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Author Topic: How The West Was Won
Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005


 - posted September 29, 2008 03:16 PM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I really think that this was one of the best restorations done on a classic film. Most restorations are mostly color and an occasional scratch or dirt on the print.

In this case, there was a LOT MORE that had to be done with this. I knew that this film would someday be restored, but I didn't think it would be anytime soon.

They really went out of they're way with the extras as well! Those re-prints of the books and such are nice, but I love those color stills, quite nice.

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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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Graham Sinden
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1131
From: Kent, UK
Registered: Aug 2005


 - posted September 29, 2008 03:26 PM      Profile for Graham Sinden   Email Graham Sinden   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks Martin and Keith for that good news. I will order it soon.

HMV has a photo of the two disc but describes it as three discs. Im sure this is a mistake and both R1 and R2 is three disc. Yipeeee [Smile]

http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1&sku=809533

and Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-West-Was-Carroll-Baker/dp/B0018O51M4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1222719969&sr=8-1

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Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005


 - posted September 29, 2008 04:41 PM      Profile for Osi Osgood   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
By the way, another great restoration but not perfect restoration, was "Othello", the Orson Welles version, which they had to do extensive work on, (just finding a 35MM of this was hard enough), then they completely redid the soundtrack with brand new orchestration and choir.

Considering what they had to work with, it was really good.

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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006


 - posted September 29, 2008 05:07 PM      Profile for Keith Ashfield     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Two other great "restoration" DVD's are "El Cid" and "Fall of the Roman Empire", both on Region One - 2 disc sets, with great extras content. Worth checking out if you like "Epic" movies.

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"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".

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Barry Johnson
Master Film Handler

Posts: 358
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jul 2003


 - posted October 01, 2008 07:09 AM      Profile for Barry Johnson   Author's Homepage   Email Barry Johnson   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Well Im old enough to have seen HTWWW when it was released.It played at the Collesseum and the Casino Cinerama in London.I caight up with it in 1961.Shown in its original three projector format and utilising a seperate magnetic sound follower on spools matching the legnth of the film running to 14000ft.This equates to nearly two hours running time.The sight was staggering.The programme opened with a supporting documentary but in normal format-wasnt impressed just yet,then on came the traditional censor sertificate-still not impressed-but then the cinema went absoluteley pitch black,you could not make out a screen even,but within seconds the cinerama format hit the screen big time! And bloody hell,was it BIG!.Never seen the likes of it in my life (until IMAX years later) and was gobsmacked forever! A staggering projection experience from dedicated showmen.
Thats what stared a lifetime in cinema.Even after retirement nothing bettered that moment since.OK, Imax was and is good but that first time watching Cinerama was better than sex [Eek!] [Eek!] [Eek!]

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Standard8 rules!!

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Paul Adsett
Film God

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From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted October 01, 2008 09:01 AM      Profile for Paul Adsett     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Barry's phrase 'dedicated showmen' really summarizes Cinerama. If you watch the Cinerama Adventure film on disc 3 you realize that all these great men, Lowell Thomas, Mike Todd etc, were inspired and dedicated to put on a film show that no one who saw it would ever forget. And they certainly acheived that goal. Apparently a Cinerma film was more like a theatrical experience, you had to book your seat in advance, and you dressed up to go and see it. I can only imagine that moment when the curtains opened up and Lowell Thomas's magnificent voice shouted "Ladies and Gentlemen - this is Cinerama !"
Makes you realize that showmanship has completely disappeared from the cinema of today. Just a cold black multiplex box, with no curtains or decor, and uncontrolled blasting sound.
Thats why home cinema is so great - you can recreate the showmanship of the past in your own home.

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006


 - posted October 01, 2008 09:19 AM      Profile for Keith Ashfield     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Barry,

"that first time watching Cinerama was better than sex"

Did you have a cigarette after the performance? [Big Grin]

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"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted October 01, 2008 09:25 AM      Profile for Steve Klare   Email Steve Klare   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
"cold black multiplex box"

Very much so: The theater a mile or so down the road from us has painted concrete floors under the seats, probably so they can hose out the accumulations here and there.

Others aren't quite so utilitarian but none have any real decor at all. Entering the auditoriums is a little like going into a cave: the walls are draped in black and the lighting is low.

The on screen content before the Coming Attractions are a bunch of spotty slides with ads for real estate agencies and plumbers plus movie trivia quizzes. Since they repeat these about 80 times before they roll film getting them right becomes a snap! Those with a keen memory will have the answers for next time: the slides are rarely changed from week to week. The time before the show is supposed to be anticipation, but it's become waiting instead.

When the Trailers roll they tend to have an audio level high enough to damage your internal organs, and are quite often wrong for the audience and the feature yet to come. The first time we took our son (then three years old) out to the movies it was to see "The Heffalump Movie". So there we are in this little sea of pre-schoolers waiting to see Pooh and Piglet when on comes the trailer for "Violent Explosions IV" (or whatever...). Within two minutes half the theater was crying!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Martin Jones
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1269
From: Thetford , Norfolk,England
Registered: May 2008


 - posted October 01, 2008 01:27 PM      Profile for Martin Jones     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Just watched half the documentary disc; pleased to see that our very own Kevin Brownlow (who can remember the name of his best known ACW "Ten Best" film?)has a five second clip.

Martin

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Retired TV Service Engineer
Ongoing interest in Telecine....

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Martin Jones
Phenomenal Film Handler

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From: Thetford , Norfolk,England
Registered: May 2008


 - posted October 01, 2008 01:29 PM      Profile for Martin Jones     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Just watched half the documentary disc; pleased to see that our very own Kevin Brownlow (who can remember the name of his best known ACW "Ten Best" film?)has a five second clip.

And Keith, in our house the sex was so good the neighbours had a cigarette!

Martin

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Retired TV Service Engineer
Ongoing interest in Telecine....

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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006


 - posted October 01, 2008 01:41 PM      Profile for Keith Ashfield     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Martin, was that the neighbours on both sides? If so, it was obviously "Widescreen and Stereophonic" [Eek!]
As long as it wasn't Dolby 5.1 [Eek!] [Eek!]

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"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".

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Martin Jones
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1269
From: Thetford , Norfolk,England
Registered: May 2008


 - posted October 02, 2008 03:31 AM      Profile for Martin Jones     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Keith,
I'm not sure; I don't think I was there at the time!

Martin

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Retired TV Service Engineer
Ongoing interest in Telecine....

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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006


 - posted October 02, 2008 03:46 AM      Profile for Keith Ashfield     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Martin. So it could have been Dolby 5.0 ?? [Cool]

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"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".

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Alan Paterson
Film Handler

Posts: 70
From: Hants, UK
Registered: Aug 2006


 - posted October 23, 2008 06:02 PM      Profile for Alan Paterson   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I just watched the Blu-ray of 'How the West was Won'.
I preferred the Smilebox version as it gives some impression of what Cinerama was like. When you grow up in the 1960's in a small town in Scotland, you have no chance of seeing anything technically innovative.
It's the first time I've actually watched the whole film as I've tried watching it on TV but have always given up thanks to the pan and scan effort, overlapping images and mismatched colour of the panels.
The Bluray was a joy to watch as most of the problems have been ironed out - and the sound is excellent too. Debbie Reynolds had a lovely singing voice.
I only have a 7 foot screen, but it was a real pleasure.
Alan

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Paul Adsett
Film God

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From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted October 23, 2008 10:40 PM      Profile for Paul Adsett     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Alan,
I have heard different comments on the 'SmileBox' effect, some people really like it, others prefer the flat version. I do not have a Blu-Ray player yet, so I am stuck with the standard DVD which only comes in the 2.81 flat version. But I think you have the right perspective on this, and I am sure that like you, I would prefer the Smilebox version to simulate the Cinerama effect. I really like the SmileBox simulations on the documentary on Disc 3. On my 10ft screen you can almost feel that rollercoaster! [Big Grin]
Incidentally, what a great documentary 'Cinerama Adventure ' is. I have watched it 3 times already. What great showmen Lowell Thomas, Mike Todd, Hazard Reeves, et al were.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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Alan Paterson
Film Handler

Posts: 70
From: Hants, UK
Registered: Aug 2006


 - posted October 24, 2008 12:08 PM      Profile for Alan Paterson   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I would have loved to have been a Cinerama cameraman. Filming aerial shots from the front bubble of that aircraft must have been brilliant. I used to do it using a skymount on helicopters, with the side door removed - but I only had a 16mm Arriflex. Even so, when you went over a cliff you felt you were going to fall out.

They left some dirt marks on the aircraft windshield in the opening shot of 'How the West was Won'. I'll bet the cameraman was really hacked off when he saw them on the print. He probably thought he'd got away with it as the camera was non-reflex. Bit of a shame though, on the very first shot of the movie.

I think 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' was the only other feature to be shot in true Cinerama.

Alan

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If God had meant us to run, we'd have been born with spikes in our feet.

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David Park
Master Film Handler

Posts: 346
From: UK
Registered: Nov 2003


 - posted October 24, 2008 12:54 PM      Profile for David Park   Email David Park   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
No the second and last MGM Cinerama in 3 lens was Wonderfull World of the Brothers Grimm.
Which I never saw and want to. There is a surviving copy and it is in Australia, I think at a Cinerama in a house. The man who has it so far as not loaned to Picturville, I'm hoping one day he will.
Should anyone know of another copy I will pass the information to the people at the Media Museum to see if they can obtain it for a screening.

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Regards,
David

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