Kubrick Lands On HD DVD / BluRay

Rasczak · 26-07-2007, 5:09 AM

Warner have announced four Kubrick films for release on HD DVD and BluRay:
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- A Clockwork Orange
- The Shining
- Eyes Wide Shut

Additionally DVD Times are reporting there will be a deluxe re-issue of Full Metal Jacket.

All titles will be released individually priced at US$28.99. Titles will be encoded in 1080p and feature Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio tracks (although DVD Times seems to think the BluRay release will have PCM instead).

enablerbro1 · 26-07-2007, 7:24 AM

Barry Lyndon in HD will be amazing I'm guessing, shame it's not slated for release yet.

Jim Morrison · 26-07-2007, 1:02 PM

I'll be picking all 5 of these up (inc the FMJ Deluxe)....can't wait to see all of these in 1080p...gorgeousness and Gorgeosity made flesh!

easycure · 27-07-2007, 8:09 AM

Fantastic news. I've held off from buying any of the current HD versions of Full Metal Jacket due to poor reviews, so a re-issue with improved PQ would be most welcome.

Barry Lyndon is the one I want to see on HD more than any other though. I hope it's not being overlooked by Warner because it's not considered as being a best seller or something.

enablerbro1 · 27-07-2007, 1:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easycure

Barry Lyndon is the one I want to see on HD more than any other though. I hope it's not being overlooked by Warner because it's not considered as being a best seller or something.

Given it's legendary visuals I am hoping that the delay is the studio taking its time getting the best possible transfer. With the lighting it has the potential to be the test disc for a TVs light/black/colour handling. If any film can expose a TVs failings in image reproduction then Lyndon will be that film.

pRot3us · 27-07-2007, 5:31 PM

Can't wait for A Clockwork Orange and 2001, The Shining will be getting bought too

Quote:

Originally Posted by enablerbro1

Barry Lyndon in HD will be amazing I'm guessing, shame it's not slated for release yet.

As far as Kubrick's films I think Barry Lyndon would benefit least from a HD release, its virtually all shot with a soft filter (from what I recall), although HD would give it richer colours and deeper blacks.

easycure · 27-07-2007, 8:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pRot3us

As far as Kubrick's films I think Barry Lyndon would benefit least from a HD release, its virtually all shot with a soft filter (from what I recall), although HD would give it richer colours and deeper blacks.

Oh, I dunno, mate. Barry Lyndon is probably the most beautifully shot film I've ever seen. I mean, you could take a still photograph of any scene, frame it, and hang it on your wall, like it was an 18th century painting or something. The extra clarity and depth that HD can provide could potentially make Barry Lyndon even more breathtaking than it already is.

A few extra bits and pieces wouldn't go amiss either. Martin Scorsese has publicly been a big admirer of Barry Lyndon in recent years. Perhaps, with a friendly poke in the ribs, he could be encouraged to provide a commentary.

Sadly though, according to actor and Kubrick associate, Leon Vitali, it appears that Warner have no plans for a HD release as of yet - "The only one they're not doing is Barry Lyndon. And I have no idea why not. That would look totally beautiful in HD."

Quote taken from here - http://www.thereeler.com/features/a_...experience.php

pRot3us · 28-07-2007, 5:44 PM

Don't get me wrong, Barry Lyndon is definitely a beautiful looking film and will look better in HD, its just that because of the way it was shot it won't give an apparent increase in definition as much as say 2001 will.Take a look at the Superman HD release for example, thats softly shot (and BL has a much softer look) it doesn't stand out as much as other HD releases.

Or try watching any HD film with vaseline smeared over your eyeballs for similar effect

easycure · 29-07-2007, 11:56 AM

I know what you mean, but it's the indoor, lit by candlelight scenes, that look kinda soft. The outdoor stuff could look picture postcard perfect in HD.

Anyhoo, my concerns are moot, seeing as Barry Lyndon is only being re-issued as a standard def DVD. There's still plenty of other Kubrick films coming out on HD to get excited about, and to make October an expensive month. It's just that Barry Lyndon is a particular fave of mine, which is weird because the thought of watching a three hour costume drama would normally have me running for cover.

enablerbro1 · 29-07-2007, 1:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easycure

It's just that Barry Lyndon is a particular fave of mine, which is weird because the thought of watching a three hour costume drama would normally have me running for cover.

I remember when I first saw Lyndon, I think the Beeb were running a Kubrick season, it was probably about 15 years ago. I wasn't that aware of Kubrick other than 2001 really and just taped the film to watch the next day. Not a big costume drama fan, I sat down and was bowled over. One of those rare times when a film totally exceeds expectations; I think it's something I have experienced less than half a dozen times so far in my life.

Maybe the delay is to do with who owns the rights, distribution, the sort of thing that saw Living Daylights disappear from the Bond franchise for so long.

Rasczak · 03-08-2007, 8:44 PM

There is some new info on the specs and extras on the upcoming Kubrick titles over at DVD Times. Disappointingly there is no mention of a TrueHD or PCM soundtrack for Eyes Wide Shut. The other titles have them though.

FOXCLOSE · 03-08-2007, 9:45 PM

Is Eyes Wide Shut - the R-rated version?

Rasczak · 03-08-2007, 9:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOXCLOSE

Is Eyes Wide Shut - the R-rated version?

Looks like it is both versions - they don't mention it in the specs themselves but the preamble before hand states:

Quote:

The Eyes Wide Shut Special Edition includes both the Rated and Unrated versions

Was there much difference? I have only seen the original UK R2 DVD release whichever that was.

FOXCLOSE · 03-08-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Was there much difference? I have only seen the original UK R2 DVD release whichever that was.

From what I understand; there is some blurring out in the US R version - which I have never seen as well!

UK version is Unrated.

MrE26 · 04-08-2007, 9:16 AM

The US version has digital extras obscuring some of the more explicit shots.

Elojikal · 07-09-2007, 7:36 PM

What a waste. If any HD release shouted "IN MOVIE EXPERIENCE" it'd have to be 2001. As much as I have been antipating an HD release of 2001 I think I'll hold off until they inevitably get round to releasing another HD DVD release with more special features an an in movie experience. Anything to bleed the punters dry a bit more.

Pecker · 07-09-2007, 8:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrE26

The US version has digital extras obscuring some of the more explicit shots.

I'm pretty sure both are cut in different ways.

If my mem'ry serves me well some Hindu spiritual music was used in an explicit scene, and the soundtrack was changed on the UK version.

Steve 'THE KNOWLEDGE' W