Aviator - Weird Color

I just got this (a good deal for $10):

http://www.amazon.com/Scorsese-Feature-Goodfellas-Aviator-Departed/dp/B007TBJD1U/

3 separate discs inside.

I popped in Aviator, and I thought my system was broken. The greens are blue-ish for the first half of the movie (until the family dinner at her house).

Then, I played the DVD and it is the same. I sure don't remember it being this way. Am I trippin?

1. What's the deal?

2. Is there a proper copy?

3. If he did this on purpose, anyone else think it was a mistake?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgans316 

Yep, the german release by disney is the best

In that one ... is the grass and plants green in the first half of the movie?

This one, right?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338751/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

At least the press photos are the right color.

Here: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3204362240/tt0338751

What's also interesting about the above photo ... it appears to be from the movie, but it's actually from a slightly different angle.

And here is another ... pretty sure they are just posing for the photo camera here.

There are others, but you get the point.

I agree with Vincent LoBtutto (author of Martin Scorsese: A Biography). After 2 paragraphs about Two-Strip color in The Aviator,
http://books.google.com/books?id=HcMafLPTW-AC&pg=PA353&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false
Scroll to page 375

… he summarizes by writing:

The three-strip section works to evoke memories of viewing old, lush, color movies but the two-strip only can truly excite a film historian, buff, or scholar such as Scorsese.

With all the period film footage that is shown in the movie, there was other ways for Mr. Scorsese to show the advancement of color technology in film making. Distorting “our view” into the life of Howard Hughes (and the time period) was un-necessary, and in my opinion, damaging. Three-strip is pushing it. I equate this to his artistic decision of presenting Raging Bull in Black-and-White… its acceptable. But Two-Strip is un-called-for. What’s next … using period aspect ratios, resolution, and mono sound? The Aviator used to be one of my favorite movies, but now … the distracting colors make it much less enjoyable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeb 


Good idea. I fully support you putting as much time and effort as you can possibly afford into your attempt to convince Martin Scorsese that the artistic decisions he made a decade ago were misguided and should be retroactively "fixed."

Be sure to let us all know how that works out for you...

Thanks. So that's two people already. 

Think he would fix it in an Anniversary Edition? It's common to provide multiple versions. How about a Disc-2 Extra: "First Half of the Movie Before We Colorized It".

Someone has a proper color version ... before the color-post-processing. It would be effortless to supply it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Brad 

That's how Scorsese wanted it from the beginning.

Yes, I understand. I appreciate you initial response because I truly thought I had some "deep color" or disc mastering problem.

I guess I should have searched the Internet better before I posted my original question. A non-colorized version doesn't exist. Unfortunate, but I get it.

Not in your case, but it's interesting some of the responses I'm getting here. I thought more people might agree it was a questionable (if not bad) artistic decision on his part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 42041 


You're right: the "proper color" is the color on your disc.
And getting neutral color, which in this case would be the wrong color, would actually require considerable effort, because the color grading is part of the film's digital master. Since that effort would go against the even more considerable effort originally put in to achieving the film's stylized look, I wouldn't hold your breath.

I don't know what happens to all the original film and digital "video source code" after the film is mastered. You think they just throw away the original film? Not sure if Legend Films did it, but someone had to digitize the movie before they could colorize it. You think that file is deleted?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Mike TJG 

I think he should release a new extended edition with the entire movie given a green tint.

Agreed ... a non-colorized version.

He went to considerable effort to accurately reproduce "the 30's" on film. The sets, wardrobe, technology (planes and cars). All to turn around and colorize it at the end of the process?

It's my opinion that presenting the film without the colorizing would have gone further to make the viewer believe they were watching "the 30s".

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJPete 


It's a wonderful effect.

More info: http://www.theasc.com/magazine/jan05/aviator/page1.html

So you liked the "digitally emulated two-strip effect" ... interesting.

Thanks for the link. It always amazes me how much care and thought is put into some movies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Z 


Lord knows, absolutely no one would ever put up with something like that.
The movie's colors have always been this way. It has never changed. It used to be one of your favorite movies, until you opened your eyes and looked at it?

Black and White is a different thing. Plenty of movies in B&W.

You know, the first time I saw it I didn't really notice it ... kinda just wrapped up in it. I didn't watch the full movie on DVD that many times on the plasma. I also watched favorite parts, but usually on the computer. Watching new Blu-Ray on the projector and the new Polks ... that's when I noticed it.

Thanks for the help everyone and the spirited exchange. I kinda over it by now. I might still write and send the letter to Mr. Martin Scorsese, but it seems I'm the minority here, so maybe not. If nothing else, maybe the thread alerted you to the Blu-Ray sale at Amazon.