Older movies on HD.

[the_pauley]

Watched Superman The Movie on HD DVD and it didn't wow me as much as other Hi Def releases. Probably two reasons for this -

1. The recent SD DVD is of superb quality already.

2. A lot of the film is shot with a soft focus effect, which lessens that HD "pop".

So while there is a slight upgrade from SD DVD quality, it's not as dramatic as the King Kong experience.

I was beginning to think that maybe older movies (Supes is almost 30 years old) might not have the same "wow" factor as newer titles, but then I took delivery of The Searchers (1955) on HD DVD.

Wowee! Absolutely stunning PQ. Some of the outdoor scenes in Monument Valley are among the best HD images I have seen, and this from a movie half a century old!

[AES256]

Agree absolutely with The Searchers. Stunning to watch this film on HD DVD.
Caddyshack is another HD DVD title that is a real pleasure to watch (compared to SD).
I've taken delivery of Casablanca and Adventures of Robin Hood, both of which are apparently absolutely stunning for their age; Casablanca reportedly being "the best release of this film since it originally showed in cinemas back in the 40s".

I must say I've avoided Superman, as I rented the SD to remind myself of what I thought of the film i.e. that it's not a keeper for me, and got the impression thantan HD release would unlikely make for great PQ.

[pRot3us]

Originally Posted by AES256

I've taken delivery of Casablanca and Adventures of Robin Hood, both of which are apparently absolutely stunning for their age

The Adventures of Robin Hood does look absolutely jaw-droppingly good. If you're a fan of old films I'd recommend you buy this immediately even if you're not particularly a fan of the film.

I hadn't seen it since I was a kid and it wasn't a film I'd bought on dvd, I'd gotten it into my head that it was an old 'men in tights' cheesefest not worthy of my collection/attention. Even so I bought it after hearing about the great transfer and being a fan of Technicolor, I have to say what a great film, pure entertainment all the way, Rathbone and Flynn shine. Fantastic extras too

The only other old film I have is Forbidden Planet, again another great transfer of a sci-fi classic, well worth adding to anyone's collection.

[Mickle]

It seems to me that if film studios really want to make an effort with restoring and remastering these prints they can and the results show (Forbidden Planet etc). Though I wonder if it's a matter of how well the prints are treated in the first place. Goodfellas has a line pop in part of the film which is present in both the SD and HD DVD versions of the film and it's not yet 20 years old (feel old all of a sudden ).

I'm really chuffed that these old films come out so well as there a few older films I would love to see in HD.

Original King kong
Jouney to the centre of the Earth.
When worlds collide
Fantastic Voyage

[redwing]

I was wondering what Enter the Dragon looks like . has anyone seen it ?

[KevD]

Originally Posted by Mickle

I'm really chuffed that these old films come out so well as there a few older films I would love to see in HD.

Original King kong

This is available

Studio Canal released it in France, available as import from Movietyme here

[Crabman32]

I was kinda worried that older films may not give that WOW factor but some of your comments are encouraging. I have just ordered The Thing on HD as it is one of my favourites because reviews said it looked stunning. Cant wait . I also want to see The Exorcist given a primo HD overhall that will knock my socks off. Hurry up Warners. Please.

[AES256]

Originally Posted by Mickle

I'm really chuffed that these old films come out so well as there a few older films I would love to see in HD.

Original King kong

Besides the Studio Canal release of the '76 version, Amazon.com is listing the original '33 version (not that this necessarily means that it will actually get released, of course):
http://www.amazon.com/King-Kong-HD-D...51403-0345559\

Originally Posted by redwing

I was wondering what Enter the Dragon looks like . has anyone seen it ?

Take a look at the SD/HD DVD comparison in post #33 of this AVS thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post9459033

[Nic Rhodes]

For me I am much more excited by these older classics rather than the 'paste' that we are being palmed off in many of the new releases. Certainly they are much more likely to get the sale.

[the_pauley]

Originally Posted by Nic_Rhodes

For me I am much more excited by these older classics rather than the 'paste' that we are being palmed off in many of the new releases. Certainly they are much more likely to get the sale.

Agreed. A classic is a classic and will always be a pleasure to revisit, especially so if it is in Hi Def.

My HD purchases so far have been well established back catalogue titles like those mentioned above, for the simple fact that I will watch them over and over again. I'm not even remotely tempted by some of the "paste" on offer that holds no appeal beyond the fact that "the CGI rawks in HD".

The Chronicles of Aeon Van Ultraviolet and its ilk are still turds in Hi Def, just shinier.

See? It is possible to polish a turd after all!

[supermackem]

Robin hood looks crazy good the colour on screen is just wow.

[Basil Plumley]

The Wizard Of Oz would be amazing in HD. Would have to come with a public health warning though "We cannot accept resonsibility for burnt out retinas in the Dorothy gets to Oz scene"...
I've got Casablanca and was watching it last week. My wife had been out to see a Queen tribute band and came back with 3 glasses of red winein here...someone hit the send button but forgot to hit the stop talking button. I don't think she even realised i had switched off the system and gone to bed for about 10 mins and it was like watching it for the first time again...

[amardilo]

Originally Posted by redwing

I was wondering what Enter the Dragon looks like . has anyone seen it ?

I have that film on HD-DVD. I have never seen the DVD nor watched the film on TV before but the PQ is good from my point of view.

I am still waiting for the UK release of Blazing Saddles, I hope the PQ on that really shines.

[Therage79]

Now I dont want to get my head bitten off for saying this as its not really based on anything other than my thoughts.

But doesnt the fact that some/most modern films are shot with HD cameras, as opposed to just remastering an old film play some part?

If a film is not filmed in HD then isnt it just really sort of upscaled, whereas new films are HD from the very begining, so should look better!

Anyway..your thoughts gentlemen (and ladies)!

[pjclark1]

Film is about 50x the resolution of HD, so it could end up 50x better than anything shot on a HD camera.
As far as I know there is no film in a HD camera.

The Wizard of Oz has already been converted to HD (for the recent SD re-release)