[Dubliner1]

Picked up this at HMV in Newry (N.Ireland) this morning (20th Century Fox/BFI) and wondering if anyone knows if this 185 minute Italian 2.0 (Alain Delon & Burt Lancasters voices are dubbed in Italian) is actually the original version???
I used to own the 3 disc Criterion but sold it and can't remembed history of the film. I think the version in America was shorter and in English?...
The blu-ray is a lovely package with a very nice 26 page booklet if anyones interested.

[BrianPK]

Yes! That is the original restored version in Italian with English subtitles.The US version is only 161 mins long(24 mins less) and in English.It's a bit pricey at nearly £18 but it's such a glorious film with a wonderful Nino Rota score that I think I'll have to get it.What's the picture and sound quality like?Does Claudia Cardinale look even more magnificent in HD?She was only about 24 and at the height of her beautywhen she stunned the film world with her entrance to the dinner party in the film. It's simply glorious and the ball room scene is the only one I've ever seen which can match the Pride and Prejudice one.My favourite Visconti film.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

Yes! That is the original restored version in Italian with English subtitles.The US version is only 161 mins long(24 mins less) and in English.It's a bit pricey at nearly £18 but it's such a glorious film with a wonderful Nino Rota score that I think I'll have to get it.What's the picture and sound quality like?Does Claudia Cardinale look even more magnificent in HD?She was only about 24 and at the height of her beautywhen she stunned the film world with her entrance to the dinner party in the film. It's simply glorious and the ball room scene is the only one I've ever seen which can match the Pride and Prejudice one.My favourite Visconti film.

Well the 2.0 original Italian audio (48k/16-bit) is not very good by todays standards- don't think its been restored so I think its the same as on the Criterion 3 disc dvd...image quality looks great for a 46 yr old movie...in the ballroom scene the colors really look deep and saturated. Blacks look really really deep black- the colors are very striking on the blu-ray the more I watch it! There is quite a bit of grain- especially noticeable in outdoor scenes but the picture is clear, bright and very colorful...I wish I had the my old Criterion dvd to compare it too.
For such an old movie I don't think you could ask for much better. The booklet it comes with is very good- loads to read and color pics too.
If you don't have the 3 disc Criterion then I'd of course recommend the Blu-ray. The DVD may have more extras so I don't know how important that is to you.
Purely for video quality I'd choose the blu-ray if you have a 1080p display 40 inches or larger. I'm sure a thorough comparison will appear on dvd beaver dot com very soon comparing this to all the previous dvd versions. Please note- I viewed the disc on a 40" tv only- it could possibly look much different on a larger screen.
(To top it all off, the blu-ray comes in the slimmer 11mm U.S. style case rather than the stupid 14mm Region 'B' type...takes up less shelf space leaving more room for more blu-rays!)

[BrianPK]

I have the Criterion Dvd collection and good as it is I think the extra boost the blu ray will automatically give it, should be worth watching on my 52" screen.The more I think about it,I'll shove in my order today...pricey as it is,but far better to buy a disc I really want at £18,than two or possibly three so so films which become eternal unopened dusty "shelf fillers" after the initial viewing.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

I have the Criterion Dvd collection and good as it is I think the extra boost the blu ray will automatically give it, should be worth watching on my 52" screen.The more I think about it,I'll shove in my order today...pricey as it is,but far better to buy a disc I really want at £18,than two or possibly three so so films which become eternal unopened dusty "shelf fillers" after the initial viewing.

I cannot watch dvds anymore now after the superior video and audio blu-ray offers.
The special features listed on the back of the blu-ray case are;
- full feature commentary by David Forgacs and Rossana Capitano
- interview with Claudia Cardinale
- Italian trailer
- Illustrated booklet with newly commissioned essays
- PCM mono audio (48k/16-bit)

[BrianPK]

Now under £16
Find-DVD: The Leopard (Blu-ray)

[Pecker]

I can't wait to watch this.

Steve W

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by Pecker

I can't wait to watch this.

Steve W

Did you get a chance to watch this yet?...I'm reading the last 70 or so minutes od the disc has errors...
quote:-

The movie is segmented into 4 files on the BFI Blu-ray:

00002.M2TS | Time In: 0:00:00.000 | Length: 0:57:25.066
00003.M2TS | Time In: 0:57:25.066 | Length: 0:55:26.114
00012.M2TS | Time In: 1:52:51.181 | Length: 0:01:37.013
00011.M2TS | Time In: 1:54:28.194 | Length: 1:11:00.464

Something went wrong with file 00011.M2TS, because for the last 71 minutes of the film, contrast and color aren't correct anymore.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

Did you get a chance to watch this yet?...I'm reading the last 70 or so minutes od the disc has errors...
quote:-

The movie is segmented into 4 files on the BFI Blu-ray:

00002.M2TS | Time In: 0:00:00.000 | Length: 0:57:25.066
00003.M2TS | Time In: 0:57:25.066 | Length: 0:55:26.114
00012.M2TS | Time In: 1:52:51.181 | Length: 0:01:37.013
00011.M2TS | Time In: 1:54:28.194 | Length: 1:11:00.464

Something went wrong with file 00011.M2TS, because for the last 71 minutes of the film, contrast and color aren't correct anymore.

I read that. I haven't ordered it yet (lots of Christmas purchasing has strained the cash flow), but I may now wait for it to graduate to other places other than HMV in the hope that the BFI send corrected versions out.

Steve W

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by Pecker

I read that. I haven't ordered it yet (lots of Christmas purchasing has strained the cash flow), but I may now wait for it to graduate to other places other than HMV in the hope that the BFI send corrected versions out.

Steve W

From 1hr 54 mins onwards the blacks are off- I think its called 'crushed'?...no detail in the black areas- now that I've noticed it its almost unwatchable. Will try to contact the BFI for more info...I've noticed the disc is not for sale on their website so perhaps they know its defective- or maybe it was just HMV selling it.

[BrianPK]

H'mmm not good.I'm awaiting my copy from Zavvi (I bought it a £16 but it's gone back up to £26) but I'll cancel or return it if it arrives in the morning. See here ( a third of the way down in bold red print) The Leopard Blu-ray Burt Lancaster That's no good to me.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

H'mmm not good.I'm awaiting my copy from Zavvi (I bought it a £16 but it's gone back up to £26) but I'll cancel or return it if it arrives in the morning. See here ( a third of the way down in bold red print) The Leopard Blu-ray Burt Lancaster That's no good to me.

I'm going to contact the BFI to see if they are going to fix this issue- if you have the option to return it I definetely would tho. Very very disappointing!!

[BrianPK]

Interesting ! Zavvi accepted my cancellation immediately even though it was supposed to be despatched within 3 days when I ordered on the 29th of Nov.Either they are advertising discs they haven't got or something is up with this disc in particular i.e. withdrawn due to to "issues"
Surely you will go back to HMV and inform them of this fault?Look for the manager and insist he checks this out himself.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

Interesting ! Zavvi accepted my cancellation immediately even though it was supposed to be despatched within 3 days when I ordered on the 29th of Nov.Either they are advertising discs they haven't got or something is up with this disc in particular i.e. withdrawn due to to "issues"
Surely you will go back to HMV and inform them of this fault?Look for the manager and insist he checks this out himself.

I live in Dublin and bought it at a HMV store on a day trip to Northern Ireland. I know the local HMV's in Dublin would never give me my money back as their customer service is atrocious and its also over the 21 day return policy since I bought it. I have emailed the BFI (British Film Institute) to ask if they are aware of the defect and if they will be issuing 'fixed' copies if i return my defective one.

[BrianPK]

This is all very disappointing as I was really looking forward to it.I hope things work out for you but either way let us know how you get on.I would still have a stiff word with HMV and inform them that they are selling a dodgy disc to the public.Good luck.

[John Hodson]

The BFI is aware is aware that there may be an authoring problem, and apparently they are looking into it.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by John Hodson

The BFI is aware is aware that there may be an authoring problem, and apparently they are looking into it.

I have emailed them but no reply so far.

[Dubliner1]

I just heard back from the BFI and they are aware of the technical glitch with this disc and will have more info by the end of the week...will update on here as soon as I get more news.

[richard_t]

Originally Posted by Dubliner1 U

...image quality looks great for a 46 yr old movie...in the ballroom scene the colors really look deep and saturated. Blacks look really really deep black- the colors are very striking on the blu-ray the more I watch it! There is quite a bit of grain- especially noticeable in outdoor scenes but the picture is clear, bright and very colorful...I wish I had the my old Criterion dvd to compare it too.
For such an old movie I don't think you could ask for much better.

to...

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

no detail in the black areas- now that I've noticed it its almost unwatchable.

It's amazing how ones perspective changes when you've read about a problem on another forum isn't it?

I must admit I didn't notice the change when I watched the disk initially but I do hope that the BFI put out a fixed release and offer a swap out for existing owners at some point.

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by richard_t

to...



It's amazing how ones perspective changes when you've read about a problem on another forum isn't it?

I must admit I didn't notice the change when I watched the disk initially but I do hope that the BFI put out a fixed release and offer a swap out for existing owners at some point.

My initial impressions of the disc were very positive as I just flicked through certain scenes to get an overall first impression compared to the Criterion DVD- when I sat down to watch the movie all the way through without interruption, going from Chapter 17 where Claudia Cardinale is wearing the black robe then into Chapter 18 and onwards with the problems with blacks, the issue is much more noticeable. My initial impressions were of very,very deep blacks...so in that respect I was right...just too much black and no detail!
It was only after reading the review at dvd beaver that I had to go back and do a double take...not after reading about it on another forum. Also,due to space constraints at the moment I am viewing on only a 40" screen where these issues are less noticeable.
If you don't even own the disc then no need to lose any sleep over it. I will post on hear when I hear back from my contact at the BFI that the new disc is ready.

[richard_t]

Confirmation from a post in another forum that the BFI will be reissuing this and replacing all 'bad' copies...

Dear Criterion Forum members and readers,

We have investigated this issue thoroughly and can now confirm there is a problem on the first pressing of the BFI's Blu-ray edition of THE LEOPARD.

At 1:54.28 there is a significant change in black levels and contrast settings, evident from the first shot at this time code and remaining for the rest of the feature. This is demonstrated by a comparatively heavier look where blacks are crushed, whites are burnt out, the and the overall grain/noise structure becomes much more active - in short a rather abrupt and ugly gamma shift for the last 70+ minutes of the feature.

We are still investigating the source of the error with the facilities involved, but at present it seems that the fault can be traced to an error in the settings in one of the HD decks used during the final stages of this project. This has now been corrected, and the new pressing of THE LEOPARD will reflect this correction.

We appreciate the members of Criterion Forum for pointing out this issue to us. This is an error we certainly should have spotted before release, but this is a situation we've never encountered before, and the masters we signed off on were correct. Although we strive to be as careful as possible, occasionally human error rears its head. As Blu-ray technology develops, we find we're learning new things all the time.

As MichaelB has mentioned, we do read the forums regularly and take your comments very seriously. We work hard to ensure every title we release is delivered at the highest possible quality, but occasionally we may miss something. If there's a possibility that one of our releases contains a technical issue or fault, we will investigate thoroughly and work to correct it as soon as possible.

Thanks again for helping us out on this one and stay tuned for an announcement in the New Year regarding replacement of your LEOPARD Blu-rays, should you have purchased a copy from the first pressing.


BFI Video Publishing

[Pecker]

Cheers Richard. You can't argue with that!

Steve W

[Dubliner1]

great- thanks richard_t....apologies to anyone who read my positive first few posts re; picture quality and may have then purchased the blu-ray.

[BrianPK]

I forgive you

[BrianPK]

Play.com have this as a pre-order for May 2010 at £12.99. Possibly the "repaired" version?
Play.com (UK) : The Leopard (aka: Il Gattopardo) (Blu-ray) : Blu-ray - Free Delivery

[Dubliner1]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

Play.com have this as a pre-order for May 2010 at £12.99. Possibly the "repaired" version?
Play.com (UK) : The Leopard (aka: Il Gattopardo) (Blu-ray) : Blu-ray - Free Delivery

Hopefully "repaired" replacement disc will be available directly from BFI sometime in Jan for those who already bought the defective copy. I'd hate to have to wait until May. I think this was initially a HMV 'exclusive' release hence the wait until May to be able to buy it elsewhere.

[BrianPK]

Just to console myself and have something to look forward to,I ordered this cd (Nino Rota Music for film Riccardo Muti) of the film score before Christmas.It's only part of the score ...20 mins or so but I always found it particularly beautiful and this is a relatively modern recording and much fresher and more vibrant than the "dated" dvd and probably the blu ray film version.It was by pure chance I recently heard it on a classical radio station and was instantly captivated by it.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by BrianPK

Play.com have this as a pre-order for May 2010 at £12.99. Possibly the "repaired" version?
Play.com (UK) : The Leopard (aka: Il Gattopardo) (Blu-ray) : Blu-ray - Free Delivery

Brian, this title was initially to be HMV exclusive for 3 months, as is the case with all BFI releases at the moment. A new May release date now suggests a longer delay than that typical 3 months.

As the BFI have been made aware of the issue well in advance of the deadline for the new release date for other outlets, and as they're promising to replace any of the early 'defective' copies, I think it's very likely indeed that any copy bought from Play/Amazon, etc will be the corrected version. Indeed, my guess would be that the reason this is being released in May rather than earlier is to give them, chance to correct the problem and print new copies.

Steve W

[Dubliner1]

Any updates on the fixed replacement disc anyone?

[Dubliner1]

Replacement discs for those who bought this will be available 1st week of June. Disc itself is being re-released June 21st. Shame to see those money grabbers at HMV still trying to sell the defective version at their stores~ buyer beware!. I even saw a "not for resale or rental" Terminator 4 on the shelf there last week!