Prince: Sign 'O' The Times film

[KAT]

I notice Japan has Prince: Sign 'O' The Times film coming in June. I know there was a version of questionable quality released in Australia, but the Japanese version claims to have a new HD master. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/BIXF-131

[Edshugeo The GodMoor]

There was a decent DVD release by Alliance Atlantis, which was Canadian (I think) but released in the U.S. (unless I ordered it online? - Memory's a little shady).
This is long overdue. I don't want to pay Japanese prices, though.

[bookpodder]

The Alliance Atlantis DVD was indeed Canadian, was official (Alliance held the Canadian home video rights to the film) but I think it was only available very briefly. It was an excellent release, though - far better than the many bootleg DVD versions made available over the years.

I ordered the Japanese Blu and received it yesterday. I watched it last night and am very happy with it. Overall, it looks excellent, though the picture quality varies pretty severely throughout (for example, the "U Got the Look" segment - an insert of the official promo video in the middle of the film - is very muddy looking, revealing its video source). This version makes it easier to differentiate between the actual live footage shot in concert and the cleaner footage from the Paisley Park reshoots.

Sound is excellent throughout, IMO.

No extras, save for the trailer.

[BDBert]

By the end of August 2025, SOTT will be shown in IMAX:

https://www.tickmarq.com/sites/indyi...lms/ST00001268

https://mods.org/movies/prince/

https://www.themoviesaruba.com/glori...gn-o-the-times

The description is interesting, and suggests that this is from a new (4K? 8K?) scan, plus features a new multi-channel audio mix:

Sign O’ The Times is widely celebrated for capturing the artist at his creative peak—blending electrifying concert footage with cinematic storytelling, powerful visuals, and genre-defying sound. Now, enhanced with IMAX’s precision surround sound audio, customized theatre geometry, and crystal-clear images, Prince’s virtuoso performance is set to mesmerize fans old and new in the most epic format available. “Prince – Sign O’ The Times” features some of Prince’s most iconic tracks, including “If I Was Your Girlfriend,” the anthemic title track “Sign O’ The Times,” and “U Got The Look,” Prince’s smash hit duet with Sheena Easton. The film showcases Prince’s unparalleled musicianship, stagecraft, and style, highlighting his timeless impact on music and popular culture.

So perhaps this means a "proper" 4K UHD release is in the works as well?

However, at another link it says this:

After QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL, Pathé Live is excited to bring a new IMAX experience with legendary 1987 concert film, PRINCE - SIGN O'THE TIMES, directed by and featuring iconic artist PRINCE, with sound and image restored by and only for IMAX.

Then again, I cannot imagine they'd spend good money for just a handful of IMAX showings.

[BigNickUK]

There is a Japanese 4k UHD release planned

[Kedrix]

Originally Posted by BigNickUK

There is a Japanese 4k UHD release planned

I have the German blu-ray release which I'm pretty happy with, but a 4k (at a reasonable price) would be hard to pass up.

[keenly]

Hopefully a real surround mix this time.