First blood hd dvd

MrFurious · 01-04-2007, 3:49 PM

i see that play have first blood on hd-dvd,anyone got this edition,its region2

AES256 · 01-04-2007, 5:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFurious

i see that play have first blood on hd-dvd,anyone got this edition,its region2

This is the UK Studio Canal release of the Rambo films already released in France and Australia. I'd assume them to all be identical, unless the British censors have butchered the UK release. The transfers will be the same.

HD DVD is region free btw.

MrFurious · 01-04-2007, 5:54 PM

cheers, yeah i know its region free, my concern was the bbfc ,dont want a version thats chopped at all, same for total recall.

BAN5HEE · 02-04-2007, 9:12 AM

Got my "Your dvd is in the mail" email today so should have it by wednesday if not tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing what its like. Got mine from Play.

MrFurious · 02-04-2007, 9:21 AM

let me know then please mate

BAN5HEE · 03-04-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFurious

let me know then please mate

No problem. Still nothing there this morning though but will give a full review as soon as it arrives.

mikehb · 03-04-2007, 5:47 PM

Got mine today plus Rambo part 11. Will watch tonight and report back tomorrrow.

MrFurious · 03-04-2007, 7:53 PM

any extras on the dvd mate??

MrFurious · 04-04-2007, 8:28 AM

Any news for me lads?
my basket at play is ready to be filled.

MJeeves · 04-04-2007, 2:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAN5HEE

No problem. Still nothing there this morning though but will give a full review as soon as it arrives.

DEFINATELY interested in this. Hoepfully it's uncut and with great picture and sound. Hopefully...

I await any reviews with interest and wallet in hand

MrFurious · 04-04-2007, 4:32 PM

any reviews ready lads

featherhall · 04-04-2007, 5:16 PM

will they not be the same as the French releases. If so, then your in for a treat

MrFurious · 04-04-2007, 5:21 PM

i hope so, i have the french rambo2 but im hoping to order first blood tonight, just worried that it may be cut.

HugoFJH · 04-04-2007, 5:24 PM

I just bought Harry Potter and First Blood from Virgin (on the street) today, and really hoping to enjoy their top quality sound on my new HD-E1 in the next couple of days

MrFurious · 04-04-2007, 5:27 PM

any extras on first blood?

mikehb · 04-04-2007, 5:40 PM

Watched it last night no extras on version from Axelmusic. Stunning picture quality (but only from the mountain shots and when he is in the cave-trully amazing picture from firelight) must admit most of the movie not much better than standard release DVD. Have also seen Rambo 3 several weeks ago and that really blew me away, sound outstanding.

Watching Rambo 2 at the weekend will report back later.

BAN5HEE · 05-04-2007, 10:44 AM

Mine arrived from Play yesterday. I haven't had time to take a look at them yet. We are moving house so its been hectic but will watch them this weekend and give my thoughts.

HugoFJH · 06-04-2007, 8:07 AM

I thought the whole film looked awful

I know its a really old film (late 70's or early 80's) but I didnt think there was that much extra from a decent DVD copy (now admittedly I havent seen a dvd of this film, but you get what I mean I hope)

What disappointed me even more was the DTS soundtrack which was non-existant, if had standard 5.1 pcm soundtracks sounding better

recruit · 06-04-2007, 8:20 AM

Watched this last night and was very impressed it looked stunning thru my Pearl and i love this film anyway so enjoyed watching it again, best transfer yet !

MrFurious · 06-04-2007, 9:25 AM

lol, guess i'll have to get it to make my own mind up as its getting mixed reviews here.

AES256 · 06-04-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFurious

lol, guess i'll have to get it to make my own mind up as its getting mixed reviews here.

There have been several threads about Rambo I since the SC transfer was first released in France; even a comparison thread between the BD and SC HD DVD transfers as to which was "better".
The eventual consensus on that thread (after some four pages) was that the BD transfer had had some heavy noise reduction applied removing all grain and making for an "overly smooth but much softer" image, and that the SC transfer "kept the natural and somewhat grainy look of the film intact". So the conclusion was that you preferred whichever version was more to your liking i.e. back to the ole' film grain argument again.

The master of Rambo I doesn't seem to be great to start with i.e. they were probably on a budget (likely as there is a marked difference with the 2nd and 3rd Rambo episodes with the master and the SC transfers being of markedly better quality).
So in Rambo I, the scene where the sheriff drops Rambo off on the other side of the bridge outside of town looks quite drab and washed out. Conversely a scene like the one during the opening credits where Rambo walks down the road towards the house by the lake looks gorgeous. One of the other scenes that springs to mind that looks very good is the night-time shootout scene in the town.
Anyway, the master would seem to be quite variable and the SC techs have done a good job with the transfer, so if you like the film, it's the best release of it yet.
Rambo II is a much easier proposition. Very sharp and clear picture, especially in the sunny outdoors jungle scenes but also in the darker and night-time scenes. Beautiful to watch.
I don't have Rambo III as I don't recall it being a particularly good film (IMO).

Note that I have the Australian releases of the SC transfers, so cannot comment on whether anything's been changed or cut from the UK releases (as per the OP).

HugoFJH · 08-04-2007, 8:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AES256

The master of Rambo I doesn't seem to be great to start with i.e. they were probably on a budget (likely as there is a marked difference with the 2nd and 3rd Rambo episodes with the master and the SC transfers being of markedly better quality).
So in Rambo I, the scene where the sheriff drops Rambo off on the other side of the bridge outside of town looks quite drab and washed out. Conversely a scene like the one during the opening credits where Rambo walks down the road towards the house by the lake looks gorgeous. One of the other scenes that springs to mind that looks very good is the night-time shootout scene in the town.
Anyway, the master would seem to be quite variable and the SC techs have done a good job with the transfer, so if you like the film, it's the best release of it yet.
Rambo II is a much easier proposition. Very sharp and clear picture, especially in the sunny outdoors jungle scenes but also in the darker and night-time scenes. Beautiful to watch.
I don't have Rambo III as I don't recall it being a particularly good film (IMO).

Note that I have the Australian releases of the SC transfers, so cannot comment on whether anything's been changed or cut from the UK releases (as per the OP).

Are you talking about First Blood or Rambo:First Blood part II?

Never seen FB ever referred as Rambo I (and its confusing considering the above titles are seeminly correct and the subseqent titles after First Blood II being Rambo II and III)

There does seem to be a vast quality difference between soundtracks in my opinion which are "labelled " the same. Now it could be that it wasnt remixed properly or something but I would happily sell this disc after only watching it once I am so disappointed

myersfan73 · 09-04-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HugoFJH

I thought the whole film looked awful

I know its a really old film (late 70's or early 80's) but I didnt think there was that much extra from a decent DVD copy (now admittedly I havent seen a dvd of this film, but you get what I mean I hope)

What disappointed me even more was the DTS soundtrack which was non-existant, if had standard 5.1 pcm soundtracks sounding better

First Blood is my all time favourite action movie & the HD-DVD is the best I've ever seen or heard it!

HugoFJH · 10-04-2007, 4:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfan73

First Blood is my all time favourite action movie & the HD-DVD is the best I've ever seen or heard it!

thats fair enough - but doesnt really compare to other hd-dvd's already out imo

T800 · 10-04-2007, 7:11 PM

Even though the BD version has less grain I found it sharper than the HD-DVD and overall better looking.

AES256 · 10-04-2007, 8:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AES256

... even a comparison thread between the BD and SC HD DVD transfers as to which was "better".
The eventual consensus on that thread (after some four pages) was that the BD transfer had had some heavy noise reduction applied removing all grain and making for an "overly smooth but much softer" image, and that the SC transfer "kept the natural and somewhat grainy look of the film intact". So the conclusion was that you preferred whichever version was more to your liking i.e. back to the ole' film grain argument again.

Found that AVS thread again where the LG BD and SC HD DVD versions of the first Rambo movie (First Blood) were compared:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post9746416
And Alan Gouger's comparison:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post9783855

acave · 19-04-2007, 10:56 PM

I watched the UK version a few nights ago. After seeing the really poor review on AVPlay I was getting reading to abort the movie after the first few minutes . . . the reviewer said it looked like a SD DVD.

" was quite disappointed with this picture it didn’t look to me to be any better than a standard DVD presentation and that simply is not on"

Overall I found the image was smooth with little added grain. I wonder if the UK version is different to the French release?

I think I may buy the BR version to compare.

Off topic. T2 on the SC trailer looks really nice. I'm looking forward to this title when it's released.