Where Eagles Dare

[pro-bassoonist]

Brian G. Hutton's Where Eagles Dare (1968) has received a preliminary release date: June 7th.

PRE-ORDER


Pro-B

[rich_adamson]

great news!!! I was hoping for this one ever since Warner announced the Eastwood 35 DVD boxset... This one should look pretty awesome on blu too, gotta love those old school SFX.

[JBL4645]

Should sound pulse beating on those percussion instruments while they have that shootout with the Nazis just before making their way out of the castle as far as I can recall from watching it in on TV some 15 years ago in NICAM 725 digital Dolby stereo.

Yeah I’ll be getting this.

you're a 'punk'. And a pretty second rate punk at that.

One more thing I seem to recall dialogue panning so I hope that has been kept intact to the original 70mm six-track magnetic stereophonic Road Show release.

"Where Eagles Dare"
40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
http://www.in70mm.com/news/2009/wher...dare/index.htm

Reading more on In-70mm now i wonder if this was the same master used for the Bluray?

When the re-dubbing was finished, a new dialogue track was re-mixed and used to make the film prints. The sound for any film is a combination of three different layers of sound: dialogue, music and effects. It is a fairly simple matter to exchange the original English dialogue track with any foreign language track to create the 35mm and 70mm prints for cinema exhibition. So "Where Eagles Dare" was available in both in 70mm and 35mm magnetic stereo version, and with original and foreign dubbed versions across Europe.

Note: the single optical monaural track on the 35mm print. The 35mm also holds four-track stereophonic where available.


Note: the six magnetic tracks are placed on the inner and outside the frame area. The thinker tracks on the outsides holds two tracks each, the inner tracks are single.


Later blow-ups of anamorphic films (like "The Deer Hunter" and "The Untouchables") were enlarged to full 70mm width. Those prints had had thicker frame lines, but retained the original 2,39:1 anamorphic aspect ratio. The advantage of enlarging to 70mm was more light on the screen (from the large image), better picture steadiness and better and brighter colors.

Where Eagles Dare (70mm) - Bradford International Film Festival ...
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.u...sp?filmid=1750

Wow how did I miss this! It recently screened a few years back in 70mm at the Empire Leicester Square, via the JBL 56KW THX sound system.
http://board.mypersianforum.com/showthread.php?t=166199

[IrateNick]

Originally Posted by JBL4645

Should sound pulse beating on those percussion instruments while they have that shootout with the Nazis just before making their way out of the castle as far as I can recall from watching it in on TV some 15 years ago in NICAM 725 digital Dolby stereo.

Yeah I’ll be getting this.

you're a 'punk'. And a pretty second rate punk at that.

One more thing I seem to recall dialogue panning so I hope that has been kept intact to the original 70mm six-track magnetic stereophonic Road Show release.

"Where Eagles Dare"
40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
http://www.in70mm.com/news/2009/wher...dare/index.htm

Reading more on In-70mm now i wonder if this was the same master used for the Bluray?

When the re-dubbing was finished, a new dialogue track was re-mixed and used to make the film prints. The sound for any film is a combination of three different layers of sound: dialogue, music and effects. It is a fairly simple matter to exchange the original English dialogue track with any foreign language track to create the 35mm and 70mm prints for cinema exhibition. So "Where Eagles Dare" was available in both in 70mm and 35mm magnetic stereo version, and with original and foreign dubbed versions across Europe.

Note: the single optical monaural track on the 35mm print. The 35mm also holds four-track stereophonic where available.


Note: the six magnetic tracks are placed on the inner and outside the frame area. The thinker tracks on the outsides holds two tracks each, the inner tracks are single.


Later blow-ups of anamorphic films (like "The Deer Hunter" and "The Untouchables") were enlarged to full 70mm width. Those prints had had thicker frame lines, but retained the original 2,39:1 anamorphic aspect ratio. The advantage of enlarging to 70mm was more light on the screen (from the large image), better picture steadiness and better and brighter colors.

Where Eagles Dare (70mm) - Bradford International Film Festival ...
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.u...sp?filmid=1750

Wow how did I miss this! It recently screened a few years back in 70mm at the Empire Leicester Square, via the JBL 56KW THX sound system.
http://board.mypersianforum.com/showthread.php?t=166199

I am very worried that the transfer might not be from a superior 70mm print. The prints for WED are rare, and think about this, if they did get the 70mm print to do this, wouldn't that justify this movie being released on it's own instead of as flipper with Kelly's Heroes (Or even both on one disc--the price makes me think that it is). At first I was awed that WED was finally getting the Blu-ray treatment, but if it turns out it's just a half-assed job and we don't get another chance down the line for a much more meticulous effort and with a 70mm print it will be EXTREMELY saddening. If there is one picture that deserves the same detail and best print-transfer like The Shining, it is WED! This is all speculation, but I am nervous and excited.

Also, I just did a quick search, it seems just WED is already available on its own on Blu-ray? Not seeing this at amazon but this site looks like it has it??
http://www.cdwow.us/blu-ray/where-ea...ray/dp/8594939

[Douglas R]

Originally Posted by IrateNick

I am very worried that the transfer might not be from a superior 70mm print. The prints for WED are rare, and think about this, if they did get the 70mm print to do this, wouldn't that justify this movie being released on it's own instead of as flipper with Kelly's Heroes (Or even both on one disc--the price makes me think that it is). At first I was awed that WED was finally getting the Blu-ray treatment, but if it turns out it's just a half-assed job and we don't get another chance down the line for a much more meticulous effort and with a 70mm print it will be EXTREMELY saddening. If there is one picture that deserves the same detail and best print-transfer like The Shining, it is WED! This is all speculation, but I am nervous and excited.

Also, I just did a quick search, it seems just WED is already available on its own on Blu-ray? Not seeing this at amazon but this site looks like it has it??
http://www.cdwow.us/blu-ray/where-ea...ray/dp/8594939

That site is showing the forthcoming European release in June of Where Eagles Dare. Warner Bros are releasing Where Eagles Dare and Kelly's Heroes in Europe as separate releases unlike the double bill American version - which suits me because I don't care for Kelly's heroes (two types of films I can't stand are comedy war films and comedy westerns!).

As Where Eagles Dare (and Kelly's Heroes) was a blow up from 35mm I can't see the point in using a 70mm print for the Blu-ray. The 35mm negative will provide the best quality. The sound on the existing DVD, incidentally, is excellent with good directionality.

[BluraySe7en]

For me and my brother this was one of the ultimate films of our childhood, I remember seeing it for the first time one Christmas, the next day my brother and I were leaping around the house pretending to be Smith & Shaeffer.

I have the DVD but haven't been that bothered about watching it for a while but hopefully the Blu will do us proud. For me this as good as some of the best Bond films and is one of the best action movies of all time, up there with Die Hard, Burton & Eastwood are super cool and yes I follow the plot fine.

Great Ron Goodwin score and we were amazed as kids with those trip wire dynamite devices they use, great cinematography, the acting is sufficeint enough, we don't need oscar calibre here and just a rollicking fun film to watch, can't wait to see the HD treatment and the Kelly's Heroes is just another bonus, not as good as Eagle but nonetheles very entertaining.

[BigNickUK]

UK Release has been added to play.com's excellent 2 for £18 offer

Preordered!

http://www.play.com/DVD/Blu-ray/4-/1...e/Product.html

[Paulo Elias]

Originally Posted by Douglas R

That site is showing the forthcoming European release in June of Where Eagles Dare. Warner Bros are releasing Where Eagles Dare and Kelly's Heroes in Europe as separate releases unlike the double bill American version - which suits me because I don't care for Kelly's heroes (two types of films I can't stand are comedy war films and comedy westerns!).

As Where Eagles Dare (and Kelly's Heroes) was a blow up from 35mm I can't see the point in using a 70mm print for the Blu-ray. The 35mm negative will provide the best quality. The sound on the existing DVD, incidentally, is excellent with good directionality.

I agree, but did they keep the original overture, intermission and exit segments from the 70 mm prints?

I posted a message to that effect, in the Kelly's Heroes thread. Both movies were originally screened in 70 mm (I saw KH in Dimension 150), with a spectacular sound track presentation. Much better, by the way, than the film itself!

Please, would anyone tell me anything about those missing soundtrack segments. Kelly's Heroes laserdisc as mono, the DVD just an front-stage 5.1 mixing.

Any input is appreciated!

[Matewan]

Originally Posted by Paulo Elias

I agree, but did they keep the original overture, intermission and exit segments from the 70 mm prints?

Sorry to disappoint you, but there are no Overtures on either of the films.

I'm out on a limb here, but as I remember it, Kelly's Heroes had no actual Intermission music, other than the vocal version of Burning Bridges at the end of Part One.

[Mr_Orange]

Massive thread bump...


How is the PQ on the UK release. I see that it is a VC-1 encode with an average bit rate around 24mbps so it sounds from the numbers that it should be pretty good but do those specs translate into reality?


I own WED on DVD but really want to upgrade as it is probably my favourite film. I don't want to buy a stinker though.




********


What is the chance of a well restored UHD release?

[latehong]

Originally Posted by Mr_Orange

How is the PQ on the UK release. I see that it is a VC-1 encode with an average bit rate around 24mbps so it sounds from the numbers that it should be pretty good but do those specs translate into reality?

I own WED on DVD but really want to upgrade as it is probably my favourite film. I don't want to buy a stinker though.?

Caps-a-holic

[CinemaScope]

I don't think the Blu-ray looks that much sharper than the DVD, I never get the impression that I'm viewing it in HD. What we need is a new scan from the original negatives, & then I think we'd see a huge difference. Will that ever happen? Who knows, I suppose depends on if Warner wants to release this in UHD.

[Bourne1886]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

I don't think the Blu-ray looks that much sharper than the DVD, I never get the impression that I'm viewing it in HD. What we need is a new scan from the original negatives, & then I think we'd see a huge difference. Will that ever happen? Who knows, I suppose depends on if Warner wants to release this in UHD.

That would be amazing if Warner’s released this on 4k UHD. Love this film. The Blu-ray is just about adequate and is very hit and miss. Watchable is probab7the best way of putting it.

[Mr_Orange]

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

I don't think the Blu-ray looks that much sharper than the DVD, I never get the impression that I'm viewing it in HD.

Originally Posted by Bourne1886

The Blu-ray is just about adequate and is very hit and miss. Watchable is probab7the best way of putting it.

Thanks. Looking at the caps (not that I watch films in freeze frame) it looks as though there is an improvement. I guess I just need to decide whether it is worth the cost of import.

Originally Posted by CinemaScope

What we need is a new scan from the original negatives, & then I think we'd see a huge difference. Will that ever happen? Who knows, I suppose depends on if Warner wants to release this in UHD.

Originally Posted by Bourne1886

That would be amazing if Warner’s released this on 4k UHD. Love this film.

Well, of course. A UHD of WED would be an instant buy for me, assuming they didn't completely muck it up.

We have missed the 50th anniversary of the film and the 60th is years away. Maybe they would do something for the 55th in 2023....

[martydmc12]

Just watched this for the first time tonight, and I really enjoyed it. It's a shame there isn't a very good quality release of this. Fingers crossed that someone like Kino Lorber picks this up for a 4K release. Definitely would add this to my collection.

[Mr_Orange]

Come on WB, for goodness sake, do the right thing and give us a Dolby Vision 4K release. It's killing me having to watch what is possibly my favourite film upscaled to 4K by my TV with the source as this:

[The Hornets]

It may be the original negative is in very poor shape, so costly to restore.

The 70mm print I saw at a film festival many years ago now had faded very badly and colours were way off. If that is the state of release prints, the original elements assuming Warner still have them may be in similar condition.

Next year (2023) is the 55th Anniversary and Warner tend to prefer to release new 4K UHDs on a 5 or 10 yearly anniversary. So, if it doesn't appear next year then I think we have to believe it never will.

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by The Hornets

It may be the original negative is in very poor shape, so costly to restore.

Well you never really know, but I don't see why the original cut negatives would be in a bad state. They wouldn't have faded like some films that used certain film stocks in the fifties, & they wouldn't have been used to make many prints (the prints would have been made from dupes). I think it could be that Warner have so many films, & they just haven't got around to Eagles yet. The Blu-ray we have now looks at best like a middling DVD to me. Warner do like an anniversary release, so fingers crossed for next year.

[Douglas R]

I’d like to see the intermission included as well, which extended the action slightly but was only shown in 70mm showings in Europe.

[OABJYU]

Originally Posted by Douglas R

I’d like to see the intermission included as well, which extended the action slightly but was only shown in 70mm showings in Europe.

Erm, nope the intermission was in regular screenings too...well, was in the screening I went to.