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Author
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Topic: EMPIRE STRIKES BACK COMPARISON TEST
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Chip Gelmini
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1733
From: Brooksville, FL
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted February 26, 2009 10:33 AM
For only the second time in 2 years, the other night I screened my super 8 scope feature print of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. It had been so long since the first screening (atleast 6 years), it raised some questions on the quality of the print.
First, the super 8 print:
I believe but am not certain, this is the print from Classic Home Cinema. My copy is acetate and has the German title sequence at the beginning. The soundtrack is English mono. The end credits are English.
The master material to produce the super 8 copy was no doubt a very used theatrical release print. From the 35mm reel changes, the cue marks seemed to be white circles instead of black dots, as if they were punched out from the frames. They were also in the lower right corner of the screen opposite of where they should have been. These reel changes were also very dirty, loaded with spots and speckles that came and went within 15 seconds before/after the joins.
But the one thing that I questioned the most, was the overall exposure of the super 8 print. My copy seems very dark. And I know it had to be the print. But the question is which print?
My friend thought it'd be best to pick up of the original version on DVD(not the special edition). We were lucky enough to find a copy when we went to Best Buy.
Upon screening the DVD:
The picture was indeed cleaner than the film print. It also has the stereo sound to give more power of a show. But as for the darkness, much tgo my surprise there was very little improvement.
So I write this report and ask you this question:
For those who have this same copy, do you agree that maybe Lucas made this film on the dark side, based on the title and story. The Empire does strike back, hence the Dark Side. Whereas the other Star Wars films are better exposed in all scenes.
I believe that my super 8 copy that I actually own is in very good condition with no fading and that problems within the print are from lab or mastering or intentional otherwise.
Correct me if wrong.
Still though, a good movie nonetheless.
~ CG ~
[ February 26, 2009, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: Chip Gelmini ]
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Osi Osgood
Film God
Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted February 27, 2009 09:58 AM
This series of posts reminds me of a fond memory ...
When Empire strikes back first came out (and I was 14), I went to see it on the first day, and I remember that one shot, from the snow-speeders point of view, going up and over the snow bluffs.
My stomach went up and down during that short bit there and I thought that "this is totally cool!"
The funny thing is ... I have never experienced that since, whether watching flat or scope versions of the film.
Aaaah ... mammaries! Oh, I mean, memories!
--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
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Oemer Yalinkilic
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 547
From: Berlin, Germany
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted March 03, 2009 03:48 PM
Well, I have also many memories with Empire strikes back.
I was at the german premiere in Berlin. It was screen on the biggest screen in Europe "Royal Palast" (in 70mm), this screen was for his last few years even the biggest screen of the world. Unfortunately this theater is now closed and Germany lost his best Cinema.
Mark Hamill and the director Irvin Kershner were present and I get a atograph from Mark Hamill.
It was very funny because this time was the heydays of Video piracy and I watched the movie 6 months earlier. Curios, the dubbed version on the Video was a little bit different as the official version. Unfortunately this rare old Betamax tape is lost today.
Later I get a 16mm LPP print, but this was a pan and scan version, so I sold it.
Now I have a original 35mm print. As I bought it, the seller told me the color is perfect, but it is not. My print is slightly warm in color. In comparison with the 16mm print, it is very different. The color on the planet Hot was on the 16mm print more blue (a realy cold blue). I think the best quality today are the 16mm LPP prints.
There is a rumor, that they exist 35mm Technicolor prints made in italy in the very last days of Technicolor.
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