Just got through watching The Searchers on HD DVD . I was absolutely amazed on how this older film looked on HD.

There's a bunch of "older" films (Casablanca, Robin Hood, Forbidden Planet) that look AMAZING in HD. That's actually the most exciting thing for me so far... and what convinced me to take the plunge this early.

I'm looking forward to other gems from the Warner library -- Citizen Kane, Maltese Falcon, Ben Hur, Wizard of Oz... the possiblities are nearly endless.

I study and talk about movies (and books) for pleasure and profit, so I'd wanted to see The Searchers for years.

I saw it a few years back on DVD. For some reason, I just didn't connect with it.

Then I saw it last week on HD-DVD. Wow. It was an object lesson in how we're not just talking about trivial aesthetic considerations here at AVS. If the picture quality is great, then the movie experience can be more immersive.

And that's why I read AVS: to learn how to make that immersive experience happen.

Just got through watching The Searchers on HD DVD . I was absolutely amazed on how this older film looked on HD.

Yes. I always used to wonder what was so special about the "Filmed in Panavision" type logos when seeing e.g. a John Wayne movie on TV with slightly washed-out colours and overall fairly flat look to it.

Then I watched The Searchers HD DVD and was, like yourself, stunned at the vivid colours and overall richness and clarity - with even some 3D effects - of the picture, and finally understood what that logo would have probably meant to movie-going folk going to see a film in the cinema back in the fifties.

This is the kind of release that has, for me, brought back the joy and "specialness" of watching a movie again.


PS Yes, Casablanca HD DVD is stunning too. And one of the all-time classic films to boot :)

Searchers was actually filmed in the now-defunct Vistavision. Regarding color, I think they used a format other than Technicolor

Grand Prix is another film that looks amazing in HD, worth checking out.

Agree with everyone on this title, I was amazed at how it looked. Not just "for an old film", but in comparison to the rest of my HD DVD collection. In a way, it's the most beautiful as it has that old, golden film look and color with exquisite detail.

Searchers was actually filmed in the now-defunct Vistavision. Regarding color, I think they used a format other than Technicolor

I think it was Eastmancolor.

This movie is what these new high defninition formats are all about.

When people first get a HD display they seem to all talk about watching anything as long as it's in HD. They marvel at the PQ and seem to forget the substance. They stare endlessly into the gleaming polished turd and bask in it's warm loving glow. Ok, that's going way to far but the same thing kinda happened with these new formats. I've done it myself. I've not only watched but bought a few movies that I know are not very good but look great.

When I watch a movie like The Searchers that not only looks great but IS great I'm awestruck. I get lost in the whole thing. I'm caught up in the story and I'm blown away by the picture or in other movies the sound. I relish every moment of it. THAT'S why I watch movies and THAT's what I got when I watched this movie on HD DVD.

If you like movies, and you like this movie, you'ld be a fool not to watch this on HD DVD.

Like the rest of you it's access to the old film catalog in perfect HD that's realy got me set on HDDVD.

I think it was Eastmancolor.

VistaVision always used dye-transfer Technicolor prints for its color films. The negatives were Eastman color stock.

Original "Technicolor negatives" were three B&W strips. This went out in the early 50's, and was basically incompatible with all of the new processes anyway.

The Technicolor films shot in VistaVision were however marvelous. I have the pleasure of seeing original archive prints a few times a year, and they are something to behold.

Some films justly famous for VistaVision/Technicolor are: The Searchers, The Ten Commandments, North by Northwest, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Funny Face. Most are from Paramount, with only two from Metro and one from Warners (The Searchers).

The Searchers is STUNNING.

I have this and Unforgiven both on HD DVD.

I watched The Searchers first, and then Unforgiven next.


Between the two, if you wanted to show off the dazzling PQ of HD DVD, you would actually pick the 40 year older film- The Searchers.

VistaVision always used dye-transfer Technicolor prints for its color films. The negatives were Eastman color stock.

Original "Technicolor negatives" were three B&W strips. This went out in the early 50's, and was basically incompatible with all of the new processes anyway.
Thanks for clarifying that. Don't know what I was thinking when I wrote Panavision... :o


Some films justly famous for VistaVision/Technicolor are: The Searchers, The Ten Commandments, North by Northwest, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Funny Face. Most are from Paramount, with only two from Metro and one from Warners (The Searchers).
Can't wait to see a few of those released on HD DVD; especially the Hitchcock movies!

I'm currently on vacation out West and just spent a couple of days in Monument Valley Az where much of The Searchers was filmed...it is absolutely stunning and all of you should see it at least once before you die. I shot some footage of it with a Sony HC-3 HD camcorder and can't wait to get back home and see how it looks on my HDTV display.

Yes the searchers looks awesome!

I just watched this last night on Blu Ray........I'm pretty sure the HD DVD is identical so my opinion still applies. I thought it looked amazing for an old film. There were some scenes that were sharper and more defined than some newer films I've seen in HD. I wasn't a huge fan of the movie, but I definitly enjoyed the experience because of how good it looked........I mean 1956? Wow.

Always excited more by older films coming out. Can't wait for Psycho, and more Hitchcock. Don't even get me started on all the incredible possibities. Can't even imagine how amazing it would be if Criterion chooses HD-DVD. That would be the greatest day ever for HD-DVD.

I'm with all the rest of you. I think that the Searchers is what HD-DVD is all about. New movies should always look good, but the true test are these older classics. Does anyone know if Rio Bravo or the Cowboys will look this good?

Bring on the old titles properly mastered for hi def and I'll take them everytime over the new releases.

This movie is what these new high defninition formats are all about.

When people first get a HD display they seem to all talk about watching anything as long as it's in HD. They marvel at the PQ and seem to forget the substance. They stare endlessly into the gleaming polished turd and bask in it's warm loving glow. Ok, that's going way to far but the same thing kinda happened with these new formats. I've done it myself. I've not only watched but bought a few movies that I know are not very good but look great.

When I watch a movie like The Searchers that not only looks great but IS great I'm awestruck. I get lost in the whole thing. I'm caught up in the story and I'm blown away by the picture or in other movies the sound. I relish every moment of it. THAT'S why I watch movies and THAT's what I got when I watched this movie on HD DVD.

If you like movies, and you like this movie, you'ld be a fool not to watch this on HD DVD.

Guilty as charged. Well-put. :p

I'd been waiting years for the standard def dvd to get remastered. When I heard that Warner would be making this one of their early HD releases, I was sold on getting a player sooner rather than later, and when it was finally released last August, I felt the $500 spent on the hardware was instantly justified.

I've never seen The Searchers (don't hurt me). I went ahead and ordered it.

Not until I got into HD did I start buying the classic titles. Boy was I missing out. I've seen Robin Hood, Casablanca, Grand Prix, Mutiny on the Bounty so far and I am mesmerized by how amazing they look, and how good the acting is. I have the searchers, but have not seen it yet, been going slowly through my 150+ collection of HD DVDs to catch up on titles I haven't seen.

This hobby and passion while can be expensive at times, is very rewarding and I am very thankful for the efforts that Warner put into their classic and releasing this early into the game. It's made my HD switch well worth it.

Does anyone know if Rio Bravo or the Cowboys will look this good?

We'll have a chance to find out on June 5th :D

One of the reasons VistaVision looked so good is that the image went through the camera and onto the film horizontally rather than vertically. The original negative was larger and had more information. It was then optically printed down (probably squeezed) for projection.

Djkstra (sp?) obtained one of the last VistaVision systems and shot Star Wars with it.

Not until I got into HD did I start buying the classic titles. Boy was I missing out. I've seen Robin Hood, Casablanca, Grand Prix, Mutiny on the Bounty so far and I am mesmerized by how amazing they look, and how good the acting is. I have the searchers, but have not seen it yet, been going slowly through my 150+ collection of HD DVDs to catch up on titles I haven't seen.

This hobby and passion while can be expensive at times, is very rewarding and I am very thankful for the efforts that Warner put into their classic and releasing this early into the game. It's made my HD switch well worth it.


Wait until you see the Searchers!

This is the real reason why HD is so great, I have the Searchers, Grand Prix, Forbidden Planet, Casablance and Robin Hood and they all look great. But I'm most impressed by Robin Hood a movie from 1938 and it looks amazing.

about to watch Mutiny on the Bounty

The Searchers is amazing. I've seen it several times, but it's been many years since my last viewing. When I first started watching the HD DVD I was blown away by how great it looked, then I just sat back and enjoyed a first class presentation of a truly classic film.

Can't wait for Rio Bravo and The Cowboys.

The Searchers look really stunning on my TH-50PH9UK. :)

I have been amazed by the transfers of The Searchers and Robin Hood since day 1. Now, I am waiting for Vertigo.

I've never seen The Searchers (don't hurt me). I went ahead and ordered it.


WOW! I'm surprised at the response to my original post. I think it speaks volumes that many of us want to see these classic films in HD DVD.


You won't be sorry on getting this film in HD.

Strange for me to resurrect an old thread about an old film. Enough has been said about the fantastic Vistavision and it's fabulous HD transfer.

The film itself is beyond classic. It could NEVER be remade, and never should be. We are way past the point where directors can create bigotted characters as the centerpiece. You can kill and destroy, but you have to do it in a politically correct way. Not John Ford's, The Searchers.

It's breathtaking for its imagery, gripping story and commanding characters. I don't think you will forget the spine chill upon the appearances of Scar, and the stare down between him and Ethan is one of the most powerful moments in all of classic western films.

This video did more for me to recreate the big screen motion picture cinematic experience than any other. If I could own only one western, this may be the greatest.

This video did more for me to recreate the big screen motion picture cinematic experience than any other. If I could own only one western, this may be the greatest.

Greatest westerns is a fascinating topic to me. On my list are two others, both starring John Wayne. I believe Howard Hawks' "Red River" is one if not the greatest western ever made, closely followed by John Ford's "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance".

I was blown away by the picture quality of "The Searchers" and I have seen it many times on television and SD DVD. But in HD DVD, the detail is so unbelievable, that when Ethan shoots out the eyes of the dead warrior underneath the red rock, you can actually see the actor flinch. It's almost too good. :)

After watching The Searchers many many many times. Anybody else feel that there is more to Ethan's relationship with Martha then just a brother-sister inlaw realationship. Just look at how Martha looks at Ethan and how she stoke his coat and how the Rev/Captain looks and then looks away at that sceen. Also when the Ethan comes back to the burnt farm, his 1st thght was for Martha, not anybody else....Also Ethans bro's remarks/questioning about why Ethan stayed on before the war when it look like Ethan wanted to leave. Just look at Martha's reactions.

Ah...maybe I am just reading too much into it...

Note the scean when they find the dead warrior, when they lift the stone, you can see the "dead" warrior take a breath and hold it....

Greatest westerns is a fascinating topic to me. On my list are two others, both starring John Wayne. I believe Howard Hawks' "Red River" is one if not the greatest western ever made, closely followed by John Ford's "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance".

I was blown away by the picture quality of "The Searchers" and I have seen it many times on television and SD DVD. But in HD DVD, the detail is so unbelievable, that when Ethan shoots out the eyes of the dead warrior underneath the red rock, you can actually see the actor flinch. It's almost too good. :)

I've watched too many of the stereotypical John Wayne westerns to properly credit him with enough props for this movie where he showcases his true acting talent in a worthy story.

I look forward to watching Red River and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Note the scene when they find the dead warrior, when they lift the stone, you can see the "dead" warrior take a breath and hold it....

Yes, you can definitely seem him breathing!

After watching The Searchers many many many times. Anybody else feel that there is more to Ethan's relationship with Martha then just a brother-sister inlaw realationship. Just look at how Martha looks at Ethan and how she stoke his coat and how the Rev/Captain looks and then looks away at that sceen. Also when the Ethan comes back to the burnt farm, his 1st thght was for Martha, not anybody else....Also Ethans bro's remarks/questioning about why Ethan stayed on before the war when it look like Ethan wanted to leave. Just look at Martha's reactions.

The John Ford biographer on the HD DVD commentary track said there was something between them.

The John Ford biographer on the HD DVD commentary track said there was something between them.

Totaly missed that...:o Also thinking Debbie may be Ethan's kid and not his bro's...just conjecture again.

I thought this HD DVD had excellent picture quality too........I thought the movie itself was kind of a wash though. I enjoyed The Cowboys (also a fantastic looking transfer) much more.

The PQ for this movie was astonishing on my Samsung HLT5087S screen.

However, a question: Has anyone else been unable to access the special features? My Toshiba HD-A3 would not bring up the menu and would not play any extras. It would play the movie, with subtitles turned on, and that's it. Any attempt to access the menu would result in the player running a 14-second loop of dead air over and over again. There are no scratches or smudges on the disc.

Menus and extras appear without any problem on other movies.

I bought this and still haven't opened it or seen it yet. I hear it's a classic and looks amazing, I need to just watch it. hehe. I just don't always like super old movies, although To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorites.

The PQ for this movie was astonishing on my Samsung HLT5087S screen.

However, a question: Has anyone else been unable to access the special features? My Toshiba HD-A3 would not bring up the menu and would not play any extras. It would play the movie, with subtitles turned on, and that's it. Any attempt to access the menu would result in the player running a 14-second loop of dead air over and over again. There are no scratches or smudges on the disc.

Menus and extras appear without any problem on other movies.


Special features work for me on my A35. Have you updated your firmware to version 1.3?

Bill

Special features work for me on my A35. Have you updated your firmware to version 1.3?

Bill

Updated the firmware when v. 1.3 came out.

After reading this thread, I guess it's clear that The Searchers will probably be my next HD purchase. I had the previous Ultimate CE in SD DVD and was kind of hesitant regarding the HD upgrade... Thanks everyone for convincing me !

The PQ for this movie was astonishing on my Samsung HLT5087S screen.

However, a question: Has anyone else been unable to access the special features? My Toshiba HD-A3 would not bring up the menu and would not play any extras. It would play the movie, with subtitles turned on, and that's it. Any attempt to access the menu would result in the player running a 14-second loop of dead air over and over again. There are no scratches or smudges on the disc.

Menus and extras appear without any problem on other movies.

I'm having the same issue with being unable to access the menu on my HD-A2, and I'm using the latest firmware. Does anybody have any ideas?

Vincent

This was one of those titles where my film projection mode worked its magic. The sony 200 made me feel like I was watching the Searchers when it first came out... :eek:

I'm having the same issue with being unable to access the menu on my HD-A2, and I'm using the latest firmware. Does anybody have any ideas?

Vincent

It happened to me as well. Revert back to FW 2.7 and everything will be fine.

It happened to me as well. Revert back to FW 2.7 and everything will be fine.

Regarding the problems accessing the menus/special features on The HD-DVD:

Has anyone with a HD-A30 (not a HD-A2 or HD-A3) found a version of firmware that works?

My A30 came with v1.3 which didn't work so I upgraded to v3.0 which also didn't work. At least those with A2 or A3 players have a solution with older firmware, but do A30 owners have a solution for this disc?

Quick update: I just heard the latest v4.0 from Toshiba did not fix the menu problem on the A30. I wonder why Toshiba can't fix this in their latest versions.