Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003
posted June 24, 2014 01:52 PM
Some collectors are avoiding to collect digest (400, 2x400', 3x400') and on the other hand many threads have discussed the benefit of collecting digests.
But I am not going to discuss the same matter but just want to tell you that in the last three months, I have been introducing long films to my sons (8 and 10 yo) after previously only screening cartoons for them.
I cannot imagine in their ages, they can sit 2 hours as well as following the long dialog found in many films.
So thanks to digests I have, so with 15-30 minutes they can follow a film and they now love long film together with cartoons.
Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003
posted June 24, 2014 02:15 PM
I love a good cut down, 200, 400 600 or 800, (as well as full length). Often get through two good hours of various cut downs. Scope evenings are always well received, couple nights ago it was digest evening of Fifth element, Matrix freeway frenzy, pearl harbour and Star Wars phantom menace.
Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003
posted June 26, 2014 11:36 AM
I think we would all love to own full features of everything we have but the reality is cash and of course some digests make a long drawn out movie a better film. Yes there are some crappy cut downs but we know which ones to avoid by now I think.
Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010
posted June 26, 2014 11:49 AM
Ever watch a film and wish that a lot of parts weren't there? You think they should be eliminated to keep the action or the story more interesting. Some scenes are just time wasters. Well that is exactly what digest do. Whether 200, 400, 2x400 0r 3x400 they tell the same story in a more interesting manner.
Posts: 4486
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013
posted June 26, 2014 12:12 PM
The result doesn't only depend on the talent of the person who edits but also on the film itself. Some films are easier to summarize than others. Also you could sucessfully edit one film to 120 meters (400 feet)but another one may need 360 meters (1200 feet) to keep its original story understandable and interesting.
Posts: 144
From: El Cerrito, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2014
posted June 26, 2014 03:29 PM
I enjoy my 400' "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". But unless you have already seen the entire movie it is nigh impossible to figure out what the heck is going on here? Pretty funny that way I thought.
Posts: 1373
From: Penistone Sheffield UK
Registered: Oct 2012
posted June 27, 2014 05:42 AM
Winbert. These are a few of my favourite films.
"Dirty Dozen" I bought this on first release 400' A very good edit too. Very repeatable. The 3 x 400' I never bought, but went for the feature version, which was edited by about 20 minutes anyway.
"The Wild Geese", "Ice Station Zebra", "When Eagles Dare". These were also very good edits, although "Eagles" original ending was cut out it didn't spoil the film. I have got these last two on 16mm too. "Zebra" in scope too. Again very repeatable in the 3x400' format.
Take the first UK release of "Star Wars" just 200' basically just a couple of scenes, BUT very repeatable, and in the UK on my home screen before it was in the cinemas.
Some of the 200ft releases were also good. I put these on a 600ft or 800ft spool and they make a nice entertainment reel.
3x400ft was I think about the best format. I don't consider the 4x400ft features done in the 70's cut-downs more abridged features, and some of these were very badly cut too.
The PM Films 600ft weren't too bad. The MGM and Universal 2x400ft were in the main well done. Ken Films 400ft some not very good. Columbia 50-50 on their editing. Plus these two had that damm narrator on them.
Derann's The Great Escape was an excellent edit done I think by Keith Wilton.
-------------------- I love the smell of film in the morning.
Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012
posted June 27, 2014 04:23 PM
I am with you on that one Winbert! I would even take the opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan. On Digital Projection it is the most realistic piece of cinema footage I have ever experienced with the DTS sountrack. Spine tingling!! I would dearly love to see this on film!!
-------------------- "C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"