WTB Ben-Hur Digest MGM

[Greg May]

Hi,

I'm interested in getting the condensed version of Ben-Hur on Super 8. I know there is some on eBay currently. Does anyone have any experience with the MGM digest? I'm curious as to the color of the prints. I have "An American in Paris" from MGM, and I am impressed with the color quality. I'm curious if that quality is a characteristic of all digests put out by MGM.

I'd also be interested in a scope trailer or any scope Ben-Hur reels that might be floating around.

Thanks!

-Greg

[Mark Mander]

Greg,
most of the MGM releases will be showing colour fade by now, you do get the odd one that still has its colour though, An American in Paris is pretty common on the faded list so finding a good one is lucky, Derann reprinted a few on low fade stock so it could be one of those, not sure exactly which titles they did from the MGM negatives, I have a few including the scope Dr Zhivago 3x400 and Gigi 400ft which spring to mind. My 3x400 scope Ben Hur still has nice colour and a 400ft flat release I have is still looking great so they are about, Where Eagles Dare 3x400 I have again has nice colour , you may come across many prints before you find a decent colour copy of any release these days but they are out there, Mark

[Greg May]

Greg,
most of the MGM releases will be showing colour fade by now, you do get the odd one that still has its colour though, An American in Paris is pretty common on the faded list so finding a good one is lucky, Derann reprinted a few on low fade stock so it could be one of those, not sure exactly which titles they did from the MGM negatives, I have a few including the scope Dr Zhivago 3x400 and Gigi 400ft which spring to mind. My 3x400 scope Ben Hur still has nice colour and a 400ft flat release I have is still looking great so they are about, Where Eagles Dare 3x400 I have again has nice colour , you may come across many prints before you find a decent colour copy of any release these days but they are out there, Mark

Thanks Mark! I'm hopeful something will turn up. Obviously scope would be ideal, even if it had some slight fade. Fingers crossed!

-Greg

[Osi Osgood]

I've never seen the 3x400 scope Ben Just with good color, that is quite a find, but the 1x400ft tends to have very good color. However, I do own the scope feature. Yummmm!

[Brian Fretwell]

My 3x400ft 'scope is badly faded but the 200ft extract (on Eastman) has much better colour.

[Greg May]

My 3x400ft 'scope is badly faded but the 200ft extract (on Eastman) has much better colour.

Would you ever consider selling the faded scope feature?

[Brian Fretwell]

I don't think so. I'm a bit of a hoarder.

[Barry Attwood]

I have the 400' digest on my list at the moment, colour is still pretty good, condition is B/B+ (has a few marks, could be cleaned up a bit better), and has its original box as well, I'm looking for £20 + post, if interested.

[Oliver Feld]

Greg,
look at this link I found on eBay:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Super-8-BEN-...IAAOSwQF1ffDqB

It is the Animex cutdown (faded) incl. the complete chariot race by Derann. Kind of a best of-Mix.

I think the Animex cutdown is edited like the known flat cutdown. But I am not completely sure about that.

All the best
Oliver

[Greg May]

Greg,
look at this link I found on eBay:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Super-8-BEN-...IAAOSwQF1ffDqB

It is the Animex cutdown (faded) incl. the complete chariot race by Derann. Kind of a best of-Mix.

I think the Animex cutdown is edited like the known flat cutdown. But I am not completely sure about that.

All the best
Oliver

That looks beautiful Oliver. Thanks for sending that my way. Looks like there a couple options out there.

[Melvin England]

Greg - I am not sure if this is the same one that Oliver has mentioned, but there is currently a Scope 3x 400' version, with German sound, for sale on Ebay.De (Germany). The current price is Pounds 103.67 or Euros 115.07.

[Brian Fretwell]

Phil at CHC has the 3x400ft flat version with "some fade" on a 1200ft spool for £45. F111 on their list.

[Greg May]

Thanks everyone. I was able to source a wonderful print from Del. Ben-Hur is officially home.

[Del Phillipson]

Thanks Greg, so glad you enjoyed the print