The Black Stallion (1979)

[AeroK]

Glad I waited to upgrade. I have the $3 DVD and HDX on Vudu but this is the one I want!

[AaronSCH]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

I saw this fourteen times in a theater in a span of maybe six weeks. I was 21 years old and it taught me everything I needed to know about making films and film as art. It was like having a painting by one of the old masters hanging in my home for six weeks.

I agree, it is indeed a moving canvas. I might add that although there is little dialog in the film, the chemistry between Mickey Rooney and Kelly Reno evoked memories of the touching exchanges between Gregory Peck and Mary Badham in "To Kill a Mockingbird." It's just genuine.

Originally Posted by shmn

Yup. I got suckered in and bought the first BR release which was a dog. I should have known better. At least Criterion will give this movie the transfer it deserves.

"A dog?" Not exactly. Although I almost cried when I learned that Criterion would be giving it the attention it deserves. When the MGM disc was released, I was thrilled just to have it on Blu-ray and in widescreen because the old DVD was non-anamorphic.

Originally Posted by jshaide

I've never seen this one. Worth a blind buy?

Yes. Don't hesitate. It is a classic.

[MTS]

Love the Black Stallion, glad to see it get the treatment it deserves! Now how about another Carroll Ballard favorite, long overdue, and an academy award winner (for sound): Never Cry Wolf. Please, Please, Please!

[HeavyHitter]

I might have to blind buy this one. I too always wanted to see it, but for some reason never happened.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by MTS

Love the Black Stallion, glad to see it get the treatment it deserves! Now how about another Carroll Ballard favorite, long overdue, and an academy award winner (for sound): Never Cry Wolf. Please, Please, Please!

Sorry to geek out on you, but Never Cry Wolf did not win any Oscars, it was a nominee only in just the one category.

[Havenbull]

Pre-ordered.... excellent movie in every way...

Will buy the 2nd one when it comes to blu too...

[DMRI2006]

Ordered but disappointed in the supplements. The film was apparently cut down from something much longer during an extended stay in post production....would've been fascinating to see what they didn't use but Criterion, more and more is backing away from anything except a few interviews on most of their new releases. That's a shame.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Ordered but disappointed in the supplements. The film was apparently cut down from something much longer during an extended stay in post production....would've been fascinating to see what they didn't use but Criterion, more and more is backing away from anything except a few interviews on most of their new releases. That's a shame.

I think as long as they continue their excellent tradition of beautiful restorations and gorgeous artwork (and include at least a booklet) I'll be more than satisfied

[Meek12345]

Originally Posted by cine74

I think as long as they continue their excellent tradition of beautiful restorations and gorgeous artwork (and include at least a booklet) I'll be more than satisfied

Criterionforum.org has packaging pictures and unfortunately The Black Stallion release will have a fold out poster instead of a booklet or something like a brochure. I still went ahead and pre-ordered this since it is one of my favorite films. I look forward to watching the short films that will be included. I believe that Criterion will provide a beautiful restoration of this film, so I am really looking forward to 7/14. I wish there was an audio commentary included, but I will try to appreciate the features that Criterion has collected for us.

[BwayJ]

Screenshots are up at DVDBeaver.

[bigshot]

I'm torn on this one. I really want the 5.1 audio. Sound is a HUGE part of this movie and although stereo may be "authentic", I am sure the 5.1 would be a big benefit.

I generally trust Criterion for transfers, but looking at screenshots, the MGM blu-ray looks very good. There is only one shot between the blu-ray.com and beaver caps that are directly comparable, the sinking ship... and the MGM looks better than the Criterion by a fair amount- clearer grain and sharpness.

I might save some money and get the MGM. I really don't care about supplements. I just want the movie with the best sound and image quality possible. That 5.1 is pretty tempting.

[shamus]

Originally Posted by bigshot

I'm torn on this one. I really want the 5.1 audio. Sound is a HUGE part of this movie and although stereo may be "authentic", I am sure the 5.1 would be a big benefit.

I generally trust Criterion for transfers, but looking at screenshots, the MGM blu-ray looks very good. There is only one shot between the blu-ray.com and beaver caps that are directly comparable, the sinking ship... and the MGM looks better than the Criterion by a fair amount- clearer grain and sharpness.

I might save some money and get the MGM. I really don't care about supplements. I just want the movie with the best sound and image quality possible. That 5.1 is pretty tempting.

wheres the comparison at?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by shamus

wheres the comparison at?

Dvdbeaver

[shamus]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Dvdbeaver

I see that, but dont see a comparison between the other version. I sometimes have difficulty using those things with an ipad, maybe thats what Im doing wrong?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by shamus

I see that, but dont see a comparison between the other version. I sometimes have difficulty using those things with an ipad, maybe thats what Im doing wrong?

Oh, well bigshot said he was comparing the blu-ray.com review screenshots for the old release to the new one's from DVDbeaver. He stated that there is one that is around the same spot in both.

[Namuhana]

I watched this for the first time yesterday via the MGM Blu-ray. I enjoyed it overall, but I enjoyed the portion in which Alec and The Black were on the beach much more than when

[Show spoiler]they got home and started horse racing

. I don't know if I went into it thinking it would be more like Life of Pi (in setting not story) and that's why I'm not in love with it or what. At least Criterion is upgrading the bonus features for it, and I'm sure the new restoration will make the film look even better. It's good but I don't think I'd ever need to own it.

[shamus]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Oh, well bigshot said he was comparing the blu-ray.com review screenshots for the old release to the new one's from DVDbeaver. He stated that there is one that is around the same spot in both.

oh.. got it now. thanks

[HeavyHitter]

The screenshots of the Criterion look a lot more film-like compared to the MGM. No contest here unless the caps were done differently between the two sites...I don't know.

[HeavyHitter]

Oh well, no wonder. Just checked the front page and Criterion's site. lol

New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Caleb Deschanel

[bigshot]

Well the Beaver caps are larger jpegs. But look at the grain structure and detail in the sinking ship scene. The MGM one looks a lot better than the Criterion. Hard to tell from two different sets of caps, but the MGM looks very good, and 5.1 sound would be a good upgrade over the original 2 channel.

Criterion http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-r...2_blu-ray_.jpg
MGM https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/scree...109&position=8