Unbelievable…not only does all this seem incredible after all these years but it also gives many answers about the video transfers we’ve all debated for years.
Tech is always different and even varies from IB print to IB print, plus all SW prints were done in the UK whose labs always turned out different results than the US lab, generally a colder and more refined palette than the “Technicolor” vivid that came in US prints. (For example, many of the classic Hammers were much more vivid in color here in US prints when compared to UK ones. This has led to the big color debate on HORROR OF DRACULA) Any archivist or preservationist worth their salt will tell you they can’t ever be a fully accurate color representation because of this, unless there is a director/cinematographer supervised check print etc. and even then they had to allow for the printing nature to color the results.
But comparing the two shows the Eastman/LPP as having that elevated contrasty look we’re so used to that is inherent in both JSC/SWE and even to a degree in the GOUT/Definitive/Faces. The grain is also clunkier and more consistent with the little bit we could see in old SD video. The IB vaults ahead on every level, and yes at times the color is too rich compared to what was shot…just like a proper CRT can round out a perfect video image with blacks and color depth. AFAIC it nails it, but then again I’m a diehard Tech supporter. It isn’t exactly what was shot and presented in 1977 as the E/LPP is, but probably the best the film ever was-just as the 70mm blowups bumped the sound to the Dolby 70mm format, the IB prints increased the PQ in every possible way while providing a much more refined, natural and visually pleasing image.
I also think this is the reason why GL loved his personal IB print, and requested the 97SE be matched to it. This also explains why so many at the time complained the 97 print was not as the last screenings in 93 were. I don’t think they could quite get that IB look without dye transfer, which was only revived in 1999-2003 or so.
Just still beyond shocked we have all this to compare now…reminds us of just how far we’ve all come.