8mm Forum: Great Digest Wish List

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Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 13, 2019, 05:35 PM:

We all know that that many superb Super 8 digests were released, such films as The Sting, Psycho, the MGM and Busby Berkeley musicals come to mind, and a host of others. But some great films never made it to digest releases, and today it crossed my mind that The Hustler would have really made a fantastic 400 footer. To be successful, a digest must have an uncomplicated plot which can be established in a few great scenes which are rich in character and/or action, and The Hustlercertainly meets that requirement.
As the years have gone by I have come to appreciate the merits of viewing digests of favorite films, versus sitting through the whole movie itself. Done well, the format has a lot offer.

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on March 14, 2019, 01:35 AM:

I totally agree with you, Paul. I've always liked digests and short subjects and think they are a perfect fit for our beloved small format. The U8 Jaws two-parter is great. even the 200ft version is a remarkable example of editing craftsmanship. What a pity "Rollercoaster" didn't make it to the digest list.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on March 14, 2019, 02:25 AM:

Ive always liked good digests. A few hours viewingcan be so diverse. Watch six movies in two hours. On the waterfront is one of my favourites along with many others. Even a flop such as xanado can be made a fun viewing as U8 did with this title. It made the unberable a fair fun movie. One that surprised me was raiders of the lost ark which i viewed again last night. Marketing were never brilliant at editing,some of there 3 x400s were awful,but raiders as a 400 was quite well done.
We do have many 400s which i enjoy very much.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 14, 2019, 02:58 AM:

Interesting Paul. As quite a few of us have been at this nearly a lifetime I'm gradually slipping into the nostalgia side of things particularly with conversations with collectors on the tellingbone (phone). I'm guessing everyone has a favourite but for us we have always liked the little 400ft Hammer shorts and yes I have a little story to tell.

Dracula Prince of Darkness Derann 400ft. Scope Flat
Had been looking a bit for a good print of this then found one within the same week a new un used flat Fuji print in a junk shop of all places and a Scope print on LPP so yes they are still about. I have a feeling someone is looking down on me at the moment.

And here it is

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on March 14, 2019, 02:01 PM:

As i understand it,there may be a digest of one of my wish lists, jurassic park, so it will be interesting to see how this one pans out. Great title to have. Wish i bought a feature when i had the chance although i believe the sound was poor. Please correct me if i an wrong [Wink]

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on March 14, 2019, 02:33 PM:

I would love to see a good selection of Digest being released! But its the price of them that gets me! And I'm sure that goes for other collectors!If they can keep the prices at a reasonable price you will sell a lot more of them! If the film is sold to high! The sales will be low! If the prices are low the film will go! That's the way I see it!

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on March 14, 2019, 05:10 PM:

Leon,

Unfortunately, we are way past the heyday of Super 8 when production costs were much lower than they are now.

Paul,

Digests are what got me into this hobby and I appreciate the good ones and even enjoy the bad ones. Some of those old b&w silent 200' footers are amazing. The 1968 Planet of the Apes would've made a great 400' cutdown (as opposed to the 200' Ken Films version). And I agree with Jean-Marc....Rollercoaster!

Doug

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 15, 2019, 11:26 AM:

I have always wanted to find a scope 16MM L.P.P. feature print of "Dragonslayer" as, i have an edit of that which would make a GREAT 30 minute 600ft digest!

If only to find a mint condition print of this to edit!

Just doing a release is a very hard thing today. Copyright issues, of course, but even with films that have miraculously remained in the "public domain" (out of copyright), just trying to find enough people who will commit to buying said print is hard enough. From those who actually put out new releases these days, they have to sell approximately 30 prints ... just to break even!

You would think that, with all the collectors out there, that there would be easily that many, but a lot of people talk about desiring and demanding new releases but when they come down the pike, suddenly, all those people refuse to cough up the cash ... all talk and no buys.

One person who I know (I'm connected with literally all those who do new releases these days) is actually owed well over a thousand dollars from people who have commited and yet, not actually committed with they're wallets.

So, we don't need talk, we need "reel" commitment on the part of collectors! [Smile]

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