Gerry Anderson's Space Precinct Legacy!

[CouncilSpectre]

It was filmed on Super 16. Although shot for WS it was edited (including effects) for 4:3.

Fortunately all of the elements do still exist. They looked at a rebuild for this release but it obviously wasn't economically viable. Doesn't rule it out for the future though I guess.

[navydavey]

Shame they didn't release this one on blu-ray but ill buy this dvd series release anyway in the hope it leads to another future release (however unlikely)

[CouncilSpectre]

We should probably take consolation in the fact that they did actually look at a potential rebuild. They're not closed off to the idea completely at least.

[Network23]

im glad its on DVD again period. I was stupid not to get the dvd set when it was $15 because i thought it would be around for a while, then the ebay prices shit to near $75OOP. Definitely a must by for me as an Anderson Fan! Like the other Gerry Anderson shows it could be on Blu someday, Network just released vol 3 or 4 of Joe 90 and Captain scarlet.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

It was filmed on Super 16. Although shot for WS it was edited (including effects) for 4:3.

I'm not technically minded so can I ask is Super 16 considered good for the time? Is it close to at least HD?

I did rewatch the series a couple of years ago and I'm fairly certain the amount of CGI is minimal. I know the last two episodes had a fair bit but on the whole it's mostly miniature model work so the cost shouldn't be as high as the Star Trek TNG sets.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by pferreira

I'm not technically minded so can I ask is Super 16 considered good for the time? Is it close to at least HD?

I did rewatch the series a couple of years ago and I'm fairly certain the amount of CGI is minimal. I know the last two episodes had a fair bit but on the whole it's mostly miniature model work so the cost shouldn't be as high as the Star Trek TNG sets.

Well you'll get a 1080p resolution out of it, it just won't be as sharp as stuff shot on 35mm.

Plenty of examples of movies, and TV shows shot on 16mm and Super 16 - Leaving Las Vegas, Hurt Locker, Clerks, Merlin, Veronica Mars.

If they went back to the 16mm film elements and rebuilt the series from scratch then it's a safe bet that it would look better than the DVDs.

They would need to re-edit the VFX though - this is where WBs fcuked up the Babylon 5 DVDs - the VFX were rendered at 480i for 4:3 - when it came time to release the show on DVD in widescreen/16:9 they just took the 4:3 image and cropped it and zoomed to create a 16:9 image. It looks awful really. For Space Precinct, if the elements still exist, and I understand that they do, then if they can re-edit/re-render then it could look good. This is for the CGI obviously, the practical effects effected on camera, will be fine if they go back to the original film elements.

[pferreira]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

This is for the CGI obviously, the practical effects effected on camera, will be fine if they go back to the original film elements.

Yeah that's my point. Most of it is model work so as long as they go back to the film negatives they should be okay. Effects wise either those are recomposited or done again from scratch but it shouldn't be as much as TNG in terms of the amount of shots.

[SharkyMark]

I hope Space Precinct gets the Blu Ray treatment. Ive just bought the Network set today and the quality is not great. It would look amazing on Blu Ray. If the elements are all there they should deffinately do it. The future is Blu Ray and 4K anyways. Id pay daft money for this on Blu Ray

[Killer Meteor]

One odd thing with the Network release is that some of the later episodes abruptly finish early, before the credits fade to the company logos.

[SharkyMark]

Ive just emailed the Gerry Anderson team. They kindly suggested if enough people email Network directly they may possibly do a full remaster for a Blu-ray release. Everyone get and email to them. This could happen!

[SharkyMark]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

One odd thing with the Network release is that some of the later episodes abruptly finish early, before the credits fade to the company logos.

I noticed that too, hopefully this series will get the treatment it deserves. Network do some great remasters for Blu Ray.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by SharkyMark

Ive just emailed the Gerry Anderson team. They kindly suggested if enough people email Network directly they may possibly do a full remaster for a Blu-ray release. Everyone get and email to them. This could happen!

I'll contact Network and put in my request. I own the US and UK DVD sets and they both look pretty horrendous. This series badly needs a blu-ray remaster.

I also wonder if Network will ever revisit year one of Space:1999? They remastered year two much more recently so year two looks fantastic. Year one looks great for it's age but the masters used are ancient and there's a technical flaw with the remasters of year one also (most episodes have a single-pixel blue vertical line at the far right edge of the black pillarbox frame, more noticeable in some episodes than others. Most viewers never notice it but it's there. And I imagine a new remaster might deliver a nicer master with better grain and possible color improvements. Every blu-ray release ever has used the same masters. I'd love to see it get a chance at a modern remaster.

[harry o]

network could look again at "UFO" also (but I'll not hold my breath) year two of "space 1999" looked FAB though.

[mar3o]

UFO could probably benefit from a new restoration, this time taking the care to correct previous issues. Yeah, year two of Space:1999 looked and sounded terrific.

I have a soft spot for Space Precinct. The characters are rather wooden and generic, the stories are often blah, and the acting is spotty. It doesn't seem to know who it's target audience is. But I love the miniature effects, especially all the city miniatures, and the make-up and and full head prosthetics are very impressive. I stumbled onto the show late at night long ago and just got hooked. It was exciting just to see something new from Gerry Anderson.

[harry o]

I did like the miniature work in" precinct " but feel its not up to the meddings standard .

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by mar3o

UFO could probably benefit from a new restoration, this time taking the care to correct previous issues. Yeah, year two of Space:1999 looked and sounded terrific.

I have a soft spot for Space Precinct. The characters are rather wooden and generic, the stories are often blah, and the acting is spotty. It doesn't seem to know who it's target audience is. But I love the miniature effects, especially all the city miniatures, and the make-up and and full head prosthetics are very impressive. I stumbled onto the show late at night long ago and just got hooked. It was exciting just to see something new from Gerry Anderson.

I was part of the target audience (i.e. nine years old) when it was first on, and had some of the toys. I stopped watching it after a few weeks, as I found it too scary and violent. (I know, I know...)

Rewatching the show as an adult...there's a weird whiplash between the action scenes and the kid-friendly stuff, and Ted Shackleford really seems ticked off throughout the whole thing.

And what a great theme tune!

[mar3o]

Love the theme tune definitely, and the "this episode' throwback to Space:1999.

[88mph]

Always had a soft spot for this. Watching it as a child on TV probably had a lot to do with it. Love the miniatures and the prosthetic alien characters. Watching it now it’s pretty jarring with the violence. Pretty sure it was censored back in the day.

Anyway I’d snap up a Blu-ray set in a heartbeat.

[chip75]

Just turned up (the series) on Britbox and itvX in HD.

[oddbox83]

AI upscaled.

We’re not gonna get it remastered properly then.