8mm Forum: Disney on Derann, what is it like?

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Posted by Pete Richards (Member # 2203) on June 12, 2013, 10:23 PM:

Derann did quite a few Disney features on Super8, can anyone comment on what the grain, colour, framing etc. are like?

I have a friend who is a Disney nut who has been disappointed with the changes made to the Bluray releases of the films. I was going to recommend he look at getting them in Super8. I know a few were released by Derann, but I have no idea what they were like.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on June 13, 2013, 04:03 AM:

There are many collectors on here that are "dyed in the wool"
fans of Disney, and would heartily agree that the quality of the
prints that Derann produced are second to none.

Posted by Pete Richards (Member # 2203) on June 13, 2013, 04:08 AM:

Thanks for the feedback, I didn't want to put him onto buying some super8 prints only to be disappointed.
He will be stoked to know there is another option other than old Laserdisc copies.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on June 13, 2013, 05:23 AM:

Pete,take it from me that the Derann prints of Disney material
passed all the tests,the Disney Company were more than happy with the prints that Derann produced, lets face it, Disney made
sure that Derek Simmonds had the best material to work from.
As I said before,there are plenty of collectors on here that will
advise same.Just have a look through "search" to put your own
mind at ease.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on June 13, 2013, 05:50 AM:

Derann were happy to sell their features on a part by part basis and I have the 600' part 3 of "Fantasia 2000".

This contains the sequence with Donald Duck as Noah leading all the animals into his ark to the sounds of "Land Of Hope And Glory". It's an absolutely fabulous print.

Posted by Luis Caramelo (Member # 2430) on June 13, 2013, 06:31 AM:

derann,realy made a magnificent job about disney,s prints,i do have the feature of snow white and pinochio and they are stunning ,even the disney short ones are great(not all)just because of some stock used,but what concern to the features there,s no doubt they are a must to add to your collection,good luck in your search...

regards:
luis caramelo

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on June 13, 2013, 07:48 AM:

Except for LIttle Mermaid. Soft focus throughout.
Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Stunning prints.
And more I'm sure.

Posted by Pete Richards (Member # 2203) on June 13, 2013, 10:47 AM:

Do they keep the original aspect ratios and framing?

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 13, 2013, 01:00 PM:

Hugh is right. Derann had Disney negatives straight from the Disney archives, and it really showed on the prints! (whether we are talking about the shorts or features).

In most cases, the ratio's are the original ratios, (even with the Lady and the Tramp and Sleeping Beauty, as these are both scope!)

I think one of the only exceptions was the Bambi print, which was released in the letterbox format. This is because Derann received from Disney the re-release version of the feature, and when they re-released it, Disney reformatted the image to correspond with modern letterboxing of films.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on June 13, 2013, 01:37 PM:

Disney and Derann. A match made in heaven. [Smile]

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on June 13, 2013, 10:44 PM:

I'd agree that Derann Disney prints can be fantastic - I recall a friend mistakenly telling people he had seen 'Beauty on the Beast' on 16mm after seeing my Super 8 print - but there's no guarantee that any particular print will be wonderful. I had one that was badly slit throughout, sound faults, etc, so you still have to hope for the best unless you're buying from a very reliable source, like with anything else. And any buyer of 'Fantasia 2000' should be warned that ALL the prints are bluish.

I'd add that although 'The Little Mermaid' isn't as sharp as the others, I still find mine very pleasing to the eye and I wouldn't say it's soft compared to Super 8 releases in general, only when compared to a typical Disney feature.

Posted by Pete Richards (Member # 2203) on June 23, 2013, 04:49 AM:

Does anyone know what year the Derann prints were made from the Negative?
I'm trying to ascertain whether they were made from a 'pre-computer restored' negative or one of the post 1994 rescanned and re-released versions.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 23, 2013, 08:26 AM:

Disney sent Derann whatever current print was available, and that means if there was a recent release of a film that was restored, then Derann got it.

"Snow White" is an example of that, which was taken from the late 80's early 90's restoration. Not as extensive as the later further restoration for DVD/Blu-ray and much more pleasing to the eye.

As of the time that the Disney/Derann union was going on, there wasn't much restoration going forth. I'm not sure, but "FANTASIA" may have been another one that was struck rom a restored negative

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on June 23, 2013, 12:04 PM:

FANTASIA was never "officially" released by Derann or anybody else.Disregarding the bootleg Italian prints,which have been discussed extensively here,before,only The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Dance of the Hours were officially released as shorts.In later years,other episodes began to appear as "imports" or directly in second hand lists,but always in exquisite quality,although sometimes slightly truncated and with Deems Taylor's introductions all but eliminated.When all became available,collectors naturally joined them together,making a version of approximately 110 minutes long,out of the original's 120 minutes.

Posted by Pete Richards (Member # 2203) on June 24, 2013, 12:00 AM:

Damn, I was hoping Snow White may have been pre-restoration.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 01, 2015, 02:42 PM:

No need for any apology Rob. Your post was highly informative, written by a passionate admirer of the small guage using compassionate expressive language. It was highly accurate Rob and a very honest account of just how it can be in the modern era versus our glory days in quality manufacturing in GB when the mere mention of made in Britain was synonymous with quality, just like my my first company's reputation was!

As for Snow White, I have two prints of these and the second one is a collectors edition first run gold labelled numbered print.

It is simply superb and looks totally authentic to the era it was produced in. Whatever restoration has been done on this print,it is totally for the benefit of this print. Looks nothing like my Blu Ray image, not artificial looking or untrue to the original in any way, but print quality, clarity and colour palette is exceptional.

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on August 01, 2015, 03:11 PM:

Hi Pete
I would think your friend wouldn't be happy with the super 8 prints, if bluray couldn't please him then I wouldn't mention them, the cost of them for one has to be taken into consideration, used prints could have wear/damage and then which projector/lens to get the best picture does he choose, I've had quite a few Disney Deranns over the years and as good as they are they are not bluray quality, Mark

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 01, 2015, 05:58 PM:

On this particular print, no one wants Blu Ray quality Mark.
That is why the Super 8mm print is superb for anyone trying to recreate the nearest experience to watching the original film.

If someone were to find a print like the one described, I doubt anyone could or would be dissatisfied.

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on August 02, 2015, 12:03 AM:

I know there was an American release of Snow White before any restoration that had all the dust from the cells still printed in. This was done before the Derann release. I've only seen it once on Ebay and that was after the auction ended. There are also 16mm prints available. However, some go for really high prices especially if it is an I.B. Tech print.

Posted by Dave Groves (Member # 4685) on August 02, 2015, 06:31 AM:

I bought two 200' Disney films. 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Alice in Wonderland. On the screen 'Alice' was as good as anything I've seen on 16mm. Sadly, both have faded. That's one consideration to be taken into account when buying.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 02, 2015, 07:21 AM:

The full length features and most of the later Derann Disney shorts will all have perfect colour thankfully. Two are a little suspect (not to my eyes though on the two of these I have), but otherwise all are either on Kodak LPP or Agfa stock or maybe even later Fuji stock so nothing at all to concern anyone colour wise on these Derann Disney prints.

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on August 02, 2015, 01:20 PM:

Sorry Andrew i missed the point, I still wouldn't recommend the features though if your friends (Pete's) are not into film, for the reasons I've mentioned, price, condition , projector etc, if he's into it then go for it as he will know what to expect cost and equipment wise, some of the video releases are true to the original films, still old technology and a lot cheaper, Mark

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on August 02, 2015, 02:16 PM:

Well I just had to open my JB Steelbook ( lovely and even better out of the wrapping ) and bung the Jungle Book Blu Ray on my XGA Hitachi ( just inder 1/3 rd of Full HD on 16/10. 1700 lumens on eco and 3000/1 contrast and I have to say it looks amazing.On a more contasty self set up setting than the cinema setting.

I can`t imagine wjhat it would be like on a WXGA or a HD machine.

I`d still prefer to own it on film. Just no way I could afford it or want to risk the stripe.

If the chap is fancying film for filmie reaons which would be nice it would be great. If not I`d recommend the Blu Ray too.

Do you have a decent super 8 projector you could lend your friend to try etc, though when he might get prints is a question.

What were the changes just out of interest anyone.

Wish I`d bought a few when you could pick them up for £80 odd.

Would anyone be prepared to lend this chap a Disney print as might get a convert onboard.

Best Mark.

[ August 02, 2015, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: Mark Todd ]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 02, 2015, 08:08 PM:

Jeepers Mark, now you are going to get me into steelbook collecting! [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on August 03, 2015, 01:57 AM:

Paul, I totally agree, they look so nice, if you look carefully they don't have to cost a fortune either, Mark

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on August 03, 2015, 05:05 AM:

Hi Paul I am well in to them, but keeping a grip.

I get a real zing when I open them to put a disc on.

You can buy from Zavvi to the USA who do some quite nice and cheap ones. But they are quite cheap in the USA too.

The nicest ones don`t have the blu ray blue logo thing over the front at the top.

I am film, film, film in the middle, but these encompass the nice memorablia side of movies too.

On the super 8 disney front ( etc ), I wonder if we can set up a sort of repossitary of a few films and projectors to help newbies on here between us.

Some of us must have a few low fade extra`s of the 200 feet disneys in the nice boxes we could send one to people who show interest.

As I`ve mentioned before, if we could all look out for a nice cheap as new boxed ex kodak users Yelco 607, a Sankyo 501, a bell and howell DCR in local rags or garage sales etc, often only £15-25 if you are lucky to keep in the wings to sell cheap as possible to any newbies who show up here, they sometimes do looking for a way in to the hobby, but getting in with no idea etc can be fraught with dissaster and I`ve come accross many people who dash back out over the years.

One I think was my fault as I sold him a film in a minty box with good colour, no scratches or splices and good sound all the way through etc etc and it made all the other stuff he had abought look like he,d been ripped off ( he had been ), so much as I tried to keep him on board he vanished.

I`m sure we could easily co-ordinate something easily here between us etc.

I wonder how many pop in to the hobby but end up out after trying to get a half decent machine or films ? We can help in that.

Best Mark.

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on August 03, 2015, 06:29 AM:

I bought a Steelbook from Zavvi once, when it was the best value copy of that film, now I get emails about every Steelbook release and updates on how many are still left..........

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on August 03, 2015, 07:52 AM:

Becuase this is not in general yak, I think I have the right to say this:

DVD/BluRay is sucks,and stellbook is far from collectible items. In about 5 years from now it will worth a dollar for a piece.

Watch DVD but do not collect them.

Cheers,

Posted by John Hourigan (Member # 111) on August 03, 2015, 09:24 AM:

Believe me, I've seen plenty of Super 8 prints that (using your word) "suck." Everything I buy, be it Super 8 or digital, is not for the collectibility of it -- the vast majority of what I buy is for the pure enjoyment of viewing/screening it.

[ August 03, 2015, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: John Hourigan ]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 03, 2015, 11:51 AM:

John's quite right of course, there are plenty of Super 8 prints that truly "suck" to use one of Winberts! Lol

However,when they are good..BOY are they good!!
And in this category I would include all of my full length and 600ft Derann Disney collection! [Wink]

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