The Last Emperor 3D Blu-ray (1987) [Region B Locked] [Theatrical Cut only]

[Oscar Rothman]

The Cannes Film Festival today announced the 23 film screening in the tenth edition of its Cannes Classics sidebar, which screens restored films that the festival deems essential to the history of the medium. Highlights include Satyajit Ray's "Charulata: The Lonely Wife," Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor 3D," and Billy Wilder's "Fedora."

http://www.indiewire.com/article/can...wilders-fedora

Oscar-winning producer and Recorded Picture Company boss Jeremy Thomas has revealed details of his plans for the 3D version of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor (1987).

“I’ve done a beautiful 4K 3D version of The Last Emperor under the tutelage of Bernardo (Bertolucci) and (cinematographer Vittorio) Storaro,” Thomas commented.

“It’s perfect, beautiful, ands it makes the film look incredible.”

The 3D version, nearing completion, has been done in collaboration with visual effects specialists Prime Focus.

Thomas is now plotting how to ensure the 3D version will be shown in China.

“There is a very big audience in China for this film,” Thomas said.

The Recorded Picture Company boss will travel to China to negotiate the release of the film in person. “You need to go there. You need to go and see and talk to people.”

Release arrangements are also yet to be set for elsewhere for the 3D Last Emperor. Thomas suggested distributors who handled the film first time round are in pole position, as long as they can deliver “proper” cinemas.

http://www.screendaily.com/news/deta...&contentID=263

[gates70]

This seems like a weird selection for a 3D conversion, no ?

[Taygan315]

Originally Posted by gates70

This seems like a weird selection for a 3D conversion, no ?

Agreed. I can think of other types of films that I would rather see be converted to 3D other than this. But...to each his own I guess.

[gates70]

Originally Posted by Taygan315

Agreed. I can think of other types of films that I would rather see be converted to 3D other than this. But...to each his own I guess.

Ya, so many more! But I did say the same about Titanic at first as well. I didn't really see the point of a drama being converted. Worked out quite well.

[BleedOrange11]

Sounds like they are playing off the rising popularity of 3D in China.

[tigermoth]

This movie is visually rich composition wise. It is being converted for the Chinese market, but I'm sure the rest of the world will get it on 3D Blu-Ray at some point.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by gates70

This seems like a weird selection for a 3D conversion, no ?

You can usually tell when French or German companies get their hands on a classics conversion.
Silly us, our first Yankee thought was to convert Jurassic Park...

Thomas is now plotting how to ensure the 3D version will be shown in China.
“There is a very big audience in China for this film,” Thomas said.

Ah-haaaahh... Local tastes strike again.
(Now, if somebody can only finish restoring that version of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis's "Artists & Models", THEN they'll have something to show the French Cannes audience. )

And I can think of maybe two or three iconic scenes (the yellow banner, the empty Forbidden City, the Cultural Revolution parades) that might benefit from 3D, but think that clouded the producers' memories out of the fact that we still got three hours of beautiful talk.
(See: Peter O'Toole ride a bicycle, in three glorious dimensions!)

[mseeley]

Originally Posted by EricJ

(See: Peter O'Toole ride a bicycle, in three glorious dimensions!)

LMAO!!!!

But in all seriousness I think this is a fascinating choice for 3d conversion. I still haven't seen the movie, but I've heard about it for years. Looking forward to hearing a release confirmation for the U.S.

[kallima]

An interesting choice to be sure, but will definitely pick it up on release day as I loved the movie and have yet to add it to my collection.

For those of you who haven't seen it, should still be available via Netflix.

[hotandserious]

This is up for orders on amazon.it - release date is December 4th:
http://www.amazon.it/Lultimo-imperat.../dp/B00FVTS39A

Anyone see it releasing on Blu-ray 3D anywhere other than Italy?

[Mao]

Um, okay.

Thanks for the news.

I don't see the point, but...oh, well, the more 3D the better!

[lukuhu]

I don't have a 3D TV. But I really want to give this new version a try.

Can I play this new 3D version of The Last Emperor on my none-3D TV?

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by lukuhu

I don't have a 3D TV. But I really want to give this new version a try.

Can I play this new 3D version of The Last Emperor on my non-3D TV?

If you don't have a 3D TV then you can only watch the film in 2D.

[BleedOrange11]

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-L...Blu-ray/52107/

The Japanese disc is a better representation of the original film anyway. Go for it if you want the best 2D version.

[James Luckard]

Caps-a-holic has this comparison between the Japanese disc, which I own, and the Italian 4K restoration. The comparison seems to use the 3D version, as it's overly bright:

http://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?go=1&a...=59186&i=4&l=0

The listing here says this Italian disc has both the 3D and regular version of the film on the same disc. Is this true? How can they fit 6 hours of HD content on one disc?

How does the regular 2D version look? Is it also from the 4K restoration? Is it also overly bright?

[Joe D.]

Gather there is no region free 3D edition - except bootlegs.

Even the DVD two cut version captures so much of the beauty. Would love to see it in 3D but not at the expense of purchasing a region free player.

[James Luckard]

The only 3D disc is the region-locked Italian disc, but I'm region-free and could play the 2D version on that disc if it's also sourced from the new 4K restoration, like the 3D, and has proper brightness levels.

Does anyone own the 3D disc and can verify the status of the 2D version contained on it?

[Tonppa]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Does anyone own the 3D disc and can verify the status of the 2D version contained on it?

I'll check this for you. Just give me few minutes to set up a 2D system.

Edit:
Yes, the disc includes 2D version. Tested it on 2D monitor.
Also tested it on 3DTV. Even on 3D system it asks which version to play. (see attached picture)

You can buy the 3D version now for less than 10 euros: https://www.amazon.it/Imperatore-Lim...qid=1531163757

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Tonppa

I'll check this for you. Just give me few minutes to set up a 2D system.

Edit:
Yes, the disc includes 2D version. Tested it on 2D monitor.
Also tested it on 3DTV. Even on 3D system it asks which version to play. (see attached picture)

You can buy the 3D version now for less than 10 euros: https://www.amazon.it/Imperatore-Lim...qid=1531163757

Thanks! Is the 2D version blown out and bright, like the 3D version though? That's the major question that will decide if I order a copy.

I can't tell if all the caps online, with blown out highlights, are from the 3D or 2D version on the disc.

[thestrangestick]

Anyone watched this recently? I’m curious about it.