I recently picked The Shining on HD DVD since they didnt have the SD version on it in stock. Im really not into buying non action films on HD because to me it seems pointless, but i really wanted to see the flick and i ended up picking in up. (Back at my place) I pop in the HD DVD and i was blown away with the PQ on this movie, even more because the film is about 30 years old. So my question is are older titles like Warriors just as good looking. Is it worth the double dip? Cause if they do then i would love to see them release The Man Who Show Liberty Valance as well as other classics.

I wouldn't say that they all look that good. The Shining is an exceptional remaster. There are a lot that look nearly as good or better and a some that don't. Of all of the older films that I have seen they are all huge improvements over their prior releases. I would never shy away from picking up an older movie on HD, especially if I really like the movie.

In general, if it's a good movie with re-watch value for you I think it's worth getting. Of older films I've double dipped, 2001 and Forbidden Planet are amazing on HD-DVD, John Carpenter's The Thing is very nice as is Road Warrior, the Errol Flynn Robin Hood, Excalibur is a big upgrade... even when an HD-DVD transfer isn't what some would call reference quality it almost always surpasses a SD-DVD by a pretty wide margin. IMO.

I recently picked The Shining on HD DVD since they didnt have the SD version on it in stock. Im really not into buying non action films on HD because to me it seems pointless, but i really wanted to see the flick and i ended up picking in up. (Back at my place) I pop in the HD DVD and i was blown away with the PQ on this movie, even more because the film is about 30 years old. So my question is are older titles like Warriors just as good looking. Is it worth the double dip? Cause if they do then i would love to see them release The Man Who Show Liberty Valance as well as other classics.

Not all Restorations and Remasters are equal. You have to pick and choose, and there are a lot of good reviewers out there who are willing to take the hit to check out the PQ/AQ of the movies so we don't have to.

does anyone know when any Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor movies will be released on HD DVD?

blazing saddles and willy wonka are out

the warriors does indeed look excellent, though the used the director's cut with those awful comic book cuts between scenes. Top Gun, though certainly not as old, also looks alot better than I thought it would be.

I have the Warriors and in my opinion it looks excellent...Great transfer.

I have a copy of Record of a Sneeze with Dolby TrueHD. It's pretty good, but not as sharp as Trip to the Moon.

I just watched The Sting tonight on HDVD. The scenes on the train are just awe inspiring as far as image quality,the film itself has to be one of the best ever made IMO.



Art

I just watched The Sting tonight on HDVD. The scenes on the train are just awe inspiring as far as image quality,the film itself has to be one of the best ever made IMO.



Art
I have "The Sting" as well and, though I haven't had a chance to see all of it, what I have seen is as good as you say. I also have the 1939 "Robin Hood" and it is simply astounding! The SD-DVD restoration of several years ago is the basis for this one and it is just gorgeous. The extras look teriffic, especially the 1080p cartoon with Bugs Bunny! Otherwise, I just got "The Shining" and it's pq is superb as well as is the "2001-A Space Odyssey." Can't wait to get my "Casablanca"-- freebie from the first offer and sent for October !-- if I live that long!

Mutiny on the Bounty looks amazing. I also loved The Searchers and Rio Bravo.

Edit: Just started to watch 2001 and I've fallen in love with the PQ. Simply amazing in every way.

Thanks alot guys for the extra info on the films. Ill be sure to check those films out.

"Mutiny in the Bounty" will blow you away. Beautiful PQ and audio. Also try Wild Bunch. really superb.

Grand Prix is an outstanding transfer of a great film from the 60s. It's unbelievable how well it has held up.....at least the video.

Carlito's Way (just released on HD DVD) should be considered a reference for how to remaster a movie from the late 80s early 90s.
The Shinning really does shine.
As for all the films from the 50s....

There are numerous older movies released: Casablanca, John Wayne movies, Wild Bunch, Warriors (excellent transfer), Elvis, Robin Hood, etc. That`s the big reason I like HD - the older movies if properly remastered and transferred properly are great to watch.

Try not to think of HD only good for action movies. That is deeply flawed thinking, because HD is a resolution, not a genre. Everything benefits from HD.

Grand Prix is an outstanding transfer of a great film from the 60s. It's unbelievable how well it has held up.....at least the video.
You are absolutely right about the HD-DVD of "Grand Prix." But I must admit that the several times I saw it in the Hollywood Cinerama Dome were really the greatest!
Even so, I'm delighted I bought it and to have it. "The Searchers" is outstanding as well. And I'm about to spring for "Mutiny on the Bounty."

blazing saddles and willy wonka are out


cheers ;)

Bullitt HD-DVD is also a fine re-master for it's age.

Can't wait to get my "Casablanca"

I watched Casablanca Wednesday night it was great but, in Full Screen.. Why wasn't this done in Widescreen, I was kinda pissed and had a hard time getting into the movie.. I've seen Casablanca a few times before always in Full Screen and I expected the HD version to be Widescreen.. I got it from Netflix and never thought about checking the format..



Later, Brent

I watched Casablanca Wednesday night it was great but, in Full Screen.. Why wasn't this done in Widescreen, I was kinda pissed and had a hard time getting into the movie.. I've seen Casablanca a few times before always in Full Screen and I expected the HD version to be Widescreen.. I got it from Netflix and never thought about checking the format..
Casablanca was shot and composed for 1.33:1. It was presented in the theater in this aspect ratio and should always be presented in this aspect ratio in every format. hi-definition does not automatically mean "widescreen."

I watched Casablanca Wednesday night it was great but, in Full Screen.. Why wasn't this done in Widescreen, I was kinda pissed and had a hard time getting into the movie.. I've seen Casablanca a few times before always in Full Screen and I expected the HD version to be Widescreen.. I got it from Netflix and never thought about checking the format..



Later, Brent

There are notable exceptions, but you can be pretty sure most films made before 1950 are 4:3 (or 'Academy') ratio. Casablanca or as I like to call it "The greatest movie (not film) ever made", was made in 1942.

Can't wait to get my "Casablanca"-- freebie from the first offer and sent for October !-- if I live that long!

Got it, it's worth the wait. Warner really loves this movie.

As was _Blazing Saddles_.

(and the newer films as well ;)

The 4:3 ratio is also true for the Adventures of Robin Hood.

Casablanca was shot and composed for 1.33:1. It was presented in the theater in this aspect ratio and should always be presented in this aspect ratio in every format. hi-definition does not automatically mean "widescreen."

I never would have guessed that, Hahaha.. Thanks

Casablanca was shot and composed for 1.33:1. It was presented in the theater in this aspect ratio and should always be presented in this aspect ratio in every format. hi-definition does not automatically mean "widescreen."

yep. pre 1950s movies have this aspect ratio. Cinemascope didn't come around until the mid-50s, 60s (not sure) as a lure to get people back into theaters once they had to compete with TV.

These aren't full screen b/c they have never been adapted form a different aspect ratio. My hope with the HD era is that there will never be a film released outside of it's native aspect ratio--it simply makes no sense, and thanks to DVD, Joe Sixpack is finally starting to understand the widescreen idea. Pan & Scan on DVD is enough of a travesty. :)

I never would have guessed that, Hahaha.. Thanks

It is interesting to note that the 4:3 ratio is basically derived from the 4:3 ratio of a standard 35mm still camera. Although there are numerous examples of experimentation with widescreen formats before 1952 (Abel Gance's 3-screen 'Polyvision' technique used on 1927's Napoleon being one of the most famous), widescreen really didn't become popular until the 50's, at which time the studios used it as an alternative to TV, which was seen as serious competition for the movies. The studios used widesceen to set the theater apart from the now "boring" 4:3 ratio used in TV.

These aren't full screen b/c they have never been adapted form a different aspect ratio. My hope with the HD era is that there will never be a film released outside of it's native aspect ratio--it simply makes no sense, and thanks to DVD, Joe Sixpack is finally starting to understand the widescreen idea. Pan & Scan on DVD is enough of a travesty. :)

Not to mention there's now enough real estate on most HDTVs to tolerate pillarboxes, while letterboxing on a 20" TV was kinda.. Confining.... 1.33 on a 56" 1080p set? Not too confining ;)

(as long as they don't sell ads in the pillarboxes, I'm happy ;)

HD is not only good just for action movies :mad:
People really have to get away from that mentality. I'm glad that the OP discovered this, but I am amazed someone would buy regular DVD of a film that is available on HD DVD.

Not to mention there's now enough real estate on most HDTVs to tolerate pillarboxes, while letterboxing on a 20" TV was kinda.. Confining.... 1.33 on a 56" 1080p set? Not too confining ;)

(as long as they don't sell ads in the pillarboxes, I'm happy ;)


Hmmm, Las Vegas timeshare ads next to exteriors of Rick's Cafe Americain? Parrot Bay Rum ads at Signor Ferrari's bar? Dooley Winlson albums advertized during As Time Goes By? A CD collection of German/French duet's shown right after Victor says "Play La Marseillaise!"

You may be on to something here . . . :D

Pan & Scan on DVD is enough of a travesty. :)

I can hardly wait for classic 1.37:1 Academy Ratio b&w films to be reissued in HD with new and improved 16:9 colourized TilT & Scan. :eek:

Citizen Kane, anyone?

Imagine what "Gone With the Wind" would look like in HD!

And B&W greats like "Metropolis."

Speed the HD technology!

There are notable exceptions, but you can be pretty sure most films made before 1950 are 4:3 (or 'Academy') ratio. Casablanca or as I like to call it "The greatest movie (not film) ever made", was made in 1942.

+1 on the greatest movie ever made...

if someone EVER puts out a reformatted version of this movie, i hope there is a VERY VERY special place in hades for them...

2001 SE and Grand Prix looked stunning on my cheap little LG 42" native 720P set. Some people will think of 2001 as Kubrick's Magnum Opus while some will think it is a dreg of a slow paced bore of a movie, but I think everyone can agree it's one of the most beautifully filmed movies ever. If you are a fan of film at all it's a must see in HD.

I recently picked The Shining on HD DVD since they didnt have the SD version on it in stock. Im really not into buying non action films on HD because to me it seems pointless, but i really wanted to see the flick and i ended up picking in up. (Back at my place) I pop in the HD DVD and i was blown away with the PQ on this movie, even more because the film is about 30 years old. So my question is are older titles like Warriors just as good looking. Is it worth the double dip? Cause if they do then i would love to see them release The Man Who Show Liberty Valance as well as other classics.

i have to ask...why is buying a non action film on HD pointless? You think only explosions and Terminators benefit from stronger resolution?

i have to ask...why is buying a non action film on HD pointless? You think only explosions and Terminators benefit from stronger resolution?

IMHO fast paced action movies benefit LESS from HD then some "slower" paced movies. The camera doesn't stay still long enough to really bring out the resolution in a given scene... instead it's all motion blurred.

yep. pre 1950s movies have this aspect ratio. Cinemascope didn't come around until the mid-50s, 60s (not sure) as a lure to get people back into theaters once they had to compete with TV.

These aren't full screen b/c they have never been adapted form a different aspect ratio. My hope with the HD era is that there will never be a film released outside of it's native aspect ratio--it simply makes no sense, and thanks to DVD, Joe Sixpack is finally starting to understand the widescreen idea. Pan & Scan on DVD is enough of a travesty. :)
Here's a fascinating website-- http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/index.htm

By browsing one can find out all about the history of aspect ratios and why they kept changing. When I was a kid we loved the gimmicky 3-D but the "grandeur" of CinemaScope really blew us away!
How happy we were as grownups when we finally got to see the films as they were shown in the theatres.

So, check it out: http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/index.htm

And enjoy!

+1 on the greatest movie ever made...

if someone EVER puts out a reformatted version of this movie, i hope there is a VERY VERY special place in hades for them...


A guy on another forum once asked why they didn't include the "color" version on the DVD, because he liked that one better. They are still looking for the body. ;)

A guy on another forum once asked why they didn't include the "color" version on the DVD, because he liked that one better. They are still looking for the body. ;)

y'know, i had this "discussion" with someone in another thread about "it's a wonderful life"... they (and a few others) insisted they liked the colorized version better... the person who did a recent remaster and colorization chimed in to say that their "new" colorization was a lot better... i asked him how much it would cost for us to get him to destroy the colorized version... ;)

it's hard to get people to understand that once you colorize a movie, it's not the same movie anymore...

hopefully they'll put the new transfer (the real one) out on hdm... i'd be first in line to buy that...

2001 SE and Grand Prix looked stunning on my cheap little LG 42" native 720P set. Some people will think of 2001 as Kubrick's Magnum Opus while some will think it is a dreg of a slow paced bore of a movie, but I think everyone can agree it's one of the most beautifully filmed movies ever. If you are a fan of film at all it's a must see in HD.

i watched grand prix 3 nights in a row when netflix sent it to me... :) it's a tour de force of moviemaking, and it's a real treat that such a great transfer was produced...

y'know, i had this "discussion" with someone in another thread about "it's a wonderful life"... they (and a few others) insisted they liked the colorized version better... the person who did a recent remaster and colorization chimed in to say that their "new" colorization was a lot better... i asked him how much it would cost for us to get him to destroy the colorized version... ;)

it's hard to get people to understand that once you colorize a movie, it's not the same movie anymore...

hopefully they'll put the new transfer (the real one) out on hdm... i'd be first in line to buy that...

I'll take Orson Welles' opinion before anyone who actually butchers films for a living:

Keep Ted Turnner and his goddamned Crayolas away from my movie.

- Orson Welles
Speaking from his death bed

Keep Ted Turnner and his goddamned Crayolas away from my movie.

Cheap shot.

Ted Turner saw the light really quickly. Turner Classic Movies has been on air for 16 years and produces, day after day after day the BEST movie entertainment value on television. The channel influences collectors, programmers, reviewers, DVD makers to deliver much better product. The TCM stamp is on many movies on DVDs regardless of studio origin.

I have huge admiration for TCM as a movie channel, as a movie fan's Nirvana of a website, as an agitator for preserving movies in their original state and making them available to everyone. Name me one other mainstream TV channel today which routinely provides silent picture exhibitions; 30s and 40s pictures not in occasional "retrospectives" but in matter-of-fact showings.

Bravo to TCM, to Ted Turner, and all those who toil within the organization to celebrate movie making as it originally existed and working hard to ensure it will remain available to future generations.

i watched grand prix 3 nights in a row when netflix sent it to me... :) it's a tour de force of moviemaking, and it's a real treat that such a great transfer was produced...

It has been said many times so far in this thread, but I have no problem repeating it. I just got Grand Prix from amazon. I have only watched the opening scene from monaco. It looks fantastic. I really enjoy it. This is the only movie that I have bought 3 times. VHS, DVD, and HD DVD. I enjoy it every time I see it, now it is a real treat in HD. What a great transfer.

In general, if it's a good movie with re-watch value for you I think it's worth getting. Of older films I've double dipped, 2001 and Forbidden Planet are amazing on HD-DVD, John Carpenter's The Thing is very nice as is Road Warrior, the Errol Flynn Robin Hood, Excalibur is a big upgrade... even when an HD-DVD transfer isn't what some would call reference quality it almost always surpasses a SD-DVD by a pretty wide margin. IMO.

+1 Forbidden Planet, outstanding transfer. It was hard to believe it was filmed in the 50s!

Warner's 'Viva La Vegas' and 'Enter the Dragon' are a couple of widescreen catalogue titles in my collection that have received the HD upgrade with excellent PQ results. Boy-oh-boy, I sure hope Universal sees fit to dust off its coming-of-age box office smash, 'American Grafitti' to give it the royal HD treatment soon. 2008 will be the film's 35th anniversary -- are you listening Universal?! Maybe they'll release a deluxe box version packaged with a bottle of 'Old Harpers'.

IMHO fast paced action movies benefit LESS from HD then some "slower" paced movies. The camera doesn't stay still long enough to really bring out the resolution in a given scene... instead it's all motion blurred.

Beat me to it. (And you actually loose resolution when the camera moves, which it does with a vengeance particularly in today's jiggly-cam action movies).

The comment that HD is pointless on anything but action movies is...bizarre.

Also, I am ecstatic about old movies coming out in HD and FINALLY seeing these films in the resolution they deserve, and closer to what people enjoyed when they came out in the movie theater.

Watching Casablanca in HD projected big at my home is a total revelation! (Not to mention 2001, The Searchers etc...)

Beat me to it. (And you actually loose resolution when the camera moves, which it does with a vengeance particularly in today's jiggly-cam action movies).

The comment that HD is pointless on anything but action movies is...bizarre.

Also, I am ecstatic about old movies coming out in HD and FINALLY seeing these films in the resolution they deserve, and closer to what people enjoyed when they came out in the movie theater.

Watching Casablanca in HD projected big at my home is a total revelation! (Not to mention 2001, The Searchers etc...)


Agree completely ! So many great films to come from the past. Forbidden Planet,Casablanca,Grand Prix,The Sting,The Searchers,Robin Hood all look fantastic.

Art

I just finished watching The Untouchables and it looked fantastic. I can't wait for studios to start cranking out more classic movies on HD. Seems to be what I buy the most of.

Agree completely ! So many great films to come from the past. Forbidden Planet,Casablanca,Grand Prix,The Sting,The Searchers,Robin Hood all look fantastic.

Art

I just watched "Wizard of Oz" in HD on TNTHD. 1.33 aspect ratio as I assume the orginal theater version was? Great color! It certainly a whole new experience on a larger properly set up display.
I suspect it has not been projected publicly in a theater in quite awhile.
Having seen it many times over 50 years this drew me in and I watched the whole thing.
PS It is also showing on TBS,but not in original aspect HD.

Has anyone seen the dvd of these 3 spaghetti westerns on hd dvd player? I know MGM backs boo ray but was wondering if these might be available as hd dvd imports?

I recently picked The Shining on HD DVD since they didnt have the SD version on it in stock. Im really not into buying non action films on HD because to me it seems pointless, but i really wanted to see the flick and i ended up picking in up. (Back at my place) I pop in the HD DVD and i was blown away with the PQ on this movie, even more because the film is about 30 years old. So my question is are older titles like Warriors just as good looking. Is it worth the double dip? Cause if they do then i would love to see them release The Man Who Show Liberty Valance as well as other classics.

You should take a look at "the wild bunch", or "Grand prix", or "robin hood", or "Casablanca" and so forth...(many Warner titles by the way. Maybe have they used the "ultra resolution process" to make these movies look so brilliant ?)

The picture quality has undergone a remarkable restoration on each count. The only limitation is sound - though the DD+ "Grand Prix track" is more than decent - but at their release time, it was way worse than now, so...

Can't wait to see "the wizard of Oz" or "gone by the wind", or "Ben Hur" (in its outstanding 2.77 original ratio of course...).

Unfortunately, "Lawrence of Arabia" has been announced on BR only.

You can't get it all !

Has anyone seen the dvd of these 3 spaghetti westerns on hd dvd player? I know MGM backs boo ray but was wondering if these might be available as hd dvd imports?

2 spaghetti westerns are to be released in Italy on HD-DVD in december.

Here are the links...

http://www.terminalvideo.com/tvweb/applications/dettaglio.aspx?ART_Id=268871 (my name is nobody)

http://www.terminalvideo.com/tvweb/applications/dettaglio.aspx?ART_Id=268897 (for a few dollars more)

To the original poster I would recommend renting from either Netflix or Blockbuster. Do the trial membership and rent the ones first that you think you might want to buy in HD. Then cancel the membership if you don't want to continue with it. I haven't yet watched a movie in HD that I thought was inferior to the SD DVD version. In the case of older movies and older DVD releases, chances are the HD version will be a big improvement.

Bill

I would love to see "Waterloo" in HD DVD. The film starred Rod Steiger as Nepoleon. It had scenes showing the battlefield from the air (this was one of those films that really did have a "cast of thousands") along with all the other colorful elements that would be awsome in HD DVD.

In 1966 I was a total euro-car geek, and saw Grand Prix at the Cinerama several times. I was thrilled to see this again on HD DVD.

They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Frankenheimer had actual people actually driving actual cars! No CGI. And seeing my F1 heroes up on the screen - wow! The special features are great - I especially liked the story about flying to Modena to convince Enzo they were making a non-cheesy racing film. The access to the Ferrari factory was unprecedented.

This movie alone justifies my HD DVD player.

I would love to see "Waterloo" in HD DVD. The film starred Rod Steiger as Nepoleon. It had scenes showing the battlefield from the air (this was one of those films that really did have a "cast of thousands") along with all the other colorful elements that would be awsome in HD DVD.
I, too, would love to see Sergei Bondarchuk's "Waterloo" on HD-DVD. I have never seen the film but saw his definitive "War & Peace" in it's 6-hr, two-movie version twice on the big, big screen in NY in the late 60s. A few years back this magnificent opus hit DVD in the 3-film, 8-hour original Russian version with subtitles (many languages) and an English-language track. The battles were as you described in "Waterloo." One sequence, including single set-ups, had more than 20,000 men--- the real Russian Army! (The film took 5 years to make and cost 100 million US 1960-65 dollars! The Soviet government paid.)
One look at this dvd set (I may grab mine tonight!) and those battle sequences will make anyone laugh the CGI-nonesense of a "Pearl Harbor" off the screen!!! (I do not ridicule the best uses of CGI and blue-screen. After all, Peter Jackson is simply the master of the day!) They are absolutely astounding!!

So, while I hope your wish for "Waterloo" in HD-DVD comes true (I'll blind-buy it!), let's both hope for an HD-DVD of the magnificent, never-duplicated "War & Peace" of 1967 (US release). The medium was made for films like this! (And also for films like "Citizen Kane" and "Casablanca" as well.)

In 1966 I was a total euro-car geek, and saw Grand Prix at the Cinerama several times. I was thrilled to see this again on HD DVD.

They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Frankenheimer had actual people actually driving actual cars! No CGI. And seeing my F1 heroes up on the screen - wow! The special features are great - I especially liked the story about flying to Modena to convince Enzo they were making a non-cheesy racing film. The access to the Ferrari factory was unprecedented.

This movie alone justifies my HD DVD player.

LOL! my wife thought i was nuts for watching grand prix 3 nights in a row... :D

I'm looking forward to the That's Entertainment box when it is released. It will be great to see all that singing and dancing (with some comedy) in HD.

Gary

I don't understand why there hasn't been any news on some Sergio Leone films for North America. Fox/Sony should release "Fistful of Dollars", "For a few dollars More", "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and "Duck, you Sucker". I know they'd only be on BD but still, they'd all look fantastic in 1080P.

Cheap shot.

Ted Turner saw the light really quickly. Turner Classic Movies has been on air for 16 years and produces, day after day after day the BEST movie entertainment value on television. The channel influences collectors, programmers, reviewers, DVD makers to deliver much better product. The TCM stamp is on many movies on DVDs regardless of studio origin.

I have huge admiration for TCM as a movie channel, as a movie fan's Nirvana of a website, as an agitator for preserving movies in their original state and making them available to everyone. Name me one other mainstream TV channel today which routinely provides silent picture exhibitions; 30s and 40s pictures not in occasional "retrospectives" but in matter-of-fact showings.

Bravo to TCM, to Ted Turner, and all those who toil within the organization to celebrate movie making as it originally existed and working hard to ensure it will remain available to future generations.


Well said......There was a time when movies actually relied on gripping stories..Very few of those around today....TCM is an oasis in the desert for this member of AARP!:)

Well said......There was a time when movies actually relied on gripping stories..Very few of those around today....TCM is an oasis in the desert for this member of AARP!:)

And a welcome antidote to what AMC has devolved to :/

I just wish I got TCM in high def, if I could that would justify me paying for a converter...