The Keep (1983)

[danny24]

Originally Posted by ForumUser

I’ve just finished watching the DVD release from ViaVision Entertainment.

Crikey! I’m a bit misty eyed from a post-viewing tipple and I still can’t believe this had a home video release.

On my first viewing, I am honestly baffled why the film was widely maligned. Overall, it had great atmosphere and a solid cast. It is highly unfortunate that Wally Veevers (may he Rest In Peace...) passed away during production, as I quite enjoyed the creature effects and would have loved to have witnessed more.

As it stands, I would highly recommend this official DVD release to anyone even mildly curious about the film.

Cheers

I may be tempted to cave on it but there were rumbles of a Blu-ray coming out in Australia. Not sure if that will pan out but glad the DVD is recommended. I last saw this on cable years ago so I would love to revisit this one again.

[Matt89]

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

Thanks for your input.

Because you just added SO MUCH to the conversation right?

~Matt

[Guillaume P]

Originally Posted by ForumUser

I’ve just finished watching the DVD release from ViaVision Entertainment.

Crikey! I’m a bit misty eyed from a post-viewing tipple and I still can’t believe this had a home video release.

On my first viewing, I am honestly baffled why the film was widely maligned. Overall, it had great atmosphere and a solid cast. It is highly unfortunate that Wally Veevers (may he Rest In Peace...) passed away during production, as I quite enjoyed the creature effects and would have loved to have witnessed more.

As it stands, I would highly recommend this official DVD release to anyone even mildly curious about the film.

Cheers

The dvd is pretty good indeed, clean print! Now can you imagine how the gorgeous Alex Thomson's cinematography would look on Blu Ray?
Always a fascinating movie, so weird, atmospheric, dreamlike...haunting!
And that soundtrack!!!

[danny24]

Originally Posted by ForumUser

Yes, although it would be great I am not sure if a Blu-Ray release is on the cards just yet. This is a link to a recent interview with someone associated with ViaVision:

https://stack.com.au/film-tv/rediscovering-the-keep/

They note that:



I still wouldn’t rule out a situation though where someone stumbles upon some source material suitable for a high definition release. Stranger things have happened.

Looks like I am going to have to import the DVD at some point.

[hallospaceboy]

Hey, is the DVD from VIA VISION region free?

Originally Posted by ForumUser

I’ve just finished watching the DVD release from ViaVision Entertainment.

Crikey! I’m a bit misty eyed from a post-viewing tipple and I still can’t believe this had a home video release.

On my first viewing, I am honestly baffled why the film was widely maligned. Overall, it had great atmosphere and a solid cast. It is highly unfortunate that Wally Veevers (may he Rest In Peace...) passed away during production, as I quite enjoyed the creature effects and would have loved to have witnessed more.

As it stands, I would highly recommend this official DVD release to anyone even mildly curious about the film.

Cheers

[postmodel]

Originally Posted by hallospaceboy

Hey, is the DVD from VIA VISION region free?

It plays fine in my 4K Region A player!

Despite the opening credits making me think this was going to practically look like a bootleg, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality once we started seeing actors in front of the camera. I unfortunately couldn’t watch the whole thing as staying up late multiple nights and waking up at 6 finally got to me, but I’m more than happy with my purchase. Especially since I got it with a coupon from deep discount and it was ~$14 shipped!

[GuruAskew]

Is it PAL or NTSC?

[ChrisOz]

It's Region Free NTSC.

[nicholashe]

I just watched the US iTunes version, and was a bit disappointed by the quality. Does anyone know if the Australian DVD is the same source? I'm assuming that all streaming, VOD, and the Australian DVD are just high quality scans of the laserdisc.

Also there is a mention on the Wikipedia page for this film states:

"the version of the film that is currently available on streaming media sites contains a different score than its original release... The full score can be found in the laserdisc and VHS versions of the film."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Keep_(film)#Music

Is anyone familiar enough with the movie to comment on this, in relation to the iTunes edition, and the Australian DVD?

[The Batman Professor]

Originally Posted by ChrisOz

It's Region Free NTSC.

It's worth having. I just got it from Diabolik, and am pleasantly surprised by the quality.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Couple of questions, I see there is a DVD release from Madman Entertainment and La Entertainment for The Keep. Any difference? If so, which is better? Is the DVD a true anamorphic transfer or is it letter boxed 4 x 3?

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Couple of questions, I see there is a DVD release from Madman Entertainment and La Entertainment for The Keep. Any difference? If so, which is better? Is the DVD a true anamorphic transfer or is it letter boxed 4 x 3?

The one everybody is talking about in this thread is the ViaVision DVD from Australia. It plays worldwide, and is in the correct aspect ratio.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

The one everybody is talking about in this thread is the ViaVision DVD from Australia. It plays worldwide, and is in the correct aspect ratio.

With the pandemic, it's going be very difficult to import anything from a foreign country and if so, it's going to take forever, if not at all. The postal couriers in the U.S ( especially the USPS) takes forever to deliver your mail domestically, lest international.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by slimdude

With the pandemic, it's going be very difficult to import anything from a foreign country and if so, it's going to take forever, if not at all.

Clearly, you didn't even try. This is currently stocked at Barnes & Noble, Wow HD, Deep Discount, ImportCDs, etc.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

Clearly, you didn't even try. This is currently stocked at Barnes & Noble, Wow HD, Deep Discount, ImportCDs, etc.

I'm not the one who's looking for it. I'm just speaking in general. Besides, when was The Keep released on DVD in the U.S?

[LMFAObros]

I feel there wont be a hd transfer of this that is passable and thats apparently why Via Vision didnt do a BD release. There is a 35mm print that has been found that someone over fanres was going to scan if they got enough crowdfunding to do it.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Is the DVD a true anamorphic transfer or is it letter boxed 4 x 3?

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

It plays worldwide, and is in the correct aspect ratio.

There two ways to show 2.35 from a DVD, letter boxed and anamorphic, some info here. The anamorphic version will use the 480 vertical pixels (lines) of DVD while the letter boxed version does not and waste V resolution in the black bars.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

There two ways to show 2.35 from a DVD, letter boxed and anamorphic, some info here. The anamorphic version will use the 480 vertical pixels (lines) of DVD while the letter boxed version does not and waste V resolution in the black bars.

Here’s a review of the (anamorphic) disc: http://mcbastardsmausoleum.blogspot....eview.html?m=1

[Guillaume P]

Here's a part of the making of:

Making of THE KEEP - YouTube

[lilboyblu]

Mine arrived from ImportCDs today. Gave it a quick spot check, and for DVD, it's not too shabby! Reversible artwork without the Australian rating labels too, even.