It's a wonderful life

Ethan2000 · 03-12-2008, 10:04 PM

I love this film and wanted the wife and kids to watch it this year as they havn't seen it. I have had a search around and all I can find is very bad reviews for the dvd version that we got in PAL land. So I was wondering if anybody could point me in the direction of what is deemed to be the "best" version.

I had a search around but couldn't find a thread on this.

Cheers for any info.

IAN P · 03-12-2008, 10:18 PM

I have the pal version,there's nowt wrong with the picture viewed on an 84" screen.

This boxset is the one i've got.

Ethan2000 · 03-12-2008, 11:05 PM

Thanks, very much appreciated.

SyStemDeMoN · 03-12-2008, 11:08 PM

Agreed. I have the PAL dvd of this and its perfect. PQ is very good, if only colour DVDs had this PQ.

In my opinion, there arn't many better Christmasy films than this. Always pointed it out if it was in films(Gremlins, etc) and my mrs couldn't understand why i loved this old black and white movie.

We watched it together last year, and she said she wants to watch it every Christmas from now on. Probably be re-made, but all it needs to envoke the new generation is a Blu ray release I think, maybe with an option for it to be restored in colour, not that I would care about that.

IAN P · 03-12-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOC|Ethan2000

Thanks, very much appreciated.

Anytime.

Enjoy the boxset,all the films are great.

John Henry · 03-12-2008, 11:45 PM

I've got the American version which was released in 1999 and that has a fantastic picture, THX as well.

I brought the pal version and hated it, sorry.

CrazyHorse · 04-12-2008, 3:35 AM

I used to own the R2 Pal version and thought it was pretty awful - soft picture and muddy soundtrack! Didn't have that box set but I believe it was the same transfer used in both that and the single disc I had.

The only option if you want a quality version of the film is the R1 Paramount release, which was remastered a couple of years ago. It was reissued last year I think in a 2 disc SE - the second disc had the same transfer, but colourised

- but disc one contains the beautiful B&W remastered print.

So R1 Paramount release all the way for me and to those who say they have the R2 and are very happy with it...you really are missing out and if you saw the R1 you'd understand why!

EDIT: this is the version I own...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Its-Wonderfu...8362143&sr=1-4

Pic comparison here of four releases, the final shots being the R2 print from Universal (in the review it mentions 4 audio 'pops' on the soundtrack of the R1 disc, but believe me they are very minor)...

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/dvdcom...derfullife.htm

CrazyHorse · 05-12-2008, 1:21 PM

Hmmmm, no response from the peeps who think the R2 disc is great.

Unless Universal UK have licensed the remastered Paramount print, I can't see how any R2 UK release could possibly equal the R1 disc!

IAN P · 05-12-2008, 2:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyHorse

Hmmmm, no response from the peeps who think the R2 disc is great.

Unless Universal UK have licensed the remastered Paramount print, I can't see how any R2 UK release could possibly equal the R1 disc!

I've already stated what i think.

Pic is fine viewed at 84" and the sound is mono.

Never seen the r1 disc so i can't compare.

IAN P · 05-12-2008, 2:06 PM

That colour version looks crap,and if the third shot is supposed to show what the pal disc looks like,then it's wide of the mark.

The disc i have is way better than that.

John Henry · 05-12-2008, 11:27 PM

If I'm right, Universal release the same copy every year, and of course because of the season more money for them.

I've got the republic copy and that has a great transfer, far better than the pal one.

brian s · 05-12-2008, 11:50 PM

It's been a while since I watched my R2 disc but I don't remember any problems. I may watch it again before Xmas and if so I'll let you know what I think.

Have to say that I'm more interested in the original Miracle on 34th Street. another great film.

Bri

John Henry · 06-12-2008, 12:53 AM

They colourised that as well.

brian s · 06-12-2008, 1:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Henry

They colourised that as well.

I've got the original black and white version.

By the way did you get your cat back?

Regards
Bri

John Henry · 06-12-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian s

I've got the original black and white version.

By the way did you get your cat back?

Regards
Bri

The 90's version is on sunday.

Yes Brian I did get my cat back, he came back after 3 weeks and just after I posted leaflets through everyone's door, I think someone had him locked up as he isn't the same anymore.

home cine · 06-12-2008, 7:16 PM

The Pal version is soft, I have it and couldn't watch it. NTSC is the better version a lot sharper. Since i got my pal version it has been released again this year with a slight change to packaging. I don't know if the transfer has been improved, but i would still go for the NTSC version.

Chris.

brian s · 06-12-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Henry

The 90's version is on sunday.

Yes Brian I did get my cat back, he came back after 3 weeks and just after I posted leaflets through everyone's door, I think someone had him locked up as he isn't the same anymore.

I'm so pleased he's back and sorry he's not the same. Give him time and he may recover.

All the very best
Bri

swartzy · 07-12-2008, 12:17 AM

agree with the people who say the Pal version is soft looking as I owned this version but switched to the NTSC R1 version and it does seem a lot sharper than it's Pal equivalent....but whether Pal or NTSC this has to be one of the best Christmas films made

Happy Trucker · 07-12-2008, 1:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Henry

The 90's version is on sunday.

Nowhere near a TV guide at the sec...what channel?

Was looking at getting the R1 version - I know it's been briefly touched on here, but can someone give an honest opinion on the 'sound pops'? Are they really loud or just a bit of a 'pop'?

swartzy · 07-12-2008, 1:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Trucker

Nowhere near a TV guide at the sec...what channel?

Was looking at getting the R1 version - I know it's been briefly touched on here, but can someone give an honest opinion on the 'sound pops'? Are they really loud or just a bit of a 'pop'?

I believe the sound pops where attributed to the 60th Anniversary Edition and I don't know how bad these are as I own the Silver Screen Classics Edition by Republic Pictures and the sound and picture is fine on this version...

Happy Trucker · 07-12-2008, 1:55 AM

Thanks for that. From a link earlier in this thread (the one that compares PQ) it seems that the R1 collector's version that contains the colour version (which, now I know about it, my curiosity just has to see it - shoot me now

) is the same print as the 60th Anniversary Edition and has the pops. Oddly, apparently the colourised version doesn't have them,although it's overall volume is stated as being very low

If the runtimes of the two versions are identical, I may go to the extreme of ripping both to elementary Audio & Video streams, then combine the B&W video with the colour Audio, then create a 3rd disc for the set

If I have a bored moment........

CrazyHorse · 07-12-2008, 1:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Trucker

Was looking at getting the R1 version - I know it's been briefly touched on here, but can someone give an honest opinion on the 'sound pops'? Are they really loud or just a bit of a 'pop'?

I was a little hesitant about replacing my R2 disc with the R1 60th Anniversary release when I first read that piece on DVD Beaver, but I was so disappointed with the R2 Universal disc - especially when viewed via my projector on a 8ft screen - that I took a chance and ordered it. I didn't regret it for a second!

The audio 'pops' are extremely brief - I'd say less than a second each - and nowhere near as ear-shattering as that report would have you believe. In fact I could hardly detect one of them (the last one, I think) and had to put the volume way up on my amp for it to really register!

Trust me, they are minor faults in what is otherwise a great release, a great transfer and a great movie.

Happy Trucker · 07-12-2008, 2:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyHorse

I was a little hesitant about replacing my R2 disc with the R1 60th Anniversary release when I first read that piece on DVD Beaver, but I was so disappointed with the R2 Universal disc - especially when viewed via my projector on a 8ft screen - that I took a chance and ordered it. I didn't regret it for a second!

The audio 'pops' are extremely brief - I'd say less than a second each - and nowhere near as ear-shattering as that report would have you believe. In fact I could hardly detect one of them (the last one, I think) and had to put the volume way up on my amp for it to really register!

Trust me, they are minor faults in what is otherwise a great release, a great transfer and a great movie.

Thanks for the first hand explanation. Although I do worry about you turning the amp up to hear the last one. I have images of you cranking it up, only for it to be really loud and shattering your ear drum

Still confuses me that they're not there in other versions of the transfer though. I may have missed it, but do you know if the pops are there on the original and have been removed in the other versions, or did they appear in the 60th Anniversary Edition (and subsequent 2 disc version) as the result of a transfer error?

CrazyHorse · 07-12-2008, 3:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Trucker

Thanks for the first hand explanation. Although I do worry about you turning the amp up to hear the last one. I have images of you cranking it up, only for it to be really loud and shattering your ear drum

I actually made a note from the DVD Beaver report of the times when the 'pops' occur and lowered the volume on my amp before each moment on my first viewing, just in case it was as bad as described and my speakers blew up! As I said, they were audible except for one which was so very quiet - that's when I raised the volume to see if it was actually there!

You could always turn your amp down and check out these four audio 'pops' before you watch the whole film, just so you know what to expect.

Quote:

Still confuses me that they're not there in other versions of the transfer though. I may have missed it, but do you know if the pops are there on the original and have been removed in the other versions, or did they appear in the 60th Anniversary Edition (and subsequent 2 disc version) as the result of a transfer error?

Unfortunately I think it's a transfer error on the 60th Anniversary Edition. It is a shame that they are there and of course I'd prefer if they weren't, but the overall quality of the restoration - while not being quite up to the standard of say Casablanca - is still so good and so much better than the R2 disc, that I can easily overlook these minor flaws.

07-12-2008, 9:52 AM

Something to bear in mind is that a lot depends on what size screen your watching it on, to how bad/good it looks. I know this sounds [FONT=Verdana]obvious [/FONT]to some but not all.

Reading this thread it has come apparent that the new pal release may be a better transfer. If this is true then they should have made it clear on the packaging that it is a re-mastered version, and not the crap that was first issued.

Chris.

av addict · 18-12-2008, 2:27 PM

why is this film never on tv at this time of year-real shame

Happy Trucker · 22-12-2008, 2:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by av addict

why is this film never on tv at this time of year-real shame

It used to be on every year (like The Great Escape used to be at Easter) but has been mysteriously absent for a few years now. My Mum keeps going on about a similar film with a woman in the lead role (or a female angel, I forget) that used to alternate years with It's a Wonderful Life (one of them one year, the other the next) but I have no idea what she's going on about. Not for the first time either.

Either way, I don't remember seeing either film listed over Christmas for years now.

My DVD turned up today, and on first glance the colour version doesn't look that bad. Makes an interesting change, and can restore a bit of curiosity to the film if you've seen it too many times.

<<runs away and hides in a cupboard for fear of being stoned to death>>
(but I never even said Jehovah)

IAN P · 22-12-2008, 3:06 PM

CH4/Film4 have the rights,keep a look out in the listings.

You'd think they'd show it at some point over the next few days.

John Henry · 22-12-2008, 6:47 PM

This was on BBC2 last year or the year before.

07-12-2008, 9:52 AM	#25
stiggpots Guest Posts: n/a	Re: It's a wonderful life Something to bear in mind is that a lot depends on what size screen your watching it on, to how bad/good it looks. I know this sounds [FONT=Verdana]obvious [/FONT]to some but not all. Reading this thread it has come apparent that the new pal release may be a better transfer. If this is true then they should have made it clear on the packaging that it is a re-mastered version, and not the crap that was first issued. Chris.
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