The Official Network Thread

[BobRusk]

Originally Posted by benkell

It was originally intended as a low-budget production shot mainly on video-tape starring Barry Foster as Abberline (these are where the rushes originate from).
Then an American television network became interested in the project and turned it into a big-budget co-production shot on film and decided they needed a big name star in the lead role and Michael Caine was drafted in. (Foster and some other actors were paid off i believe)

It is well worth a punt in my opinion, i saw the original transmission in 1988 so naturally have a soft spot for it, it has a lot of historical inaccuracies and is based on a discredited conspiracy theory but it is an enjoyable drama and Caine is in top form as is the rest of an excellent cast.
The Network BD is top-drawer and is easily the best it has ever looked.
(You have the option of watching the original 2-part broadcast version in 1.33:1 or an edited together full length film version in 1.78:1)

Thanks for the info. Sounds great!

I can't recall watching it back in the day, so all the better.

[benkell]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

I hate it when something is orginally broadcast in 2 or 3 parts then editted together for the DVD/BD release e.g. The Darling Buds of May TV series with the 2008 and 2011 DVD sets from ITV Studios list that there are 11 episodes (instead of 20 as broadcast); this is due to the fact that all episodes in series 1–3 (not including the specials) contain two parts making them count as a whole.

I agree but to be fair i think Network have done sterling work with this release and they also re-framed the edited together film version as well as adding a 5.1 audio mix to it, but i must admit i watched the original broadcast version because that's how i remember it, i may well give the other version a spin one day though.

[mattyl149]

Am I right in thinking that there are no December Network releases? The coming soon section only lists the remaining November titles

They certainly aren't short of things to release. I still have a load of British Film DVD releases that they could upgrade, plus other titles which have old releases or ones they've not put out yet

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by mattyl149

Am I right in thinking that there are no December Network releases? The coming soon section only lists the remaining November titles

They certainly aren't short of things to release. I still have a load of British Film DVD releases that they could upgrade, plus other titles which have old releases or ones they've not put out yet

Given the volume of December releases from other labels, Eureka, Powerhouse etc I am pretty glad. My wallet always protests at this time of year

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by mattyl149

Am I right in thinking that there are no December Network releases? The coming soon section only lists the remaining November titles

And, as if by magic, a December release suddenly appears:



https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...-eyes-blu-ray-

No, me neither, but it's quite a packed disc.

A group of feisty, talented young performers pool their resources and buy a dilapidated theatre to showcase their acts – but unscrupulous property developers also want the theatre and resort to dirty tricks to disrupt the first night's performance!

The quintessential British comedy-musical-romance, Stars in Your Eyes is a love letter to the last days of Variety that has lost none of its warmth and heart in the six decades since it was first filmed. With fabulous musical numbers, sparkling comedy routines and tear-jerking romance it showcases a terrific cast of stars of the day, and stars in the making: Pat Kirkwood, Dorothy Squires (in her only big screen appearance), Nat Jackley and Bonar Colleano feature alongside Joan Sims, Jimmy Clitheroe, Freddie Frinton and Vera Day. Directed by Maurice Elvey from a script by Talbot (Carry On) Rothwell, Adelphi Films' classic feature is presented here as a brand-new High Definition restoration from original film elements in its original Camerascope theatrical aspect ratio.

This release also includes these special features from the Adelphi Films collection:

[] A Ray of Sunshine (1950, 54 mins)
[] The Nitwits on Parade (1949, 24 mins)
[] The Kilties are Coming (1952, 52 mins)
[] Original theatrical trailers for Stars in Your Eyes and A Ray of Sunshine
[] Image galleries for all four films
[] Special commemorative booklet

[jwf]

Ooh, lovely - wasn't this originally down as part of the BFI's short-lived Adelphi series?

[MillyD]

I got the Tamarind Seed in recent sales. It is generally a pretty good image quality in the film. However right after the opening credits when Andrews is walking along the beach, there is a line on extreme right though image. Is that what the blu ray forum review, refers to as compression issues?

[BigNickUK]

Load of British Film blu's announced by Network on their coming soon page:

The High Command - 15th Feb

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...d-the-blu-ray-



Its In The Air - 15th Feb

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...e-air-blu-ray-



Johnny Frenchman - 8th Feb

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...chman-blu-ray-



Kidnapped - 1st Feb

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...apped-blu-ray-



The Man Upstairs - 25th Jan

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...s-the-blu-ray-



Please Turn Over - 18th Jan

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...-over-blu-ray-



Sailors Three - 8th Feb

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...three-blu-ray-



The Show Goes On - 1st Feb

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...n-the-blu-ray-



State Secret

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...ecret-blu-ray-



The Story Of Gilbert And Sullivan - 22nd Feb

https://networkonair.com/coming-soon...n-the-blu-ray-

[KJones77]

Kidnapped and State Secret are great announcements!

[CelestialAgent]

Kidnapped is fantastic news - Kino released a Blu-ray last year with only the trailer - so I hope they can retrieve the extensive DVD extras

Production featurette (6:09)
Interview with Michael Caine by Russell Hardy from 15th July 1973 (23:11)
Interview with Michael Caine by Russell Hardy from 1st April 1977 (19:54)
Interview with Michael Caine on Sunday Sunday from 12th February 1984 (25:31)
Image Gallery (1:31)
Theatrical Trailer (3:08)

Based on Letterboxd, It's in the Air, The Man Upstairs, Please Turn Over, State Secret, Story of Gilbert and Sullivan all sound like strong titles.

[BobRusk]

I'll be in for STATE SECRET and THE MAN UPSTAIRS for sure. George Formby fans will be chuffed about IT'S IN THE AIR as it's one of his best.

Network does a great job. This thread should be a sticky one.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by BobRusk

I'll be in for STATE SECRET and THE MAN UPSTAIRS for sure. George Formby fans will be chuffed about IT'S IN THE AIR as it's one of his best.

Network does a great job. This thread should be a sticky one.

What other label would think of releasing these titles? I’m glad Network exists.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by BobRusk

Network does a great job. This thread should be a sticky one.

I think there's a limit to how many stickies we can have, but perhaps if we added a UK Studio & Distributor section like the US have we could keep them up top.

[CouncilSpectre]

Fantastic slate there.

STATE SECRET and KIDNAPPED will be day one, and there's another two or three at least which I'll pick up at some point.

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by chip75

I think there's a limit to how many stickies we can have, but perhaps if we added a UK Studio & Distributor section like the US have we could keep them up top.

There are two pinned topics with no posts since September. They should be unpinned to make room if needed.

[Gerby]

State Secret is a good one, i like Please Turn Over too. Don't think i've seen any of the others but The Man Upstairs sounds good.

[Aclea]

But of course, I recently picked up Kino's Kidnapped. You're welcome.

[BobRusk]

Originally Posted by KJones77

There are two pinned topics with no posts since September. They should be unpinned to make room if needed.

Or they could merge the "last Blu-ray you watched" and "post a picture of your recent haul" threads.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by BobRusk

Network does a great job. This thread should be a sticky one.

Originally Posted by chip75

I think there's a limit to how many stickies we can have, but perhaps if we added a UK Studio & Distributor section like the US have we could keep them up top.

You're right, I've been told by a moderator that we have reached the maximum number of stickies allowed, but that being the case they should then remove for example, the 'Studio Ghibli' and the 'Post Pictures of Blu-ray Collection' threads and replace them instead with Network and Second Sight.

Looking at the last time a post was made on those threads, it currently stands at 15 September and 2 August respectively, so clearly not much activity takes place here. Considering the number of members here who have suggested threads to be swapped and replaced as stickies, I'm really surprised the mods haven't done anything about it yet.

[Aclea]

The High Command is pretty good and more Thorold Dickinson is always welcome, but they better make sure they use the right master - the first pressing of the DVD was recalled because the most famous scene in the film was missing but was referred and shown to in some detail in the accompanying introduction by Philip Horne (like the one on Secret People, probably not likely to be carried over).