. Ugh. Not fair. I wish they'd do a couple of weekend showings.

[Ernest Rister]

Projectionist screwed up at the beginning, and the audience stared at a DISH HD screen for several minutes. When they fixed the image, the audience was treated to no audio, just Scorsese's face talking, but no sound. When they fixed the audio, they didn't start over, they simply continued. Also, the focus was slighty off for the entire presentation, just a hair softer than it should be, and you could see it from the opening credits onward.

Still, even slightly-soft Lawrence on the big screen was amazing, especially the rich colors. And the marketing for this event dropped the ball - I don't think there were more than 20 people in the auditorium.

[bluskinsfan21]

i loved it. Picture was amazing. Yesterday, I knocked off one of the highest ranked things on my bucket list. Even the annoying multi-family group that kept laughing/talking didn't take away from how awesome it was (i moved after intermission)

[McCrutchy]

Just to reiterate the comments in this thread, I went to the 7:00pm screening, and it was, quite simply, magical. For the first time, I had an idea that I felt like someone in the audience in 1962/1963 seeing this on its first release. If there was ever a movie that 4K DCP and Blu-ray was designed for, it was Lawrence. I plan to run my Blu-ray for 48 hours straight just to bask in the glory.

I was disappointed that there was only 20-30 people in my theater, though. This deserved to play to packed houses at sold out screenings.

[jeremycarrier]

I've now seen LoA on the big screen. That is something I can say I did.

[Dave_6]

Man I've been sick all week and forgot all about this!

[MovieMan31]

Really want to order the collector's set from amazon, but hoping they might raise the value of the gift card you can get when you apply for the amazon credit card so I can get $50 instead of $30. Was pissed off, the day i went to order it was the exact day it went back down to $30 from $50.

Any chance anyone knows how often they raise it?

[metal134]

These accounts make me sad. I was on my way to the theater, even. On my friggin way.

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by metal134

These accounts make me sad. I was on my way to the theater, even. On my friggin way.

That sucks to hear that

It really was fun to see it on the big screen. On the positive side you can take the money you were going to use on the ticket and get the Blu-ray, at the least. I'm sure it will look spectacular.

[metal134]

Originally Posted by singhcr

That sucks to hear that

It really was fun to see it on the big screen. On the positive side you can take the money you were going to use on the ticket and get the Blu-ray, at the least. I'm sure it will look spectacular.

I actually had already bought the ticket.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

yes, and it's the same credits that are on the DCP of the film that was shown this afternoon/evening.

I think, but don't quote me, that the 2012 restoration used notes and templates on what Robert Harris was trying achieve in the 1989 restoration, but further enhanced and improved with newer technical state of the art equipment.

I hope someone who's at the 7pm screening and caught the 2012 restoration featurette can shine a little more light on what was said and detailed.

I did catch that documentary. Grover Crisp said that the main purpose of the 1988/1989 restoration was to assemble Lean's director's cut of the film, and thus it added material to the film. I assume this is why they kept those credits on the film, and then added the 2012 restoration credits onto those, as the 2012 restoration was a more "traditional" restoration, if you will, concerned with preservation of the film as assembled in the 1988/1989 restoration.

[garyrc]

Originally Posted by Illy Scorsese

Went to the 1pm Showing...

HOLY FREAKIN CRAP

It was truly amazing... Just amazing... As someone who has only seen "Lawrence" on TCM over the years(atleast 4 times)... This restoration & 4K Screening was a utter Revelation. I'm sorry 70mm people, but I can't imagine it having looked any better...

The Image on the Screen was Unreal... Too good to be true.

Interesting. Sounds like a great experience. Can you let us know approximately how many image heights (not screen heights) away from the screen you were? It's hard, I know .... just looking for a guess.

The reason I'm asking is that, IMO, the glory of 70 mm shows up most strongly from the closer seats, where the walk-into-it image is quite immersive -- from distant seats 70 mm looks like a near perfect modern big screen TV image, with great color, but small -- 4K digital might look as good from the greater distances, even though 70 mm is higher resolution (I think Harris needed to use 8K to capture the detail in the LoA 65 mm negative, but then there were a few more generations of film needed.

I have yet to see a digital image (but I hope I do, someday) that is as good as the best 70 mm prints I've seen, always from fairly close.

[ Image height is a good way to go, partly because theaters vary wildly. The original image size at the Coronet (San Francisco) for early 70 mm Todd-AO (before they flattened the screen to acomodate those who were unwilling to use curve correction in either the prints or the projector optics) had an image height in the 20th row that was approximately equal to the image height from the 4th row at the Grand Lake in Oakland. Both theaters were equipped for 70. The Grand Lake, with its smaller image (row for row) had a larger screen, but there was a large stage drop back, orchestra pit, and organ in the way, whereas the Coronet's seats came right down to the screen. Same with Century 21 San Jose, but their seats were more widely spaced, so I'd say the 15th row there equaled the 20th row at the Coronet.]

[garyrc]

Originally Posted by bluskinsfan21

... Even the annoying multi-family group that kept laughing/talking didn't take away from how awesome it was (i moved after intermission)

In 1962, I walked out of a matinee showing of a 70 mm print of Lawrence, and got my money back. A couple of people were talking about their shopping expedition and rattling their shopping bags. When I asked them to be quiet they looked at me uncomprehendingly. There were no ushers in sight (unheard of for a roadshow presentation). I took my hot-headed 20 year old self to the manager's office, told him he should learn to control his audience, got my money, and returned in the evening.

[Col.Klink]

Saw it last night, all I can is.....breathtaking!!!!
Brilliant job on the 4k remaster!

[McCrutchy]

Via HTF:

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

At the moment, it appears that the run of Lawrence boxed set Blu-rays, may actually be limited, as opposed to the norm, of producing a "limited edition" until the public ceases to purchase it. In this case, much like our My Fair Lady boxed sets, which included a strip of 70mm film, the 70mm Lawrence frames, which come from a new digital 65mm negative, have been cut, approved -- there are some very special frames, and all good ones, and like snow-flakes, no two alike -- and there may be no more.



Point being, this really is limited, and for those desirous of owning one...



RAH

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Via HTF:

Excellent news! I had a feeling they would be doing this with the film frames. Instead of a mass produced frame. Kudos Sony!
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