Ruscico has done great work in restoring the visual splendor of this classic and epic film. The richness of detail, not only in the set design and art direction are on full display, the soundtrack is astounding. Kudos to those who painstakingly worked on the 5.1 seperation. When viewed with a 5.1 or greater system, subtle ambiant sounds envelop the viewer. The bombs will shake the walls and the bells will timbre the soul.
I agree totally. It's a tremendous transfer in all respects. I also saw the film recently in the cinema and, while it was a wonderful experience to see it that way too, the print was pretty bad and so, after all those hours sitting watch a very big but rather blurry picture, it was amazing to come home and look at the quality of thr Ruscico transfer again. I can't imagine it looking or sounding any better than this.
shareI have a so-called "Ruscico", but I'm now wondering if it's legit! I heard that there might be Asian bootlegs and I'm wondering if I have one of them! Though I think the picture is 'great', I can't really compare it to any other version since it's the only version I have ever come across. The 3rd disc in my set "1812" has a pinkish silhouette of beginning credits running through it! This doesn't sound like the wonderful 'Ruscico' version that everyone else is talking about! Can I confirm with anyone else who has a 'Ruscico' (or so-called 'Ruscico') if they have the same thing?
Thanks!
I have to confess that I know very little about bootlegs and how to tell them from the real thing - but certainly my edition of Ruscico version does not have the silhouettes you mentioned. I have the PAL version, but I previously had the NTSC version and neither did that have this problem. But whether it means yours is a bootleg or just a faulty disc, I really don't know. Does your box have the little square Ruscico silver sticker on it?
shareYes, mine does have that little square Ruscico silver sticer on it - top right hand corner of the back of the box.... mind you, stickers like that are also very common on Chinese bootlegs. Much to my disapproval, my parents have heeeapps of obvious bootlegs with impressive silver stickers on them.
I'm going to view "1812" again and see if that pink-ish silhouette comes up again - I haven't viewed it since the first time I watched it so I'm wondering if it was the television set that I originally watched it on that was at fault.
Well, good luck ... and let us know how you got on with the next viewing. Incidentally, where did you purchase your copy from? I gather some dealers have more of a reputation than others for selling dodgy products. I bought mine directly from Ruscico - so hopefully they, at least, can be trusted!
What did you think of the film, by the way?
Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh , I've just started looking at my "1812" and I don't see the pink silhouette at all! In other words it's probably perfect now! It must have been the TV set that I watched it on originally.
I actually got my copy 'brand new' from an Amazon seller. It was sealed and official looking. Hey, can I confirm where your discs were printed in? Mine say Taiwan. That's why I sorta suspected they were bootlegs since I thought they would be at least made in... Europe... or Moscow maybe? (I dunno!)
Oh my gosh, I'm just speechless if I try to describe this film!!! This is the most "MOST-EST" film I EVER come across. The production quality is just so... oh my gosh - see, I cannot even want to describe it since a 'few glorious words' don't even give the spectacular-ness of it any near justice! I NEVER come across anything like this!!!
The war scenes and burnings can only be described like this: - and even then it couldn't even begin to justify the sheer magnitude!!!It now ranks as one of my favourites of all time!
***SPILER***
The only slight qualm I have with it is the ending. I sorta thought that the last few war scene minutes (not all of those few minutes) looked like scenes that were repeated from a previous battle shown, thus the ending looked a bit rushed... but despite that, it was still awesome all through regardless!!! Even with my critique ending like that, it still blows many many many many... etc... endings out of the water! I've rated it on my personal IMDB a 10/10 for sure!!!
Well that's a relief - that the pink silhouettes have gone. I did wonder if that would have been what you would see in a bootleg copy.
But, yes, my disks are also made in Taiwan - and in fact I have a few other films from Ruscico and they're all the same.
And I agree totally with your speechlessness and I just wish I knew how to do all those smiley things, because I would probably try and pick out a few too. It's a fantastic film. The war scenes and the burning of Moscow are all spectacular - but so, too, are the stories of the characters, their lives, the massive ball scene, and the whole spirit of Russia that just seems to flow through every frame.
I haven't noticed the rushed battle secenes at the ending - I'll maybe have another look. Do you mean the end of "1812" or the end of the whole thing?
I think my absolute favourite scene, though, is the massive exodus of the French army, through the snow, near the end of the final part. Miles and miles of people trudging through the snow - and not one CGI character in sight!!
Have you read the book? The book is amazing - sometimes heavy going, but worth it. In fact the book inspired me to learn Russian. Mind you, I am up to about page 4 in Russian, so I think it's going take me a while.
Thanks for confirming the Taiwan thing. I feel much more comfortable now owning this set.
In regards to the 'rushed' thing, I meant it at the very end of the last film (fourth disc). I'm going to watch the whole thing again and see if my original comment was justified or not... I apologize now if I find that I am wrong!
I used to be a big reader when I was younger and I used to be able to retain a lot from it, but now that I'm older, I seem to have neglected it for the TV! For a looooooong time now, I haven't been reading that much - ironic since I work in a bookstore! I think because of this, my memory seems to be really short! When reading now, I have to re-read things repetitively since I forget so easily! I don't know if I could handle "War & Peace" book at this stage as I know it will be too complex for me at the moment - though I may try after watching this movie. At least I will be able to visualize the characters as I read them!
I personally can't pinpoint a favourite part in the film. Everything about this production was absolutely awe-inspiring. The moving, sweeping camera work - from the graceful lavish ballroom scenes to the harsh battle scenes... I have not come across anything like this before. When I first finished watching "War & Peace", I went straight to an encyclopedia on the shelf and looked up the battle of "1812" . I was very inspired indeed! Hey, if you know any other film that is similar to this, tell me!
Earlier this decade I visited Russia for a month. It was a life-changing experience! After my visit, my favourite drink became carbonated water as it was the only drink that I could get in Russia! Even now I still love drinking litres of it. We have a soda-stream maker - I just fizz it up and drink it without flavourings
Hey, if you want to do those 'smiley' things, just click at the thing that says "markup enabled" when you write your messages. It will teach you to do those wonderful icons! ! After the first time, I know you will be a pro at it!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Peace-Sergei-Bondarchuk/dp/B000H5TIAQ/ref= sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1205094744&sr=1-2
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