Have just watched MGM's release of this classic again and I believe the film needs some major restoration as the print used seems to be in poor condition with spots, splices and washed out colours. Also some extras and documentaries/commentaries from some historians wouldn't go amiss.
In memory of Sam Peckinpah
Y'know what burns me is that into the 90's and 00's, when DVD's and commentaries were in vogue, many of the artists who were still alive and created some of the great films were not invited to do commentaries or interviews on these discs before they died. I'm talking names like Rouben Mamoulian, Billy Wilder, Katherine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, etc., who were retired with no professional responsibilities. Their stories should've been related in the digital age. Imagine the commentary track Wilder could've given on SUNSET BLVD. and DOUBLE INDEMNITY, for instance. Instead we get modern historians and interpreters doing commentary instead of the real thing. It's a sad loss.
shareI completely agree. This is one of the greatest sea films ever made, but the state of current prints is deplorable. A restoration is desperately needed. Any suggestions on how to start up a campaign for this?
shareAs this is one of my favorite films of all times, I was going to start a new thread with that exact subject, but instead I'll reply the one already started. Not just a DVD, but Moby Dick deserves a complete stem-to-stern BluRay restoration release. Go back to the B&W separations, re-align them in CGI, (both Warners and Sony's restoration departments have done wonders with Technicolor films), use existing original dye-transfer prints for color reference, clean up the picture, have Chase re-channel for 5.1, and just do it! Just like everything else, it's just money that prevents this from happening, you have an old library title and the current copyright holder (MGM Home Video?), probably just does not see how spending more money on a film that is so old is worth it...On the other hand, this should be done to preserve the film for the future as well as making an old title worth purchasing again in the current market. BTW, I read somewhere that the film never made back it's original negative cost??? I'd sure like to see some facts and numbers there.
And of course, as a previous poster already noted, this is one of those films that are crying out for loads of specials, a complete new commentary track, documentaries, photos, etc, etc. It would be great to somehow include the Moby Dick lecture that Ray Bradbury used to give for years at screenings, I saw him do it twice! Surely someone taped or videotaped one of them at some point. Anyway, this is real film history...how about it, CRITERION??? Or any other company?
In Australia. See my other post 'Blu Ray Available'.
Manton
If to stand pat means to resist evil then, yes, neighbour, we wish to stand pat.
Ditto that, chris776.
Let me know when you start that campaign, and I'll be the first one to sign up.
I called MGM on this, and customer service (unfortunately more aptly called lip service) said they'd pass my request along. I'm not holding my breath.
Simply the best film adaptation of one of the greatest novels of all time – with the combined talents of Huston, Peck, Bradbury, Welles and Freddie Frances – yet no Blu-ray?!
Absolutely unfathomable! ;-)