Warner Hammer Film Collection: Volume 2 is coming

[oddbox83]

I still think the UK BD of Curse is better than the DVD. The difference is the DVD is graded more to bring out what was there whereas the BD goes for a pretty flat contrast. It is more filmic though and I think Warner could do a much better job with a new crack at it.

Phantom of the Opera has similar issues, but just look at how much better that was made by a new stab at it. The UK Final Cut disc has loads of issues burnt in from separation elements that don't quite match up yet the Universal disc improved things significantly. Ironic that the UK disc is in the correct ratio yet the Universal in the wider, wrong ratio is so much better even having more picture information to work with so the cropping IMO doesn't actually do any harm in comparison.

[cannon1]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Phantom of the Opera has similar issues, but just look at how much better that was made by a new stab at it. The UK Final Cut disc has loads of issues burnt in from separation elements that don't quite match up yet the Universal disc improved things significantly. Ironic that the UK disc is in the correct ratio yet the Universal in the wider, wrong ratio is so much better even having more picture information to work with so the cropping IMO doesn't actually do any harm in comparison.

Thanks for the insights here. Can we assume that the Phantom Universal BRD element used was the same as the one used for the Final Cut UK? Makes me wonder as you say, is when 'another stab at it' (mastering an element) is taking place, or when one country happens to have 'another element', interpositive, etc, that is deemed 'adequate', and that is used. The 'desperate' state of the Curse elements was made pretty clear in that the UK imported the 4K files of 'what there was' from WB USA, and you've made it clear that the Curse DVD was derived from that same 'element'. I do get your point that what one party achieves with a given element can't be considered 'all there is to get' necessarily.....

[hammerfan2]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

I still think the UK BD of Curse is better than the DVD. The difference is the DVD is graded more to bring out what was there whereas the BD goes for a pretty flat contrast. It is more filmic though and I think Warner could do a much better job with a new crack at it.

Phantom of the Opera has similar issues, but just look at how much better that was made by a new stab at it. The UK Final Cut disc has loads of issues burnt in from separation elements that don't quite match up yet the Universal disc improved things significantly. Ironic that the UK disc is in the correct ratio yet the Universal in the wider, wrong ratio is so much better even having more picture information to work with so the cropping IMO doesn't actually do any harm in comparison.

I trialled Curse side by side and the opening titles are sharper on the dvd. Chapter skipped through the film on both to compare and the definition one expects from Bluray just isn't there.

I did get the US Universal set of Hammer but the lack of extras meant I sold it and kept the UK discs bar Werewolf and Brides where I have the German releases. Cropping 1.66 movies to 1.75 or even 1.78 never bothers me but cropping to 2:1 was just a tad too much.

I got the UK Universal set too but only to make a copy of the bonus disc they thoughtfully provided to make people buy the films all over again. Final Cut are one company who's releasing policies stink and people who support initial releases get ripped off.

[oddbox83]

CoF DVD had EE as well as a punchier grade. That's what makes it appear sharper. IIRC it's the exact same element used for that DVD as was used for the UK Blu.

[hammerfan2]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

CoF DVD had EE as well as a punchier grade. That's what makes it appear sharper. IIRC it's the exact same element used for that DVD as was used for the UK Blu.

Not really bothered what technical trickery was used - all I want is the best picture and if it looks sharper I'll go for it regardless of what they've done to make it appear sharper

[oddbox83]

The UK release of Monster From Hell is the one to get. 24p and better encoded. I believe the German disc is a good one too, but a lot more expensive.

[oddbox83]

You won't get judder with 50i. That's why films were sped up 4% for PAL. Any good TV/BD player should detect filmic material and display as 25p. It's 60i that has judder for film material. The problem is, a lot looking to import won't be able to play 50i regardless of region status and of course it's not right and some do notice the speed up.