Don't Look Now 4K UHD (1973)

[Pieter V]

TONY RICHMOND BSC ASC / RESTORING DON’T LOOK NOW

https://britishcinematographer.co.uk...dont-look-now/

[professorwho]

Watched this last night and I was blown away. For all the sh*t we give Studio Canal for their often poor compression, they know damn well how to restore a movie. Their restorations are beautiful and honestly could stand for a decade at least as the best these classics will look, so it's a shame when the compression isn't up to par... but not here.

Obviously this is a David Mackenzie encode, and it shows. The image quality is breathtaking. Lots of beautifully rendered grain, tons of detail with no artifacts, and a stupidly high bitrate that's second highest on the format to my knowledge (the JP UHD of Mary and the Witch's Flower ranks slightly higher- DLN being 88.9 and Mary being 90.03, but they are very different films- one is a digitally produced anime, the other a 1973 film on 35mm). The HDR doesn't have that WOW and POP factor that, say, Sony discs may, but it fits here with the visual style of the film, and is most likely more accurate to the source material.

As for the film, the opening was perfect. 10/10 stuff. I was entranced. The rest? Kind of bored me except for the ending and select moments due to the editing... until after watching it, I was still thinking about it. I was looking back and realizing the artistry on display there. Then I watched the bonus features, and now I have more of an appreciation for it. I'll probably watch it again tonight, as I think now that I have more context and a baseline understanding of it, I can appreciate it more.

Overall, a must own release for the 4K quality alone.

[Geoff D]

It's a beautifully lyrical film, you may not realise it 'til later but it stays with you. Oh: that WOW and POP factor can go FUK itself

[kristoffer]

Totally agree with everything said here, one of the best looking UHDs of my collection. It looks completely like it should.

[Scottishguy]

Heads up. Standard release due out on the 13th this month.

https://store.hmv.com/store/film-tv/...-t-look-now-(2)

[Brian81]

Did the standard UK edition (the one that was released this year) come with a slipcover? I have the SteelBook, wished I would have waited perhaps. The box set was too bulky.

[Scottishguy]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Did the standard UK edition (the one that was released this year) come with a slipcover? I have the SteelBook, wished I would have waited perhaps. The box set was too bulky.

I haven't got it yet. But I've seen it in HMV. There is a slip, just like all SC titles seem to have one as standard.

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It's a beautifully lyrical film, you may not realise it 'til later but it stays with you. Oh: that WOW and POP factor can go FUK itself

Probably the best argument I'v seen so far in favour of getting the original DP involved in the remaster as well. I'm guessing there are elements that push beyond the original 35mm look but there well chosen to enhance the film, most obvious playing up the reds at vital moments.

[Geoff D]

It's virtually SDR inside an HDR container but it's just a beautifully realised transfer backed up by an impeccable encode.

I don't think the red itself is being pushed too much beyond 709 but the 4x chroma resolution of the UHD vs BD is a huge benefit. The red is duller on the Criterion BD and contains decent resolution as a result, the red is brighter on the new SC BD so trades off resolution for saturation, the SC UHD is the perfect combo of the two IMO when it comes to how the red is being resolved.

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It's virtually SDR inside an HDR container but it's just a beautifully realised transfer backed up by an impeccable encode.

I don't think the red itself is being pushed too much beyond 709 but the 4x chroma resolution of the UHD vs BD is a huge benefit. The red is duller on the Criterion BD and contains decent resolution as a result, the red is brighter on the new SC BD so trades off resolution for saturation, the SC UHD is the perfect combo of the two IMO when it comes to how the red is being resolved.

I'd guess that's what really makes Christine's mack stand out in the opening scene so much as that you have the extreme saturation and the detail of the reflections off of it.

Was actually watching another praised recent release today in Indictaors Night Tide and one of Harrington's short films from 1953, The Assignation is actually very reminiscent of Don't Look Now with the focus on the decaying brickwork in Venice and the use of red.

[spatafore]

beside poster, cards, what's the difference between the limited and the standard 3 discs?
just one disc more?

[Fat Phil]

Originally Posted by spatafore

beside poster, cards, what's the difference between the limited and the standard 3 discs?
just one disc more?

Probably the soundtrack CD.

[Scottishguy]

Originally Posted by Fat Phil

Probably the soundtrack CD.

Correct.

[Tuc0]

Watched this last night and it was beautiful. Seriously awesome release. I need to revisit Deer Hunter 4K from SC since I remember being not so blown away by it but after watching this and seeing as the night scenes with a lot more noisy grain due to the source that reminded me a lot of DH seemed organic and detailed here, if it was just my Sony X900E with the blooming that bothered me. Need to check it with my C9 now.
Any thoughts on the comparison between this and DH from SC?

[DaylightsEnd]

This 4k uhd release is fantastic, and absolutely hammer-fists the Criterion blu, especially after I went back and did a direct a/b comparision of several scenes. If you own the Criterion blu, do yourself a favor and get the 4k uhd SC release.

It made me realize just how many of my Criterion (and some other highly regarded) releases have some less-than-ideal contrast, elevated black levels, hazy light management here and there, slightly funky color timing, etc etc that I noticed but never appreciated the extent of. Always good, never quite perfect. Pan's Labyrinth was one such title, but the subsequent 4k uhd release didn't exactly knock it out of the park the way it probably could've, and the way Don't Look Now's 4k uhd release actually does. I do think this is simply a testament to how existing titles newly being released on the superior 4k uhd format will continue to best even some of their former best-in-class standard blu rays, as the 4k format continues to evolve and roll out.

Now I'd really like to see De Palma's "Dressed to Kill" find its way onto 4k uhd, since its otherwise very nice Criterion blu nonetheless has some of the same issues I find a little off-putting in a few scenes. A solid 4k uhd release on the level of Don't Look Now's 4k uhd would really move the ball forward for that title as well, in my mind. Dressed to Kill came to mind, both for its similarly positioned Criterion blu, and for the fact that, despite being filmed some seven years later, it also has some of the same Hitchcock-meets-1970's Italian giallo vibe, with a police investigation, a mysterious killer on the loose, primary characters with an unsettled mental state, tasteful nudity, beautiful women, unsettling atmosphere, growing tension, intrigue, and a bit of slasher element. There are not to many valid USA-made "quasi gialli" from this period, if you will.

[dcx4610]

Watched this for the first time last night. I saw it regularly in the top 10 for 70s horror films.

While I can't say it was a horror movie, it was certainly interesting. I was intrigued from the beginning to the end. It has a dream-like atmosphere and pacing that really stuck with me.

It's a hard movie to recommend and honestly, I've never really seen another movie like it. You'd really have to appreciate art, filmmaking, editing or layered stories to enjoy it.

[ste71]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

Watched this for the first time last night. I saw it regularly in the top 10 for 70s horror films.

While I can't say it was a horror movie, it was certainly interesting. I was intrigued from the beginning to the end. It has a dream-like atmosphere and pacing that really stuck with me.

It's a hard movie to recommend and honestly, I've never really seen another movie like it. You'd really have to appreciate art, filmmaking, editing or layered stories to enjoy it.

It's a slow-burner definitely, the sense of dread and tension just builds throughout the film.

[Marv Inc.]

Bought this as a blind buy and I liked it. I would'nt say it was a horror film more off a supernatural drama.

There sure made the most the the Venice locations and i appreciated the sound design and the hand held camerawork prior to the use of the Stedicam. Clever how the film comes full circle and all the pieces seen earlier in the film fall into place and you think back over it.

[BluProofie]

Is the UHD OOP? I’m pretty satisfied with the Criterion 4K master, but I’m a big enough fan of the movie to want this.

[professorwho]

Originally Posted by BluProofie

Is the UHD OOP? I’m pretty satisfied with the Criterion 4K master, but I’m a big enough fan of the movie to want this.

The initial tat-filled box set version is, but there's standard versions and the SteelBook around. (I got the SteelBook for cheap myself)