Old Films on Blueray

[charliegirl]

Having never watched a blueray movie, or even an upscaled DVD - is there any point in buying old films on blueray.

I always understood that the film actually had to be filmed with high def cameras to get the full effect - if this is the case, what is the point of buying a blueray version of say an 80's film??

thanks

 

[IAN P]

Well seeing as 35mm film has at least 5 times the resolution of what blu-ray can handle,you're safe to buy films that were shot in the 30's never mind the 80's.

 

[Todd Tomorrow]

I always understood that the film actually had to be filmed with high def cameras to get the full effect - if this is the case, what is the point of buying a blueray version of say an 80's film??

thanks

As 35mm film is actually sharper than high definition video even a film from the 1930s can look a lot better on Blu-ray. The oldest film I have on Blu-ray is Powell and Pressburgers classic Black Narcissus from 1947 and it looks amazing.

 

[IAN P]

Being discussed here.

 

[aniki]

I've just watched some of the Elvis movie 'Viva Las Vegas' on BD & have to say that it looks truly stunning. Blows away many modern releases.
Considering it was shot in 1963 theres really no excuse for newer movies to look as bad as they sometimes do

 

[Kevin T]

Among the best, most gorgeous, most detailed transfers I've seen on Blu-Ray are Blade Runner, Close Encounters, The Enforcer, 2001 and, incredibly, Escape To Athena (!). Bring on the David Lean and Sergio Leone epics...

 

[brian s]

Among the best, most gorgeous, most detailed transfers I've seen on Blu-Ray are Blade Runner, Close Encounters, The Enforcer, 2001 and, incredibly, Escape To Athena (!). Bring on the David Lean and Sergio Leone epics...

Yes 2001 is brilliant on BD. You bought Escape To Athena? Serious point though, old films should look great in HD given a decent print and transfer.

Cheers
Bri

 

[chambeaj]

2001 is one of the best Blu-rays I feel I've watched so far (and one of my all time favourite sci-fi movies). Picture quality is absolutely awesome. Apart from the initial ape scenes on earth there is almost no visible grain and an amazing level of detail. The Blu-ray shows clearly what a perfectionist Kubrick was. The scene where the shuttle is landing on the moonbase is a pleasure to watch.

 

[chambeaj]

Looking forward to watching 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' on Blu-ray & hope they do a good job with the transfer.

Amazon.co.uk: The Day The Earth Stood Still [Blu-ray] [1951]: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray, Frances Bavier, Lock Martin, Robert Wise: DVD


Would be nice to see a decent Blu-ray release of 'Forbidden Planet' too.

 

[HummerUK]

£17.00 seems a lot for a B&W movie from the 50's

I assume the high price may refelect the release of the new version which is out soon with Keanu Reeves in the lead role The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

HummerUK