8mm Forum: Attic Find Is it Rare ?

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Posted by Gilbert Lambert (Member # 5403) on 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

Posted by Evan Samaras (Member # 5070) on 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

Posted by Gilbert Lambert (Member # 5403) on 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

Posted by Oliver F. R. Feld (Member # 1911) on 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

Posted by Gilbert Lambert (Member # 5403) on 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

Posted by Oliver F. R. Feld (Member # 1911) on 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

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on 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?

Posted by Gilbert Lambert (Member # 5403) on 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

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on November 18, 2016, 12:57 PM:

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

Posted by Gilbert Lambert (Member # 5403) on November 18, 2016, 01:19 PM:

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

Posted by Gilbert Lambert (Member # 5403) on 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

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on 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]

Posted by William Olson (Member # 2083) on November 25, 2016, 09:08 AM:

All I can say is WOW!

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