logo Sign In

THX on 35mm Tech IB preservation - HELP NEEDED (work in progress)

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I’ve recently found a gorgeous 35mm IB Tech print of THX 1138 in Italian. This is the first time we get our hands on this film in 35mm and, more importantly, so well preserved! Colors are fantastic and these are some of the pictures from the seller











The Italian version has credits in Italian but we already have access to 16mm prints to help reconstruct the whole American theatrical release, including the extended scene of SEN with the kids!
This 35mm film has already been purchased and a 4k professional scan has begun, thanks to the help of many generous members.
First half of the film has been scanned already but we are still short of 418 euros in order to complete the scan and buy the needed HDDs.
 

These are some teasers from the scan. First image is the raw file, second image is how the film appears when projected, third is how it should and will appear after the needed corrections.


high-res here -> https://someimage.com/elj94Kv


high-res here -> https://someimage.com/svFRx1K

 

PLANNED RELEASES:

PHASE ONE - A first direct grindhouse version (1080p) will be released soon after completion of the scan, this will include the needed corrections seen above. [the Laserdisc “cut” from 35mm scan has already been made by Mavimao, check it out http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/THX-1138-1st-Directors-Cut-35mm-Grindhouse-Edition/id/49918]

PHASE TWO - A digitally cleaned-up version of the film will follow the first “grindhouse version” (this one will require some months of work I think). Poita came out of retirement just to save this film for us!
PHASE THREE - a possible Despecialized Edition by Harmy

If you want to give us a hand to finally save THX 1138, any donation can really help. PM me for PayPal address.
 

====================
 

UPDATE: FUNDING FOR THE SCAN IS MORE OR LESS COMPLETE BUT… I have planned this preservation budget very tightly, strictly to cover scanning and shipping costs and probably underestimating quite a few as well but I initially did not include Poita’s expenses (back up hard drives, professional software licenses, etc), he’s the wizard making this magic happen so if you still wish I help out, please still consider supporting this project with your donations by contacting either me or directly Poita at this point.
Thank you very much

LIST OF BENEFACTORS FROM THIS FORUM SO FAR (in chronological order, more or less)
alexp120 (x2), snicker (x2), J.D., dahmage, valien, THX11384EB, Dek Rollins, Wazzles, silverwheel, jonno, Asaki, Harmy, saf1916, detola, Tower Boss, Porter, Laserschwert, jartatl, Shaunvis, jerlgrain, CriticalDan, Bewy, Socialiste, 2002thx1138, FekLeyrTarg, kurosawafan, Matthew M. (you forgot to tell me your username), Thomas L. (same as for Matthew), FilmCrewe, jerryd89, Mallwalker, Spaced Ranger, FaderArvid, Colson, impossiblefunky, clutchins, 77FN, jdaering

–updated 16th May–

Author
Time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0248pUAteWk 😃

I wish I could donate something, but I can’t spare anything at the moment, though I hope others will be able to give enough to bring this to life. Anyway, good luck on your plans for this release. I can’t wait for more news.

Army of Darkness: The Medieval Deadit | The Terminator - Color Regrade | The Wrong Trousers - Audio Preservation
SONIC RACES THROUGH THE GREEN FIELDS.
THE SUN RACES THROUGH A BLUE SKY FILLED WITH WHITE CLOUDS.
THE WAYS OF HIS HEART ARE MUCH LIKE THE SUN. SONIC RUNS AND RESTS; THE SUN RISES AND SETS.
DON’T GIVE UP ON THE SUN. DON’T MAKE THE SUN LAUGH AT YOU.

Author
Time

LOL for that video alone! Ahah
Thank you. I only decided to make the project public once the film was secured and the scan had begun.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

This is so excellent! The quality is astounding! This is really something special and critical – thanks to a particular revisionist whose initials we all know so well. Don’t let the words he spoke for Star Wars become a tombstone for this, his other (and arguably his best) movie . .

"The other versions will disappear. Even the 35 million tapes of Star Wars out there won’t last more than 30 or 40 years. A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version [of the Special Edition], and you’ll be able to project it on a 20’ by 40’ screen with perfect quality. I think it’s the director’s prerogative, not the studio’s to go back and reinvent a movie."

Author
Time
 (Edited)

TO me this project is more important now than the Original Trilogy. THX-1138 was changed just as much, if not more than SW was, and there is no high definition version of the original release, and no decent quality version of the Italian cut at all.

This is an incredibly important find, all of the Italian IB prints of this now have Vinegar Syndrome, in just a few years, there will literally be none of these prints in existence, anywhere. This version would be lost forever, there will simply be no sources left.

This print is still in good condition, but VS has started on it too, and in another year it will likely not be able to be scanned.

I really hope this can get to its funding goal, Star Wars has already been scanned in high quality, multiple times, it is safe for future generations. THX 1138 sadly is not, and the prints are disappearing fast. The Italian print is particularly important as it was a different cut, seen no-where else in the world. It will also allow us to restore the US cut to its original form and glory as well.

I really think this is one of the most important preservations ever undertaken here.

Donations welcome: paypal.me/poit
bitcoin:13QDjXjt7w7BFiQc4Q7wpRGPtYKYchnm8x
Help get The Original Trilogy preserved!

Author
Time
 (Edited)

poita said:

I really think this is one of the most important preservations ever undertaken here.

Definitely.

There are a lot of projects that I wish I could help out with in one way or another, but it was a no brainer to donate the small amount that I could for this one. Really incredible find and rare opportunity.

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Thanks to everyone who has been contributing so far and to Poita for his kind and true words. I updated the funding situation in the first post and I’m happy to let you know that the first half of the film has been scanned!
We only need another 355 euro to go in order to cover the remaining costs.

Author
Time

Vinegar syndrome…ouch.

So if I understand, it’s starting to decay but it’s still in good enough shape to scan reliably?

"Right now the coffees are doing their final work." (Airi, Masked Rider Den-o episode 1)

Author
Time
 (Edited)

The decay has just started and hasn’t affected the colors nor the film itself yet. The smell is not heavy yet but it’s there. It was acquired just in time! Had the seller sold it in a few months, or a year even, it could have been already too damaged for scanning.

There has been a series of lucky coincidences regarding this print!

Author
Time

thxita said:

The decay has just started and hasn’t affected the colors nor the film itself yet.

WOW, I never knew that “vinegar syndrome” was unstoppable once started! Here’s a picture of a film that’s decayed due to the process:

Ouch indeed.

[ Scanning stuff since 2015 ]

Author
Time

Yep, that’s its inevitable end but I’m looking into “freezing” it in some University archives after the scan is done.

Author
Time

Interesting.

“For example, an actively decaying film at A-D Strip level 1.5, stored near or at room conditions, may reach critical condition (A-D Strip level 2) within five years. The same film kept in cold storage (e.g., 2°C, 50% RH) may take 75 years to experience a similar change.” link

blah blah blah “Decaying films stored at cold or freezing temperatures need to be rechecked at least every 25 years.” LOL!

[ Scanning stuff since 2015 ]

Author
Time

Poita, wiser words were never said.

Like the big man said: THX 1138 has also had the Lucas Touch done to it and quite egregiously so. These prints are extremely rare, especially a non faded one! Save a piece of cinematic history and donate today.

What’s the internal temperature of a TaunTaun? Luke warm.

Author
Time

Apart from the Italian dubbing, the big difference is that there is no Buck Rogers and it begins with the end, with THX in the car with voice over saying something like: this is the future and I’m escaping. Here is my story. It then goes to the beginning of the plot and takes up with THX climbing out of the tunnel.

What’s the internal temperature of a TaunTaun? Luke warm.

Author
Time

It’s not for certain the off air recording of the Italian cut simply was started after Buck.

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

Author
Time

SilverWook said:

It’s not for certain the off air recording of the Italian cut simply was started after Buck.

Not sure what the origin of that recording was, but it’s also possible that someone chopped it off later, not knowing that it was related to the THX feature. Or if the TV station made a similar decision.

Author
Time

We will know soon enough! My bet is on no Buck Rogers, mainly because we knew nothing about Buck Rogers here in Italy (and still don’t)

Author
Time
 (Edited)

I have a question. Since this is an Italian print, that means it uses Italian language credits, right? If so, how will the US theatrical cut be reconstructed out of this resource if the credits (and apparrently Buck Rodgers) aren’t there?

EDIT: Oh, and are there original tracks in English? I haven’t gotten caught up on the THX preservations, so I apologize if this was answered somewhere else.

Army of Darkness: The Medieval Deadit | The Terminator - Color Regrade | The Wrong Trousers - Audio Preservation
SONIC RACES THROUGH THE GREEN FIELDS.
THE SUN RACES THROUGH A BLUE SKY FILLED WITH WHITE CLOUDS.
THE WAYS OF HIS HEART ARE MUCH LIKE THE SUN. SONIC RUNS AND RESTS; THE SUN RISES AND SETS.
DON’T GIVE UP ON THE SUN. DON’T MAKE THE SUN LAUGH AT YOU.

Author
Time

There is a vintage 1971 16mm American print that was being worked on before this print turned up. We also have multiple Laserdisc versions to get the audio from if the need arises.

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

Author
Time
 (Edited)

Thanks for the info. 😃

EDIT: Oh, and I know about the laserdisc audio being usable (I have the JP laserdisc preservation), but I didn’t know if the laserdiscs would have had altered audio since the theatrical release, being that GL did make his director’s cut for the release (which was technically what it should have been in theaters).

Army of Darkness: The Medieval Deadit | The Terminator - Color Regrade | The Wrong Trousers - Audio Preservation
SONIC RACES THROUGH THE GREEN FIELDS.
THE SUN RACES THROUGH A BLUE SKY FILLED WITH WHITE CLOUDS.
THE WAYS OF HIS HEART ARE MUCH LIKE THE SUN. SONIC RUNS AND RESTS; THE SUN RISES AND SETS.
DON’T GIVE UP ON THE SUN. DON’T MAKE THE SUN LAUGH AT YOU.

Author
Time

Mavimao said:

Apart from the Italian dubbing, the big difference is that there is no Buck Rogers and it begins with the end, with THX in the car with voice over saying something like: this is the future and I’m escaping. Here is my story. It then goes to the beginning of the plot and takes up with THX climbing out of the tunnel.

Thanks for the explanation (and everyone else !).

Author
Time

There’s already a release of the Italian THX with English subtitles which we worked on years ago. I’m still sharing it, if you want to check it out you know where to find it 😉
The Italian poster (included in the disc) is also the best one I’ve seen; to be fair most of Italian posters from 70-80’s were fantastic because they were always commissioned to well known artists.

Author
Time

Dek Rollins said:

Thanks for the info. 😃

EDIT: Oh, and I know about the laserdisc audio being usable (I have the JP laserdisc preservation), but I didn’t know if the laserdiscs would have had altered audio since the theatrical release, being that GL did make his director’s cut for the release (which was technically what it should have been in theaters).

Lucas may not have done much more than cut or restore a minute or two. This has only become more muddled since every version we’ve found has extra footage of SEN and the two kids. No official video release has that.

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?