The Far Country (1954)

[Allen Voice]

Review is up on dvdbeaver.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Allen Voice

Review is up on dvdbeaver.

For those interested, here's the link to the DVDBeaver review

[bonehica]

Damn, totally forgot about this release. Glad this was bumped. Just pre-ordered.

[Dr. Humbert]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

For those interested, here's the link to the DVDBeaver review

Is it just me or does it look very soft?

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Dr. Humbert

Is it just me or does it look very soft?

It does look a little rough. I don't know why anybody would want to watch it in 2:00:1 though and why Arrow even went the extra mile to include it.

[captainsolo]

Want and Need this disc so badly right now in my hands. This looks incredible all things considered.
The softness is on point with what has come out before and the other Mann titles looking similarly. It also fits with the weird softness issue inherent on NAKED SPUR. The only Mann film I've gotten to see a print of is that film and it had much deeper color vs the DVD otherwise looked very close.

The increase in color is most interesting and reminds me of the print transfer on the old Laserdisc double feature set with Bend of the River. That old analog 1.33 master is also more colorful than the DVDs and this new Arrow release has a tiny bit of similarity to it judging by the Beaver review. I've always felt a proper transfer of this would have more color to it like that old LD.

I cannot wait to get this in my hands. again I'm astonished this is happening stuffed with new extras and a 4K transfer. The 2.00:1 is a bonus to present the film in the Universal house widescreen ratio though I would heartily recommend the first disc.

I am debating on getting the UK or US release. Arrow discs are usually region free and the UK version is still slightly cheaper-but with the current sales I think I'll go ahead and get the US release to not have the ratings logo on the lovely art.

[Mose Harper]

Available from Target for $28 and eligible for the B2G1 promotion.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

It does look a little rough. I don't know why anybody would want to watch it in 2:00:1 though and why Arrow even went the extra mile to include it.

I believe Bob Furmanek has documentation confirming the 2:00:1 is OAR.

[johnpaul2]

Originally Posted by Dr. Humbert

Is it just me or does it look very soft?

This looks EXTREMELY soft. Even when taking into account Beaver's usual slight filtering of their caps, it seems as if all Arrow could use was a theatrical print - and not a good one. The website says it's scanned from the OCN, but if that's truly the case, I wondered what happened.

Considering how little high frequencies there seem to be here, I wonder why they scanned whatever they scanned at 4K when the end result seem coarser-looking than many pre-existing old HD masters.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by johnpaul2

This looks EXTREMELY soft. Even when taking into account Beaver's usual slight filtering of their caps, it seems as if all Arrow could use was a theatrical print - and not a good one. The website says it's scanned from the OCN, but if that's truly the case, I wondered what happened.
.

It was scanned from “the original film elements”.

[Member-222782]

This should be $19.99 at B&N. At that price it's pretty much a good blind buy

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

This should be $19.99 at B&N. At that price it's pretty much a good blind buy

It's even less than that if you go with the current Target B2G1 deal.

About a year ago this time, I was in the hospital and I streamed this on the in-room TV one night when I couldn't sleep. It was entertaining even squished on their 20" screen in SD. Can't wait to see it in a decent HD version.

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

It does look a little rough. I don't know why anybody would want to watch it in 2:00:1 though and why Arrow even went the extra mile to include it.

Short answer: it was the ‘50s.

Hollywood experimenting with widescreen caused many films from the era to have multiple ratios for the same film. I think Arrow just wanted to preserve that. Douglas Sirk’s films have been presented in multiple ratios, On the Waterfront is another one, the first pressing of the Eureka edition of Shane presented the film in 2 ratios as well, with 3 different framing options. Touch of Evil is another one that has multiple ratios.

Looking at the screencaps on DVDBeaver though, 2.00:1 makes the film look a little too tight. 1.85:1 looks more correct to my eyes.

~Matt

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Matt89

Short answer: it was the ‘50s.

Hollywood experimenting with widescreen caused many films from the era to have multiple ratios for the same film. I think Arrow just wanted to preserve that. Douglas Sirk’s films have been presented in multiple ratios, On the Waterfront is another one, the first pressing of the Eureka edition of Shane presented the film in 2 ratios as well, with 3 different framing options. Touch of Evil is another one that has multiple ratios.

Looking at the screencaps on DVDBeaver though, 2.00:1 makes the film look a little too tight. 1.85:1 looks more correct to my eyes.

I’m more than aware of many early “flat” widescreen films being presented in different ratios; in that case, I would prefer the one presented the most common in. I wouldn’t want to watch “The Big Country” 2:00:1 because it’s too cramped.

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

I’m more than aware of many early “flat” widescreen films being presented in different ratios; in that case, I would prefer the one presented the most common in. I wouldn’t want to watch “The Big Country” 2:00:1 because it’s too cramped.

Well, you did ask.

That being said, I think it’s too cramped as well but it’s still interesting to see the different ratios. I’ll likely only be watching it in 1.85, but it’s neat that they even included the 2.00:1 version.

~Matt

[SGFfilmfan]

Review on this site is up...https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-F...250543/#Review

[Robert Furmanek]

More info and studio documentation on UI’s transition to widescreen in 1953 can be found here.

http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/the-fir...-of-widescreen

[tomahawk]

All of the Mann/Stewart westerns are masterpieces in my book, but I lament that the two widescreen versions are included in this release (the difference between them being fairly negligible imo) while the open matte version is not. For me, this film looks most stunning in the 1.33, which heightens and enlivens the gorgeous landscape visuals in a significant way - and with this being a western, of course this has the added effect of elevating the drama.

To my understanding, even after the full studio shift over to widescreen, many of the films in this period were still shot "protected" for 1.33 in order to accomodate possible tv screening or in the event it was shown in a theater that was not yet equipped for widescreen. Having seen this film in both open matte and widescreen, the full frame is the most beautiful I think and would have been a very valid ratio to present here if they are going to offer multiple options, which is why I will buy this but retain my original DVD.

[f451]

Mann/Stewart = Good entertainment at the least; superb at best. This is an enjoyable film, way overdue, and I'm glad to have on Blu-ray.

Some great westerns have been available for years on Blu-ray overseas. The Last Wagon is available in Europe. 7 Men from Now is available in Japan. Canyon Passage in Spain. Let's bring 'em on home.

[StarDestroyer52]

My copy from BullMoose shipped earlier today. Probably will be here Tuesday. One of the better Mann/Stewart Westerns, IMO. Now if we can just get Winchester 73 and The Naked Spur.