The Aluminum Falcon

Just PM'ed you, Jonno. Very interested.

SilverWook said:

I guess we would need a good print of Dr. No to compare.

IIRC, Terence Young mentioned something about the day-for-night sequences in Crab Key during his infamous Criterion commentary and how prints would rarely get it right. Presuming, he actually approved the Criterion master or even was watching the master while recording the commentary, the Criterion LD might be your best bet of what's right.

I'm of the opinion, though I honestly don't have much to back it up, that the Criterions are the most faithful in terms of how the movies looked theatrically. Judging by the high contrast and grain, they seem to be from prints rather than IPs, so may have an additional generation of grain/color variation.

Do you think there's any way to tweak the Lowry transfers?

One would need extreme time and patience.

You could probably color correct it relatively accurately with time and patience, doing it scene by scene at least if not shot by shot. But, you're still left with the issue of the DVNR. I suppose, with care, you could use artificial grain sparingly.

Harmy's Despecialized turned out really nice video-wise and those were similarly-treated transfers by Lowry.

I like the color correction, EyeShotFirst. I say go for it. It's harder to specifically identify the cinematography as distinctively from the mid-1980s with your CC.

Nien Nunb said:

I doubt will ever be a full screen HD release of anything, let alone BTTF.

Counter-point: Evil Dead was released on Blu-Ray open matte, even though it was likely shown in theaters in 1:85. Of course, they included a widescreen version as well.

Speaking of odd TV broadcasts, I saw Videodrome on Encore in open matte HD. Sadly couldn't record it. Maybe Back to the Future will be shown in the same way.

Happy New Year, All!

monks19 said:

Release Date: 25-10-1992. Source

Why thanks! If you want screencaps of that release to share with "some competent people" who would measure its accuracy, I'd happily oblige.

Molly, do you have the collector's edition of Cinderella ?

I have that edition, though my transferring method is just not as refined as Molly's. Is there anything you want to know about the release?

monks19 said:

The BR also does have it now, even if it's more than obvious that it was redone completely with modern imaging.

Well, at least it's in there...

By the way, can any one accurately date this release? I picked it up in a laserdisc store awhile ago, since it would be my foreign released LD. I only bring it up because it's got that unique logo from Molly's Cinderella disc. I thought it was a late '90s release, but looking at the picture, it's feasible its from the '80s.

I don't have the 1988 disc. However, I'd wager that the biggest difference is that the 1995 uses a remastered source, while the 1988 disc is from a print (much like the Pinnochio disc--which was from that same run). Arguably, the 1988 may have more accurate theatrical color timing if this is the case.

Also, the 1995 LD is one of the only releases of Cinderella with the RKO logo.

Molly said:

Deluge is hashing the iso for Cinderella, it will be back seeding in a couple minutes.

It is on. Thanks man.

Chewtobacca said:

If you demux the left-eye stream and remux it with the audio, the result will fit on a BD-25.  I assume that you want only the 2D version.

I do only want the 2D, and it would be fantastic if I didn't need to re-compress. Thanks for the info. I'll start trying to do what you say as soon as I can get the time. Will I need to worry about moved 3D objects (like at 1:29 in this comparison): spoilers, by the way in the video?

It looks very much like the Technicolor IB, as I guessed it would.

Indeed, if only there was also a pre-restoration laserdisc for Snow White; I'd be interested to see if those matched the original theatrical color timing of IB prints more. The Snow White BD looks similar to the Pinnochio BD to my eyes: not enough earthy colors and far too vibrant.

I wonder if it's possible to color correct the BD to match the LD.

Maybe, though it would be complicated if Disney tweaked individual elements on the BD (not sure if they did). Also, fyi, the '87 LD is far more cropped than the BD, so I don't think you could directly overlay the color (if that sort of process is possible). Fun fact though: the Pinnochio LD still has reel change markers. It's wonderful.

Molly said:

I found the Cinderella iso.  I'll try to get it up to my VPS and get it seeded.

Thank you!

Molly said:

The Aluminum Falcon said:

Looking forward to it (with original "Be our Guest" sequence, I presume)?

It's a raw cap of everything on the discs, one video_ts folder per laserdisc side.

Sounds great then.

Another leecher and I are trying to aquire it, but no one is seeding; do you still have the files?

I *might*.  I've had a couple drive failures.

It really doesn't look that great though, so I've been considering going back to the capture and trying to improve the video track a bit.

Oh, so it was you: small internet. All right. I'll continue leeching if you do eventual decide to seed again, and, if you make a new version, I'll leech/then seed that.

monks19 said:

I will not compress it... so it will be a BD-50, but you free to adapt it to your convenience. Although, I would like to see Molly's LD capture of both B&B WIP and Cinderella

Thanks for responding. I'll probably end up compressing it myself since I can't burn BD50s. But, uploading the uncompressed version is likely the smartest thing to do. 

(I'm the other leecher on TPB, by the way).

How about that! Thanks for helping me to get to 26%.

---

For anyone interested:

Pinnochio 1987 CLV LD:

Look familiar?

Contrast corrected:

It's shockingly very much like the 1950s IB print, more so than any other release. Here are the screens captainsolo linked to:

Technicolor IB:

LD/1999 DVD:

BD:

Note that my pictures have added noise because my capture method isn't so great (it's a decent looking disc considering its from the 80s).

Hey guys, thanks so much for responding to some of my questions in my earlier post. It really does help... and that's what I love about the OT community. I know I've been here awhile but I have also always liked that you guys are willing to back LDs for their merits. Anyway, that being said: excuse this long reply.

Molly said:

I'm uploading the workprint BatB as captured

Looking forward to it (with original "Be our Guest" sequence, I presume)? A link-PM when it gets up'ped would be much appreciated.

By the way, Molly, were you the one who uploaded the Non-Lowry Cinderella on TPB? Another leecher and I are trying to aquire it, but no one is seeding; do you still have the files?

Doctor M said:

The Fantasia VHS has the censored scene and the Laserdisc is a shortened version of the film.

Fantasia seems like it'd be a lot of work to get to a more perfect state than the official release; though luckily, these resources are available.

As mentioned, I do have ADM's Aladdin.

Interested! Is the video quality comparable to the official DVD?

Chewtobacca said:

And here are the Pinocchio comparisons... The colors on the 1987 CAV LD look perfect — better even than the 1997 CAV / 1999 DVD.

When I clicked the link, Chewtobacca, I must say you're absolutely right; those '87 colors are perfection! They even match tonally with the screen of the IB print that captainsolo linked to. I've got a feeling that's the closest that's been released so far to what was in the '40s; it isn't plagued by the red-push issues of most video transfers from the '90s.

Now, how about this for a stroke of luck-- I ran out to my local laserdisc store after seeing your post and spotted/subsequently bought a copy of the '87 release (though it was the CLV version)!

captainsolo said:

yet being early discs aren't the greatest.

Tell me about it! Since I had the time on holiday, I pulled out my old Pinnochio DVD; it was terrible, more so than the Bond SE DVDs (which also ported LD masters). There was compression, EE, and the far left side was pixelized (not visible with CRT overscan but on an LCD :P).

Chewtobacca said:

The color timing might not be the original, but it is far better than that on the 2D Blu-ray / DVD.

Didn't know that! Thanks man. I checked out some online comparisons and the 2D is too garish and just ugly in comparison... Might have to deal with a few moved bushes though.

monks19 said:

For the last time, I WILL UPLOAD THE 3D VERSION SOON. It'll be downscaled to 2d so everybody here will enjoy it.

I look forward to your BATB uploads though I do confess to be a bit confused about the final product and I have read over the thread. Out of curiosity, monks19, will your eventual output be a Custom BD50, Custom BD25, or Custom DVD-9/5s.

I don't pretend to be an expert on Disney films and AV quality of their releases (I just learned most of my stuff from the Vaultbreaker thread and DVDIzzy in recent days), but, here are my recommendations. (reasons underneath why)

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

• 3 - Beauty And The Beast - Work In Progress (Letterbox - DS)

Has original "Be Our Guest" with Belle's father-- different than DVD.

• 4 - Beauty And The Beast (Letterbox - DS)

OAR, original colors, OTV, and no IMAX clean ups.

• 5 - Cinderella (Box Set) (Letterbox - DS)

Bought this a long time ago. Looked at it now. It's got gorgeous picture and audio for a laserdisc. The DVD/BD Lowry restoration was the most botched out of the ones for the Classic Disney films; also, original RKO card!

• 6 - Fantasia (Full Screen - DS)
• 6b - Fantasia Box Set

Original narration by Mr. Deems Taylor.

• 10 - Lion King (Letterbox - AC3)
• 10b - Lion King Box Set (AC3)

OTV. No reanimation of crocodiles.

Found this thread and just started reading up on Disney's many mishaps over the years... It's most unfortunate to say the least. I look forward to whatever OTV uploads come; I love Beauty and the Beast so that will be cool to see the true theatrical and 1:66 aspect ratio. Count me in as voting for either file-sharing site or open tracker.

I was thinking of buying some Vaulted stuff before prices go up way high. After looking around the web, I still have a few questions that I thought I'd ask those more knowledgeable here. So, just to confirm, the most accurate versions are...

• Snow White- none (all have brightness issues and are no way reflective of 1937 Technicolor color palette)
• Pinnochio- old DVD for better color timing
• Fantasia- LD (DVDs have narration replaced, though LD is still censored)
• Cinderella- LD (isn't missing details that Lowry restoration is)
• Sleeping Beauty- 2003 DVD for a better color palette (at expense of cropped picture)
• Little Mermaid- Doctor M's Custom Disc (is this going to be uploaded any time soon?)
• Beauty and the Beast- LD Rip (correct aspect ratio, color and OTV)
• Aladdin- ADM's reconstruction (is this still available?)
• Lion King- laserdisc for palette and OTV

Anyway, hope someone can confirm this is so. I never realized the dire state Disney films are in; I assumed the releases were all theatrically accurate... Ah well: more to preserve, I suppose.

strangeland said:

that'd float my boat.

Mine as well. Thanks.

strangeland said:

i took it as a feeble attempt to built tension for the coming storm while David takes forever to put the canister in a bag.

Exactly, that's what it comes across as because that sort of line only works in high tension action movies (ala Aliens). Scott doesn't know how to direct those kinds of movies like Cameron did (not that that's a bad thing).

ill see if I can take it out of the mix, but it's not a priority of mine. 

Oh yeah, if you can't take it out easily, don't bother. It's just a bit irritating, is all.

strangeland said:

Oh yeah! Upon reviewing my SD version, I plan on making a few more hidden tweaks for a HD 720p copy of it. 

Cool, I thought you would. I'm holding off on watching the official Blu-Ray, so I can watch your edit with fresh eyes, judging it on its own merits.

Also about the aliens reference... Do you mean the line "our first alien.." From David?

Nope, I actually meant the line "David, we are leaving!" It's said by Charlie in the cave when they are trying to get David to leave behind work/go with them to get back to the ship, and it's a reference to a line of Hicks in Aliens. It just seemed like an unnecessary reference that was too esoteric for most and too arbitrary to amuse, not serving to further the plot. 

Hey strangeland, thanks for making this edit. If ever there was a recent film in need of re-editing, it was/is Prometheus. Out of curiosity, will you be making an HD version as well? (I know I haven't been following the thread; much apologies).

And, if there is a further cut of this in the future, do you mind cutting out the Aliens line reference?

Wolfman said:

There are reports that the UK set has a fault on Creature From The Black Lagoon and The Mummy.

WHAT? I just picked the UK version up. Say it isn't so.

captainsolo said:

OHMSS with the missing lines restored.

As the SE DVD transfer for OHMSS was among the better ones (really vivid colors and decent detail), I'd definitely be interested in an uncut, full DVD quality transfer of the SE master.

ww12345 said:

Just took one for the team - I bought one, so I'll let everybody know what quality it is and post some screenshots. :)

Great. Look forward to your observations.

It was only available for trade, but I believe that the maker is currently holding off on trades. Heard this awhile ago, I'm curious if things may have changed.

An improvement, but still not entirely happy. Please don't be campy... Please don't be.

BondFanMedia said:

Cheers

Cheers, indeed! Thanks man!