OK so if my TV is properly calibrated according to this 601 SMPTE bars and the colour looks crap then the fan editor steps in and does the fix.

Me adjusting colour on the TV and brightness is just a personal preference and not what the film maker intended.

I do watch movies that you can see quite clearly have a certain tint or effect to them as they are meant. Like you say Saving Private Ryan, Three Kings, Pitch Black.

So colour correction is against this 601 SMPTE bars standard.

Thanks for clearing it up for me.