Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom 4K UHD (1975) (Wicked Vision)

[starman15317]

The 4K format has officially peaked. Nothing can top this.

[Shane Rollins]

Do we know who exactly is doing the restoration? L'Immagine Ritrovata supposedly did a 4K restoration a few years ago, and while I've heard a lot of complaints about the color timing, I haven't been able to find caps anywhere.

And its absence on 4K in the US - where it's been a Criterion mainstay for 30+ years - means they'll likely get the rights at some point.

[M A]

Originally Posted by Shane Rollins

Do we know who exactly is doing the restoration? L'Immagine Ritrovata supposedly did a 4K restoration a few years ago, and while I've heard a lot of complaints about the color timing, I haven't been able to find caps anywhere.

And its absence on 4K in the US - where it's been a Criterion mainstay for 30+ years - means they'll likely get the rights at some point.

There are 28 downscaled caps (so only really useful for judging the grading) of the Ritrovata restoration here:

https://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli...o-126238653/1/

[TooOldToDieYoung]

Wow, that's disgusting, even more so than the film itself.

[Shane Rollins]

Jesus.

Even as one of the minority that absolutely hates this movie, if that 4K restoration is what's on the 4Ks, I'll run not walk to B&N and get the Blu-ray. Because with our luck, this will be one of the few Criterions where they actually do a new Blu-ray.

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by starman15317

The 4K format has officially peaked. Nothing can top this.

The Human Centipede trilogy says Hold my Beer.......

[DaylightsEnd]

Wow, those caps walk a fine line between urine and pea soup. Or maybe some tricky combination of the two.

If BFI or someone doesn't rescue this and do a totally new color grading, it's utterly fazooked.

[Shane Rollins]

Considering the total adoration many have for Salo (I've heard it called one of the greatest and the absolute greatest by many), if this gets an effed up 4K release, the fans are likely going to burn the internet down. Perhaps that will finally be the last nail in Ritrovata's coffin, since it's high time they either grew brains or shut down.

[nicwood]

Yeah, Shane. Exactly that’s going to happen. As if Ritrovata had anything to do with this 4K release.

[asmodeux21]

Originally Posted by Olmo

Which release requires a correction to what? It's a fairly nebulous assertion.

Pasolini originally wanted to shoot the film in b&w but was persuaded by the producers to shoot in colour on the proviso that he use a process in printing that would desaturate the colour in an attempt to highlight the luridity of the film's content.

I hate Ritrovata's ugly, piss colored edition. The contrast is poor and it looks like it was dipped in urine. That's just my opinion. I honestly don't know what Pasolini's original intentions with regards to the visuals of "Salo" were. I personally like the brighter colors of the Criterion/ BFI blu ray.

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by asmodeux21

I hate Ritrovata's ugly, piss colored edition. The contrast is poor and it looks like it was dipped in urine. That's just my opinion. I honestly don't know what Pasolini's original intentions with regards to the visuals of "Salo" were. I personally like the brighter colors of the Criterion/ BFI blu ray.

The information that I posted earlier, which you quoted in your reply, is taken from Gideon Bachmann's on set interview with Pasolini taken from the current 1975 Sight & Sound edition which features articles on selected landmark films from that year.

Now, I'm not arguing the fact that Pasolini desired a yellow caste over the picture (the opposite is probably nearer the truth) but he did express the intention to print the film using a process that would desaturate the colour to an almost b&w look to 'increase the feeling of starkness & abstraction'. Obviously the article predates the cinematic release nevermind the subsequent home video releases, so again it's the hoary old question of who, exactly can definitively make a judgement on the look of the picture?

Looking back at the BFI & Criterion blu ray releases, it seems to be a received wisdom that the BFI bests the Criterion due to warmer skin tones, brighter look etc, however if you take into consideration what Pasolini wanted the overall look of the picture to convey, surely this runs contrary to his wishes? What's more, the BFI has instances of edge enhancement.

When you compare the two (I have both as I retained the BFI due to it's inclusion of the superb Whoever Tells the Truth Shall Die documentary, the Criterion certainly has the desaturated look and does give a more lurid & stark visual presentation, which, personally I think is more fitting for the content.

Obviously, this argument will go back & forth like an unwanted sh!t sandwich on the advent of the film's release, but that's my two penneth.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by Olmo

Looking back at the BFI & Criterion releases, it seems to be a received wisdom that the BFI bests the Criterion...

Is it, though? I always thought the consensus was that the Criterion was superior. Hell, when the BFI later reissued Salo, the first thing they did was swap out their own master for Criterion's.

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Is it, though? I always thought the consensus was that the Criterion was superior. Hell, when the BFI later reissued Salo, the first thing they did was swap out their own master for Criterion's.

From what I can gather from contemporary reviews of the BFI releases the 2008 was particularly problematic, and yes they did re-release in 2019 (unsure as to whether it was the same print as the Criterion). The general consensus seems to be that the BFI has the better PQ and slightly betters the Criterion.

This is from DVDBeaver's review of the 2109 release;

BFI are re-issuing their Blu-ray of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom with a new (2019) transfer and a 2-disc set. The feature starts with the MGM logo. This is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and a second dual-layered disc with supplements. It compares better to the 2011 Criterion 1080P than BFI's own imperfect 2008 Blu-ray package where the visuals were fraught with digitization issues and a green overcast. The BFI transfer is minutely superior to the Criterion HD with a much high bitrate and colors look tighter in-motion - warmer skin tones - with a smooth, seamless, appearance

[dallywhitty]

Dear Visionaries,

Since we are asked again and again: Yes, the work on 120 DAYS OF SODOM is still in full swing! We were really hoping to go on pre-sale in early September, but the project is very extensive, perhaps even the most extensive ever. We have tons of extras and everything needs to be translated. We want to deliver you the best picture and the best sound and we will also go new ways in packaging.

We want to present you 120 Days of Sodom in the ultimate edition - and this year, when we celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Keeping us balanced!

Your Wicked Squad

[mikesncc1701]

I don't care how much this is. Take my whole check now!

[Ron242]

Here is some additional information from the Wicked Vision FB thread:

* Originally a Deluxe Edition was planned for the 4K set, but now it will be an Ultimate Edition.
* This Ultimate Edition will include 3-4 discs
* The bonus material will include almost all the extras that were previously available on international editions. However, it will also contain completely new features, including extended versions.
* The print run will be 2 x 1500 copies (presumably for the Standard and Ultimate Editions)
* The packaging will also break new ground.

[Mariah007]

wtf is WICKED VISION, is that like Terror Vision...?
Is this their own remaster or criterions version, I have so many questions about this release I don't even want!

EDIT: I just checked out their website and their idea of an ULTIMATE OR DELUXE COLLECTORS edition is just standard size, Imprint size Box sets or F off!

[Ron242]

Originally Posted by Mariah007

wtf is WICKED VISION, is that like Terror Vision...?
Is this their own remaster or criterions version, I have so many questions about this release I don't even want!

EDIT: I just checked out their website and their idea of an ULTIMATE OR DELUXE COLLECTORS edition is just standard size, Imprint size Box sets or F off!

Wicked Vision had expressly promised that, to mark the label's 25th anniversary, it would break completely new ground in terms of design and presentation. Therefore, a comparison with previous releases is not really worthwhile. And as always: there is no obligation to buy, even for people who are not satisfied with it.

[mikesncc1701]

All I need to know is when that pre order goes up.

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

the project is very extensive, perhaps even the most extensive ever....

It even puts that little Panama Canal thingy to shame.

Loving that cover art! The new ultra-mega edition is now reported to also come with a six-page recipe book not previously released!!!!

At least early twitter work reports are good, indicating that the entire staff of Wicked have had shit-eating grins on their faces the entire time