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

[heineken]

Can't wait! This is my first time buying the movie! Don't know I held off all these years from owning it, but here I am.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Screengrabs indicate it's a completely new transfer after all! Looks so fine and grainy compared to the 2016 BD (which was reportedly a 6k scan of the OCN, finished on a 4k SDR workflow with the "Universal special" processing and DNR). However, I have a hunch that if Universal does put out their own UHD sometime in the future it will be another Waterworld situation, but this time around their UHD/4k digital versions will probably reuse the DNR'd 4k master from the 2016 BD with an HDR pass and call it a day.

Any word if the 5.1 mix has the pitch issue truly fixed? I imagine the original mono will sound fine enough for most since it's the main selling point of this release and hasn't been on any modern video iteration until now.

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

Screengrabs indicate it's a completely new transfer after all! Looks so fine and grainy compared to the 2016 BD (which was reportedly a 6k scan of the OCN, finished on a 4k SDR workflow with the "Universal special" processing and DNR). However, I have a hunch that if Universal does put out their own UHD sometime in the future it will be another Waterworld situation, but this time around their UHD/4k digital versions will probably reuse the DNR'd 4k master from the 2016 BD with an HDR pass and call it a day.

Any word if the 5.1 mix has the pitch issue truly fixed? I imagine the original mono will sound fine enough for most since it's the main selling point of this release and hasn't been on any modern video iteration until now.

I assume this probably is the same scan just without all of Universal’s filtering and DNR?

That remaster itself was a good quality scan, it was just tinkered with by the guys at Universal.

~Matt

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Not entirely, framing looks to be different in some spots. I imagine Universal doesn't allow labels tinkering with their own masters if it's not for reinserting previously cut material like with Turbine's Psycho BD. Obviously, they do permit other parties to create new scans and didn't seem to have an issue with Arrow creating their own masters of Waterworld (which Uni put out on UHD with their own flawed 4k HDR master), Weird Science and 16 Candles if it's inevitable Uni will put those out on UHD soon, again using their own 4k masters with possible restoration flubs and DNR issues of their own.

I'd be surprised if it was the 6k scan without Uni's processing, unless Landis pushed Universal to give them access to the raw 6k elements and let Arrow do work from there.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by jess1581

Wish Arrow could pick up The Howling and give that the same treatment.

At least the Studio Canal version of The Howling looks terrific vs. the Shout! So picture wise that's the way to go.

[broly965]

^ Weird, i have the shout Howling and have always thought it looked fine.

[Matt89]

It’s the same master. There’s minor tweaks on the SC blu but it’s negligible at best.

~Matt

[Trekkie313]

I'm perfectly happy with the current Blu-ray release...but damn Arrow adding new special features!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

At least the Studio Canal version of The Howling looks terrific vs. the Shout! So picture wise that's the way to go.

The only difference between the SC transfer, and Shout's is the former is a little brighter. They're virtually identically otherwise.

[jess1581]

Originally Posted by broly965

^ Weird, i have the shout Howling and have always thought it looked fine.

It looks "fine", but it does suffer some minor processing, and I think even the studio canal UK blu ray has some DNR involved. I just want to see a 4k scanned ocn presentation of The Howling with all the natural grain intact.

[RalphoR]

Wasn't the original Shout! disc of The Howling (the CE) a different scan than the most recent (steelbook...which is pretty much the SC disc) release? For some reason I thought the original Shout! release took a lot of negative comments.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Wasn't the original Shout! disc of The Howling (the CE) a different scan than the most recent (steelbook...which is pretty much the SC disc) release?

Same scan.

[broly965]

I have the old shout version, i've never needed anything more though an UHD version would be accepted.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by Matt89

I assume this probably is the same scan just without all of Universal’s filtering and DNR?

That remaster itself was a good quality scan, it was just tinkered with by the guys at Universal.

~Matt

From the specs:
New 2018 4K restoration from the original camera negative supervised by John Landis

So more recent scan than the 2016 disc.

[Croweyes1121]

Originally Posted by kamphausd1

It looks like the US standard edition just went up for pre order.

...for MORE money than the LE?! lol

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

...for MORE money than the LE?! lol

Because it's at full retail like 99% of products when first listed and the LE already had time to drop.....

[Member-222782]

So we finally have the definitive edition of AWIL we've all dreamed about for years. I think this is the end of the line for me as far as formats are concerned. If there's ever a native 4K UHD release someday I may or may not buy it but I think I'll be happy with this Arrow set. It looks to be as definitive as it gets.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

So we finally have the definitive edition of AWIL we've all dreamed about for years. I think this is the end of the line for me as far as formats are concerned. If there's ever a native 4K UHD release someday I may or may not buy it but I think I'll be happy with this Arrow set. It looks to be as definitive as it gets.

Even though this looks like it will be the absolute best, complete release of American Werewolf I still would prefer a uhd disc. It has already been a 3+ time purchase so this is an extremely difficult pass. After The Thing and the ridiculous Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein BDs An American Werewolf In London is right up there with the most multiple purchases I've made for a particular movie.

[MifuneFan]

This is part of Target's B2G1 deal

https://www.target.com/p/an-american...y/-/A-77595527

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

So we finally have the definitive edition of AWIL we've all dreamed about for years. I think this is the end of the line for me as far as formats are concerned. If there's ever a native 4K UHD release someday I may or may not buy it but I think I'll be happy with this Arrow set. It looks to be as definitive as it gets.

I say the same thing, but watch me pick up the 4K like the sucker that I am if it ever gets announced.

~Matt