Hammer Horror Blu-ray Releases

[insomniac013]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

I still think there'll be a recall of RASPUTIN. There has to be, really.

I just had a quicklook at THE DEVIL RIDES OUT. No audio problems and the PQ is spectacularly good, up there with QUATERMASS AND THE PIT.

As to the CGI - I don't know what to say. Yes, by and large, the additions are an improvement, and most of them are blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments. However, there is so much else that's ropey in the film, I hardly see the point of it. The spider is still clearly a normal size spider in a box, only now a couple of shots of it moving have had shadow added and the colour made more coherent with the rest of the frame.

I'm just not sure where the demand for such changes came from. I know Hammer are sniffing around a remake anyway, which would seem the best way to update this film.

Personally, the CGI effects won't spoil my enjoyment of the film (unlike the audio problems on RASPUTIN). But if they can include two OAR versions of RASPUTIN, I don't see why on earth they wouldn't include the original version of TDRO.

The original neg was scanned at 4k and then it was worked on as a 2k project, which must have been when the CGI was added and all damage removed. Could it be that the CGI was done in tandem with the damage reduction, rather than after? That would mean that the only original scenes that remain are in their damaged state?

Anyway - the CGI scenes are, for the most part, tastefully done. If you can live with the principle behind it, it would be a shame to miss out on what is, otherwise, the strongest of the SC/Hammer releases so far.

Well duggie, you've just now convinced to keep both of them. Wrapped! In case a recall doesn't show up...

But seriously, when have newly inserted CGI ever helped an older picture? It didn't work for ET and it certainly did not help Star Wars - AT ALL. Why try it now with a freaking Hammer film?! I would be fine with it if they included the original version as well, but they didn't so whatever.

They do however have time to pointlessly add in different Aspect Ratios like you mentioned, so why the hell not?

[Toscani]

Any images of the changes made in Devil Rides Out? If they are not over the top I think I could live with that.

[Judex]

theres a couple here.

[Toscani]

Thanks.

That don't look too bad. Still makes you wonder why they decided to do it.

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

Well duggie, you've just now convinced to keep both of them. Wrapped! In case a recall doesn't show up...

But seriously, when have newly inserted CGI ever helped an older picture? It didn't work for ET and it certainly did not help Star Wars - AT ALL. Why try it now with a freaking Hammer film?! I would be fine with it if they included the original version as well, but they didn't so whatever.

They do however have time to pointlessly add in different Aspect Ratios like you mentioned, so why the hell not?

I don't know. It seems a bit suspicious to me. I wonder if there's a cock-up behind this uncharacteristic decision?

There won't be a recall for TDRO or CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN as they've already declared these as intentional. Let's see them do the same for RASPUTIN.

[Andrew_HD]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

So what does Dual Mono actually mean? I did see that it showed as 1 Channel on the PS3 and I'd thought the direct source was coming from 2 speakers.

Doesn't make a difference anyway as I played it through the centre channel and it still sounded terrible.

You don't have the AB or Optimum disc do you? Because I thought it calmed down too until I compared them. For instance, check out the waltz scene around 20-21 minutes in. You can clearly hear that the sound is weak there as well.

Sorry to bang on - I'm just trying to figure out whether I'm hearing something different here. As far as I'm concerned this is recall worthy but I can't really harangue Hammer if I've just got a bad pressing.

Dual mono is exactly what is says- 2x same mono data in L and R channel and it will always behave like stereo track, so most likely it will come out from L,R speaker.

Note for mono audio:
if you have 2.0 setup than it will come out (in most cases) from both speakers,
if you have 5.1 setup it will come out (in most cases) from C speaker.
Mono audio can also behave differently depending if it's stored on the disc as LPCM or DTS-MA. DTSM-MA is more likely to come out from C speaker only.

In case of your problem with audio, there is no such a thing like "bad pressing"- it's simply impossible. Bad pressing can affect playback performance eg. freezing, but will never change nature of the audio track

Audio does sound bit low and thin during opening credits, but during movie is rather fine and normal. I don't see anything that drastic as you keep describing.

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by Andrew_HD

Dual mono is exactly what is says- 2x same mono data in L and R channel and it will always behave like stereo track, so most likely it will come out from L,R speaker.

Note for mono audio:
if you have 2.0 setup than it will come out (in most cases) from both speakers,
if you have 5.1 setup it will come out (in most cases) from C speaker.
Mono audio can also behave differently depending if it's stored on the disc as LPCM or DTS-MA. DTSM-MA is more likely to come out from C speaker only.

In case of your problem with audio, there is no such a thing like "bad pressing"- it's simply impossible. Bad pressing can affect playback performance eg. freezing, but will never change nature of the audio track

Audio does sound bit low and thin during opening credits, but during movie is rather fine and normal. I don't see anything that drastic as you keep describing.

Well, good. Dual Mono is as I thought.

And I know, really, that this isn't a bad pressing. I'm just trying not to start a panic.

As far as the audio not being that bad, I think that's what people will say if they don't make a comparison, either to the youtube clip or one of the other discs. Ignorance may be bliss in this case.But anyone who has made this comparison will know that the audio is not as it should be, and not acceptable. Fine may be a matter of opinion but it is NOT normal.

[Andrew_HD]

Best place to complain is Hammer forum- it's them, who overlooks restoration. I don't think SC had much to do with it. Also as you said- you can hear it's not great overall and thin during opening titles, but until you have reference, you can't tell how bad it's. You can simply assume it's bad because of its age and this can be valid assumption (even if it may not be in this case).

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by Andrew_HD

Best place to complain is Hammer forum- it's them, who overlooks restoration. I don't think SC had much to do with it. Also as you said- you can hear it's not great overall and thin during opening titles, but until you have reference, you can't tell how bad it's. You can simply assume it's bad because of its age and this can be valid assumption (even if it may not be in this case).

I've made two posts over there. They've been awaiting moderation for three days now.

[NoirFan]

The Cathode Ray Tube review has been amended, with regards to the audio section:

If there is a downside, then it is the audio on this disc. After considering there were issues with the opening titles and score, sounding very thin and tinny, and accepting that the rest of the film's sound was passable I consulted the Optimum DVD release in the Ultimate Hammer Collection. The audio reproduction on the DVD is fuller and richer overall.

There is something not quite right with the audio on the BD, requiring you to turn the volume up to get any decent depth out of the track and it sounds thin in comparison with the DVD.

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

The Cathode Ray Tube review has been amended, with regards to the audio section:

Still a bit weakly stated, though. "IF there is a downside..."

This is DEFINITELY a downside and I've got the horrible feeling that Hammer are going to try and ignore it. We need a stream of people bringing it up on their blog.

EDIT: Ah - excellent. Here's an audio comparison between the DVD versions, old and new:

http://soundcloud.com/sleep-cant/rasputin

In fact, the disparity in a room is considerably worse than it sounds here, as it sounds comparatively weaker through a dedicated speaker setup than through a PC or laptop. But it gives you an idea.

Thanks to new member csleep for this!

[EddieLarkin]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

Still a bit weakly stated, though. "IF there is a downside..."

This is DEFINITELY a downside and I've got the horrible feeling that Hammer are going to try and ignore it. We need a stream of people bringing it up on their blog.

EDIT: Ah - excellent. Here's an audio comparison between the DVD versions, old and new:

http://soundcloud.com/sleep-cant/rasputin

In fact, the disparity in a room is considerably worse than it sounds here, as it sounds comparatively weaker through a dedicated speaker setup than through a PC or laptop. But it gives you an idea.

Thanks to new member csleep for this!

Well Hammer, it's a recall or no buy from me (and I imagine for plenty of others after hearing that). Sort it out.

[Blu MacReady]

Glad I held back on this set, sounds a mess. This and Hitchcock, can Universal actually put out a decent set ??????????

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by Blu MacReady

Glad I held back on this set, sounds a mess. This and Hitchcock, can Universal actually put out a decent set ??????????

Not Universal in this case. Studio Canal are the culprits.

[Blu MacReady]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

Not Universal in this case. Studio Canal are the culprits.

Yeah meant to post that in the Universal Monsters thread.

[evilzedar]

Originally Posted by duggie walker

http://soundcloud.com/sleep-cant/rasputin

After hearing this, I'd definitely support a recall and reissue of a fixed version of Rasputin.

[insomniac013]

Originally Posted by evilzedar

After hearing this, I'd definitely support a recall and reissue of a fixed version of Rasputin.

Who and where did you complain to get a recall of Dracula? I just recieved Rasputin but i dont wanna open it if it's a faulty release.

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

Who and where did you complain to get a recall of Dracula? I just recieved Rasputin but i dont wanna open it if it's a faulty release.

With DPOD, it was Hammer that initiated a replacement program - I guess people had posted on their blog, brought it to their attention in various ways.

But if it's a faulty item, I don't think opening it will affect your rights. They don't know that you knew anything beforehand.

If you're really unsure, listen to the sound clip. If you can live with it, fine. There's no guarantee it'll be fixed. They've had such an ear-bashing recently about their releases thatthey might have just gone into lockdown.

[insomniac013]

So i just put it in Rasputin and was amazed by the transfer, it's GORGEOUS

Then i paid attention to the audio track and can confirm that it does sound incredibly "thin," there is like no bass at all! I dont know if this was a technical limitation at the time but from what i gather it isn't?

[jrsl76]

I just received my copies of The Devil Rides Out & Rasputin The Mad Monk from Amazon UK and the slips were a bit dinged.

Anyone have mint slips of these they'd be willing to sell? Please let me know. Thanks.