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THX 1138 "preservations" + the 'THX 1138 Italian Cut' project (Released) — Page 58

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SilverWook said:

Or the D704?

Ah, yes. You're right, I encountered the issue on the D704 - caps as well, might be the DVD recorder then.

SilverWook said:

Maybe I ought try the analog input on my DV camcorder...

Worth a shot.

We want you to be aware that we have no plans—now or in the future—to restore the earlier versions. 

Sincerely, Lynne Hale publicity@lucasfilm.com

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SilverWook said:

Welcome aboard, Spaced Ranger!

Thanks! Although, with all the times THX 1138 has been changed, it should have it's own forum (just like with Star Wars).  :D

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One THX fan website did have it's own forum, but it was pretty dead last time I peeked at it.

It's getting a little harder to search for THX stuff without running into the conspiracy folks, who are branching out from just seeing things that aren't there in Kubrick films. ;)

Still no reply from the Warner Archive Twitter. I'm getting the feeling the question is being ignored. Anyone else want to pester them?

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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So I was just checking out the Warner Shop, where you can purchase the Bluray and DVD version of the Director's Cut. What was interesting is that they list in the details tab that it has a running time of 88 minutes. However, when you check out the Digital Download version(Windows Media - Buy), it lists the running time as 86 minutes:

http://www.wbshop.com/product/thx+1138+the+george+lucas+directors+cut+1000022991.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search

I contacted them to confirm that this is a typo, and that the digital version is the same Director's Cut. But how funny would that be if that wasn't the case, and it was indeed the original theatrical cut!

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SilverWook said:

One THX fan website did have it's own forum, but it was pretty dead last time I peeked at it.

I'm guessing the http://thx-1138.org/ forum.

 

THX11384EB said:

... the Warner Shop ... list in the details tab that it has a running time of 88 minutes. However, when you check out the Digital Download version (Windows Media - Buy), it lists the running time as 86 minutes ...

The George Lucas (Latest) Director's Cut of THX 1138 (because he's made more than one) is 88m22s, as it shows in Media Player Classic HC. If one removes the first 15s for the added WB logo (to the tune of "As Time Goes By"), the next 45s for the Buck Rogers set-up sequence, and the last 4s for the added "© 1970 & 2004 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc." card, that stll leaves 87m18 -- 19s shy of a round-down to 86m.

It's probably a mistaken look-up from a previous release -- just like that old Italian(?) 96m mis-read/type of the actual 86m. Has anyone seen this WB download to verify?

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Spaced Ranger said:

It's probably a mistaken look-up from a previous release -- just like that old Italian(?) 96m mis-read/type of the actual 86m. Has anyone seen this WB download to verify?

I contacted them about it, so I am still waiting to hear back; they say to expect a response within two days. If I don't hear back from them, I'll take the plunge and buy it lol.

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THX11384EB said:

I contacted them about it, so I am still waiting to hear back; they say to expect a response within two days. If I don't hear back from them, I'll take the plunge and buy it lol.

Just got an email from them:

Thank you for contacting WB Shop.
It appears that this is the Director's Cut.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Regards,

Eric
www.WBshop.com
1-866-373-4389
Monday-Friday 8:00 am 8:00 pm EST
Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST

Oh well, at least I was able to confirm it.

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I'm willing to buy a second copy of the LD if someone can find me a third for a reasonable price.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Post 102 is worth more.

I’m late to the party, but I think this is the best song. Enjoy!

—Teams Jetrell Fo 1, Jetrell Fo 2, and Jetrell Fo 3

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I won the auction and almost had a heart attack in so doing. Ouch!

I clicked "Place Bid" at the 9s mark only to realize that I wasn't logged-in. I managed to login and confirm the bid in that amount of time. Fingers-of-fury FTW!

I also bought the copy on LDDb, so I will soon have 3 copies in my possession for a proper TooT.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Post 102 is worth more.

I’m late to the party, but I think this is the best song. Enjoy!

—Teams Jetrell Fo 1, Jetrell Fo 2, and Jetrell Fo 3

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Congrats!

 

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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 (Edited)

SilverWook said:

Congrats!

Thanks! I managed to get both for ~$17 each.

Now I need to write a TooT plugin for Avisynth. The existing one is buggy-as-hell. Thankfully, Avisynth supports writing plugins in C, as I'm not a C++ (the programming language that Avisynth and most of its plugins are written in) guy.

I just finished writing a C program for poita to average 10-bit Y'CbCr videos in the V210 codec, so I should have some time to devote to writing the new TooT plugin.

I'll get it up on the X0 Project's berliOS-hosted Subversion repo when it's done.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Post 102 is worth more.

I’m late to the party, but I think this is the best song. Enjoy!

—Teams Jetrell Fo 1, Jetrell Fo 2, and Jetrell Fo 3

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 (Edited)

I'm checking in (at this apropos moment) while catching up on this thread (reading it all for inclusion & presentation ideas missed by previous inconsistent lurking) and checking up with msycamore for his direction of the project (PMs). A few more pages and I'll be reading this entry.  :)

 

@ AntcuFaalb

Very cool about your ... 3 ... laserdisc ... copies!

  :O

So, there's no need for me to get msycamore's problematic files to continue his fix-up work (or obtain a possible SilverWook 2nd try at a better capture)? Were you planning on doing just the capture (your awesome capture-equipment-chain should do that easily) or completing the entire project (this is, after all, a preservation)?

Either way, documenting your procedure (and what it does superior to an ordinary recording) would be greatly appreciated, I'm sure, by others attempting to do the same in similar projects.

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SilverWook said:

... a recreation of the long defunct GP rating card, (THX's original rating, believe it or not) ...

Now there's something to add to a THX 1138 Theatrical Restoration -- if only we knew what the theatrical release looked like. Maybe that GP rating is a clue?

Wikipedia said:

Motion Picture Association of America film rating system
...
The ratings used from 1968 to 1969 were:
    Rated G: General Audiences – Suggested for General Audiences (All Ages Admitted)
    Rated M: Mature Audiences – Suggested for Mature Audiences (Parental Discretion Advised)
    Rated R: Restricted – Persons Under 16 Not Admitted Unless Accompanied by Parent or Adult Guardian
    Rated X: Adults Only – Persons Under 18 Will Not Be Admitted
...
From M to GP to PG
Many parents were confused by the "M" and "R" ratings, thinking that the former was the "sterner" rating. In 1970, "M" was renamed to "GP" (intended to indicate "General audiences, Parental guidance suggested"), then revised in 1972 to "PG".

Could the early TV broadcasts -- with cuts & zooms to minimize Lucas porn -- be the General,Parental (GP) theatrical release? Georgie ... you naughty boy ...


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 (Edited)

I've received the two LDs. I haven't yet opened them up. I plan to take a look tomorrow evening.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Post 102 is worth more.

I’m late to the party, but I think this is the best song. Enjoy!

—Teams Jetrell Fo 1, Jetrell Fo 2, and Jetrell Fo 3

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Well that was a nice read -- the thread, that is.  :)  Here a few thoughts about it:

In keeping with the idea that this is a laserdisc preservation, it would seem best just to get the best capture, with any processing to minimize laserdisc/capture glitches, and put it on DVD for convenient play.

Is there anything else on the laserdisc to include? It would be nice to include scans of all the paper distributed with and around the laserdisc.

Thereafter, someone could do a restoration using this and/or other versions (there have been many). "Coilly" shouldn't be considered a "laserdisc glitch", as it shows up on other releases. Likewise, the edge enhancement. Fixing such belongs in a movie restoration. So, one step at a time.

A few non-laserdisc extras would be: language subtitles (including one from the creative Italian cut); "altered & missing shots/scenes" from a previous version on a TV-distribution 16mm print; and any TV ads/bumpers of the movie around the same time of this version's general release.

The DVD case artwork should be reminiscent of the laserdisc design. However, as that design is fairly ugly-looking, a focus on the robot policeman portrait would be an improvement. Also, I like the idea of a minimalistic DVD menu -- so think lots of white.

Once msycamore hands off the project resources, I'll know more of what he has for inclusion. In the meantime, I'll work on 2 snippets from the 16mm.