The Italian Job 4K (1969) 55th Anniversary (UK)

[ViscountCarnacki]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

Kino used a new Paramount 4K master and the result had consistent compression issues, some bits of stagnant grain and color problems throughout where blues had a different cast in skies, some of the cars and most distressingly Michael Caine‘s eyes stuck out like a sore thumb. It’s very noticeable. The HDR appearance could be a bit bright in areas and the mono track was really the lossy mono from the Pal dvd, which is the best source on video but inside of a lossless container.

So basically the only difference on this new release could be a better encoding job.

Right. And no other better 4K release available?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

Kino used a new Paramount 4K master and the result had consistent compression issues, some bits of stagnant grain and color problems throughout where blues had a different cast in skies, some of the cars and most distressingly Michael Caine‘s eyes stuck out like a sore thumb. It’s very noticeable. The HDR appearance could be a bit bright in areas and the mono track was really the lossy mono from the Pal dvd, which is the best source on video but inside of a lossless container.

So basically the only difference on this new release could be a better encoding job.

...which from Paramount would be tantamount to a miracle! But I'm buying it anyway, just in case

[nicwood]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

...which from Paramount would be tantamount to a miracle! But I'm buying it anyway, just in case

Same over here. I’m hoping for an unrealistic miracle here as we’re talking about Paramount in the Andrea Kalas era. Still, we can hope that she doesn’t have her remix-loving, DNR-slayin’ and color-neuterin’ thumb on the European departments as well even with the films they licensed in the US. This’ll be the first chance to show their touch (or not) and if disappointing the it’ll remain only one I’m willing to give them - otherwise it’s back to Tarziland and their (almost) equally wonderful way of treating the films they release. It’d be a damn shame if the proper (albeit lossy) mono mix on the Paramount turns out the one best thing this tat set has in store for us.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by nicwood

Same over here. I’m hoping for an unrealistic miracle here as we’re talking about Paramount in the Andrea Kalas era. Still, we can hope that she doesn’t have her remix-loving, DNR-slayin’ and color-neuterin’ thumb on the European departments as well even with the films they licensed in the US. This’ll be the first chance to show their touch (or not) and if disappointing the it’ll remain only one I’m willing to give them - otherwise it’s back to Tarziland and their (almost) equally wonderful way of treating the films they release. It’d be a damn shame if the proper (albeit lossy) mono mix on the Paramount turns out the one best thing this tat set has in store for us.

I've been wrong before when a new UHD remaster of a movie has changed between an indie release and a subsequent studio version (Hannibal) but I'm thinking that whatever tinkering's been done to TIJ is baked in, so it really will be just a case of different compression. It's causing quite the cognitive dissonance that I'm looking to Paramount - fookin Paramount - to beat a Kino release, but I do actively dislike most US indie labels so 'anyone but them' is where I'm coming from I guess.

[captainsolo]

When we’re looking to paramount for better compression…oh dear.
I got the impression the issues were all baked into the master itself as the Kino encode seemed good.
Aside from the color, compression, hdr quibbles and no proper full mono restoration the Kino release is the best we’ve had to date. But it’s still frustrating as heck hence my bad singing of a new title song…

[SpacemanDoug]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I've been wrong before when a new UHD remaster of a movie has changed between an indie release and a subsequent studio version (Hannibal) but I'm thinking that whatever tinkering's been done to TIJ is baked in, so it really will be just a case of different compression. It's causing quite the cognitive dissonance that I'm looking to Paramount - fookin Paramount - to beat a Kino release, but I do actively dislike most US indie labels so 'anyone but them' is where I'm coming from I guess.

it was a miracle the 2.0 track was the actual original mix rather than a downmix considering it's Kino, if Paramount's UK disk excludes the original mix then instantly the Kino release would be the preferred version

considering Kino got handed the master from Paramount, I don't see how this release would be any different aside from a likely worse encode and no mono

also off topic, are there any US labels you do like?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by SpacemanDoug

it was a miracle the 2.0 track was the actual original mix rather than a downmix considering it's Kino, if Paramount's UK disk excludes the original mix then instantly the Kino release would be the preferred version

considering Kino got handed the master from Paramount, I don't see how this release would be any different aside from a likely worse encode and no mono

also off topic, are there any US labels you do like?

Erm...not really.

[SpacemanDoug]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Erm...not really.

Not sure if Arrow US would count considering they got their start in the UK, but of the exclusively domestic labels I think Shout is the best one despite it too having some major flaws at times

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Erm...not really.

Synapse?


Though they release at a snail's pace. Feels like they release a disc a year.

[Brian81]

BTW, anyone who picks this one up and already has the Kino, a comparison of the audio and video would be very much appreciated, even if brief. If this was through a boutique and not Paramount direct, I'd probably import blind. Since it's not, I'm waiting for feedback.

[Hammerlover]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Erm...not really.

Warner Archive releases some fantastic BDs.

[Darth Marcus]

My copy has shipped from Zavvi!

[John Earls Umbrella]

I flogged the Kino off, it’s hideous. One of the worst 4Ks I’ve seen. I’ll be amazed if this Paramount is any better.

[THGhost]

My Paramount 4K arrived today. Any word on whether the colours are correct on this one? Not seeing any reviews out there just yet.

EDIT: Hmmm, just had a look myself. The Lamborghini in the opening scene still looks red to me. It's supposed to be orange, right?

Also disappointed that this didn't carry over all of the Kino's extras, so I have to keep that so I have everything

[Pieter V]

So what's the audio on this? Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (backcover) or DTS-HD MA 5.1 (disc art) I do know it's a BD-66 disc.
Any remastered BD as well?

[david_blu]

Anyone got this yet?

Curious to see the verdict vs existing KL disc.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by david_blu

Anyone got this yet?

Curious to see the verdict vs existing KL disc.

If I get a chance I'll have a look tonight

[Cluck]

Originally Posted by Pieter V

So what's the audio on this? Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (backcover) or DTS-HD MA 5.1 (disc art) I do know it's a BD-66 disc.
Any remastered BD as well?

The menus state TrueHD and that's what my amp reports too (as well as the Panny 820 'status' info bars when the film is playing).

EDIT: The gold bar is thicker than I was expecting, but is very glossy and has text on both sides. The 'production notes' amounts to a single piece of folded paper. I'm not unhappy though, it came down to £32 (or thereabouts) at some point during pre-order, and that feels quite fair for what's included. Definitely going to be giving this a watch tonight, it's been far too long since I watched it.

[THGhost]

Originally Posted by david_blu

Anyone got this yet?

Curious to see the verdict vs existing KL disc.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...6&postcount=34

[lgans316]

https://www.avforums.com/reviews/the...-review.21847/