Alfred Hitchcock on Blu-ray

[Diditagain]

The news item on this website says "each film has been digitally restored from high resolution film elements." The 4K set is using the new 4K masters that were made recently. Are the Blu-rays using new scans based on the 4K masters, or the same discs that have been around for over a decade?

As an example, based on reviews on this website, the decade-old Blu-ray version of "Family Plot" is vastly inferior to the newer 4K version.

I can probably answer my own question and make an educated guess that Universal doesn't care about presenting the best version on Blu-ray and is just using the remaining stock of the old Blu-ray discs for this set.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

And Universal has included it in other sets on almost every format, in the US and overseas.

They could easily have licensed it again for this set...

I did remember seeing TCAT in overseas Universal sets, but I didn't realise it'd been in a US set as well. But as sherlock points out, the higher-priced and limited nature of that set makes it a bit different to this one.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Diditagain

The news item on this website says "each film has been digitally restored from high resolution film elements." The 4K set is using the new 4K masters that were made recently. Are the Blu-rays using new scans based on the 4K masters, or the same discs that have been around for over a decade?

As an example, based on reviews on this website, the decade-old Blu-ray version of "Family Plot" is vastly inferior to the newer 4K version.

I can probably answer my own question and make an educated guess that Universal doesn't care about presenting the best version on Blu-ray and is just using the remaining stock of the old Blu-ray discs for this set.

I wondered about that too. I would assume it's just the old discs though.

If they are the old discs still, and you don't mind the disc-sleeve packaging, the older set is still the better deal here. It's less than $60 currently and also comes with 2 DVD's with episodes Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. The plastic cases used in the new set is the biggest draw here compared to most of the previous collection sets released in the US.

Old vs New Ultimate Collections:

[IanTheCool]

I just watched the Vertigo 4K, and wow. It looked stunning.

[Shanghai Express]

I would actually pick up the Blu-ray set if it used the new 4K restorations

[hurm]

any chance the new 4K set will be released in the UK?

I've been holding off on buying the individual sets (one of which seems to be out of print in the UK) because the sizes are ridiculous

[Reddington]

For anyone interested, Beaver has reviewed the new Imprint release of The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978) and The Lady Vanishes (1979):

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/subsite/fil...es_blu-ray.htm

I have it on order from Orbit. Looking forward to revisiting these versions.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Reddington

For anyone interested, Beaver has reviewed the new Imprint release of The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978) and The Lady Vanishes (1979):

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/subsite/fil...es_blu-ray.htm

I have it on order from Orbit. Looking forward to revisiting these versions.

I saw The 39 Steps on TV once, and it was cool that, in that very different version, the title isn't meaningless, haha, it's actually relevant to the plot.

I don't know which is closer to the book.

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I saw The 39 Steps on TV once, and it was cool that, in that very different version, the title isn't meaningless, haha, it's actually relevant to the plot.

I don't know which is closer to the book.

Yes, I thought that a nice touch!

I never read the book, and really should.

[Reddington]

Beaver's review:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/subsite/fil...ne_blu-ray.htm

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by IanTheCool

I just watched the Vertigo 4K, and wow. It looked stunning.

Really?? I think it looks really dark. Like the opening and final scenes of the movie…. Oof, you could hardly see anything!!

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Really?? I think it looks really dark. Like the opening and final scenes of the movie…. Oof, you could hardly see anything!!

Might want to check your settings, the UHD looked fine on my system.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Might want to check your settings, the UHD looked fine on my system.

It’s as bright as it can get on HDR mode. I think it’s because I am using an OLED TV. I might have to consider Mini LED next time.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by MrHT

It’s as bright as it can get on HDR mode. I think it’s because I am using an OLED TV. I might have to consider Mini LED next time.

Dunno, but I have an OLED too.

[sherlockjr]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I saw The 39 Steps on TV once, and it was cool that, in that very different version, the title isn't meaningless, haha, it's actually relevant to the plot.

I don't know which is closer to the book.

It's a short book, you should read it!

But, frankly, Hitchcock modernized the setting, re-worked the plot, and added/enhanced characters in ways that significantly improve on the novel. I was surprised--almost always the book is better. In this case, go with Hitchcock.

I've never seen the other film versions, 1959, 1978, 2008. But it's hard for me to believe they could top Hitchcock's 1935 version, which was his first international hit.

[Richard--W]

Regarding The 39 Steps ...

The 1959 version drags, although it had everything going for it.
1978 is a period piece faithful to the letter and spirit of Buchan.
I remember seeing it on a huge theatrical screen and I liked it
very much. Didn't see the 2008.

Hammer's remake of The Lady Vanishes is okay but casting
Elliott Gould is tantamount to stabbing Agatha Christie in the
back.

[Hammerlover]

Thought we might get a Criterion release of SPELLBOUND this year since November marks the 80th anniversary of its release, but I guess not.

[Areyakiddin]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

Thought we might get a Criterion release of SPELLBOUND this year since November marks the 80th anniversary of its release, but I guess not.

Crazy that an iconic movie (directed by Alfred Hitchcock!) like this is OOP even on DVD.

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

Thought we might get a Criterion release of SPELLBOUND this year since November marks the 80th anniversary of its release, but I guess not.

There's a chance it's a December Criterion title. Not to mention it's also possible they could do a box set with the other three Selznick films.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

Regarding The 39 Steps ...

The 1959 version drags, although it had everything going for it.
1978 is a period piece faithful to the letter and spirit of Buchan.
I remember seeing it on a huge theatrical screen and I liked it
very much. Didn't see the 2008.

Since you've read the book, is the term "The 39 Steps" entirely arbitrary, like in Hitchcock's version? Or does it have a specific meaning in the plot, like in the 1978 version?