Spaghetti Western Double Feature s - New: Grand Duel / Keoma 5/15

[agent999]

BU are claiming this is an unauthorised release (although they said that about Shriek Show's Zombie DVD years ago, and that was never resolved). I've pre-ordered but I'm not sure if this will ever see the light of day if legal proceedings are involved. I'm cerainly curious to see what it looks like, I'm wondering if they've lifted it straight form the BU disc or if it's a new transfer (one without false grain would be nice).

[Sub]

I hope this two pack featuring Django does not gave the same pressing as the single release of Django. I bought that blu ray and threw it in the garbage. My regular dvd blew it away. Total grainy garage of a transfer. Then I caught Django on Netflix listed as being in HD and figured it's be the same. But is was GREAT! Much better than the blu ray disc release.

One of my favorite SW's ruined....

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Sub

I hope this two pack featuring Django does not gave the same pressing as the single release of Django. I bought that blu ray and threw it in the garbage. My regular dvd blew it away. Total grainy garage of a transfer. Then I caught Django on Netflix listed as being in HD and figured it's be the same. But is was GREAT! Much better than the blu ray disc release.

One of my favorite SW's ruined....

ummmmm, really??? Django looked AMAZING on blu ray. the dvd version had all the grain blurred out with low resolution. if it's the same print I would be ecstatic. Every review out there agrees with me too. looks exactly like it's supposed to. All the grain intact without being obtrusive. (the netflix versions looks pretty bad... obvious heavy use of DNR)

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by wormraper

ummmmm, really??? Django looked AMAZING on blu ray. the dvd version had all the grain blurred out with low resolution. if it's the same print I would be ecstatic. Every review out there agrees with me too. looks exactly like it's supposed to. All the grain intact without being obtrusive. (the netflix versions looks pretty bad... obvious heavy use of DNR)

Quoted for truth. Blue Underground did a great job on the BD release of Django. Totally annihilates even their own DVD release of the film, let alone the godawful Anchor Bay release. I was just talking about the upcoming double-feature with someone today, and I told them no way Mill Creek's transfer would be as good as BU's. I mean, for one thing...it's Mill Creek.

Wanting Django without the grain? That's just insanity.

[Aristide Massaccesi]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

Wanting Django without the grain? That's just insanity.

I suspect that the people who complain about Django and certain other BU releases having too much grain have 'sharpness' on their tv set too high, which tends to bring out some digital noise. If you reduce 'sharpness' to a normal setting (0-5) there's no problem.

[Crimson King]

Let's see, nobody even has this double feature in their hands yet, we don't even know if it's the same Django, THERE ARE MANY Spaghetti Westers with the word Django in the title, the 2 disc Anchor Bay came with an awesome detailed booklet showing all the Django related films. Back in the day film companies seemed to put the word Django in the title in any western starring Franco Nero! As for grain, let it be there, THIS FILM WAS A VERY LOW BUDGET FILM, ALSO REMEMBER IT WAS RAINING IN PARTS OF THE FILM, IT'S GRAINY/MUDDY LOOK IS ALSO PART OF THE FILM's UNIQUE CHARM.

[agent999]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Let's see, nobody even has this double feature in their hands yet, we don't even know if it's the same Django

It is Franco Nero on the front (not from the official sequel) and Bill Lustig is pissed off, so chances are it's the original. No early copies or reviews yet, so I suspect this has been delayed?

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by Aristide Massaccesi

I suspect that the people who complain about Django and certain other BU releases having too much grain have 'sharpness' on their tv set too high, which tends to bring out some digital noise. If you reduce 'sharpness' to a normal setting (0-5) there's no problem.

Agreed. I've said this many times, regarding people's complaints about grain being ridiculously intrusive. In my experience, almost everyone has their sharpness set too high. My sharpness setting is "0," and I've yet to encounter a BD transfer that I genuinely believe is too grainy (when taking the source into consideration, obviously)...but I've seen plenty of smeary DNR nightmares. Far too many. So I know what I like to avoid.

But yes, if I crank my sharpness up, the grain in transfers like BU's Django definitely intrudes and looks like mosquito noise. Easy solution...dial it down to where it should be.

[OrlandoEastwood]

Originally Posted by agent999

BU are claiming this is an unauthorised release (although they said that about Shriek Show's Zombie DVD years ago, and that was never resolved). I've pre-ordered but I'm not sure if this will ever see the light of day if legal proceedings are involved. I'm cerainly curious to see what it looks like, I'm wondering if they've lifted it straight form the BU disc or if it's a new transfer (one without false grain would be nice).

Is there any proof of this? I need a link. I can't find anything.

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Let's see, nobody even has this double feature in their hands yet, we don't even know if it's the same Django, THERE ARE MANY Spaghetti Westers with the word Django in the title, the 2 disc Anchor Bay came with an awesome detailed booklet showing all the Django related films. Back in the day film companies seemed to put the word Django in the title in any western starring Franco Nero! As for grain, let it be there, THIS FILM WAS A VERY LOW BUDGET FILM, ALSO REMEMBER IT WAS RAINING IN PARTS OF THE FILM, IT'S GRAINY/MUDDY LOOK IS ALSO PART OF THE FILM's UNIQUE CHARM.

Well, Mill Creek has never done screeners as far as I know. I know we waited a month for like a review of the Gamera Double Feature. Plus, it's not due out until tomorrow.

[agent999]

Originally Posted by OrlandoEastwood

Is there any proof of this? I need a link. I can't find anything. Well, Mill Creek has never done screeners as far as I know. I know we waited a month for like a review of the Gamera Double Feature. Plus, it's not due out until tomorrow.

Voilà: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/10620679-post28.html

I'm in the UK, we normally get sent out new releases a week or so before they hit US shops, so the fact that this hasn't been sent out yet could mean there's a delay.

[wormraper]

looks like nobody will get it for a while. all the Mill creek titles that were to be released today are out of stock on Amazon

[Daaark]

2 weeks ago this was listed at HMV.ca as an 11.99 upcoming release for today. Now it's gone? Only rhe LAST GUN/ 4 DOLLARS OF REVENGE one remains, and it's listed as next week now.

[Crimson King]

I wonder if the double feature that has Django has been pulled from circulation/distribution due to possible copyright issues with Blue Underground?

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

I wonder if the double feature that has Django has been pulled from circulation/distribution due to possible copyright issues with Blue Underground?

I would think so since the BU version is still in print.

Anyway, I just ordered The Last Gun / Four Dollars of Revenge and Galaxina / The Crater Lake Monster from DVD Empire for $9.98 each. Will let you all know what they are like when I get them.

[retask]

Looking forward to the first review of this. Anybody got it yet?

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by retask

Looking forward to the first review of this. Anybody got it yet?

I've got The Last Gun / Four Dollars of Revenge coming in the mail. But looks like the other one has been delayed or canceled.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by davidthenikonuser

I've got The Last Gun / Four Dollars of Revenge coming in the mail. But looks like the other one has been delayed or canceled.

The double feature blu-ray with Django has been "delayed" according to an email from Mill Creek i got this morning.

[retask]

Originally Posted by davidthenikonuser

I've got The Last Gun / Four Dollars of Revenge coming in the mail. But looks like the other one has been delayed or canceled.

Please let me know the verdict.

[stevenpaulalejandro]

got mine today. It's a bit difficult to review because I adjust standards based on quality of movies and source material. Let's face it these are cheese titles. Also I have not seen other SD versions to compare. But my capsule review is: it looks as if someone pointed an HD camera at a screen showing a well worn film print of the films. I mean well worn. There is significant print damage, numerous splotches, splice marks, hairs and missing frames. The Last Gun fares better. In outside scenes the picture is washed out colors are mostly drab but indoor scenes are much better blacks fare well and colors are deep. Grain is definitely visible but not overpowering and the picture is sharp. Absolutely (obviously) no DNR or edge enhancement I could detect. Audio is 2 channel LPCM and 2 channel DTS. Audio is clean and clear. Zero special features.
4 Dollars fares worse. Bad audio dub job, but I don't know if it's the original dub source or not. And worse print source as far as shape and color. If you want to feel as if your watching the film at a drive in or 2nd run 70's era theater then you will be rewarded. If you want to feel like you're watching a top notch remastered bluray you're SOL. I was not disappointed because, like I said, I adjust based on quality of film and source material and it was cheap: I paid 8.00 for mine. If the Gamera double feature from Mill Creek is an 8 in terms of PQ I'd rate this twofer a 3 or 4. However if the case had a sticker that said "Recreate the feel of a 70's grindhouse theater visit!" then I'd rate it a 10. But I don't regret the purchase.

[davidthenikonuser]

Got The Last Gun / Four Dollars of Revenge today. The prints used are not cleaned up at all, so there are scratches for time to time. Pretty much grindhouse prints here. The last Gun looks the best which is sharp and has nice color. You get 3 sound options, PCM 2.0, DTS-HD MA 2.0 and DD 2.0. Extras are the trailers. for $10 I think it's pretty good release for these films and I bet you'll never see them any better then this.

PQ, 3.5/5
AQ, 3.5/5