Classic Monsters: Complete 30 Film Collection - August 28, 2018

[smithb]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

The older Legacy sets do not contain the latest 4K restorations. They are HD masters circa 2000.

Since you responded after my post, are you saying that some or all of the blu-rays in the new complete collection are newer 4k restorations then what was previously released in the individual blu-ray sets?

[Robert Furmanek]

The studio did brand new 4K restorations of many horror titles just a few years ago. They went back to original 35mm nitrate elements, either camera negatives or master fine grain positives. They were first released on Blu-ray in 2016.

The first Blu-ray releases were much older HD transfers and not always from the best elements.

Hope this helps!

[Spooked]

You know what's horrible? I bought the entire collection on DVD when it was released in that huge Boxset a couple of years ago, never watched any of the discs, and yet find myself sitting here contemplating buying the Blu-ray version...

[smithb]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

The studio did brand new 4K restorations of many horror titles just a few years ago. They went back to original 35mm nitrate elements, either camera negatives or master fine grain positives. They were first released on Blu-ray in 2016.

The first Blu-ray releases were much older HD transfers and not always from the best elements.

Hope this helps!

I believe the first blu-rays releases of these monster films in the US were from 2016 using the new HD restorations. I can only think that the blu-ray releases you may be speaking of based on the older HD masters were the ones released within Europe by Elephant Films.

The only ones I think in question from the US 2016 releases were two of the Wolf Man movies (She Wolf and Werewolf of London) that seemed potentially older.

I think the biggest question people in this thread would want to know is if any of the films included within the new complete blu-ray collection to be released later this Summer are of newer restorations then what has previously been released in the US since 2016?

[Cutter_]

Originally Posted by smithb

I believe the first blu-rays releases of these monster films in the US were from 2016 using the new HD restorations. I can only think that the blu-ray releases you may be speaking of based on the older HD masters were the ones released within Europe by Elephant Films.

The only ones I think in question from the US 2016 releases were two of the Wolf Man movies (She Wolf and Werewolf of London) that seemed potentially older.

I think the biggest question people in this thread would want to know is if any of the films included within the new complete blu-ray collection to be released later this Summer are of newer restorations then what has previously been released in the US since 2016?

I don't know about the Legacy sets, as I don't own them. But the Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection box set, that I own, came out in 2012. Hell, these were amazing compared to what was released before. I'm surprised they went back and redid them. Not complaining, though.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

What's interesting is Universal lists the set as being 24 discs. Unless I did this wrong, I believe that's the same amount of discs as the individual legacy sets, plus Phantom of the Opera

Creature from the Black Lagoon Legacy - 2 Discs
Dracula Legacy - 4 Discs
Frankenstein Legacy - 5 Discs
Invisible Man Legacy - 4 Discs
Mummy Legacy - 4 Discs
Wolf Man Legacy - 4 Discs

It would be pretty dumb for Universal to include multiple copies of A&C Meet Frankensteiin in the set, so I must have overlooked something.

I'm wondering if this set will simply all six of the Legacy Blu-ray sets placed into a big new slipbox.

That's not necessarily a bad thing for those who have never owned these films in high definition.

[Robert Furmanek]

There was a new initiative at the studio (following the last fire where many digital masters were destroyed) to go back to first-generation 35mm nitrate elements and have definite restorations, both on film and digital.

In case you missed it:

REVENGE OF THE CREATURE is newly restored and coming to 3-D Blu-ray on August 28, 2018: 4K scans of the original 35mm negatives by NBCUniversal and stereoscopic alignment by 3-D Film Archive!

For more information on the restoration and rare Creature memorabilia from the Archive, please visit: http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/revenge-of-the-creature

The Complete Legacy Collection: https://www.uphe.com/movies/creature...acy-collection

[smithb]

Originally Posted by Cutter_

I don't know about the Legacy sets, as I don't own them. But the Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection box set, that I own, came out in 2012. Hell, these were amazing compared to what was released before. I'm surprised they went back and redid them. Not complaining, though.

I don't believe they did. I think most agreed that the blu-rays released in the Essential Collection were just repackaged in the 2016 legacy blu-ray sets. It was just the sequels that were based on newer restorations.

[smithb]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I'm wondering if this set will simply all six of the Legacy Blu-ray sets placed into a big new slipbox.

That's not necessarily a bad thing for those who have never owned these films in high definition.

That is what many of us think, following how they released the DVD complete collection. However, some are hoping they will do away with the duplicates, which didn't happen with the DVD collection.

[smithb]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

There was a new initiative at the studio (following the last fire where many digital masters were destroyed) to go back to first-generation 35mm nitrate elements and have definite restorations, both on film and digital.

In case you missed it:

REVENGE OF THE CREATURE is newly restored and coming to 3-D Blu-ray on August 28, 2018: 4K scans of the original 35mm negatives by NBCUniversal and stereoscopic alignment by 3-D Film Archive!

Yes, I'm aware of the great work done to restore the Creature sequels to their original 3D and aspect ratio for Revenge and OAR for Walks Among Us, as well as the new Invisible Man collection coming out. These are both brand new releases coming out the same day as the Complete Collection. One has to assume they are the exact same whether buying the individual monster sets or the complete package.

That's not the question I was trying to get clarification on. I'm basically referring to the other blu-ray legacy releases within the US that first came out in 2016 and whether any had further restorations performed between then and now that would only be available within the complete collection. Your post hinted to that possibility, but I didn't think it was meant to, which is why I asked the question.

[Robert Furmanek]

Ah, I misunderstood.

I wish I could help but I don't know the answer to that question.

[crissrudd4554]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

Ah, I misunderstood.

I wish I could help but I don't know the answer to that question.

Just curious. Were you involved in any form when Universal restored the films for the first BD set back in 2012 or has it only been with the recent restorations??

[Robert Furmanek]

No, the Archives first project for NBCUniversal was the 3-D work IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE a few years ago.

But I've known people at the studio since I helped with some Abbott and Costello releases in the early 1980's. My first credit was the HOLD THAT GHOST Betamax release in 1982.

[crissrudd4554]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

No, the Archives first project for NBCUniversal was the 3-D work IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE a few years ago.

But I've known people at the studio since I helped with some Abbott and Costello releases in the early 1980's.

Ahh ok. I did see the video where you spoke about finding the lost color footage from Son of Frankenstein. Such a shame that got swiped.

[Robert Furmanek]

And it's still MIA!

[Rzzzz]

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

And it's still MIA!

First of all, I want to thank you for all the great work you do.To go off topic for a second, I was wondering if you have any info on The Thing From Another World?
Is it a restoration problem? The U.S. DVD doesn't look too bad and I have the U.K 2 disc set and the B&W version looks really good on there too. Much better than the Japanese Blu ray from what I have read. Thank you in advance !!

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

First of all, I want to thank you for all the great work you do.To go off topic for a second, I was wondering if you have any info on The Thing From Another World?
Is it a restoration problem? The U.S. DVD doesn't look too bad and I have the U.K 2 disc set and the B&W version looks really good on there too. Much better than the Japanese Blu ray from what I have read. Thank you in advance !!

Every month, when I check the Warner Archive Blu-ray announcements, I'm hoping to see this movie listed.

[Spooked]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Every month, when I check the Warner Archive Blu-ray announcements, I'm hoping to see this movie listed.

You and me both.

[Robert Furmanek]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

First of all, I want to thank you for all the great work you do.To go off topic for a second, I was wondering if you have any info on The Thing From Another World?
Is it a restoration problem? The U.S. DVD doesn't look too bad and I have the U.K 2 disc set and the B&W version looks really good on there too. Much better than the Japanese Blu ray from what I have read. Thank you in advance !!

I wish I knew! It's one of my favorite films.

That's with Warner Bros. now.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Rzzzz

First of all, I want to thank you for all the great work you do.To go off topic for a second, I was wondering if you have any info on The Thing From Another World?
Is it a restoration problem? The U.S. DVD doesn't look too bad and I have the U.K 2 disc set and the B&W version looks really good on there too. Much better than the Japanese Blu ray from what I have read. Thank you in advance !!

Originally Posted by Robert Furmanek

I wish I knew! It's one of my favorite films.

That's with Warner Bros. now.

Warner has commented on it before saying that all they have for some of the footage is 16mm prints. They've looked for original elements or better 35mm elements to no avail, which is why (they say) it hasn't come out yet.

According to o poster on another forum:

The newly restored cut footage from the original release release of THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD came from my 35MM print. which I loaned to Warners almost a decade ago. It was the full frame version, not the 1954 re-release. The original negative and fine grain was lost in a vault fire and the only remaining 35MM elements were from the 1954 re-release. which was shortened for a double bill with STATIONS WEST.

The DVD looks good because it's a much lower resolution, and HD is obviously less forgiving on changes in quality from 35mm elements to 16.