Will Classic Films make it to BluRay?

[photorebel]

For that matter, how would BW look on BluRay?

As for the films, one of my favorites is Ben Hur (with Charlton Heston). I'd love to see it re-mastered in Blu-Ray. The special edition DVD looks very good.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by photorebel

For that matter, how would BW look on BluRay?

As for the films, one of my favorites is Ben Hur (with Charlton Heston). I'd love to see it re-mastered in Blu-Ray. The special edition DVD looks very good.

They will look great on my B&W 108p TV. Yes, many of us are biting the bullit for such releases. And yes, B&W classics will be just as amazing!

[Phatferd]

I would assume so, if/when it becomes the standard. The one thing that BR/HDDVD has that is unique is the ability to play DVDs in the players. This may make some older titles and classics stay on DVD and never see production onto HDM.

For example, once DVDs became standard people replaced their VHS with DVDs, however, the DVD players could not physically play VHS so people didn't want to have 2 machines hooked up. Dual players (VHS and DVD) just weren't as popular and were basically used for recording. This forced studios to put them out on DVD. I think some unique titles may stay on DVD without being reproduced on HDM.

[Sonny]

Eventually just like DVD

[photorebel]

I'd like to see Casablanca. Didn't look that great on DVD...not bad, just not great.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by photorebel

For that matter, how would BW look on BluRay?

Buy Good Night and Good Luck and see for yourself how good it looks...

[mikenike]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

I would assume so, if/when it becomes the standard. The one thing that BR/HDDVD has that is unique is the ability to play DVDs in the players. This may make some older titles and classics stay on DVD and never see production onto HDM.

For example, once DVDs became standard people replaced their VHS with DVDs, however, the DVD players could not physically play VHS so people didn't want to have 2 machines hooked up. Dual players (VHS and DVD) just weren't as popular and were basically used for recording. This forced studios to put them out on DVD. I think some unique titles may stay on DVD without being reproduced on HDM.

Unsuccessful movies of yesteryear may not end up on HDM; after all, what profit would that bring? But classics (as in popular, beloved movies spanning long duration) would all most like end up on HDM if it becomes the norm. After all, all major studios are currently in the mood to restore as much old film as they can because older films, being recorded on film, are time-sensitive relative to the maintenance of the original source. The use of Blu-Ray to present these films is only natural due to film having higher resolutions than digitally recorded movies.

I cannot recall where I read it, but there was an article in which an interviewee stated that Blu-Ray and HD-DVD were revelations to classic movies because HDM has initiated Hollywood to preserve as much as they can. Even unsuccessful films will get high-def treatment and stored for archival reasons. Whether those efforts will be seen by consumer eyes remain in the power of the studios. But yes, I think if HDM is here to stay, then classics will definitely be produced on HDM.

As for black and white, black and white films like Good Night and Good Luck would easily be rendered beautifully for Blu because the lack of color allows for more space to be used up, and thus a better encode in PQ (and maybe even more space for SQ). Also, BW movies have more radical contrast than color movies, so HDM would handle BW better than DVD in that regards.

[sonicbox]

Originally Posted by photorebel

I'd like to see Casablanca. Didn't look that great on DVD...not bad, just not great.

The high-def transfer of Casablanca looks perfect. Best print I've ever seen of the film. Warner will likely release it on BD when there is a bigger potential market. It just isn't there yet.

[Kirsty_Mc]

Ingmar Bergmans "The Seventh Seal" - B&W is out in the UK. I don't know about the region code though.

[Terra4Gary]

If you haven't seen this one, buy without question.

Also:

Ten Commandents
Ben Hur
The D.I. (Jack Webb)
Any "Bogart" film

[hc666]

It's in color and from the 70s... but to me BLazing Saddles is a true classic on blu haha

[Frumious Boojum]

20 Million Miles From Earth is 50 years old and the original B&W is included. The transfer is very nice.

[ironrefault]

I wouldn't mind watching Night of the Hunter, Psycho, and Night of the Living Dead on blu. All three have large followings, so the assurance of some kind of supervised remaster is there.

[hc666]

Originally Posted by ironrefault

I wouldn't mind watching Night of the Hunter, Psycho, and Night of the Living Dead on blu. All three have large followings, so the assurance of some kind of supervised remaster is there.

Night of the Living Dead would be great!

Original War of the Worlds and the Blob as well.

[SolidBlu]

casablanca, akira kurosawa's seven samurai & the longest day

[GregBlu5]

I started watching That's Entertainment on New Year's Day, and the picture quality was really disappointing. B&W film clips were very grainy. Color film clips weren't all that colorful. I didn't get to finish watching the whole film, but was disappointed with what I saw, so far (about 1/3 of the first film). Anybody else get this and watch it yet? (I was hoping that we'd get a review from the staff and see what they said.)

-Greg

[Kristin Simard]

Certainly if Blu-ray becomes the standard medium they will.

I could make a list of those I'd like, but that would be pointless. Too long a list.


B & W Films? :
Certainly I'd like to see The Saragossa Manuscript on Blu. (It's not for everyone,but it's great for many.)
High Noon
Fellini and Antonioni's early films.
Kurosawa, Mizoguchi...

long list

[mystiksuicide]

Once it's the only format and production cost goes down a bit I am sure we will see many classics on blu!