Zulu (1964) - January 22, 2014 - Limited to 3,000 copies

[Akijama]

PRE-ORDER: http://www1.screenarchives.com/title...552/ZULU-1964/

Courtesy of Twilight Time

Filmed on a grand scale, Zulu is a rousing recreation of the January 22, 1879, siege of Rorke's Drift in Natal, Africa. An army of 4,000 Zulu warriors have already decimated a huge British garrison; now they are on their way to the much smaller Rorke's Drift. A Royal Engineers officer (Stanley Baker) is determined to stand his ground, despite having only a skeleton garrison at his command. His steamroller tactics are constantly at odds with those of a by-the-book lieutenant (Michael Caine), who feels that a retreat is called for, but it becomes clear that if the garrison is to survive, they'd better pay heed. Jack Hawkins and Ulla Jacobsson are also on hand as an idealistic missionary and his somewhat more pragmatic daughter. Richard Burton provides the narration for Zulu, closing the film with the observation that 11 of the 1,344 Victoria Crosses awarded since 1856 were bestowed upon the survivors of Rorke's Drift. Zulu was followed in 1979 by a "prequel," Zulu Dawn.

Zulu Theatrical Movie Trailer (1964) - YouTube

[filmmusic]

I don't understand why this would need a new Bluray, since it has already been released, and almost less than half the price of Twilight Time.

[HotRats]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

I don't understand why this would need a new Bluray, since it has already been released, and almost less than half the price of Twilight Time.

The only one I could find on Amazon is the UK import which most say looks very good but some people don't like. Its also available in a steelbook

[jawsfan1975]

I'll stick with my UK version which looks superb.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by jawsfan1975

I'll stick with my UK version which looks superb.

Other than the DNR I agree.

[Murray Futterman]

I'll be happy to stump up the cash and double-dip for a DNR-free transfer and an isolated score. It's highly doubtful that any of the extra from the UK version will be on here though, as the UK release is Paramount, while TT's licence is presumably from MGM/UA.

[tama]

According to Mr. Redmen this transfer will be different then that of the U.K. release. He says it might be an older HD master but benefits from not being digitally cleaned up or denoised but its positive is it has a more film like look.

[f451]

Perhaps this one will have an isolated track for the film score in 5.1? That alone would be reason for a remaster and release! The Barry score and the Zulu chants are, well, awesome!

That being said, the UK release looks and sounds great!

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Zulu-Blu-ray/1594/

[MifuneFan]

I'm positive this will be a hotly debated topic when it's released. The Paramount release does have DNR, but it's still a gorgeous transfer. Looking at the MGM DVD, the colors look very different, with more of a yellow hue. Once this is out, I think color timing will be the most notable thing talked about, aside from the grain vs DNR debate.

[Member-222782]

This apparently will be one of those passion projects for Twilight Time - something they're not going to care if it sells or not, according to a post by TT on Home Theater Forum. Nice to see that not everything is about money, even if it's a rare thing.

[Sporkies]

Originally Posted by f451

Perhaps this one will have an isolated track for the film score in 5.1? That alone would be reason for a remaster and release! The Barry score and the Zulu chants are, well, awesome!

I wouldn't get my hopes up on that. I'm pretty sure all of the isolated scores have been in stereo on the TT releases.

[#Darren]

So an old DVD era transfer for TT, or a new, some would say overly processed transfer from the UK. Interesting conundrum.

[Jeff B]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Once this is out, I think color timing will be the most notable thing talked about, aside from the grain vs DNR debate.

I agree. There will probably be some discussion of the audio too. The UK BD has lossy 2.0 audio, whereas the older (apparently legitimate) US release by Inspired had DTS-HD MA 2.0 . As an old master will be used for the new release, it's probably unlikely that the six-track audio will feature. I suppose it's possible for it to have mono. MGM's DVD did.

[CouncilSpectre]

DNR or not, I have to say, the existing BD is one of my showcase movies for HD, it looks gorgeous.

That being said, if this is better, even marginally so, then I've no problem double-dipping, it's one of my favourite movies.

[Duke_45]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

DNR or not, I have to say, the existing BD is one of my showcase movies for HD, it looks gorgeous.

That being said, if this is better, even marginally so, then I've no problem double-dipping, it's one of my favourite movies.

Well said, and agree 100%...

[sperezmore]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

DNR or not, I have to say, the existing BD is one of my showcase movies for HD, it looks gorgeous.

+1

Regards,

[Bassaholic]

IDK guys,...the current release looks as waxy to me as the original Patton. Pretty damn distracting.

[Dex Robinson]

Adding a technical note...which I don't want to be seen as a defense of DNR.

Just remember that ZULU was shot in Super Technirama 70 and 70mm prints were made for projection (at the properly equipped theaters). This is not a film that would have displayed much grain. So it can't be judged by the same standard that we use for the vast majority of movies. ZULU should be much more free of grain.

Now, I've got the UK release and I'm quite pleased with it. Honestly, I really don't know how much of the "cleanliness" is the result of DNR and how much is the natural product of large format filming. My eye isn't that well trained and, again, I don't want to be seen as defending DNR. But I caution that many people will judge DNR mainly on how much grain they see...and ZULU shouldn't have much grain.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

Adding a technical note...which I don't want to be seen as a defense of DNR.

Just remember that ZULU was shot in Super Technirama 70 and 70mm prints were made for projection (at the properly equipped theaters). This is not a film that would have displayed much grain. So it can't be judged by the same standard that we use for the vast majority of movies. ZULU should be much more free of grain.

Now, I've got the UK release and I'm quite pleased with it. Honestly, I really don't know how much of the "cleanliness" is the result of DNR and how much is the natural product of large format filming. My eye isn't that well trained and, again, I don't want to be seen as defending DNR. But I caution that many people will judge DNR mainly on how much grain they see...and ZULU shouldn't have much grain.

I agree with everything you said. Grain is still visible in the U.K. release, but it is extremely subdued in some sequences. I might by this TT release if it has the isolated score and/or has more extras and/or better PQ/AQ, but I will wait for some comparisons first. Unless it just blows the Paramount U.K. disc out the of water I will probably keep that disc no matter what.

[Geoff D]

Having no grain is one thing, but to my eyes the textures look very strange indeed. Faces look incredibly smooth, bizarrely so, like they've had some of the Son'a's skin-stretching treatments from Star Trek Insurrection.

The image does pop, boy does it pop, but once that superficial wow factor is overcome I just can't stop thinking about how off-kilter it looks.

Hopefully TT's transfer will retain the detail whilst also restoring a modicum of true filmic quality.