8mm Forum: Dead of Night (Blu Ray)

This is topic Dead of Night (Blu Ray) in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Mark Silvester (Member # 929) on 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]

Posted by John Hourigan (Member # 111) on 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.

Posted by Paul Barker (Member # 4318) on 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.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on 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.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on 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.

Posted by Mark Silvester (Member # 929) on 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]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on 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!

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