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Lawrence Of Arabia (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review - Page 2

post #31 of 79
11/17/12 at 9:57am
Let me put in a request to restore some other big films of that era. There is a wonderful little known film that is a bit like Lawrence in sweep and size - "The Last Valley". This stars Michael Caine and is a vaguely an anti-war movie made during the Vietnam War. The tragedy is that the DVD transfer is so bad it's not watchable.
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post #32 of 79
11/17/12 at 6:56pm
Many of us have been waiting for the Bluray release of this restored title for years. After purchasing and viewing LOA all I can say is that it is an extraordinary restoration. What a triumph, what a tour de force treat. Words fail regarding how absolutely gorgeous this film looks and sounds. A feast for the eyes and ears.

To everyone involved in the restoration... Thank You. To everyone considering purchasing this film, don't hesitate, it is reference and will make a tremendous addition to your collection.
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post #33 of 79
11/17/12 at 8:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmouse007 View Post

Many of us have been waiting for the Bluray release of this restored title for years. After purchasing and viewing LOA all I can say is that it is an extraordinary restoration. What a triumph, what a tour de force treat. Words fail regarding how absolutely gorgeous this film looks and sounds. A feast for the eyes and ears.
To everyone involved in the restoration... Thank You. To everyone considering purchasing this film, don't hesitate, it is reference and will make a tremendous addition to your collection.
.....AQABA
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post #34 of 79
11/21/12 at 5:49pm

Glad to hear such positive comments on this so far. Definitely lookin forward to checkin this out in the near future.


Edited by ADU - 11/23/12 at 9:18pm
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post #35 of 79
11/23/12 at 3:06am
I was prepared to be disappointed when I bought the blu-ray LOA: all the hype I read, reviews in Amazon.uk etc.

Instead, when I first watched it, the picture quality blu (sorry!!) me away!! The clarity, the colours - all amazing!

But I thought the sound track was showing its age. Since that first viewing, I discovered that sometime in the past I had reversed the pos and negs on the connection to one of my speakers eek.gif , so I decided to watch parts of it again, after correcting the speaker connection, to re-assess the sound track.

Now, the sound (that amazing Lawrence of Arabia film score) has also blown me away.

This is one fantastic viewing experience. O'Toole of course was amazing. But so was Alec Guiness! And the young Omar Sharif - at times mesmerizing in his intensity. And Anthony Quinn! The first time I watched it, after I finished I went through all the extras as well, on both discs, just to drain every last bit of enjoyment and wonder from this experience.

If you haven't yet bought it, and are a movie buff - buy it!! Watch it!! Enjoy!!!!!
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post #36 of 79
11/28/12 at 4:33am
Definitely one of the best transfers of an older film we've seen so far on the Blu-Ray format.

Even projected on my wall the transfer looked fabulous in hd 1080p

Just like Jaws this classic will have great replay value wink.gif
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post #37 of 79
11/28/12 at 7:58am
After waiting years, I finally watched the movie yesterday.
Maybe it was all the hype leading up to it, but I'm left scratching my head. The movie was by no means bad (far from it), but it did not blow me away and I have little desire to ever watch it again.
Many of the scenes were gorgeous (especially considering how long ago it was filmed). Some of the music was epic. But I found the story to be fairly boring (and way too long) and without a satisfying climax. I also found Lawrence to be a bit of a jerk.

I get so bummed out when I watch a so-called masterpieces, and then come away disappointed.
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post #38 of 79
11/29/12 at 1:38pm
"Other than a few minute instances of banding visible in the daytime sky..."

I am not seeing any banding. Could you be seeing the negative striping that was a result of the high desert temperatures? I believe they eliminated as much of that as was possible. It is discussed in the restoration piece on one of the extra discs.
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post #39 of 79
11/30/12 at 10:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by greylight44 View Post

"Other than a few minute instances of banding visible in the daytime sky..."
I am not seeing any banding. Could you be seeing the negative striping that was a result of the high desert temperatures? I believe they eliminated as much of that as was possible. It is discussed in the restoration piece on one of the extra discs.

Greetings,

It appeared to be banding but as I alluded to it was very minor both in duration and intensity. Not enough to warrant a deduction.

Regards,
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post #40 of 79
12/3/12 at 6:55am
Master HDTV is also very beautiful :

p1190659_1.jpg
p1190666.jpg

HD version restored director's cut ... wink.gif
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post #41 of 79
12/9/12 at 7:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave84 View Post

Excellent review, I watched a bit of LOA streamed a while back after a half hour I quit because the image looked terrible. I will be looking forward to this lovingly restored important film being added to my BR collection. As a side note a female film critic once commented that if O'Toole had been any prettier they would of had to call the film Florence of Arabia

I believe the quote was originated by Noel Coward.
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post #42 of 79
12/14/12 at 8:33am
I ordered my copy of the Lawrence of Arabia (Restored Version) BD from Amazon when it was released but didn't get around to watching it until last night. Wow, just wow! Ralph had it right when he graded the video quality at 100. I couldn't agree more. This BD has become my new reference disc for beautiful video. My only quibble is that the audio doesn't quite measure up to what we expect in 2012. Still, despite being 50 years old, the audio is excellent and even has some decent LFE, the scene with Lawrence riding his motorcycle comes to mind,

I first saw Lawrence in 70MM in 1963 at one of the old downtown St. Louis movie palaces and was thrilled. I had seen it several times since but it never again had the impact that seeing it on the screen had delivered, until last night that is. Dramatically the film is both thrilling and heartbreaking. Watching Lawrence's successes make him think he is a god and then seeing it all disappear as the confusion in Arab society, which we see to this day, and the machinations of the British and Arab power brokers bring Lawrence back to reality, is hard to take. One wonders how, if at all, history would remember Lawrence if it had not been for his Boswell, Lowell Thomas (called Jackson Bentley in the film). That Lawrence could descend from the famous charismatic leader of the Arab desert fighters to an obscure RAF enlisted man seemed impossible but there it was.
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post #43 of 79
12/15/12 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gwsat View Post

I ordered my copy of the Lawrence of Arabia (Restored Version) BD from Amazon when it was released but didn't get around to watching it until last night. Wow, just wow! Ralph had it right when he graded the video quality at 100. I couldn't agree more. This BD has become my new reference disc for beautiful video. My only quibble is that the audio doesn't quite measure up to what we expect in 2012. Still, despite being 50 years old, the audio is excellent and even has some decent LFE, the scene with Lawrence riding his motorcycle comes to mind,
I first saw Lawrence in 70MM in 1963 at one of the old downtown St. Louis movie palaces and was thrilled. I had seen it several times since but it never again had the impact that seeing it on the screen had delivered, until last night that is. Dramatically the film is both thrilling and heartbreaking. Watching Lawrence's successes make him think he is a god and then seeing it all disappear as the confusion in Arab society, which we see to this day, and the machinations of the British and Arab power brokers bring Lawrence back to reality, is hard to take. One wonders how, if at all, history would remember Lawrence if it had not been for his Boswell, Lowell Thomas (called Jackson Bentley in the film). That Lawrence could descend from the famous charismatic leader of the Arab desert fighters to an obscure RAF enlisted man seemed impossible but there it was.

Greetings,

Great stuff gwsat. Thanks for sharing.. smile.gif


Regards,
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post #44 of 79
1/3/13 at 9:36pm
Just saw this tonight. Though I've seen this a few times before on video, I've never seen LOA on the "big screen". Now that I have a projector and a 130" 2.35 screen I was anxious to see this one again.
Boy did this blu-ray not disappoint!

The picture quality was absolutely astonishing. Most blu-rays of modern movies dont look this good. the colors, tonality and sharpness of the video was just amazing. scene after scene. Every once in a while I wonder if my projector is focused properly. Not this time. I can't frankly imagine this movie looking any better and watching it tonight I felt like I was watching it for the first time.

If you're a fan of this movie, don't hesitate to get this. I can't imagine anyone doing a better blu-ray conversion of this masterpiece.
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post #45 of 79
1/4/13 at 2:52pm
Fully agree that the restoration of this film is great, but bandings still found at the bright background of the desert scenes, where Lorence is riding along. I captured this on my 120 inches screen. Well, this could be considered as minor issue, but it is still there.
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post #46 of 79
1/4/13 at 3:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kwok lau View Post

Fully agree that the restoration of this film is great, but bandings still found at the bright background of the desert scenes, where Lorence is riding along. I captured this on my 120 inches screen. Well, this could be considered as minor issue, but it is still there.

At what time in the movie? I didn't notice any banding when I watched it.
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post #47 of 79
1/6/13 at 3:40pm
Hi Fcaico, I will check the time line when view the movie next time and tell you accordingly.. Sorry I respond your question late.
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post #48 of 79
1/8/13 at 3:50pm
Hi Fcaico, very minor vertical bandings are found at 00.26.20 to 00.26:30 and also 00.29.00 to 00.30.00.
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post #49 of 79
1/14/13 at 6:10pm
That's damage on the film's negative.
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post #50 of 79
1/15/13 at 11:12am
NJPete, you could be correct, but I think the damaged film negative could easily fixed by digital repair.
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post #51 of 79
1/17/13 at 5:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kwok lau View Post

Fully agree that the restoration of this film is great, but bandings still found at the bright background of the desert scenes, where Lorence is riding along. I captured this on my 120 inches screen. Well, this could be considered as minor issue, but it is still there.
If there is banding it's more likely due to your projector than anything inherent in the film.
Quote:
NJPete, you could be correct, but I think the damaged film negative could easily fixed by digital repair.
Oh really, tell us how this is done and don't leave out any details.
Thanks
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post #52 of 79
1/19/13 at 3:17pm
Milt99,
I do not think it is my projector's fault. Otherwise, I should see more defects on the same movie, not just 2 areas I specified. I do not see same issue to other blue ray disc too.
Have you seen how the film producer (Universal Studio) to repair the damages on the original films on the move "Jaws"? If not check it out yourself at www. Amazon.com . You might ask Univeral how they repaired by email, but I don't think they can tell you. But even if they tell you technically, in detail, you might not understand it at all. I am not working there, so I cannot anwer your last question. Have a nice day la.
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post #53 of 79
1/24/13 at 12:19pm
I've read that this bluray 4k transfer is from the 'orginal' negatives. Can you confirm that the scene only available on the original negatives where lawrence and ali both jump into quicksand is also restored in this version?
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post #54 of 79
1/24/13 at 2:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mo949 View Post

I've read that this bluray 4k transfer is from the 'orginal' negatives. Can you confirm that the scene only available on the original negatives where lawrence and ali both jump into quicksand is also restored in this version?

In the restored film, the kid, Daud, is seen being pulled into the quicksand and calling for Lawrence. Lawrence chases down the the other kid, Farraj, in order to prevent him from going into the quicksand for Daud. Lawrence then gets on his stomach at the edge of the quicksand, undoes his headscarf, and throws one end of to Daud, who by this time has been almost completely sucked into the quicksand. I guess you remember the rest.
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post #55 of 79
1/24/13 at 3:24pm
Hello gwsat. Thank you for your response. The secen you describe is one that has always been in all reedits of the film, whereas the scene I am describing was only out in the original film itself and later cut.
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post #56 of 79
1/24/13 at 3:51pm
Here's a link that describes the scene from the original theatrical release I was referring to:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056172/alternateversions


Did you see this in your bluray version they just released is what I am asking?
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post #57 of 79
1/24/13 at 6:42pm
No, that scene is not on the Blu-ray, which contains the 1989 restoration (David Lean's Director's Cut)
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post #58 of 79
1/24/13 at 10:01pm
I just finished watching LOA on Blu-ray last night and I think it should be mandatory that anyone who is making movies should watch before deciding to use "creative" techniques like shaky camera and lens flare. I too was surprised that the entire movie was on one BD disc. I found no problem with the audio. Actually, the dialog was much clearer than some of the current movies. Maybe actors back then were able to properly enunciate?
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post #59 of 79
1/24/13 at 10:05pm
That scene was not in the remastered 4k theatrical either;(
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post #60 of 79
1/25/13 at 7:08am
Thank you kindly NJpete and Zoro.
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