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Lion King Theatrical unaltered version recreated and remastered (W.I.P. at the moment)

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So since late 2021, I’ve been working on a project to the Lion King that restores most if not all the original, theatrical elements that were altered or removed in later versions, but so far it looks like I’m gonna need help on this as there’s several things I clearly can’t do as well on my own

Although the CAV Deluxe Letterbox Edition Laserdisc of the movie already exists, its a bit low quality by today standards and the highest quality release of the original version and would need lots of help finding as much high quality material for the movie as much as possible, and would need some cleaning up on some to match with the 2011 Diamond Edition (and 2017 Signature Collection) Blu-Ray as well as to restore other elements in higher quality for preservational reasons and raise the movie’s historical value.

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I’d be willing to assist with 3D conversion for the new (old?) material.

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What does the 3D conversion on 3D Blu-ray have to offer compared to 2D Blu-Ray of the same year and 2017 Blu-Ray?

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It’s one of the better conversions out there, something I can personally attest to as I saw it on the big screen back in 2011. For example, it looked like Zazu was flying directly above the audience during the “Circle of Life” number.

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 (Edited)

One thing I do know is the 2017 version is preferable because it restores the missing Mufasa cloud in one scene that for some odd reason was taken out of the 2011 version

Could use the theatrical audio from the 2003 DVD version because AFAIK it has no changes whatsoever (mainly could be used to restore the original ambiance during the opening logo)

Raccoons

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I’m aware the 2017 Signature Collection Blu-ray (and its 2018 4K counterpart of the same name) fixed Mufasa’s spirit clouds which is why I plan to use that version when I edit that scene someday. Other than that, the 2017 version seems identical to the 2011 Diamond Edition Blu-ray

As for the 2003 audio, I’m not sure as DVD audio is usually compressed (especially in stereo) and I want to use lossless sources in terms of audio in both Stereo and 5.1 surround (I’m aware there’s 7.1 but that was never in the theatrical version and was added to the 2011 Blu ray and 2017). Unless you provide me proof either the stereo or 5.1 surround options of the DVD version are lossless, high quality, and match the original theatrical sound mixing, I have no plans on using any DVD audio for the movie.

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Quality of content is sometimes more important than the quality of presentation itself. While the 2003 DVD audio is indeed compressed at 448kbps, it’s still the highest quality version of the original theatrical sound mix, with minimal tinkering, currently available. Take it from someone who’s studied the LaserDisc Dolby Digital soundtrack and DVD audio extensively over the years— repeatedly jumping from one mix to the other to compare and contrast. Aside from some noticeable tweaks in the dynamic range during the more intense sequences, they’re virtually the same mix, and absolutely the original one. Elements you can only make out in the centre and rear channels play out identically in both mixes.

If you want proof, the best I can recommend at the moment is for you to get ahold of the discrete LaserDisc Dolby track and 2003 DVD audio to hear the similarities for yourself and put all doubt to rest. Play them both in separate video player windows (my go-to has always been “K-Lite Codec Pack” version of Media Player Classic) and if you have ffdshow installed, isolate the centre channels in both player windows using the ffdshow audio decoder. Jump back and forth between both audio mixes, playing a few seconds at a time from the same scene(s), and see that they are, indeed, the same (original) mix. Do the same for the front channels, then the rears. You’ll find a lot of tells.

If your commitment to including lossless audio only is resolute, then go for the Dolby Surround version of the original audio— also on the LaserDisc. Other than that, the Blu-ray tracks are your best bet, but you won’t be getting the original sound design. So it’s either original but compressed (with exception to that aforementioned Dolby Surround mix), or lossless but remixed with questionable choices— a topic which goes far beyond the scope of this reply. Pick your poison.

“You missed! How could you miss-- he was THREE FEET in front of you!”
– Mushu

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There’s no reason not to include the DVD audio as an option.
Also the 2002 theatrical release looks like it had a DTS track. Would also be a great option if anyone has it.

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TonyWDA, I’d wish I can compare and contrast myself to see what you mean for myself but there’s a couple of issues preventing me from doing so and one of the reasons I’m calling for the help of others:

  1. I no longer own the 2003 DVD as I lost it years ago and the rip of the 2003 DVD uploaded on Archive.org are MP4’s with 192kps AAC audio codecs, which are below the 448kps of the raw you said, so I’ll have to either save up til I buy myself a new copy of the DVD in good condition somewhere or you could rip the 2003 DVD and send the files over to a Google Drive link for me to download and listen to myself

  2. Although it would be possible for me to compare the stereo soundtracks between DVD and Laserdisc, what wouldn’t be as possible, at least as of the time I’m typing this message around this point in my life, is comparing the 5.1 surround soundtracks as I have absolutely 0 surround sound setups right now or anywhere close to me so until that’s taken care of, I’m just gonna take your word on the surround track while I still need to listen to the stereo tracks

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  1. That can certainly be arranged. I have both on my drive(s) somewhere. Once I dig them up, I can send them over.

  2. You don’t need an actual, physical surround sound speaker setup to do the comparing and contrasting. Media Player Classic and the a/v ffdshow filters run on Windows. If you’re running that operating system and have that software installed, you can load up the 1994/2003 audio tracks in separate player windows then do the channel soloing stuff from your computer while wearing headphones. But if you’re willing to take my word for it, then none of this is really necessary. The 2003 DVD audio (the one that’s NOT the “Enhanced Home Theater Mix”) is the original mix. Save for one minor hiccup, or burp in this case: if memory serves, the belch that Simba lets out in the “under the stars” scene after Hakuna Matata has reverb thrown into the front channels to sweeten the effect. In the LaserDisc/theatrical mix, it’s completely dry— no reverb in the fronts. You’ll have to patch that once you have the files.

“You missed! How could you miss-- he was THREE FEET in front of you!”
– Mushu

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I have a print, it’s not perfect but it would make for a better restoration compared to using the digital-only sources like the bluray.

[ Scanning stuff since 2015 ]

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Oh THANK YOU!!! I’d love to see the print immediately, but first, I need to know what condition is it exactly beyond just “not perfect”? Does it have any scratches, cigar marks, splices, what are we talking here? I hope it’s nothing too severe and can be taken care of, as well as what aspect ratio are we talking with this print. Because from what I’m aware of, the theatrical and Laserdisc intended aspect ratio is 1:85.1, matted from the original CAPS 1:66.1 (as seen in the 2003 DVD) and as I’ve seen from 35mm scans to Disney animated movies from the 80’s and 90’s, they seem to be open matte-ish only to have a soft matte for theaters to take care of (and some being hard mattes), I wouldn’t mind either aspect ratio although kind of ironic for what the project is for, I’d prefer if the print would be 1:66.1 uncropped for the project but that wouldn’t mean I won’t give the option for 1:85.1.

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ValenStudios said:

Oh THANK YOU!!! I’d love to see the print immediately, but first, I need to know what condition is it exactly beyond just “not perfect”? Does it have any scratches, cigar marks, splices, what are we talking here? I hope it’s nothing too severe and can be taken care of, as well as what aspect ratio are we talking with this print. Because from what I’m aware of, the theatrical and Laserdisc intended aspect ratio is 1:85.1, matted from the original CAPS 1:66.1 (as seen in the 2003 DVD) and as I’ve seen from 35mm scans to Disney animated movies from the 80’s and 90’s, they seem to be open matte-ish only to have a soft matte for theaters to take care of (and some being hard mattes), I wouldn’t mind either aspect ratio although kind of ironic for what the project is for, I’d prefer if the print would be 1:66.1 uncropped for the project but that wouldn’t mean I won’t give the option for 1:85.1.

The current 4k version on Itunes is 1.66:1.

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On iTunes? Do you got proof of that? And if so, has anyone ripped the iTunes version yet? Because I don’t have iTunes myself and I see no one talk about that version really. Sorry that I’m questioning this so much but iTunes is the least likely I’d expect to see as a source for the restoration and lack of recognition or documentation upon it. Hopefully I can see that version and see if that could be used if it really is in 1:66.1 uncropped.

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ValenStudios said:

Oh THANK YOU!!! I’d love to see the print immediately, but first, I need to know what condition is it exactly beyond just “not perfect”? Does it have any scratches, cigar marks, splices, what are we talking here? I hope it’s nothing too severe and can be taken care of, as well as what aspect ratio are we talking with this print. Because from what I’m aware of, the theatrical and Laserdisc intended aspect ratio is 1:85.1, matted from the original CAPS 1:66.1 (as seen in the 2003 DVD) and as I’ve seen from 35mm scans to Disney animated movies from the 80’s and 90’s, they seem to be open matte-ish only to have a soft matte for theaters to take care of (and some being hard mattes), I wouldn’t mind either aspect ratio although kind of ironic for what the project is for, I’d prefer if the print would be 1:66.1 uncropped for the project but that wouldn’t mean I won’t give the option for 1:85.1.

It’s 1.85:1, I don’t know if Disney printed any of them at 1.66:1 you have to be aware that the digital film-out goes to negative and it’s more expensive to print more unnecessary lines than what you need. After that it’s just generally contact-printed.

I can scan it professionally, like I said it’s not an ideal print for various reasons, although no I don’t think there’s any splices in it it has other flaws. Send me a private message or head over to my Discord server.

Darth telly said:

The current 4k version on Itunes is 1.66:1.

Sadly none of the CAPS conversions look anything like the original theatrical versions. Lion King is probably the closest since it is a brightly coloured film (with BATB being the absolute worst), but it’s still very different really.

[ Scanning stuff since 2015 ]