8mm Forum: "The Last Starfighter" on Film

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Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 19, 2018, 02:24 PM:

Well last night was a real treat. I missed it upon its release in the cinema back in 1984, but later in the 80s bought the VHS tape. As the years went by, it wasn't until I bought the Blu-ray that I would at last watch this 80s classic in its proper Scope format.

Thinking well I cant get better than that, I found myself in the position to borrow for a short time, the actual 35mm print that I missed back in the 80s. The owner of the print had only ever watched Reel One, so this was a chance for him to later watch the complete film next month, for a non-stop screening using my old platter and Ernemann 2.

Over the last few days I checked the reels of film and loaded it onto the platter. On inspection the film does show a bit of fade, but is still very good color wise. Last night I thought I would watch it. I was surprised how good the film print was, and in particular the Dolby Stereo soundtrack through the reverse scanning IR soundhead and Yamaha multi channel input of the amp, sounded fantastic.

It was amazing to screen this 35mm Scope film, even better than my projected Blu-ray [Big Grin]

Anyway here are a few screen shots...hope to hang onto this print for a wee while longer, and be able to screen it a few more times this year.

Its a pity you folks live so far away, you would really enjoy some of this stuff.

Last night....

...Robert Preston...

[ May 19, 2018, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: Graham Ritchie ]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on May 19, 2018, 02:59 PM:

Superb Graham, i have only seen this once and that was in the cinema when it came out. [Wink]

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on May 19, 2018, 04:57 PM:

This movie was a favorite of both my son's growing up...and I liked it too. Great print Graham!

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 19, 2018, 05:58 PM:

Thanks Tom and Janice.

Here are a couple more screen shots [Smile]

What really impressed me that the Ernemann2 is now 92 years old and can still project a rock steady image. With the print of "The Last Starfighter" it ran through the projector really smooth and quiet...you cant ask for more.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on May 19, 2018, 11:59 PM:

Starlite.... Starbrite [Smile]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 20, 2018, 03:24 PM:

Janice

I still have a couple of photos left from the other night [Smile]

. I was going to post them then earlier, but didn't think anyone here would recognize what they were about [Smile]

The number plate...

One of only a few VHS tapes we have left, bought back in the 80s

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on May 20, 2018, 04:57 PM:

looks good Graham! ill have to come over and watch it!

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on May 20, 2018, 08:17 PM:

Absolutely Pat.. we will arrange a time very soon [Smile]

I have put on the front of the feature Scope trls of Peter Jacksons "Tin Tin" long version, followed by Johnny Depp "Pirates of the Caribbean" and finally and its a must "Super 8" the movie all in wonderful Scope...

I noticed this "modern look" trailer on you-tube....this person did a nice job....very well done.. [Cool]

https://youtu.be/l55LwfcPfWM

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on May 20, 2018, 08:45 PM:

Love this movie, what a treat to screen this on 35mm. Look at that contrast wow,very nice Graham.

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on May 21, 2018, 01:07 AM:

I love this film also, I've got the region 1 DVD and the American trgion free Blu-ray, I often watch it.

It also seems there's a possibility of a remake, there's even a CGI mock up of the main ship on the internet, it's a shame they never did a second film, as it was left open at the end for a sequel!

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on June 03, 2018, 01:57 PM:

Barry

I also wonder why a sequel was never made, as it was wide open for one. [Smile]

I contacted the owner of the print last week and on a wintery Friday night I screened it for him. He had never watched the complete film print and was thrilled with it.

After some tough negotiation [Smile]

we did a swap with some film stuff I had, including me throwing in the Blu-ray. [Big Grin]

Anyway the film will be always be kept complete and ready for platter screening at a moments notice. Yesterday being a wet Sunday, I ran it for Yvonne my better half, cant think of a better way to spend a wet afternoon [Cool]

Posted by Dave Groves (Member # 4685) on June 04, 2018, 03:43 AM:

Graham, you've convinced me I ought to watch it. Always admire your pictures.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on June 04, 2018, 04:51 AM:

Hi Graham, its looks amazing, you are so lucky to have that set up.

Talk about best of both worlds !!!

Must get the you know what to view this as never seen it.

I wonder if the trailer is out on film ? ( 35mm yes, but something more of us can cope with !!! )

Best Mark.

PS I`ve often been tempted to collect 35mm trailers even without a projector, but got a grip.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on June 05, 2018, 03:34 AM:

Remember folks, I you are ever out this way, you are more than welcome to look us up...might even run some film [Wink]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 13, 2018, 01:30 PM:

Gave the Ernemann 2 a bit of a run last night [Smile]

https://youtu.be/awp0XMqQCdg

Posted by Jason Patnode (Member # 5973) on October 13, 2018, 04:12 PM:

Thanks for posting Graham. Did you put everything together yourself? It runs so smooth and looks fantastic.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 13, 2018, 04:28 PM:

Thanks Jason

When I was watching the film I thought I should quickly capture some scenes, then later using Moviemaker on Windows did a quick edit.

Its just a thrill to see this old projector running, I wanted to share that experience. The Last Starfighter was in fact the full 35mm feature, running to and from the platter, which is great if you don't want to stop for a reel change. [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on October 13, 2018, 11:52 PM:

I've got to move to NZ! [Big Grin]

Posted by Lindsay Morris (Member # 3812) on October 14, 2018, 12:47 AM:

Great looking images there Graham. What are you using for light source??
Xenon or Halogen bulb??

Nice to see a machine that old still doing a very good job.

My Super Standard (twin shutter version) is approaching 70 years old but does have a bit of "dance" to its image but given it was ex a drive in it did a hell of a lot of work so the intermittent
has a bit of wear.
The Super Standard was made in South Australia and very very heavy.
in the 1950's

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 14, 2018, 02:05 PM:

Lindsay

I am using a halogen Xenophot HLX64663 36v 400w lamp another alternative is the Philips type 7787. The position of the lamp is where the arc used to strike, with full adjustments still for alinement of mirror and lamp available to obtain an even light over the 11ft wide screen. [Smile]

If its not been done already, if you can remove the intermittent sprocket and turn it around....it might improve things.

Posted by Lindsay Morris (Member # 3812) on October 15, 2018, 05:15 AM:

Graham,

Thanks for that lamp info...similar to what I am currently using.
As to intermittent sprocket it is quite new-ish so very little, if any, "hooking" of teeth.
The mech (star & cross) inside is quite worn in one spot so I have to always move the framing slightly up or down to get away from that very worn spot if I get into that position by accident.
I was always taught to vary the framing knob up and down from reel to reel so as to avoid what has happened to this intermittent mech.
I can recall working with some projectionists who would go ballistic if I moved the framing knob as I had been taught. To me they were just lazy and unprofessional as it mattered not where the knob was so long as you had some adjustment either way.
What they were on about was that they really did not have to carefully check their threading if that knob was NOT moved. So their machines just sat there reel after reel slowly wearing the cross & star more than anywhere else.
As platters came in the wear issue became even worse as one machine then was doing double the work and if never moved either way those machines got the dreaded jitter. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 17, 2018, 11:07 AM:

This is a film that I REALLY like, but it's also a hit film from the 80's that has sadly, because of the limits of CGI at the time, has gaed badly ...

I've often thought that this would be an excellent candidate for a studio to go in, completely replace the original CGI with brand new CGI, and then re-release it, and when putting it out on bluray, put both the original version and the "restored" version together on there!

This was a GREAT film for Robert Preston to go out on!!!!

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 18, 2018, 03:37 AM:

Osi

Sorry I must disagree with you, regarding the original CGI, I still think it still holds up well and feel that this is one film that's best left alone. [Smile]

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