8mm Forum: Alien in Scope!

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Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on August 13, 2003, 09:56 PM:

I just finished watching Alien in Scope on my wall! Wow..that is one breathtaking print. It makes me feel like I am in the cinema using a 35mm machine. It is THAT good. Then I ran the flat digest version of "Enter the Dragon". There are some things that just look great on the big screen. Bruce Lee in his prime on a big screen..nothing beats it!
What are your favorite movies in scope?

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on August 14, 2003, 02:56 AM:

Errrm, Alien actually. I have two prints, one is crap the other is very good. Alien came from a 35mm print so although very good is not quite one of the best. A bit too dense in places but nothing an even brighter lamp sorts out.

Posted by Ralf Hoff (Member # 36) on August 14, 2003, 04:17 AM:

Hello,

my favorite scope movie is Star Trek - Generations. Right not the best star trek movie but the only one in CS and full lengt on 8mm and the print is great.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 14, 2003, 11:01 AM:

My favourite scope film in S8? No contest. Grease is the word! With a re-recorded stereo sound track this needle sharp print from Derann blows me (and my audiences) away every time.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on August 14, 2003, 03:13 PM:

My favorite scope feature film has to be 'Flash Gordon', excellant print, very good [albeit mono] sound and a true camp classic that is thoroughly re-watchable. Plus of course that excellant sound track from Queen.
Mike.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on August 15, 2003, 06:22 AM:

Interesting Mike, I have a print of Flash Gordon and the quality is mediocre at best. I even have a second copy of reel 2 and that is just the same.

Also, I don't think Star Trek Generations is full length. Anyone else missing the section where Malcolm McDowell says to Picard "I have an appointment with eternity, and I don't want to be late." Mine was purchased new from the original print run so if it's missing on mine it should be missing on all of them. I don't think the print of this is top-notch either. Pretty good but not great.

Posted by Ralf Hoff (Member # 36) on August 15, 2003, 10:48 AM:

Hello John,

you are right, the scene with Picard and Dr. Soran is missing, the flat Trailer on 8mm includes this scene. There are two other scenes where short pictures missing (When Picard comes into the canteen to meet Dr. Soran, some scratches are visible). But I think the film is still complete. I know there are other features with some missing frames and scenes (like Thunderball).

My print of Star Trek is very good (good coulor and very sharp) I think it is better than Return of Jedi.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on August 15, 2003, 11:20 AM:

Hello john

You must have been unlucky with your copy of 'Flash', mine really is excellant, perhaps it was from the beginning of the run?

I think Kevin Faulkner also has a copy, how's yours Kev'?

Mike.

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on August 15, 2003, 10:55 PM:

Is the Flash Gordon Optical?
Hey, how about a list of Super 8 features in Scope?

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on August 16, 2003, 04:50 AM:

Hi Alan

Flash Gordon has magnetic stripe, the sound is very good though mono. I don't mind that, I usually keep the projector switched to mono even when playing stereo films, the sound always seems more 'wholsome' that way.

Great idea about doing a list of scope prints, I think we did it on the old forum but sadly that list will be lost now, time to start again. There was also a list of optical titles on there which I did save if anyone is interested?

Mike.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on August 18, 2003, 02:24 AM:

I'll tell you what Mike, once the congestion charge is finally abolished and us unfortunate people living within Livingstone's dreaded cordon have our freedom of movement restored I'm going to drive out and see your print of Flash Gordon. If I have reels from two duff prints I'll quite happily get another one. Being as my prints are a bit grainy, soft and not particularly good colour I hardly ever watch them.

I'm actually rather relieved every print of Generations has the missing scene (and a very important scene at that) as when I first pulse sync'd it I thought someone had nicked some footage! We showed it at the BFCC and we've have all sorts of things nicked from us over the years. Thankfully Keith had the film on 35mm so using Keith's last couple of Kodachrome Super 8 sound cartridges filmed the missing section. It didn't come out particularly well but at least the DVD runs all the way through without this major adjustment to maintain sync'.

The best 'Scope prints?
Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines
The Fall of the Roman Empire
El Cid

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on August 18, 2003, 11:40 AM:

Hello John

You would be very welcome to come and view my copy of Flash any time you fancy making the trip to Worthing [just over an hour by train from Victoria]. I shall have to get it out and watch it again soon anyway!

I have to say that as an x Londoner myself I welcome the congestion charge and only wish it had come sooner. Sorry [Roll Eyes]

Mike.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on August 18, 2003, 06:05 PM:

Hi Guys,
Even better come and view my copy of "Flash Gordon" John as it's in full stereo and absolutely stunning in scope along with the stereo soundtrack. It's one of those films which was released on super 8 intact like the DVD so was a doddle to record in stereo. Like mike said earlier it has to be one of the best quality releases on super 8 I have seen. I'm sure it gives 16mm a run for its money.
I will be viewing a 16mm print of this title in the next couple of weeks as a friend has just obtained a copy.
If any one, and that includes you Mike, want it re recorded in stereo from DVD then just drop me a line and I will see what I can do.
Kevin.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on August 19, 2003, 04:14 AM:

Cor, all the offers to view Super 8 - excellent. Unfortunatly travel from where I live is extremely difficult now as I live within the cordon. A shame as I'd like to see a decent copy of Flash Gordon. I will endeavour to have a look at another one when the opportunity arises just to see if you boys know what you're talking about!!! [Wink]

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 19, 2003, 02:49 PM:

I have the scope Derann print of "Alien" and I think the picture quality is stunning! Definately one of thier best scope releases of the 90's. Unfortunately, the sound track is poor in some areas. Instead of returning the print when I purchased it, I figured I would just re-record it from DVD later, only to find out (two years later) that the stripe was bad on some parts of the print. I still show it though, and it isn't all that noticeable to the average viewer (any collector would detect the problem though). I did purchase this print when Derann was experiencing sound striping problems, but these have all been resolved now and nothing purchased in the past couple of years has had this problem.

Another great scope release is "The Abyss". The underwater scenes are breath-taking in scope. The stereo sound is also very good. Some of the interior submarine scenes are a little dark and faces are sometimes hard to make out in a few scenes, but otherwise an outstanding scope print. Independence Day is also very good. Nick.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on August 19, 2003, 05:51 PM:

John, Maybe you should let us prove how good the quality is of Flash at the next BFCC. I will let you show a segment from my copy with the full stereo soundtrack. I can tell you now its every bit as good as the Close Encounters segment that Keith showed last year. I would suggest the segemnt where Flash is captured and they have the skit on US baseball or was it football? Whatever, the sound is also cracking with the music by queen.
Kevin. [Smile]

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on August 20, 2003, 02:13 AM:

Now I want a copy of Flash Gordon so BAD! This hobby is in many ways worse than a drug habit! I keep saying, no more prints..and the next thing you know I am saying to Gary at Derann, "Here are the digits to my C.C."
I have a question maybe one of you might know. I keep seeing Superman II in Scope. Optical. 2 x 600. Now I know that the optical prints actually hold a little more film than regular magnetic films for their length (well I was told that!) and I was always curious. Is that print a digest or is it the full length film? That was a favorite of mine.

Posted by Ricky Daniels (Member # 95) on August 20, 2003, 05:08 AM:

Hi Alan,

I don't have a copy of Superman II but I do have Little Shop Of Horrors Super 8mm Optical Sound. If it's any help this has a running time of 94mins @ 24fps and was supplied on 3 very full 600 foot reels. So that's approx 31mins per 600 foot of optical sound I guess. Hope this helps.

Rick.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on August 20, 2003, 05:33 AM:

Superman II is a Derann cut-down and it's magnetic sound. Runs just under an hour although the titles were also released as a 200ft reel so those with the cut-down could make it look more like the complete feature.

Good idea about bringing Flash Gordon along to the BFCC but we're generally so under pressure to get things running there is little time for playing about. One day I'll get to see another print though - perhaps we should all get together at my place and run loads of this stuff. The Close Encounters release was not a particularly good print - still rather good (but before anyone asks I don't actually have a copy of that title).

The Abyss is also a very good print. Benefits from having that blue hypnotic tint prevalent in many of James Cameron's films and aided by being set under water. However, the print is not as good as many others and probably on a par with Alien. For example Terminator 2 is better and that came from a 35mm print too. "The Chase" extract from Terminator 2 is even better quality than the feature. Speed is worth looking at as this came from a genuine negative and although not as good as the very best it is not too far off. Syncs' up perfectly to the DVD too.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 20, 2003, 05:54 PM:

John-I'm surprised that you said that The Chase extract from "T2" is better quality than the feature. I saw a print of the extract when Derann first released it and, while the interior mall scenes were great, the outside sunlit scenes looked a little dupped, slightly yellow. I've heard that the feature quality was great. Maybe the print of The Chase that I saw was just a little off - color.

Anyone else out there own a print of the T2 feature that can add some insight? Nick.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on August 21, 2003, 02:07 AM:

Just wanted to make the point all these prints are very good and with few exceptions better than anything produced on Super 8 in the years before video. All prints vary and while the T2 feature is of outstanding quality the 200ft extract I have just has the edge. This may not be the norm but quite possibly is as the negative would have been graded just for that sequence and not for the entire feature. I did actually consider cutting the extract into the feature but backed out of the idea as it may have looked a bit odd and detracted from the rest of the print.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on August 22, 2003, 08:53 PM:

Alan,
Getting back to Superman II, I picked up a print from Classic that had all the available segments cut in. As John said, the long title sequence was sold seperately as was the "Diner" scene where Clark Kent returns to face the bully once again. The scope picture quality is slightly grainy, but still good. The first part is cut very nicely, focusing mostly on Lois' suspicions about Clark and their subsequent romance. The second part is poorly edited, shortchanging the battle scenes and the finale with Superman regaining his powers makes little sense. Granted it's a tough edit, but the digest could've been better.
Doug

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on August 23, 2003, 02:50 AM:

thanks Doug!
I guess I'll pass on the Superman II. How about Poltergeist in Scope? I would like to get that one day too. Quality?

Posted by Ricky Daniels (Member # 95) on August 23, 2003, 06:03 AM:

Alan,
You won’t be disappointed POLTERGEIST is an excellent 'Scope print. Hope you find a nice copy!
Rick.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 25, 2003, 11:11 AM:

I would also like to recommend the scope print of the full length feature "The Fog". Derann released this some time in the eighties. The picture quality is fantastic. There are a lot of great scope scenes too, since this was shot on the West coast line around a lighthouse. Lots of good scenery. The night scenes of the fog rolling through the streets are excellent. Nick.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 25, 2003, 04:33 PM:

James,
And let's not forget the shots of Adrienne Barbeau!!

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on August 25, 2003, 11:17 PM:

Nick,
The colors in "The Fog" are incredibly vibrant. The blues in the night scenes are so rich and the reds in the ghost pirates' eyes really pop (As do Adrienne and Jamie Lee). The whole atmosphere of The Fog makes it one of my favorites for Halloween showings. It's just too bad the ending is nowhere near as good as the rest of the pic.
Doug

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 26, 2003, 06:14 AM:

I agree about the ending - it could have been better. I think the rest of the movie makes it worthwhile though. My appreciation for this movie is 90 percent due to the cool atmosphere created by John Carpenter. Perfect locations, a great score, perfect lighting (especially the night fog scenes). And yes, Jamie and Adrian too [Smile]

.

In retrospect, I can see why Derann chose this over the more succesful "Halloween" to release on Super 8 at the time. Visually, "The Fog" has more to offer. Nick.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on September 01, 2003, 02:57 AM:

A warning about Poltergeist - the sound is dreadful and will have to be re-recorded if it hasn't been done already.

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on September 09, 2003, 05:24 PM:

John,

I do like your idea of a cine fest at your place.

Suggest we book in for the weekend though looking at all the clips! [Big Grin]

I must admit that it would be interesting to see examples of films where in the opinion of the owner they were good or bad examples. Some will be obvious but does this get to be a little like collecting fine wine where you supposedly grow more particular about your wine (or film!) with the passage of time?

Tony [Cool]

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on September 10, 2003, 11:14 AM:

We really should do this get together some time. I have my features split up over two addresses so never have them all in the same place at any time but still keep about 30 in London, plus just about every trailer reel that has ever come out.

I had another look at both prints of Flash Gordon and neither is particularly good. However, I even have a second print of The Abyss which is nowhere near as good as the other print so it is possible I just have two lesser standard copies.

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