Info: 'The Big Blue' - U.S. edit (1988)

Anyone fancy taking the European or Directors Cut of Luc Besson’s “Le Grand Bleu” and creating the U.S. edit? Or has this already been done? I’m happy to supply all source materials necessary.

Reprtedly edited down by Robert Evans? Dunno.

I have the HDTV broadcast from a few years ago, and I believe this is what is being streamed on NetFlix at present. The HD transfer is not so great, needs better color timing, etc.

Hmm... that's interesting that Netflix would show the US version... in HD, for that matter. Bill Conti's score was a very interesting alternative to the norm as I recollect. I only have it on LD: does anyone plan to kindly cap it?

As noted, I have the HD version of the US-edit and can make it available to someone with (a) more skills than I, and (b) ability to finish the project.

Likely the studios handed over that HD transfer to NetFlix not knowing what they were handing over.

That being said, you would only need the HD transfer to use as a reference point, and for the audio. All video could/should be taken from the DVD or Blu-Ray of the European Long Version. Far better picture.

what bigrob said. Conti version is the one I'm familiar with, rented several times on VHS and the score is absolutely one of the reasons I have fond memories of the film.

To each their own, I guess. I am surprised there are not more Luc Besson fans out there who want to make a quality version of the U.S. re-edit. Much more enjoyable version, but I am biased I know ;)

I would be eternally grateful to anyone who captured the netflix streaming presentation of the USA Version in HD and would let me watch it.  :-)

captain said:

I would be eternally grateful to anyone who captured the netflix streaming presentation of the USA Version in HD and would let me watch it.  :-)

As noted, I have the HD broadcast version from one of the HDTV movie channels (can't recall which), and it was scanned from a film print. The image quality is good, but a little dirty in areas and the color timing needs to be fixed. I'm fairly certain the NetFlix streamed version is the same. I just can't do the work, but I would presume someone on these forums can?

Surely there is at least one Luc Besson fan here with some skills? Or perhaps those who are Besson fans don't like the U.S. version?

Here's a fun fact. There are about 1:37 seconds of unique footage in the U.S. cut (not just the ending). Among others, we have:

* B/W Extra shot of boy with fishing pole
* B/W Shot of old-man pumping air without talking (cont)
* B/W Shot of both old-man and boy pumping air wide angle (cont)
* Painting the apartment and talking on the phone
* Replacement shot of the girl stirring in bed
* Hero turns to face girl on the boat near the end
* Girl looks at hero on boat near the end (cont)
* Replacement end sequence

Additionally, all titles were changed to English and the opening credits were recreated. Color timing is far different in the U.S. cut as well.

For anyone interested, there's a torrent of the U.S. Edit on RuTracker. It's HD, Widescreen and great quality. I assume it's a cap of the broadcasts of this version. Interestingly enough, the uploader made an alternative audio track for the release that uses the music and DTS 5.1 from the Director's Cut DVD but synced to the video.

Most curious. There will be a version that uses the Blu-Ray transfer up shortly. The HDTV version is good, but the color timing is wrong (at least, the scan of the print is way too blue). FYI.

This is a quick summary of the different shots (aside from the titles):

http://youtu.be/gkDF3FZ1-SI

If you head over to 'spleen. You might find something to your advantage.

DisgruntledFan said:

If you head over to 'spleen. You might find something to your advantage.

Thanks for the great upload; it was really a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, in keeping with the new rules, it appears to have been taken down from myspleen. Is there any chance of making another torrent? I wasn't able to catch it while it was up.

Bah - any suggestions for a host ? (pm me)

DisgruntledFan said:

Bah - any suggestions for a host ? (pm me)

PM sent.

I'm also looking for a high quality US version of the Big Blue.  (Actually I've been looking for years).  Grew up watching it.  It was the single source that motivated me to start scuba diving.  Any help would be much appreciated.

taxidiver said:

I'm also looking for a high quality US version of the Big Blue.  (Actually I've been looking for years).  Grew up watching it.  It was the single source that motivated me to start scuba diving.  Any help would be much appreciated.

PM sent. Enjoy.