MovieChat Forums > Beach Red (1967) Discussion > I get that it's in mono...

I get that it's in mono...

posted 15 years ago by CahillSellers
4 replies | jump to latest

but this movie really needs a sound overhaul. I'm not saying it needs some massive multilayered remix or digital rerecording, but every time I watch this, I end up turning my tv to twice as loud. We can all agree that sound is important (though, don't get me wrong, some silent films are great), but with Cornel Wilde movies, it's an essential part. This soundtrack's volume just needed to be pumped up more. One of my favorite things about Beach Red is how it's such an aural assault, which puts even more emphasis on the quiet moments.
Did anyone else find the volume to be low? Is this just a personal preference? Am I getting old and deaf? Is it a dvd issue? And where can I find a copy of No Blade of Grass?

"But, hey, that's me, I could be wrong."

[–] rhinocerosfive-1 15 years ago

I dunno. The mgm dvd sounds alright to me. It's the movie that's kind of hokey and not very interesting. But hey, that's just me.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 14 years ago

r u sure yer not anus9?

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] activista 10 years ago

The movie may be a little hokey in some parts, but it is very interesting,mainly because of its then-unusual approach to its subject matter---it shows soldiers being realistically damaged during combat(one is shown with his arm blown off) and it shows the war from the viewpoints of both the Americans and the Japanese (something that wouldn't be done again until the war film TORA! TORA! TORA! (1970)) It's also not your typical rah-rah jingoistic war film (which might explain for its relative obscurity until recently.) BEACH RED is a very,thoughtful surprisingly poetic in parts war drama with a harsh, realistic look (for its era) at the realities of war up close. Really good film that deserved to be rediscovered and recovered, IMHO.

[–] shoobe01 9 years ago

The MGM HD movie channel (I am watching on Dish) is shockingly nicely mixed (and visually a scary-good transfer as well).

My receiver says it's receiving Dolby 2.1 and I believe it with my ears. Even only middling dramatic scenes like the spoiling attack on the Japanese as they hit the beach full of machine guns and a few explosions sounds as good as any war moving from the 60s I've ever heard. No clipping, and not realistically loud explosions, but louder and with enough bass punch to be believable.

"2.1" sounds plausible for a serious color feature in the late 60s (even if some was recorded in mono). Wouldn't be surprised if it was originally stereo plus rear FX channel, what with the attention paid to the music, the weird audio feel in the flashbacks and dream sequences. With no equivalent in the home it seems reasonable of MGM to put some of the FX on LFE for the transfer.

Dolby is probably part of when MGM remastered for digital distribution. Something to clean it up, etc. It is not at all hissy or poppy, and it was filmed on a Philippine island, seems to have lots of wild sound (birds, wind) so these are not ideal conditions to record or store audio.