An American Werewolf in London (1981) (Limited Edition)

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

What's the general consensus on Universal UHDs? Good? Among the best? So so? I don't have many and most of the Universal 4K titles I own are newer films so can't really form an opinion yet (Lionsgate is the worst when it comes to 4K picture quality IMO). I ask because those skipping this and holding out for an eventual UHD edition may actually end up with an inferior version, not to mention potentially featureless. I don't know, to me it's like going backwards.

Uni can be a mixed bag when it comes to their UHD catalog. Some can look great (“The Big Lebowski”, “Hulk”) while others are questionable (“Hot Fuzz”, “Waterworld”). I can’t say I entire agree about LG being the worst but they’ve had the habit of using filmouts for certain modern films (3:10 to Yuma, Daybreakers, and Rambo) rather than using a DI source.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Shingster

The dynamic range is different for sure, but for all but that one cap from the film's final act, I would definitely take the Arrow over the Universal in this regard.

Still, at least this gives Ruined something to moan about!

Alas, I can see the black crush which manifests so strongly in the cinema cap throughout those newest images that have been posted. Look at the shadows in the shot of the doctor, or David's hair in the shot with Agutter. The third shot of him looking at his hand actually has stronger crush in the old transfer admittedly, but the Arrow replaces the darkness on his hair with a bunch of artefacts. Hmmm. The one saving grace from my perspective is that the gamma on my PC monitor is quite low, so these shots will hopefully play far better with the proper gamma on my telly. Not that it'll make the shadows resolve any better, that's not what I mean, but that the extra darkness will make the shadows look less artefacty.

Originally Posted by spudeus

I love that they let her natural beauty show through. You can see circles under her eyes (which a nurse working all-night shifts would have)! If made today, they'd probably coat her face with a half-inch of putty make-up..

Yes and no, they've photographed her with a filter in the lens of the camera to soften the image, as was the conventional way of shooting the leading ladies for many years.

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

How in God's name anyone is coming to these conclusions is simply beyond me. I had surgery for double retina detachment three years ago. My eyes are all kinds of f**ked...and I can still *easily* see a massive difference in these two transfers.

It's like people can't actually see grain on these boards, as if their eyes have an automatic DNR filter or something...either that or they're looking at the caps on their goddamned phones.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Judging by the Arrow screengrabs it's nice to see this film looking, well, like film again.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by spudeus

I love that they let her natural beauty show through. You can see circles under her eyes (which a nurse working all-night shifts would have)! If made today, they'd probably coat her face with a half-inch of putty make-up.

Debating whether to order direct from Arrow or take my chances on Amazon. . .

Agreed. Natural beauty is best. An English rose in a nurse’s uniform...

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

What's the general consensus on Universal UHDs? Good? Among the best? So so? I don't have many and most of the Universal 4K titles I own are newer films so can't really form an opinion yet (Lionsgate is the worst when it comes to 4K picture quality IMO). I ask because those skipping this and holding out for an eventual UHD edition may actually end up with an inferior version, not to mention potentially featureless. I don't know, to me it's like going backwards.

I can’t wait to see what they do with a 4K JAWS.

I’m getting this for the mono audio, bonus features, booklet - and because this is such a great film.

I don’t expect the 4K release to have many extras - except, maybe packaged with the old BD. I definitely don’t expect it to include the original mono audio track.

[batman2000]

I wish arrow or some company like arrow would get the rights to the back to the future trilogy or mallrats and do a 4k restoration of them and put them on uhd blu ray with high dynamic range. because an American werewolf in London looks much better and it sucks that back to the future trilogy and mallrats don't get the same kind of treatment

[Shingster]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Alas, I can see the black crush which manifests so strongly in the cinema cap throughout those newest images that have been posted. Look at the shadows in the shot of the doctor, or David's hair in the shot with Agutter. The third shot of him looking at his hand actually has stronger crush in the old transfer admittedly, but the Arrow replaces the darkness on his hair with a bunch of artefacts. Hmmm. The one saving grace from my perspective is that the gamma on my PC monitor is quite low, so these shots will hopefully play far better with the proper gamma on my telly. Not that it'll make the shadows resolve any better, that's not what I mean, but that the extra darkness will make the shadows look less artefacty.

Hmm, I'm not seeing much difference between these new shots other than the one with the doctor. Definitely less shadow detail in that door. I don't think we'd be worrying about any of those new shots if it wasn't for the egregiously off shot from the finale making us look specifically for black crush. I mean, you're not wrong, but I see nothing to worry too much about yet. We need more grabs!

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by Bobbyjoe766

I can’t wait to see what they do with a 4K JAWS.

I’m getting this for the mono audio, bonus features, booklet - and because this is such a great film.

I don’t expect the 4K release to have many extras - except, maybe packaged with the old BD. I definitely don’t expect it to include the original mono audio track.

I’d actually be surprised if they didn’t include the original mono track if Uni decides to do a UHD of Jaws. Fans make a big deal over the inclusion of it as the 5.1 replaces tons of sound effects. My guess is that they’ll both be on there. I actually can’t watch the movie without it.

No mono track on the Jaws UHD might very well be a deal breaker for me.

And it’s my fav movie (along with Halloween of course).

EDIT: Just realized you were referring to the mono track of American Werewolf in London. Lol.

~Matt

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by Matt89

I’d actually be surprised if they didn’t include the original mono track if Uni decides to do a UHD of Jaws. Fans make a big deal over the inclusion of it as the 5.1 replaces tons of sound effects. My guess is that they’ll both be on there. I actually can’t watch the movie without it.

No mono track on the Jaws UHD might very well be a deal breaker for me.

And it’s my fav movie (along with Halloween of course).

EDIT: Just realized you were referring to the mono track of American Werewolf in London. Lol.

~Matt

JAWS is my favourite too, and I would expect the mono audio track on its 4K release - or no sale!

[jtu128]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

...either that or they're looking at the caps on their phones.

Ding, ding, ding... we have a winner

[Ray Jackson]

I actually think the Universal transfer looks pretty good.

[Show spoiler]

[Croweyes1121]

Originally Posted by jtu128

Ding, ding, ding... we have a winner

Flag on the field for unwarranted censorship!

[Trekkie313]

I'm all for having the film look as good or better than it did during its original theatrical run. However audio is a different story, I'd rather the soundtrack have more scope and depth.

[jess1581]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Make sure to have a large mirror behind the TV, so you can watch yourself watching it.

...that’s what i did for Guardians of the Galaxy 4K.

[Show spoiler]

Have Creedence "Bad Moon Rising" playing in the background.

[jess1581]

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

I'm all for having the film look as good or better than it did during its original theatrical run. However audio is a different story, I'd rather the soundtrack have more scope and depth.

If the pitch is fixed on the 5.1, then it's cool with me.

[x5gb]

First review I've seen:

https://www.doblu.com/2019/10/09/an-...lu-ray-review/

[MifuneFan]

Looks good aside from the crushed blacks in the darker scenes.

[x5gb]

Funny how the review suggests otherwise. Reviewer obviously mistaken.

[Member-222782]

I don't know, I've never been an audio guy. Pitch issues aside, I've always been more concerned with video quality than the soundtrack when it comes to home video. I guess my indifference about audio comes from living in apartments all my life and my concern about my neighbors' welfares That's why I chuckled at the guy who said he's only buying this for the mono audio.

[kamphausd1]