MovieChat Forums > Raintree County (1957) Discussion > Warner: Please release RAINTREE COUNTY o...

Warner: Please release RAINTREE COUNTY on DVD/Blu-ray!

posted 11 years ago by andy_budgell
8 replies | jump to latest

"Raintree County" was released more than 55 years ago, the first shot in MGM's Camera 65 (later renamed Ultra-Panavision), a camera process that boasted an extra wide image and crystal clear picture. However, few theatres were equipped to show a film this wide, so it was printed in 35mm CinemaScope. The film was initially released as a roadshow engagement, and when it went into general release over 14 minutes of the film were scrapped...literally. Those trims were junked from the 65mm print, and today the complete roadshow length film exists only in 35mm. Warner Bros used an old 35mm roadshow print to patch it up and return the film to its original roadshow length for the 1999 VHS release, and that's the version that currently airs on Turner Classic Movies. Because of the patch job, certain parts of the film appear washed out and not as sharp as others.

Becuase of this, "Raintree County" requires an expensive restoration, which is why it has never appeared on DVD or Blu-ray, save for a fullscreen, general release length cut released on DVD by Warner Bros in Spain. I have asked Warner Bros (who own the film) about the status of "Raintree" for about 8 years in various online chats, and more recently on their Warner Archive Facebook page. The answer has always been: not at this time, needs restoration. It seemed a restoration was finally on their radar, with a DVD release planned for 2007 or 2008, but plans must have fallen through, and the film remains unreleased on DVD/Blu-ray. 2005 was the banner year for classic film on DVD. WB seemed to release a handful of classic films per month, often packaged together by theme or star in terrific boxed sets. Now WB only releases a handful of classic film on DVD and Blu-ray per year. When I inquired about the film's status less than two weeks ago, I was told: "WHV considering for the future, but certainly not any time soon. This will be a very costly undertaking."

If not now, when? Obviously Warner Bros is a business, and they don't want to invest money into something they might not see a return on. But with the popularity of streaming and downloading films, as well as HD TV channels, having an HD version of "Raintree County" could be beneficial for them in the long run.

I have started up a Facebook page for fans of the film to join to prove Warner Bros that there *is* interest in this film. (It was actually voted the the #1 most requested title on Blu-ray at the Home Theater Forum last year.) If nothing else, it'll be a fun tribute to the film with trivia and many rare photos.

If you'd like to check out the page, you can do so by clicking here: http://facebook.com/RaintreeOnBlu

Thanks!

Andy

[–] jimpiscitelli 11 years ago

If not Warner Bros., Criterion should step in to release this classic in its glory on DVD and Blu-ray. I did find the 2-tape VHS of the movie at a thrift store. I'll have to hold on to that one until an official Blu-ray release come. At least the people at Criterion knows how to restore classic movies like the recent Blu-rays of "Badlands" and "Repo Man".

[–] andy_budgell 11 years ago

Great idea, but unfortunately WB rarely licenses out their films to third parties.

Andy

[–] patrick_bateman_90056 8 years ago

Recently, they've been showing a little bit of leniency in leasing out their films to Criterion, so it could feasibly be done now.

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[–] rsb342013 10 years ago

Hi Andy,

good for you. It needs releasing properly on a digital format.
Having said that, do you know of the best version available on ANY format? I have been trying to buy this for an age now, but, question is, which one?!
Thanks.

[–] Dejael 10 years ago

Like many other classic movie collectors, I too am waiting for a proper deluxe box set wide-screen release of this classic movie on DVD and Blu-Ray, preferably a 2-disc set with special features.
My parents took me to see this movie in 1957 when it was first released, at the Carthay Circle Theater in Culver City, where MGM did many of their major film premieres in the 1950s, close to the studio. My mother cried at the end, and we all thought it was a wonderful movie. It was an emotional, involving experience for many theater viewers in 1957, in beautiful wide-screen CinemaScope and Stereo Sound. Viewing it as an adult, it still evokes enough of the Old South and the Civil War to be required viewing for anyone interested in that period of American history, like its earlier, greater predecessor GONE WITH THE WIND, and its competitor film BAND OF ANGELS, made by Warner Bros. also in 1957.
The film also has elements of character structure which remind me of George Stevens' GIANT (WB, 1956) not to mention the exquisite charm and beauty of Elizabeth Taylor.

Dejael

[–] dalbrech 9 years ago

I am not a huge fan of Raintree County, but it should be on DVD/Blu Ray.

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[–] dalbrech 8 years ago

Surprised that Warners has not at least made it available on DVD via the Warners Archeive Collection.

[–] LetThemEatCake01 8 years ago

What a stupid thread, we should be instead demanding a 2 hour long faster paced Cleopatra, without all that mysoginist Mankiewicz man obsession with Caesar, his slave, Appollodorus and every single man because he can't make a movie about a woman scenes and make Cleopatra a decent movie with a normal pace that can be enjoyed by everyone. That's what we should be worrried about, Elizabeth Taylor's greatest movie being lost because people recoil in horror at Mankiwicz's soporific editing.