Ghost Story (1981)

[Losey]

Originally Posted by Dickieduvet

Finally got my shipping notice for this, anyone managed to take a peek at it yet?

Really looking forward to seeing this again, it's been a while. I've got the original UK quad poster for this, needs a frame.

Mine is still being «prepared for shipping». I have the old Cinefantastique issue; love it. Also have the original french poster of the movie (Le Fantome de Milburn), which I adore. I wouldn't mind have it framed as well.
Anyway: can't wait to see what kind of «full HD» we're talking about, here.

[DMRI2006]

Just be prepared for anything. These transfers on the Paragon compilations run the gamut from very good to decent to mediocre.

[Monroville]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Great site, btw, you linked to. It really shows, IMO, Irvin wasn't the right guy to bring the book to the screen and a lot of his decision making probably hurt the final product. Some truly great moments DO remain though, that pop up throughout.

I don't agree.. maybe he was wishy-washy in "overshooting" the movie, but after reading the synopsis for the book I am very happy he decided to tone it down and make it an actual ghost story. Still, I would love to see the edited footage, be it the "number 2 1/2" attacking the doctor or the original ending with the other character being buried alive.

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

It's just too bad Shout couldn't do a Special Edition and find all the unused footage. I mean, CAT PEOPLE got that treatment, and GHOST STORY is a much better movie than that IMO!

You never know... give them, Kino or some other group time. Hell, who would have ever thought something like THE NINTH CONFIGURATION or GONE WITH THE POPE would be out on blu-ray?

Still, I placed an order for the german blu too, so let's hope it is at least a HDTV rip or something as opposed to a dvd upscale.

[DMRI2006]

I don't agree.. maybe he was wishy-washy in "overshooting" the movie, but after reading the synopsis for the book I am very happy he decided to tone it down and make it an actual ghost story.

I'm glad he didn't use the "shock" endings they tried (and why they'd even bother with Fenny Bate in the first place is perplexing given he has so little screen time that the character is basically useless in the film altogether). But the book is very clearly a "ghost story" -- actually a whole handful of them. The movie focuses on the very basic aspects of the main narrative line, but misses not only its scariest parts, but also its most emotional elements. It's like they got the outline right, but missed the larger point. Not to mention the depth of characterization is almost totally absent in the film. The book's ending is also more cinematic and satisfying -- why they didn't both with it is something I've also never understood.

The website you linked to, while very interesting, is also very opinionated. His analysis of the novel is pretty nutty (that it was "all in someone's head" is actually the first and only place I've seen someone claim that) and I don't think many would agree with his reading of it.

Don't get me wrong -- I always liked the movie (and still do) but after reading the book it's amazing to see how much they simplified, missed or just screwed up. They could make a really, truly outstanding horror film based on that book. It's still one of the most enthralling things I've ever read, and if you like the movie at all, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It's really worth it.

Still, I placed an order for the german blu too, so let's hope it is at least a HDTV rip or something as opposed to a dvd upscale.

The good thing about the Paragon discs is they're not DVD upscales. They are legit HD masters, but they vary. Some are Blu-Ray quality so to speak, others look like Netflix HD streaming masters or HDTV level rips with obvious DNR applied. I'm sure it'll be better than DVD...but I'm keeping my expectations in check.

Hopefully it will be one of the better ones (like NIGHTHAWKS), but either way, at least it's cheap. Germany is turning out more catalog content than we're getting in the US and the Amazon.de shipping is so inexpensive it's easy to take a chance on these and not end up being royally burned even if they suck.

[Losey]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

But the book is very clearly a "ghost story" -- actually a whole handful of them. The movie focuses on the very basic aspects of the main narrative line, but misses not only its scariest parts, but also its most emotional elements. It's like they got the outline right, but missed the larger point. Not to mention the depth of characterization is almost totally absent in the film. The book's ending is also more cinematic and satisfying -- why they didn't both with it is something I've also never understood.

I agree with both of you. Peter Straub's novel is a masterpiece of modern litterature as far as I am concern. It is one of my favorite novels, period. So yes, I do recognize the film as many shortcomings.

Yet, I do honestly like it, a lot, actually. I dunno... Jack Cardiff's vaporous cinematography, Dick Smith's creations, the whole senior cast's distinction (including the late Patricia Neal), and yes, of course, Alice Krige...

A special edition would be great: I sure agree with that, too. As for a more faithful adaptation, this is a case where perhaps an HBO miniseries might do just fine.

[Hubunkey]

If anyone wants a English language cover for just Ghost Story shoot me a PM, I made one using a DVD cover I found on google search

[Losey]

Anybody got his/hers yet?

[saltysam]

mine came yesterday,haven't had a chance to take a look yet.

[Dickieduvet]

Watching Ghost Story now, heavily filtered unfortunately. But being as the DVD's was rough this is quite the upgrade. I'm sure this will get a proper release down the road.

Worth noting though it is 1080p, not a cheap interlaced HDTV job.

Funhouse looks okay too, not as good as Arrow's release but still decent.

Not Checked White Zombie yet.

[ghidorah]

Originally Posted by Dickieduvet

Watching Ghost Story now, heavily filtered unfortunately. But being as the DVD's was rough this is quite the upgrade. I'm sure this will get a proper release down the road.

Worth noting though it is 1080p, not a cheap interlaced HDTV job.

Funhouse looks okay too, not as good as Arrow's release but still decent.

Not Checked White Zombie yet.

Guess its still mono yeah? Always thought that was a disappointing element of the great film.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by Dickieduvet

Watching Ghost Story now, heavily filtered unfortunately. But being as the DVD's was rough this is quite the upgrade. I'm sure this will get a proper release down the road.

Worth noting though it is 1080p, not a cheap interlaced HDTV job.

Funhouse looks okay too, not as good as Arrow's release but still decent.

Not Checked White Zombie yet.

Cheers. I think that's probably worth a punt for a tenner, particularly as the DVD is so poor, we may not see a 'proper' release, if we do it might not be for some time, and (finally) there's no guarantee it won't be equally filtered.

Steve W

[Monroville]

Originally Posted by Dickieduvet

Watching Ghost Story now, heavily filtered unfortunately. But being as the DVD's was rough this is quite the upgrade. I'm sure this will get a proper release down the road.

Worth noting though it is 1080p, not a cheap interlaced HDTV job.

Funhouse looks okay too, not as good as Arrow's release but still decent.

Not Checked White Zombie yet.

Well at least it is a (somewhat) proper 1080p presentation, as opposed to an upconvert. I also suspect that the FUNHOUSE is a port of the previous blu-ray single release (which I suspect is a port/conversion of the Scream! Factory release).

Regardless, any chance on seeing a few screen caps?

[ghidorah]

Just wondered about the audio.Its always been pretty crap in any release i've seen. Even if it is just mono is it at least any better? Anyone?
I've ordered one but it's good to know in advance.

[saltysam]

Just watched Ghost Story,as noted it's been filtered but it's a perfectly serviceable transfer,audio is ok but there's some clipping i felt. A quick look at Funhouse, it seems decent, White Zombie the clip i checked the audio was terrible,horrendous hissing and crackling.. is the USA BD the same?

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by Dickieduvet

Watching Ghost Story now, heavily filtered unfortunately. But being as the DVD's was rough this is quite the upgrade. I'm sure this will get a proper release down the road.

Thanks for the info. I think the only way we ever get a "proper" release, in the US at least, is if some smaller boutique label gets it -- which would require Universal to start licensing out titles to the likes of Olive or Kino or TT, which they aren't doing domestically right now.

Shout has given up licensing titles from Universal and they'd be the most obvious candidate, so that's not happening. Maybe someone in the UK would do a better job, but in the meantime, I'm looking forward to getting my copy later this month.

[Losey]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Thanks for the info. I think the only way we ever get a "proper" release, in the US at least, is if some smaller boutique label gets it -- which would require Universal to start licensing out titles to the likes of Olive or Kino or TT, which they aren't doing domestically right now.

Shout has given up licensing titles from Universal and they'd be the most obvious candidate, so that's not happening. Maybe someone in the UK would do a better job, but in the meantime, I'm looking forward to getting my copy later this month.

It would be great if Arrow showed interest and went on to create one of those very special editions that they are so good at. A decent release of the great but little seen Full Circle (aka The Haunting of Julia) would make for a formidable "Peter Straub Double-Bill". Oh well, one can always dream...

[Monroville]

Originally Posted by Losey

It would be great if Arrow showed interest and went on to create one of those very special editions that they are so good at. A decent release of the great but little seen Full Circle (aka The Haunting of Julia) would make for a formidable "Peter Straub Double-Bill". Oh well, one can always dream...

I just watched the widescreen Sony HDrip recently and that was a pretty creepy movie.

Full Circle (aka The Haunting of Julia) - YouTube

Love the music... and that ending stuck with me for a while. Kind of like DONNIE DARKO in how sad and melancholy it is.

[Losey]

Originally Posted by Monroville

I just watched the widescreen Sony HDrip recently and that was a pretty creepy movie.

Full Circle (aka The Haunting of Julia) - YouTube

Love the music... and that ending stuck with me for a while. Kind of like DONNIE DARKO in how sad and melancholy it is.

Yes, Colin Towns composed a wonderfully creepy score. Philippe Sarde made wonders on Ghost Story as well. Back to Full Circle, I absolutely agree with you Monroville. The melancholy quality is quite intoxicating. And the movie dares to maintain it right up til the end. Mia Farrow really nails it.

[DMRI2006]

Looks like Shout and Universal came to an agreement because THE SENTINEL is coming out. Perhaps that's good news for GHOST STORY -- especially if they could find the deleted footage (won't hold my breath though!)

[Monroville]

Mine came in and I can confirm the prior reviews. GHOST STORY is filtered, but is quite passable (not as heavily filtered as NEAR DARK or the Japanese POLICE ACADEMY). It is definitely an HD upgrade.

THE FUNHOUSE I believe is a port from the individual release in Germany. Looks quite similar to the Scream! Factory release.

WHITE ZOMBIE is a true HD presentation and with the grain intact. Looks quite good... may watch that tonight since I've never seen it before...