Are Any Guru Dutt Films On Blu?

[Professor Echo]

Have any of Guru Dutt's masterful films been released in good Blu transfers with English subtitles?

Also looking for an Indian film from 1954 written and directed by Chetan Anand called TAXI DRIVER. Has this been released on Blu anywhere?

Searching for these is often frustrating because of the language barriers, so I would appreciate if anyone here knows where to look for vintage Indian cinema on Blu. Thanks!

[mrbrat_Boy]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Have any of Guru Dutt's masterful films been released in good Blu transfers with English subtitles?

Also looking for an Indian film from 1954 written and directed by Chetan Anand called TAXI DRIVER. Has this been released on Blu anywhere?

Searching for these is often frustrating because of the language barriers, so I would appreciate if anyone here knows where to look for vintage Indian cinema on Blu. Thanks!

Unfortunately only a few older movies have seen the light of the day and even more unfortunate is that none of them are Guru Dutt movies .

We are hoping that maybe a foreign company will somehow see the value and release them (Fingers Crossed).

[Professor Echo]

Thank you for the information. I appreciate you letting me know, but sure wish it was better news.

I have DVDs of some of Guru Dutt's films, but they are not of very good quality, unfortunately. I guess they will have to do until someone steps up and realizes how important these films are, not only to the history of Indian cinema, but the history of cinema period.

Do you have links for some of the older films that HAVE been released? Thanks.

[mrbrat_Boy]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

Thank you for the information. I appreciate you letting me know, but sure wish it was better news.

I have DVDs of some of Guru Dutt's films, but they are not of very good quality, unfortunately. I guess they will have to do until someone steps up and realizes how important these films are, not only to the history of Indian cinema, but the history of cinema period.

Do you have links for some of the older films that HAVE been released? Thanks.

There you are, these are links to the production company releases, scroll through, hope this helps

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?studioid=429

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?studioid=354

You might want to scroll though this forum for the quality on the individual releases.

[HDDCS]

The sad part is that none of the Indian studios gave those Classics proper justice. All you get is very poor quality and often atrocious subtitles.
However, a French company called Carlotta released Pyaasa (The Thirsty One) and Sahib Bibi Ghulam on DVD in good quality. Now don't expect miracles on those DVDs, but they're much better than the Indian versions. These discs have French subtitles. English subtitles are absent.
Link to Pyaasa http://www.amazon.fr/gp/aw/d/B008H1H...eywords=pyaasa

This is a box set containing Pyaasa and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam http://www.amazon.fr/gp/aw/d/B008H1H...=guru+dutt+DVD

You might want to take a look at this review before finalizing your purchase. http://www.dvdclassik.com/test/dvd-c...arlotta-zone-2 (I used Google translate to read it in English)

I'd recommend fan to go for these DVDs. Better versions aren't likely to appear anytime closer.

[ravenus]

I believe Criterion's Lee Kline said recently that they were looking at Guru Dutt's films as a possible project, but it all depends on the availability and condition of materials.

There is a long list of Indian movies, including that of Ray’s, that the Criterion intends to restore. “We will soon work on Ray’s Devi. We are also trying to get some Guru Dutt as well as classic Bollywood titles. But as proven with The Apu Trilogy, these things can take a while to come through,” says Kline.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by HDDCS

The sad part is that none of the Indian studios gave those Classics proper justice. All you get is very poor quality and often atrocious subtitles.
However, a French company called Carlotta released Pyaasa (The Thirsty One) and Sahib Bibi Ghulam on DVD in good quality. Now don't expect miracles on those DVDs, but they're much better than the Indian versions. These discs have French subtitles. English subtitles are absent.
Link to Pyaasa http://www.amazon.fr/gp/aw/d/B008H1H...eywords=pyaasa

This is a box set containing Pyaasa and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam http://www.amazon.fr/gp/aw/d/B008H1H...=guru+dutt+DVD

You might want to take a look at this review before finalizing your purchase. http://www.dvdclassik.com/test/dvd-c...arlotta-zone-2 (I used Google translate to read it in English)

I'd recommend fan to go for these DVDs. Better versions aren't likely to appear anytime closer.

No go for me as I don't read French.

[Professor Echo]

Originally Posted by mrbrat_Boy

There you are, these are links to the production company releases, scroll through, hope this helps

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?studioid=429

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?studioid=354

You might want to scroll though this forum for the quality on the individual releases.

The links took me to short lists of more recent Indian films. I'm really only interested in Indian cinema prior to 1975, so I'm assuming that none of the vintage titles have appeared on Blu yet? Or did I miss something with the links you posted?

[HDDCS]

A few titles released before (even on 1975) have their existence on Blu-ray and the ones I would recommend are :-
1) Anand (1971) critically acclaimed film. Excellent performances by the lead actors and some supporting actors did their job well too! Its a rather short movie! Among the most loved Indian classic films. Blu-ray transfer is decent too, according to other members.
2) Chupke Chupke (meaning "hush, hush"; 1975) a great comedy flick! Revolves around the theme of practical jokes. Again, lead actors were excellent! Music is decent too! A decent Blu-ray transfer as reported by members.
3) Deewar (meaning "a barrier"; 1975) I haven't watched it yet! But I am recommending it to you because it is a classic movie. Members here have reported that they like the movie. Blu-ray transfer is much better than the previous two with solid colours and good detail.
These titles are available from Eagle Home Entertainment.

[mrbrat_Boy]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

The links took me to short lists of more recent Indian films. I'm really only interested in Indian cinema prior to 1975, so I'm assuming that none of the vintage titles have appeared on Blu yet? Or did I miss something with the links you posted?

When you click on the link, make sure to click the world, like below. Otherwise it will list only the country your settings are on. Sorry, my bad, i should have mentioned this.



This will show the complete list.

[LastActionHero]

My dad is big fan of Guru Dutt's movies.
His blueray movies will be a awesome gift for him!

[ravenus]

So apparently there will be a screening of a restored version of Pyaasa at the Venice Film Festival in September. This is mostly great news, although I am troubled by this detail:

Pyaasa (The Thirsty One) by Guru Dutt (India, 1957, 144', B&W), restoration by Ultra Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd

Considering how absolutely pathetic GD films have looked on Ultra's DVDs I really hope there's a different team behind this or we shall have a real tragedy on hand.

[kaykaysud]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Considering how absolutely pathetic GD films have looked on Ultra's DVDs I really hope there's a different team behind this or we shall have a real tragedy on hand.

Or maybe not, if they realize that they've been tasked with a real litmus test.

[HDDCS]

Originally Posted by ravenus

So apparently there will be a screening of a restored version of Pyaasa at the Venice Film Festival in September. This is mostly great news, although I am troubled by this detail:

Considering how absolutely pathetic GD films have looked on Ultra's DVDs I really hope there's a different team behind this or we shall have a real tragedy on hand.

I don't believe those DVDs were restored versions by any chance.
Take a look at these to get an idea of Ultra's efforts.

Digital Film Restoration - Promo - YouTube

Digital Film Restoration - Demo - YouTube

If the 're-storeing' of Pyaasa is anything like these ones, I'd suggest you to stay away. Hopefully someone in contact with the company could give us extended information on the restoration efforts.

[Jafar]

Originally Posted by HDDCS

I don't believe those DVDs were restored versions by any chance.
Take a look at these to get an idea of Ultra's efforts.

[Show spoiler]
Digital Film Restoration - Promo - YouTube
Digital Film Restoration - Demo - YouTube

If the restoration of Pyaasa is anything like these ones, I'd suggest you to stay away. Hopefully someone in contact with the company could give us extended information on the restoration efforts.

Do we also get new improved elongated aspect as in these "re-storeing" videos? I'm totally in!!!

[HDDCS]

Exactly, bro! Such re-storeing, such stretching, such a soft video. What else could I ask for? -.-

[m_007]

Aarti is a really good movie ... Highly recommended - and yes it is B/W. Bheegi Raat also stars the three of them - color movie that has great songs.

I would hope Pyaasa was done by a different division and not these dolts playing with bad transfers. Hoping that it is. True restoration which means a full print - new negative and fresh transfer to BD.

[ravenus]

Recent article on the Pyaasa restoration to be screened at Venice:
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertai...w/48675601.cms

The claim of it being the first Indian restoration doesn't entirely ring true because Pixion (Chennai) worked on the restoration of the Satyajit Ray films which were later released on blu-ray by Criterion and Aritificial Eye.

[HDDCS]

Ah, at last a breakthrough. This should probably now give Criterion a chance to pick it up. Would be great to have this done by them.

[ravenus]

^Let's not pop the champagne corks already. We're only seeing small thumbnails, which are no indication of the quality of the restoration, specifically with respect to the digital manipulations that may be carried out in the name of cleaning up the picture. I would hope for the best, but fear the worst.