8mm Forum: Dead of Night (Blu Ray)

»	8mm Forum » General Yak » Dead of Night (Blu Ray)

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Dead of Night (Blu Ray)

Mark Silvester
Master Film Handler

Posts: 282
From: England
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 17, 2015 12:39 PM

Hi all

I would not usually comment or post concerning a blu ray DVD but I felt I had to in this case.

"Dead of Night"(1945) from Ealing films was seminal in the way it changed and influenced the "horror" movie both in the U.K. and elsewhere. It heralded the
"portmanteau" era of the 60's, that followed on via Amicus and others etc.

Whilst in 8mm I sought it and bought it but was very unimpressed with the definition and quality. Certainly, U.K. TV prints too had been cursed with poor quality, etc.

Last week I purchased the Blu Ray version of "Dead of Night"...and what a stunner it is...the transfer is amazing - no idea where they sourced the original material but for any fans of this movie it is a "must have" - beautiful quality, absolutely "pin sharp" with belting sound which is consistant.

[Smile]

--------------------
Mark Silvester

| IP: Logged

John Hourigan
Master Film Handler

Posts: 301
From: Colorado U.S.A.
Registered: Sep 2003

posted September 17, 2015 02:24 PM

Thanks Mark -- I'll definitely have to check that out. Thanks to today's stunning restorations, I've been "rediscovering" many of the movies I only had on film previously.

| IP: Logged

Paul Barker
Master Film Handler

Posts: 395
From: Lancashire, England
Registered: Jun 2014

posted September 17, 2015 03:03 PM

have to agree Mark.a fabulous release. this release knocks spots off any other format i have seen it on. great sound and pin sharp just as you say.

| IP: Logged

Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 17, 2015 08:37 PM

I had a super 8mm print of Dead Of Night that was released by Derann. Th quality was pretty awful with very poor contrast, washed out highlights, and dismal sound, and I could not enjoy the film at all. A couple of years ago I got a DVD copy and there was no comparison, the DVD being excellent throughout. Based on Mark's comments, I will now be buying a Blu Ray of the title.
Not wishing to rehash the whole video vs film debate again, but this is certainly a prime example of the digital disc totally outshining anything available of this title on 8mm.

--------------------
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

| IP: Logged

Mike Newell
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 826
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 18, 2015 08:18 AM

Second those comments Paul. I have seen the 8mm and DVD release and they are as you describe. The DVD if I remember was digitally restored version by British Film Institute.

| IP: Logged

Mark Silvester
Master Film Handler

Posts: 282
From: England
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 18, 2015 12:10 PM

I agree

I was so disappointed with the 8mm version - I drove all the way to Dudley in 1983 to buy that. I actually returned it for a refund. That release should also have been released full length..the episodes all contribute the the cohesive "whole" of the film.

Anyway - I have been very impressed with some of the b/w blu rays. "Billy Liar" and "The Apartment" are also very good. I think "The Innocents" will be my next buy. Although I did have a very good 16mm print of that at one time - brilliant, haunting movie.

[Smile]

--------------------
Mark Silvester

| IP: Logged

Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 18, 2015 07:53 PM

Mark, The Innocents Blu Ray is stunning, with extremely sharp focus and superb contrast. Its also in 2.35 scope. A great one to get for the upcoming Halloween!

--------------------
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

| IP: Logged

All times are Central

Printer-friendly view of this topic

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2