Just to add to my post above, it turns out there was another VHS release of the shorter international edit at the same time as the Finnish release, apparently from the same distributor (CIC/Esselte Video) - this time a Swedish release under the title Fruktans Lön (http://3filmer3dygn.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/fruktans-lon.html). I’ve put out some feelers on trying to get a copy of either, but haven’t had much luck either way. Will keep trying in the meantime, and am planning a split-screen comparison between the German TV rip and the Universal DVD sometime soon.
Here’s YouTube links to the opening credits of both the German and Czech versions of the shorter cut (the former with a Czech dub overlaid).
German - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nFXcEm4N4k
Czech - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qAmIYsBBLoAlso found something interesting while doing comparisons between the old fullframe DVD and the Warner Blu-Ray; namely, that while the font and timings are different, the subtitles are otherwise 99% the same in terms of content between both versions, including a number of typos that are carried over.
However, judging by this photo of a 16mm print (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/ryhffmn/007b_zps797c3584.jpg), it appears that the DVD subtitles are not the original theatrical subtitles, as might originally be assumed. The sentence seen here is split between two subtitles on the DVD and Blu-Ray.
Any joy on finding the English Audio for the TV Cut?
Yeah I agree the subtitles don’t look of the time and I think the subtitles look a lot better and more fitting on the 16mm print. But I’ll stick to my opinion about them still needing an overhaul being only what was translated from the script made the subtitles and no more than that.
I’m ok with the odd word not being translated but the film needs that font in the 16mm print and have proper translation for the foreign language it would make such a difference and enhance the film so much more. I really do think it’s a real shame not only in terms of the look but the content also. Fix typo’s?
I really look forward to the comparsion.
There is something else I need to add and it is a censored scene I think when Roy scheider hit’s the terrorist with the shovel (2nd time) there is a weird jump cut there and I am sure there is a censorship cut at this point. I don’t think the footage is available in any version? Not talking about the TV cut I am talking about the Blu-ray release.
alternatively it’s a possible re-cut / reshuffle. Add it to the list of questionable cuts. I think what is more likely is that the shots of Schneider using the shovel were originally meant to be inter cut with Nilo shooting at the terrorists and getting shot himself. I think it’s a much more likely scenario that, that sequence should be un-jumbled and re-cut how it was probably meant to inter cut between Nilo and Shovel killing.
100% confirm the scenes are shuffled no censorship cut. This is evidenced by the gunshot in the sound mix when Schneider / Scanlon makes his second attack with the shovel. Nilo has already been shot and all the terrorists also by this point so who could possibly fire the gun if they have all been shot. The Remnant gunshot 100% confirms the re-edit possibly due to censorship though as the 1st shovel attack was cut from the European version.
Also this!!!
^ Not sure I remember the whole truck blowing it’s back load at this point but anyway color me interested in that as an oddity or perhaps a single crate goes off? It looks fairly distant from the back of the truck… Perhaps he gave a box to one of the terrorist hoping he would blow himself up god knows? Considering the different costumes I think that is a promo image or a total alternate take. This seems to be Serbian.
The European cut was also released in India apparently
Have you searched for the Australian release it is apparently the same as the European release? Or it might be the same as the European release?
This image above looks great and honestly it needs to look like this not what I did I just had a guess. But I am going to have a go at this scene just to see what I can get out of it.If I can make it like this I’ll post it.
I think the saturation is too much on the Blu-ray I think it could do with being de-saturated somewhat and color graded and should I add corrected also where needed. The truck scene is bad how they altered the colors but I don’t mind the way the film looks just it’s a bit too over green. I would happily accept a totally new color grade on this film even if somewhat revisionistic (not totally different but in the spirit) slightly de-saturated and corrected where needed.
I’ll share a lut that can be used up until the trucks on the bridge scenes that is an adequete correction and enhancement in my opinion. Or at least it is a starting block to try and rectify the blue ray in some capacity and it’s not particularly radical.
LUT
Shadows 41.96 degrees 1.97% value 119.39%
Midtones 226.26 degrees 3.74% value 110.20%
Highlights 233.62 degrees 1.25% value 100%
Main Saturation -12%
Blue Gamma 0.93
Red and Green Gamma 1.0
Red Contrast 9.33%
Green contrast 17.33%
Blue contrast 30.67%
Bias Sauration -5.33%
Scale Saturation 4%
Scale Value -4%
The truck scenes on the bridge although I can improve it and have improved it I am not sure it’s recoverable to any sort of original look I think it’s been screwed up. What’s the french blu ray like?
^ another example of this similar color grade which at the moment I can not reproduce. This is a bit more cyan but that could be the poster.