The Stone Tape (BBC, 1972) - 9th December, 2024 (101 Films)

[BarnDoor]

Up for pre-order at Zavvi:



Hopefully 101 Films do a good job with this, since IIRC it was shot almost entirely (if not entirely) on tape. 101's release of Ghostwatch gives me some confidence in this regard.

[CouncilSpectre]

It's 101, so:

[T4ffer]

I can see that coin! That’s a good sign

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by T4ffer

I can see that coin! That’s a good sign

I used the Criterion version of the GIF, not the Eureka one.....

[Big-D]

I hope the Nigel Kneale and Kim Newman commentary is ported over from the dvd

If they've remastered it in some way, I hope they've reduced or digitally erased some of the shots of when the camera pans from a bright object, it leaves a trail behind (like a lens flare).

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by Big-D

I hope the Nigel Kneale and Kim Newman commentary is ported over from the dvd

If they've remastered it in some way, I hope they've reduced or digitally erased some of the shots of when the camera pans from a bright object, it leaves a trail behind (like a lens flare).

Comet tails, they are part of the original production. Insanely difficult to remove and why would you want to?

[Big-D]

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

Comet tails, they are part of the original production. Insanely difficult to remove and why would you want to?

If it's something that's inherent in the technology of that time then fair enough. Although It'd be interesting to see if the director had wanted to keep that original photography as a happy accident? Or would like to have avoided it completely?

The Tripods series is one that suffers badly from the lens flare. It was possible that it was a budgetary constraint, as shooting on film is expensive.

[bigshot]

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

Comet tails, they are part of the original production. Insanely difficult to remove and why would you want to?

It's called vidicon burn. The sensor in the camera would burn when exposed to bright light. In extreme cases, the spots would linger appearing on everything the tube captured. Some of it would dissipate over time, and sometimes they would burn in light evenly across the whole vidicon tube to cancel it- neither of which was possible while shooting.

[Number 28]

Originally Posted by Big-D

I hope the Nigel Kneale and Kim Newman commentary is ported over from the dvd

If they've remastered it in some way, I hope they've reduced or digitally erased some of the shots of when the camera pans from a bright object, it leaves a trail behind (like a lens flare).

Yes, I would hope that as well with regards to the Nigel Kneale and Kim Newman commentary.

I can understand the issue about the comet/flare trails and having them removed. I quite like it as it is of the period, what video recordings used to be like. That temporary flare artifact was characteristic with TV video recordings up until about 1984/85, I very much associate it with the rather depressing, evening news reports of riots in Northern Ireland at night, where someone would throw a Molotov cocktail and the flame of the burning rag would streak across the screen. Street lights and car headlights would cause the same effect.

Fawlty Towers - Kitchen Fire - episode The Germans (1975).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlj0si3MBDI

[UnionJackMix]

Originally Posted by Big-D

I hope the Nigel Kneale and Kim Newman commentary is ported over from the dvd

If they've remastered it in some way, I hope they've reduced or digitally erased some of the shots of when the camera pans from a bright object, it leaves a trail behind (like a lens flare).

I love bonus material by Kim Newman, he is always a pleasure to listen to and interesting/entertaining.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by UnionJackMix

I love bonus material by Kim Newman, he is always a pleasure to listen to and interesting/entertaining.

I spend more time checking out the books and CDs on his shelves

[drush9999]

Cool more Nigel Kneale is always welcome.

[everygrainofsand]

This is showing as Sold Out, at that Zavvi link. Is this because the sale aint yet live; or has it sold out astonishingly fast?

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by everygrainofsand

This is showing as Sold Out, at that Zavvi link. Is this because the sale aint yet live; or has it sold out astonishingly fast?

The former

[MifuneFan]

Nice. I'm glad it's getting a premium treatment just like Ghostwatch. I'll likely be blind-buying it. Wish it was coming out in the US too (like Ghostwatch).

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Nice. I'm glad it's getting a premium treatment just like Ghostwatch. I'll likely be blind-buying it. Wish it was coming out in the US too (like Ghostwatch).

Maybe it'll get released in 2025 across the pond although the UK release would be a proper transfer & NOT the 50i-to-60i conversion that the US release of Ghostwatch was.

[annubis44]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Maybe it'll get released in 2025 across the pond although the UK release would be a proper transfer & NOT the 50i-to-60i conversion that the US release of Ghostwatch was.

Not sure I understand the technical aspect, but does that mean my US Blu is inferior to the UK release?

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by annubis44

Not sure I understand the technical aspect, but does that mean my US Blu is inferior to the UK release?

Yes and no.

Original format is 50i and US compatibility and preserving the video motion meant converting it to 60i (no speed change). Basically it’s an upsampled framerate. Shouldn’t make much of a difference on a good converter as it’s not like you’re also downscaling for NTSC when it’s HD. The trained eye can tell the difference but it’s not worth worrying about.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by annubis44

Not sure I understand the technical aspect, but does that mean my US Blu is inferior to the UK release?

No, you really won't notice any significant differences between the two releases.

[annubis44]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Yes and no.

Original format is 50i and US compatibility and preserving the video motion meant converting it to 60i (no speed change). Basically it’s an upsampled framerate. Shouldn’t make much of a difference on a good converter as it’s not like you’re also downscaling for NTSC when it’s HD. The trained eye can tell the difference but it’s not worth worrying about.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

No, you really won't notice any significant differences between the two releases.

Good to know. Thank you both!