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Again?
We've all felt that peculiar irritation that kicks in when news of yet another "special collector's edition" DVD of a classic film (single or double-disc...same difference) is announced. I say to myself "no, I won't fall for it...screw those greedy DVD distributors trying to milk me for the second or third or fourth time." Then I read that the new release will provide a "restored" and presumably improved transfer, and I'm hooked. Even if the transfer on a DVD of the film that I own looks perfectly fine. Because I'm a sucker for any upgrade.
Especially, I should add, if the film is in black and white. I'm a total fool for that luscious silvery sheen. My biggest orgasm in this regard is that Columbia/TriStar Home Video release of Anatomy of a Murder, which came out eight years ago.
Lionsgate's new two-disc DVD release of High Noon has "what appears to be a reliable report, though unconfirmed, that it will include a new transfer of the film, restored by Paramount," according to a posting on the Amazon page by DVD aficionado "Sanpete." He writes that "lack of agreement between Paramount and Lionsgate prevented the earlier release of a restored transfer," adding that "the current and older DVDs are only of average video and audio quality."
I haven't verified the new transfer assertion, but knowing deep down that I'll probably spring for this disc when it comes out on 6.10 is a real bee in my bonnet. To my fairly sophisticated eyes, there's nothing the least bit problematic about the version that I presently own, a "collector's edition" mastered by Republic Home Video and issued in '02. But I know myself and what'll happen when I see this on the shelf. I'm a junkie without brakes or discipline.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 7, 2008 at 11:08 AM
comment #1
Richardson
says ...
Interesting that you have no problem with the picture, which is frequently listed by DVD people among the worst transfers ever released by a reputable label.
Posted by Richardson
at May 7, 2008 11:46 AM
comment #2
gruver1
says ...
Wells to Richardson: I've watched High Noon on broadcast TV, on cable, on VHS, on laser disc, on a whatever-quality DVD and finally on the Republic 2002 DVD. I know the tones of this film quite well, and I really feel that the Republic looks pretty good. Anyone who says it's "among the worst transfers ever released by a reputable label" is playing the "dweeby and elitist" card. C'mon...the deep blacks and rich grays, the range of tonality, the uncontrasty monochrome tones in the faces of the actors, the details in the fabrics of the costumes, the grain in the wood in the sets, the look of the wallpaper in the hotel...it looks pretty good to me, and I'm no hayseed. If the Paramount is a real step up, great. Hopefully they'll also put it out on Blu-Ray.
Posted by gruver1
at May 7, 2008 12:00 PM
comment #3
Richardson
says ...
"VHS, on laser disc, on a whatever-quality DVD and finally on the Republic 2002 DVD."
Then you've watched the same source transferred either three or four times [I believe the VHS used the same source as the other three], which was created for the 40th anniversary of the film.
"Anyone who says it's "among the worst transfers ever released by a reputable label" is playing the "dweeby and elitist" card. "
That's certainly possible; the reviews for the transfer on the DVD are so universally terrible that I have always avoided buying it, even when it got cheap, expecting a new release like this, so I can't agree or disagree. But it is, at best, a transfer prepped more than 15 years ago, state of the art for laser disc, so it's probably time for an update.
Posted by Richardson
at May 7, 2008 12:06 PM
comment #4
JapAdapters
says ...
HIGH NOON tops my list of classics that i don't understand why they're classic. It's a perfectly fine movie, but I don't get the adulation.
Posted by JapAdapters
at May 7, 2008 12:08 PM
comment #5
TL
says ...
Getting Blu-ray has totally cured me of all desire repurchase anything on DVD, and really, to purchase much of anything on DVD. Probably paid for the Blu-ray player with the money I've saved not buying standard DVDs.
Posted by TL
at May 7, 2008 12:12 PM
comment #6
corey3rd
says ...
nothing can top the crappy transfer on the Return of the Pink Panther DVD. That looks like a 4th generation EP speed VHS tape.
Posted by corey3rd
at May 7, 2008 12:23 PM
comment #7
cjKennedy
says ...
I don't know. The former DVD Journal had no problem with the Republic DVD. They never steered me wrong and were 47% less irritating than the average AV nerd site.
http://www.dvdjournal.com/reviews/h/highnoon52_ce.shtml
Posted by cjKennedy
at May 7, 2008 12:25 PM
comment #8
JD
says ...
Seriously Jeff, if you really are the transfer junkie you say you are, you need to shell out a couple hundred bucks for a PS3 (the best and fastest cheap Blu-ray player on the market) and start watching Blu-ray discs immediately. The format war's 100% over and the high-def upgrade is way greater than your average DVD double-dip upgrade (plus, your old discs will all be upconverted and look much better). I can't stress this enough. Whenever you finally take the plunge, you'll be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner. Plus, if you start writing about Blu-ray, a whole new stream of advertising revenue might open up for you.
Posted by JD
at May 7, 2008 12:32 PM
comment #9
JD
says ...
By the way, here's a typically solid DVD Beaver comparison of 3 earlier versions of High Noon on DVD:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcompare/highnoon.htm
Posted by JD
at May 7, 2008 12:34 PM
comment #10
Edward
says ...
I love this film, but one of the "classics" I don't care for is Shane. That kid annoys the hell out of me. I keep hoping Shane will shoot the annoying brat.
Posted by Edward
at May 7, 2008 12:39 PM
comment #11
BurmaShave
says ...
Is it time to start up the HIGH NOON vs. RIO BRAVO debate again?
Posted by BurmaShave
at May 7, 2008 12:57 PM
comment #12
Richardson
says ...
"By the way, here's a typically solid DVD Beaver comparison of 3 earlier versions of High Noon on DVD:"
Thank you for that link. A few choice quotes:
"About the Region 1's: Out of sync audio and excessive digital processing make both of these editions quite poor... The new release has bumped the audio to 3.1, but that only goes to further enhance the sync problems."
The problem, if you're comparing the cable, the VHS, the LD, and the two DVDs, is that they all use the same master as a source, and that master was created around 1991 or '92.
I think that, if they do a new transfer, it will blow people away because they're so used to that same master which has been bouncing around for so long.
Posted by Richardson
at May 7, 2008 1:00 PM
comment #13
mutinyco
says ...
I wasn't aware High Noon was a gay porno until I saw that cover art.
Posted by mutinyco
at May 7, 2008 1:13 PM
comment #14
JD
says ...
I wasn't aware High Noon was 3:10 to Yuma until I saw that cover art.
Posted by JD
at May 7, 2008 2:07 PM
comment #15
StoneFan1
says ...
Any number of Anthony Mann westerns blows
"High Noon" and "Rio Bravo" off the map! Sorry
guys! Still, I'd give "High Noon" a solid B+ grade.
Posted by StoneFan1
at May 7, 2008 3:07 PM
comment #16
Cadavra
says ...
"Is it time to start up the HIGH NOON vs. RIO BRAVO debate again?"
Nope, settled years ago. RIO BRAVO by a KO in the first round.
Posted by Cadavra
at May 7, 2008 3:12 PM
comment #17
JD
says ...
So Jeff, Criterion just announced that they're releasing Blu-ray starting in October with titles like The Third Man and Bottle Rocket. Do you really need any more convincing?
Posted by JD
at May 7, 2008 7:29 PM
comment #18
John Cocktosten
says ...
High Noon vs. Rio Bravo is an IQ litmus test. If you took the average IQ of each side, there would be a several sigma difference, with the higher side belonging to the film that doesn't have an early music video in it.
Posted by John Cocktosten
at May 7, 2008 7:41 PM
comment #19
ThriceDamned
says ...
I'm gonna get me every single one of those Criterion blu-ray's. When you've seen how unbelievable B&W classics can look in HD (Casablanca, Seventh Seal), you're hooked (at least I was).
The initial Criterion batch coming out in blu:
The Third Man
Bottle Rocket
Chungking Express
The Man Who Fell to Earth
The Last Emperor
El Norte
The 400 Blows
Gimme Shelter
The Complete Monterey Pop
Contempt
Walkabout
For All Mankind
The Wages of Fear
Posted by ThriceDamned
at May 8, 2008 3:38 AM
comment #20
alan
says ...
For me, there are at least 5 must-have purchases on the Criterion Blu-Ray lineup (Third Man, Last Emperor, 400 Blows, Walkabout, Wages of Fear). I already have the standard Criterion DVDs for 3 of those. My wallet is crying out in pain right now, but there's no other option. The idea of seeing The Third Man in HD makes my mouth water.
Posted by alan
at May 8, 2008 8:18 AM
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