8mm Forum: Attic Find Is it Rare ?

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Topic: Attic Find Is it Rare ?

Gilbert Lambert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Ostende, Belgium
Registered: May 2016

posted November 18, 2016 09:57 AM

Dear reel movie collectors,
Came home right now with a rare Attic find. In the lot a British Technicolor print/release of the Master Piece BEN-HUR in 35mm with Charlton Heston. 14 Technicolor parts in tin cans ( no strange smells thus no vinegar syndrome ). I can not view this for the moment. I can see it is Scope , Grey Track Technicolor with Brilliant Colors/colours. Even if it starts with Part 1 and I can see a Final Part, I think a bit of the movie will be missing by estimating its duration compared to the duration in the IMDB. Any suggestions what to do next? Keeping it until I can figure out what is missing ? Then try to see if the missing parts ever could show up ? Edit this movie myself to a good watchable Abridged Version ? All advice is welcome. It's still possible in 2016 to find rare movie prints lost somewhere as this is reel/real proof in my hands , thanks for your input ,warmest regards, Gilbert

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Evan Samaras
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 513
From: Queens, NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2015

posted November 18, 2016 10:04 AM

What a great discovery!

I guess you are stuck between buying a 35mm projector, and selling =D

If you go the route of selling I would suggest trying to find someone in your area who could view the print with you. This way you can determine what (if anything) is missing. (Or just find someone willing to screen it for you either way!)

If I had a 35mm projector and was near you I would offer you this service. I couldn't say for sure, but I would assume an IB Tech of Ben-Hur in Scope would be worth a pretty penny =D

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...When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the Earth...

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Gilbert Lambert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Ostende, Belgium
Registered: May 2016

posted November 18, 2016 10:07 AM

Thank you, I posted this probably in the wrong place, but no idea where to announce this rare find. Even not sure what to do next , but thank you kindly, Gilbert

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Oliver F. R. Feld
Master Film Handler

Posts: 447
From: Berlin, Germany
Registered: Jan 2010

posted November 18, 2016 10:17 AM

Hi Gilbert,
I know about a print of 35mm-BEN HUR who had 16 reels.
But maybe this has to do with the fact, that the long Overture and Intermission music were included.
It is really quite interesting and I wish You all the luck in the collectors world, that this is a complete print.
You really should keep it and buy a 35mm-machine.
Regards
Oliver

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Gilbert Lambert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Ostende, Belgium
Registered: May 2016

posted November 18, 2016 10:22 AM

Thank you Oliver, but it starts with The British Certificate, then the MGM logo ( Lion ) in Technicolor and with no cut to an image where I can read ( with magnifying glasses ) Judea in what seems an old Roman map ... Kind regards, Gilbert

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Oliver F. R. Feld
Master Film Handler

Posts: 447
From: Berlin, Germany
Registered: Jan 2010

posted November 18, 2016 11:36 AM

Yes, this is the very beginning of the feature...
The map leads to the story of Maria and Joseph; the film titles start after 6 minutes.
You are soooo lucky!!
All the best,
Oliver

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Osi Osgood
Film God

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

posted November 18, 2016 12:09 PM

If you should choose to sell it, you'll no doubt make a LOT of money! Well, that is basedf upon a number of issues ...

Issue 1# is already good.

1# Is it good color?
2# Print condition ... scratched to heck or very good?
3# Which issue of the film? Original run or the re-issues?

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

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Gilbert Lambert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Ostende, Belgium
Registered: May 2016

posted November 18, 2016 12:27 PM

Hi Osi, Colour is perfectly Technicolor, I can see it without projecting ... It's all there ... Scratches , that I don't know of course, without projecting , but I can see the movie has been projected ...the year of the print is first batch released in 1959 or 1960 , the technicolor lab from the UK label is still on the tin box with their address. Also the British Certificate for the rating is still on it and it's same as used in the fifties or early sixties .. thank you for asking, Gilbert

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Michael O'Regan
Film God

Posts: 3085
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Oct 2007

posted November 18, 2016 12:57 PM

Try mentioning this over at the 35mm forum. I reckon you'll get a lot of interest there.

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Gilbert Lambert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Ostende, Belgium
Registered: May 2016

posted November 18, 2016 01:19 PM

Thank you Michael, just registered on the 35mm forum waiting for approval. God Bless, Gilbert

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Gilbert Lambert
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 184
From: Ostende, Belgium
Registered: May 2016

posted November 20, 2016 04:30 AM

Information for the history of Ben Hur, the print I found is ALL perfect color/colour and grey soundtrack which confirms we have technicolor. Nothing is faded in the 14 reels I found. The reels 6 and 11 are missing. Together it's exactly 21 minutes and 55 seconds missing after checking with the DVD. There's no intro music, it starts with the British Certificate , the MGM Lion and the first image is the map of Judea. All together I'm left with an almost ( a second more or less is hard to time ) 180 minutes of Ben Hur on 35mm in Technicolor and a print we can situate in the year(s) 1959 or 1960 in quiet great condition. The Intermission on Reel 10 is present and fades out. Nothing missing at the end of the movie, end credit fades out. Well at least we know that 180 minutes in technicolor is still here with us. I hope this gives us hope to keep looking for lost movies. Warmest regards, Gilbert

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Osi Osgood
Film God

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

posted November 21, 2016 11:53 AM

I agree with Micheal and yes, no doubt worth a good deal to the right person, as it appears to be original release material!

Yes! Mmmmm, wouldn't mind rummaging through that attic myself!

[Smile]

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

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William Olson
Master Film Handler

Posts: 287
From: Poughkeepsie, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2010

posted November 25, 2016 09:08 AM

All I can say is WOW!

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