Casablanca (1942) (70th Anniversary Edition)

[in2video2]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

Casablanca Blu-ray

I never got around to collecting the "original" UCE so count me in this time around for this incarnation of Casablanca.

[Donat96]

Originally Posted by in2video2

I never got around to collecting the "original" UCE so count me in this time around for this incarnation of Casablanca.

Same here. This will certainly look nice next to my Gone with the Wind UCE.

[Takeshi666]

With this and Cleopatra (which I assume will also receive a UCE-style treatment) coming, I'm running into an entirely new problem - a rapid decrease in available shelf space!

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

With this and Cleopatra (which I assume will also receive a UCE-style treatment) coming, I'm running into an entirely new problem - a rapid decrease in available shelf space!

Funny you mention vanishing shelf space. I just bought a case of shelves myself to finally eliminate the bunch of two-foot-high towers of blu-rays and DVDs that completely cover my coffee table.

I already have the first UCE of Casablanca, but will consider upgrading to this one, though I'd like to see a complete list of all the on-disc and pack-in supplements that will be included. Also I want to know whether the picture and sound quality will be improved.

[BluVinyl]

Originally Posted by Strevlac

A new release looking "better" is subjective but it sure can look more accurate. The current BD is DNR'd to hell and back.

I hadn't thought so. But since I won't think about a double dip until its out on a standalone BD and on sale, I can wait awhile to see from reviews how a new version and the one I have compare.

[Cinemach]

Wait...shouldn't this be $10.99?? Heheh

I pre-ordered it just b/c ~$45 is a solid price (and it might - just might - go a bit lower), though most likely I'll be using some kind of %-off/stored points/etc to get it for cheaper when it comes out. It's about time I upgraded this veritable classic to HD in my collection - though the special edition DVD has served me quite well.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by phlyle11

I will wait for the "Best Buy Exclusive" price cut next Black Friday..

Me too, assuming they get "Exclusive dibs" on it again. Love the movie...but not a fan of swag.

[Show spoiler]"We better start runnin' Eyeball, they got dibs!"

[hpDeskjet600C]

I am hoping for a compact Best Buy exclusive set like the Ben-Hur one. I don't think I want to pay more for a book and a few coasters.

[ambient_indie]

Originally Posted by Strevlac

The current BD is DNR'd to hell and back.

Agreed! The current blu-ray is disappointing for fans expecting a film-like transfer. Its what I'd expect from an HD cable channel. At one point, where Rick is outside, I saw in the background what I believed to be film damage, but it's so soft and waxy that in motion it looks like someone repainted part of the wall frame by frame in Photoshop. I'm sure someone with better expertise could explain that strange phenomenon.

Anyways, I understand the existing materials of Casablanca are far from ideal, but I'm still hoping this isn't a repackaging, but a new transfer faithful to the source. warts and all.

[mzupeman]

Love this movie. I'm going to hold out until I can get a smaller set though. These big collector boxed sets just aren't worth the shelf space. Ben-Hur is really the only one in the last year I really am not sorry I got.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by ambient_indie

Agreed! The current blu-ray is disappointing for fans expecting a film-like transfer. Its what I'd expect from an HD cable channel. At one point, where Rick is outside, I saw in the background what I believed to be film damage, but it's so soft and waxy that in motion it looks like someone repainted part of the wall frame by frame in Photoshop. I'm sure someone with better expertise could explain that strange phenomenon.

Anyways, I understand the existing materials of Casablanca are far from ideal, but I'm still hoping this isn't a repackaging, but a new transfer faithful to the source. warts and all.

The video preview states "all new 2012 4K transfer"... so it's not a re-packaging. Hopefully they keep the DNR in check this time.

[ambient_indie]

Originally Posted by retablo

The video preview states "all new 2012 4K transfer"... so it's not a re-packaging. Hopefully they keep the DNR in check this time.

Yes! I hope so too.

[Daikichi Kawachi (河地大吉)]

It may be a year before it comes out, with little to no details about the release, but I put my preorder down. Better to be safe then sorry.

[Bucky]

hopefully it will include a lossless soundtrack this time.

[Donat96]

Originally Posted by Bucky

hopefully it will include a lossless soundtrack this time.

Agreed.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by Donat96

Agreed.

Seconded. I keep hoping WB will release onto Blu-ray the Gangster Collection boxsets. All they'd need to do is use Blu slim cases, the exact same content from the releases and of course AVC with all film grain including DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 on BD50s.

[DetroitSquirreL]

price just went up on Amazon pre order

glad I got my pre-order when it was lower

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by thisisragtime

I am hoping for a compact Best Buy exclusive set like the Ben-Hur one. I don't think I want to pay more for a book and a few coasters.

Originally Posted by mzupeman

Love this movie. I'm going to hold out until I can get a smaller set though. These big collector boxed sets just aren't worth the shelf space. Ben-Hur is really the only one in the last year I really am not sorry I got.

Originally Posted by Bucky

hopefully it will include a lossless soundtrack this time.

+1 on all. The only box'o'swag I ever really, truly wanted was GWTW; but I've also been stuck with the original Casablanca UCE (bought it with my first PS3--when I was in financial distress they repo'ed the PS3 but not the UCE ), and more recently The Ten Commandments (only way to get 1923 version on BD), Ben-Hur ($10.99 on BF for BB-exclusive UCE was too good to pass up even though I had the UK swag-free edition--hopefully will net a small profit from my eBay sale of the UK edition ), and Planet Earth (globe edition was also on BB clearance--traded off my original while I was in distress).

Really don't wanna rebuy Casablanca unless it's a swag-free version with improved transfer (i.e., 4K with less DNR and lossless audio). Surely WB will oblige someday; though they're notorious for boxes'o'swag, they think of Casablanca as the crown jewel of their library--sure they also have Citizen Kane & GWTW, but they weren't made by WB like Casablanca. (The "DNR'd to death" transfer was state-of-the-art when it was done, probably in 2002 for the 60th Anniversary DVD; it seems both the HD DVD & BD came from that transfer. Maybe more grain is needed, but the old transfer is still FAR better than a lot of B&W classics stuck on crappy DVDs. )

Wish WB was more like Sony, who got plenty of swag into both Bridge on the River Kwai (while calling it a UCE, natch) & Taxi Driver while keeping their prices incredibly low. (Hopefully they'll do the same for Lawrence of Arabia next year.) Even Fox/MGM put the most appealing parts of their boxes'o'swag into the Target exclusives of The Sound of Music & West Side Story for virtually the same price as swag-free--which is fine with me since I'm close to a Target and have a REDcard. (Edit: Even with the slight spider-wrap dent on TSoM; I lucked out on WSS.)

[ShellOilJunior]

Warner Bros-

Do it right the first! Oh and put your co-founder's documentary in HD!

[Big A2]

Originally Posted by retablo

The video preview states "all new 2012 4K transfer"... so it's not a re-packaging. Hopefully they keep the DNR in check this time.

Awesome. I was thinking about getting the (soon to be) old Blu-Ray but the DNR was holding me back. Well, that and the fact that I didn't like the movie that much the first time I saw it, but I've just re-watched it and want to own it, so this new transfer is in good timing.