Blake Edwards' Switch

[willbfree]

Evaluating the iTunes file as it is exists in early 2020:

Switch was shown theatrically at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. But the video file provided to iTunes is approximately 1.78:1, lopping off the sides and sometimes opening up the top and bottom of the exposure. The old DVD reproduced the theatrical experience with the image at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Why then the theatrical version that Blake Edwards intended is not reproduced here in the iTunes version is unknown - but the mistake adds to the general ineptitude of this release.

There are pronounced haloes around all edges which indicates this is a very old transfer, predating the popular introduction of HD. Since this transfer is from before techniques were developed to make the best possible HD transfers from celluloid film, grain management is nonexistent (resulting in more grain than ever intended, even for a film meant to have some), and dust and debris - including that which is baked into the opening credit sequence - has not been corrected. Color balance has a red emphasis that may be stronger than intended (but is not unpleasant) and everything is a little too dark and contrasty.

Sound quality from iTunes cannot be accurately assessed since iTunes' provides different audio depending if you stream or download, but the version received from iTunes via download is 7db lower than normal, which again suggests no attention was paid when this video file was created.

A German BluRay exists that I have not personally reviewed but which reportedly has the same erroneous aspect ratio and may be in the same state of disrepair as this video file.

Simply put, this film needs a new transfer because no care was put into this one. A label that respects the body of work of Blake Edwards should properly restore this film.

[willbfree]

Screenshots:

Widescreen image as intended (from theatrical version, sourced from old DVD), narrower image from the current iTunes file:

[willbfree]

To be fair, many shots in Switch work well enough in 1.78:1 even if they were meant to be presented in 2.35:1. But, the way the director intended should be the way it is presented.

[the one who knocks]

Nothing to add about the aspect ratio but these screenshots have me interested in checking the movie out!

[whiteberry]

A new blu-ray was scheduled to be released in France in September by ESC but it is no longer listed on their website. This is a screenshot from Google's Cache of the now removed page:


I don't know if it was cancelled or delayed. If someone knows French, maybe they can ask them on Facebook about the status of it:
https://www.facebook.com/escdistribution/

[willbfree]

Originally Posted by whiteberry

A new blu-ray was scheduled to be released in France in September by ESC but it is no longer listed on their website. This is a screenshot from Google's Cache of the now removed page:


I don't know if it was cancelled or delayed. If someone knows French, maybe they can ask them on Facebook about the status of it:
https://www.facebook.com/escdistribution/

I found this statement on their FB page - and it says exactly what I found too!

QUOTE:

⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION

"IN THE skin OF A blonde" DVD and RAY-RAY are canceled.

Indeed, we received the master, it is a poor quality master SD, the HD master is a horrible master SD 😢

We were very happy to propose this title to you, so it is with infinite sadness that we must resolve to cancel this title.

If you have preordered this title, you will obviously be refunded.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by willbfree

To be fair, many shots in Switch work well enough in 1.78:1 even if they were meant to be presented in 2.35:1. But, the way the director intended should be the way it is presented.

Yeah, this is Blake Edwards we're talking about, most of his work is full 2.35 and should either be seen 2.35 or not at all.

I bought the most recent German Blu of SWITCH and it too was 1.78. The movie is not Edwards' best and seeing it cropped further compounds the problems!

[willbfree]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

I bought the most recent German Blu of SWITCH and it too was 1.78. The movie is not Edwards' best and seeing it cropped further compounds the problems!

Does the German bluray image look like the screenshots I posted of the iTunes file, with everyone "glowing" around the edges from the edge-sharpening? I expect it was the exact same source file.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Yes, German Blu is the same Warner/HBO owned master. It's also cropped as you may already know, seems this HD master was made this way as other outlets present it all the same.