I really just started following your project here, and I'm glad you're taking it on... You should probably update your first post with more technical details.

Btw, reading your first post, if it hasn't been pointed out, there is no need to decompress to avi or to even re-encode the video.

I kind of wish you would restore Pastoral. Frankly, I more opposed to the nudity removal than anything else. I recall someone having an iOffer thing going with a DVD cap of the VHS (IIRC).

Anyway, regarding the audio. I know you're pretty far along, but I have a suggestion.

Use the newer 5.1 (7.1? However many tracks they've got now.) for the bulk of the film. Since it is apparent that Deems' narration is spread across the front 3 channels when upmixed/prologic-ed, but Corey is center channel only, do this:

For the existing Deems 2-channel segments, mix the channels together 50% to make a mono track.

Separate the 5.1 mix, drop out the center channel and sync the new Deems mono track as the center.

This will give you a strong modern sounding surround field, and the center channel, which is going to be largely dialog only will have Deems and not spread across more speakers than Corey.

It'll provide consistency between the dialog portions and provide the best sounding track overall.