Restored Cleopatra (1963) or restored Midway?

[Indian Hills Theater]

One of my wife Marta's favorite films is Cleopatra. Any idea if they are still working to restore the original cut?


I did hear that Midway was being restored with over an hour of new footage. Some of that is the Coral Sea segment that TBS & TCM show that were not in the theatrical version. Actor David Macklin (a friend of mine) will have a much expended part. I had heard 2010 on Midway IF the BD market didn't slow way down with the economy.

[Dubstar]

according to an article in American Cinematographer, 'Cleopatra' will see a bluray release sometime in 2009.

[kianlaw]

I wonder if we'll ever see complete 6 hour version of Cleopatra. 2 hours worth of material is still lost. In any case, I can't wait for this blu-ray release, even though it won't be the complete version but still, it's the best version available right now. I hope that article in American Cinematographer turns out to be true and we get it this year.

[Alkali]

I hope to goodness we get Cleopatra with restored footage - as its really special for me (Rex Harrison was such a treasure), but somehow I figure we'll end up with the DVD-length-version.

Also excited to hear of extra footage for Midway - please Blu-Ray oligarchs, give us these great films with all this extra footage!

[The Bear]

I would buy both movies.

[slick1ru2]

Originally Posted by Indian Hills Theater

One of my wife Marta's favorite films is Cleopatra. Any idea if they are still working to restore the original cut?


I did hear that Midway was being restored with over an hour of new footage. Some of that is the Coral Sea segment that TBS & TCM show that were not in the theatrical version. Actor David Macklin (a friend of mine) will have a much expended part. I had heard 2010 on Midway IF the BD market didn't slow way down with the economy.

I can't WAIT for Midway!!! Bring it Universal!

[Pirate King]

I would also love to see the release of these two excellent films. Gotta love all the great stars in Midway... Fonda, Heston, Ford, Wagner, Mitchum, Holbrook, Coburn... like a who's who of actors. They just don't make them like that anymore.

And Cleopatra.. Elizabeth Taylor.. absolutely stunning. I seem to remember when I saw the movie in the theatre that there was an Overture. I have yet to see the Overture on any DVD. I sure hope it is included on the Blu Ray.



I will certainly purchase both of these films just as soon as they are available.

[slick1ru2]

The email I got today from Universal said there are no plans on releasing Midway at this time. Bear in mind the 70th anniversary of the battle is 2012. Keep our fingers crossed they release it and, ha, the world doesn't end.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

according to an article in American Cinematographer, 'Cleopatra' will see a bluray release sometime in 2009.

I think their article was wrong

[comcats]

Originally Posted by Indian Hills Theater

One of my wife Marta's favorite films is Cleopatra. Any idea if they are still working to restore the original cut?


I did hear that Midway was being restored with over an hour of new footage. Some of that is the Coral Sea segment that TBS & TCM show that were not in the theatrical version. Actor David Macklin (a friend of mine) will have a much expended part. I had heard 2010 on Midway IF the BD market didn't slow way down with the economy.

I have been searching two years for info on Midway in Blu Ray. Midway has always been one of my favorite movies. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about Cleo. I thought it was awful in the 60's and don't think a blu ray transfer could possibly make it any better. But if you get you Blu Ray Cleo, I want my Blu-Ray Midway. Have a great day!

[in2video2]

With the recent push to release more restored classic films to Blu-Ray, recently researched and confirmed by Warner that catalogue releases contrary to popular belief actually sell well on Blu-Ray, we are more likely to see Cleopatra and Midway make their way to our favorite format. Cleopatra may have a head start since it was filmed in 70mm Todd-AO and will look stunning on Blu-Ray.

[greenray]

Not only was Cleopatra shot on 70mm, but the picture is I reckon the best looking picture ever made. You can pick virtually any frame of the movie at random, then frame it and hang it on the wall as a work of art. The set decoration and cinematography is without peer. I think much of the negative attitude to this film comes from the bad press surrounding the movie while it was being made - huge schedule and budget overruns; the scandal of the Burton-Taylor love affair, etc - and this mud has stuck even to this day and tends to prejudice people against the film. Same syndrome as with Waterworld. I think Cleopatra is easily the best historical drama ever made by a mile. The dialog is highly intelligent and thoughtful, the acting is fine, and the look of the film is amazing. I'd buy a blu-ray version of the film without so much as a second thought. Bring it on.

[in2video2]

Originally Posted by greenray

Not only was Cleopatra shot on 70mm, but the picture is I reckon the best looking picture ever made. You can pick virtually any frame of the movie at random, then frame it and hang it on the wall as a work of art. The set decoration and cinematography is without peer. I think much of the negative attitude to this film comes from the bad press surrounding the movie while it was being made - huge schedule and budget overruns; the scandal of the Burton-Taylor love affair, etc - and this mud has stuck even to this day and tends to prejudice people against the film. Same syndrome as with Waterworld. I think Cleopatra is easily the best historical drama ever made by a mile. The dialog is highly intelligent and thoughtful, the acting is fine, and the look of the film is amazing. I'd buy a blu-ray version of the film without so much as a second thought. Bring it on.

Now with the benchmark raised so high for restoration achievement by Fox with their 8k from original 65mm camera negatives brilliant blu-ray transfer of The Sound of Music, let us hope the long wait for Cleopatra will be worth our patience and that the same labor of love is applied here. There are so many brilliant 70mm Todd-AO movies that Fox can bring to Blu-Ray. Let us hope other major studios follow suit. Bring on Cleopatra - your blu-ray audience awaits.

[chilliewillie57]

It has been nearly a year since this issue has been addressed, I was wondering if anyone has any updates on the blu-ray release of Cleopatra and Midway?

[Paulo Elias]

F.Y.I.: Cleopatra on Blu-Ray has just been released in Brazil by Fox:

http://dvdworld.com.br/eMkt.hts?+FX97869+acha

It's too pricey in my opinion (US$ 46.00 approximately), considering that the pressing is made here.

A friend of mine said his copy had chapter stops issues, and playback freezing. One more disc to direct to the complaint department at Fox!

On the other hand, Fox-Brasil continues to ignore the recall of West Side Story, and did not answer my e-mail to them so far. Their consumer affairs department was excellent some years ago, but now...

Last minute update:

I got a call from that friend that has Cleopatra already. Mind you, this is a local pressing but it should be the same as the one that will be released elsewhere. He has an Oppo BDP-95 player and he contacted Oppo regarding these freezings. He later downloaded the beta version of the newest firmware and that did the trick: no more chapter stop errors or freezing. I will leave this as a note to potential owners of this disc, just in case they bump into the same trouble.