8mm Forum: The Best Digest Ever?

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Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on June 11, 2013, 04:11 PM:

Anybody feel like I do, that Universal 8's 2 x 400ft of The Sting is quite simply the best digest ever put out?
We watched the full length feature last night, and then I put on the digest and was amazed once again at what a great job U8 did on this title. Simply a superb edit, which was greatly aided by the Scott Joplin music track and those fantastic title cards. And all beautifully packaged in a sturdy clamshell box with a gorgeous slip cover.

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on June 11, 2013, 11:27 PM:

I always thought the 3x400 of STAR TREK TMP was much better than the whole movie.

Posted by Vidar Olavesen (Member # 3354) on June 12, 2013, 12:17 AM:

For me, Alien ... Keeps just about everything flowing nicely

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on June 12, 2013, 02:27 AM:

I agree Paul,the 2x400 "Sting" was a superb job,the 3x400s are
on the whole all very well done,as they are getting close to the
original length. I always felt cheated & disappointed with "Alien",
like "My Name is Nobody" from Iver,we were robbed of the
original climax of the film,for the sake of an extra 10-15 feet,it
could have been inc.
The digest of "The French Connection" ticks all the boxes for me,
telling the tale unhurriedly,keeping all the key scenes and a
beginning and end,all within 16 mins.
The prizes should go to the 200' "Jaws" and "Man Made Monster",these little films manage to show the best scenes and
maintain the story on a five inch reel.

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on June 14, 2013, 07:26 PM:

3x400ft WHERE EAGLES DARE is my favourite cut-down

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on June 15, 2013, 03:05 AM:

Star Wars. 400ft Scope re recorded in Stereo. [Cool]

Posted by Paul Spinks (Member # 573) on June 15, 2013, 08:50 AM:

I agree with Hugh about the 200ft "Jaws" edit. It's so well done. In addition to Castle's "Man Made Monster" I think their 200ft "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" is very well done. All the story is in the edit and it's in lovely black and white so we don't get headaches wearing those silly glasses. Now if Universal 8 had only issued a 400ft black and white version of the film as well.... ah well, never mind!

Paul.

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on June 15, 2013, 05:24 PM:

Baconator from Wendy's after long day.

[ May 25, 2016, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Bill Phelps ]

Posted by Guy Taylor, Jr. (Member # 786) on June 15, 2013, 06:48 PM:

Dracula, the 1979 version 2x400' from Universal 8. This is my favorite digest.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on June 15, 2013, 06:50 PM:

Thanks Paul.I think you're right on the "creature" digest, I think
I made similar comments in a former thread.A nice digest could
have been made without the 3D nonsense.

Posted by Laksmi Breathwaite (Member # 2320) on June 15, 2013, 11:12 PM:

My best digest is CAPTAIN AMERICA

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on June 16, 2013, 12:27 AM:

The '600 of 'The Wicked Lady' has to be among the best, particularly if you find one of the Derann reprints. The 'scope '600 of 'Capricorn One' is also excellent.

Posted by Luis Caramelo (Member # 2430) on June 16, 2013, 02:26 PM:

my favorites digests:
-skyriders 400ft ken films
-seahawk 2x400ft derann
-dracula 79 2x400ft universal
-close encounters 400ft colonbia
-the wild geese 3x400ft derann
-where eagles dare 3x400ft metro goldynn mayer
-the mysrerious island 400ft columbia

luis caramelo

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on June 16, 2013, 02:36 PM:

"Genevieve", 600ft by Derann.

I don't even really like the movie, but my sister bought this for me at Blackpool several years ago at a bargain price and I can't help but watch it over and over!!!

It's so British and Charming and Rubbish that I just love it!

Tried to watch the full 90 min DVD and hated it; but this lovely Derann version is just a great Sunday afternoon entertainment!

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on June 18, 2013, 05:56 PM:

"Airplane!" 3x400 for me [Wink]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on June 18, 2013, 06:24 PM:

Spot on Trevor [Big Grin]

...I was about to say the same thing.

Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Marshall Crist (Member # 1312) on June 18, 2013, 07:32 PM:

I remember as a youngster writing a letter to Larry Arpin and cryptically asking "Why can't Ken Films edit?" I was annoyed that neither their ALIEN digest nor the original STAR WARS 400'er had the ending of the film. He gently explained that Fox did not allow them to use that footage.

THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN was a very satisfying 400'er (if you're into that sort of thing) but made one near-unforgivable omission. Although huge bonus points for NO NARRATION. Appreciated the cut-down even more after I finally saw the feature.

The MAN MADE MONSTER 200'er utilized some amazing editing sleight-of-hand to cram in all that it did. (Too bad no electric chair scene, but it was off-camera anyway.)

I feel like THE CREATURE WALKS AMONG US 200'er may be better than the feature. Too bad about that jump-cut when Creech grabs the fence.

Most of the Universal 8 classic monster 400' expansions are reputed to be uneven but a couple really seem to improve on their shorter Castle cousins. Haven't seen DRACULA, but that would seem to be one indisputable example. A big one for me would be THE MUMMY'S TOMB. Didn't see the 200'er until later in life and was astonished at how half-a$$ed it was. The 400'er is perfect, IMO.

[ July 10, 2014, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: Marshall Crist ]

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on June 19, 2013, 02:23 AM:

Airplane 3x400 used to be very popular back in the day but hats off to Laksmi for Captian America the most recent release with 'that woman' in. [Eek!]

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on June 19, 2013, 05:55 AM:

There are quite a few excellent digests out there, and its so hard for me to pick the best one.

I'm glad Luis mentioned "SKY RIDERS", which is not very well-known. A perfect digest, the only flaw is the picture quality, as its a little grainy in some scenes, and, BOY would this have been great in SCOPE!

And as Marshall mentioned, "The Incredible Melting Man" is an excellent, fun digest to a very 'mediocre' movie.

Alien 400 is another top-contender, that only falls short with the climactic ending missing.

I think for skilled editing, no one can deny that the "JAWS" 200 foot is amazing. While the 2x400 foot is very good and satisfying, the fact that the editor was able to take a two hour movie, cut it down to 10 minutes, keeping most of the memorable scenes, and even have a bit of the humor and credits at the end. In 10 minutes!!

A few other honorable mentions are Ben Hur, Logans Run, Fame, Superman, and some of the Columbia Classic b&w digests. I really could go on and on.....

James.

Posted by Paul Spinks (Member # 573) on June 19, 2013, 09:00 AM:

I like it when a 400ft digest actually improves the enjoyment of a feature. "The Incredible Melting Man" has already been mentioned, but "Squirm" and "Kingdom Of The Spiders" just seem more enjoyable with a running time of 17 or 18 minutes. They move along at a much better pace. Columbia Pictures 400ft release of "Son Of Doctor Jekyll" manages to turn a bowel wrenchingly tedious production into a reasonable film. I suppose it just goes to prove the old adage that sometimes less is more.

Paul.

Posted by Ernie Zahn (Member # 274) on June 19, 2013, 10:52 AM:

Might be a cliche but I really like the Empire Strikes back reels.

The story is still maintained but the pacing is so much faster due to the cut down. It feels like the movie serials that inspired it.

Posted by Timothy Ramzyk (Member # 718) on June 19, 2013, 12:44 PM:

quote:
I remember as a youngster writing a letter to Larry Arpin and cryptically asking "Why can't Ken Films edit?" I was annoyed that neither their ALIEN digest nor the original STAR WARS 400'er had the ending of the film. He gently explained that Fox did not allow them to use that footage.

Call me crazy, but I thought ALIEN was one of the most effective 400ft digests original ending or not. DRESSED TO KILL was my favorite 3 x 400ft. digest, but then I suppose it's easier t make a more functional digest when you have almost an hour to play with.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on June 19, 2013, 12:48 PM:

I second that Ernie. Ken's "The Empire Strikes Back" is another excellent digest, and it actually flows better the the "Star Wars" 2x400.

Paul I agree with "Kingdom", but I always thought Ken Films could have done much better with "Squirm", which is one of may favorite horror/sci-fi movies from the 70's. In fact, the 200 foot version is more well edited than the 400 footer (see my review of Squirm for more info).

Hey, this is one of my favorite subjects!

James.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on June 19, 2013, 01:39 PM:

...Yes taken on that context, but for the sake of a few extra feet, it
as a cheat, ( this is ALIEN folks ) So if an audience were being
served up the extrract, already being familiar with the ending
what the hell can you say?

Posted by Timothy Ramzyk (Member # 718) on June 19, 2013, 03:05 PM:

I was lucky that my 400 footer was my first exposure to ALIEN.

I think the worst liberties-taking 8mm digest I had was THE RAVEN 200ft. Adding narration and presenting a horror-comedy as a straight horror film.

Universal's 400ft. of DRACULA (79) was the biggest ripoff, passing off what was essentially a 200dt. digest with a boring featurette intro (what were they thinking?)

If were talking about bad editing though, that prize I'd give to Columbia's 200ft sound digests, which seemed to be edited for the silent versions, as no attempt was made to remix the choppy audio. STRAIT-JACKET comes to mind.

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