821 replies to this topic

[Ernst Stavro Blofeld Jr.]

I can't believe you had a cut version in the States at all...glad you finally get to see that bit more brutality from 'Caisno Royale'!

We had the regular film in theaters. God knows why they changed it for DVD.

[Joe Bond]

There was quite a lot wrong with the remaining 9 films on the UE discs and the iTunes downloads. YOLT and OHMSS had the wrong color timing, TSWLM had some horrendous edge enhancement (also present on the digital cinema print of that film shown in 2008). OP, TLD and GE had missing captions. AVTAK and GE had pretty bad cropping of the image. The GE title sequence was the TV version not the cinema release. In addition a lot of the panavision title sequences were unnecessarily squeezed and OHMSS had a poor sound mix (for those of outside of the US who didn't get the original mono track)

Some of the films already on bluray (TB, MR, TWINE) also had problems, which hopefully have been fixed. Although because of the seemingly lazy approach to the extras on the discs I'm not convinced MGM/FOX will have bothered to address the problems.

The UE DVD's had issues with them that needed to be corrected. However, I have the iTunes version of YOLT and OHMSS in HD and IMO they have much more saturated colors compared to the UE DVD's especially OHMSS where the colors really pop compared to muted colors on the UE DVD. The controversial blue color timing of the PTS on OHMSS has been changed to look more natural and reminded me of what it looked like before the UE DVD. I saw Goldeneye when it was streaming on Netflix and it was not cropped like the UE DVD and main titles were not the TV safe version since the credits were not in the TV safe zone like the UE DVD. The horrible edge enhancement of TSWLM's UE DVD is not present or is heavily minimized in the HD itunes version I have since I don't really notice any of it on that version. While not all the issues will be fixed I feel a lot of them will be.

[ShiftyEyes]

I can't believe you had a cut version in the States at all...glad you finally get to see that bit more brutality from 'Caisno Royale'!

We had the regular film in theaters. God knows why they changed it for DVD.

Actually, the US had the same cut version in theaters too. The UK version was cut as well, just in different spots.

[scaramunga]

These 2 are also being reissued on blu ray on 10/23..

I believe they will be the same discs and no new extras. Maybe some Skyfall ticket vouchers though?


http://www.amazon.co... royale blu ray

http://www.amazon.co...antum of solace

[Henry-Jones-Sr]

I just had an incredibly exciting email from HMV.com.

My BOND 50 Blu-ray box set is on its way! It might be in my loving arms on Saturday!

[Royal Dalton]

Same here. Monday seems more likely. But I won't object if it arrives on Saturday.

[Henry-Jones-Sr]

Almost all of my HMV.com pre-orders arrive on a Saturday. Exciting!

[Royal Dalton]

Mine haven't. Not since they started using TNT as their postal service, anyway.

[Arbogast777]

FYI The Digital Bits confirmed today the the version of "Casino Royale" the U.S. is getting is the same we've had on disc before...

[DamnCoffee]

Tried to order this twice on HMV. Both times I've had trouble.

[Henry-Jones-Sr]

Really, DamnCoffee? That's strange. I probably order most of my blu-rays and CDs from HMV and have never had a problem.

In fact, I even ordered the BOND 50 set twice, both times successfully. I pre-ordered it full price which I later cancelled because they had a weekend long offer of '20% off blu-rays', so I ordered it again. Mine has cost me £74.

[oatesy]

German website (http://forum.cinefac...s-bond-114.html) is reporting that the new 9 films have both the new 5.1 mixes plus the original soundtracks, so it sounds as if the junking of certain extras created enough space for the original mono tracks on the blu-rays.

This doesn't apply to the previously released blu-ray films though. Those discs appear to be identical to the original pressing. I guess this means the scratches/dirt on the TB print and the squeezed titles on TB, MR and TWINE remain as well :-(

[Ernst Stavro Blofeld Jr.]

I can't believe you had a cut version in the States at all...glad you finally get to see that bit more brutality from 'Caisno Royale'!

We had the regular film in theaters. God knows why they changed it for DVD.

Actually, the US had the same cut version in theaters too. The UK version was cut as well, just in different spots.

You sure the US was cut? I am almost certain I saw the uncut version in theaters, though maybe seeing clips has jaded my memory a bit.

[scaramunga]

German website (http://forum.cinefac...s-bond-114.html) is reporting that the new 9 films have both the new 5.1 mixes plus the original soundtracks, so it sounds as if the junking of certain extras created enough space for the original mono tracks on the blu-rays. This doesn't apply to the previously released blu-ray films though. Those discs appear to be identical to the original pressing. I guess this means the scratches/dirt on the TB print and the squeezed titles on TB, MR and TWINE remain as well :-(

Thanks for the update. I saw one on HTF as well. I'm looking forward to the set!
Would like to know more about the titles and why they are "squeezed". Some kind of technical challenge on those?

Anyway. You know it's only a matter of time before the films are issued again too.

[5 BONDS]

I think we should be worrying. From a friend of mine who has managed to see You Only Live Twice on blu ray. I believe from a European source and he says the colours are the same from the PAL Ultimate edition DVD and the phony sound effects are also included.

I'm sure they went back and corrected all this when they released the blu rays right?

This is concerning

[oatesy]

German website (http://forum.cinefac...s-bond-114.html) is reporting that the new 9 films have both the new 5.1 mixes plus the original soundtracks, so it sounds as if the junking of certain extras created enough space for the original mono tracks on the blu-rays. This doesn't apply to the previously released blu-ray films though. Those discs appear to be identical to the original pressing. I guess this means the scratches/dirt on the TB print and the squeezed titles on TB, MR and TWINE remain as well :-(

Thanks for the update. I saw one on HTF as well. I'm looking forward to the set!
Would like to know more about the titles and why they are "squeezed". Some kind of technical challenge on those?

Anyway. You know it's only a matter of time before the films are issued again too.

Titles are squeezed because Maurice Binder had a habit of placing the cast and crew names at the extreme left and right of the screen. On standard definition cathode ray tube televisions there is a certain amount of "overscan" where the image is lost on the edges of the screen, so there is a risk that some of the names may be cut short. By squeezing the titles horizontally that risk is removed but at the cost of distorting the image.

The problem is HDTVs do not overscan so there is no need to do this on high def transfers. It seems the squeezed titles were not just done on the UE DVDs (which were standard def) but also on the high def masters as the blu ray versions of thunderball, moonraker and the world is not enough all had squeezed titles, as have the digital cinema prints of many of the other films. It is particularly perplexing why it was done for films from 1980 onwards, as with the development of VHS both Binder and later Klienman always made sure the names were in the "title safe zone".

[ShiftyEyes]

You sure the US was cut? I am almost certain I saw the uncut version in theaters, though maybe seeing clips has jaded my memory a bit.

I'm fairly certain. The only reason the film would get cut in the first place would be to receive a PG-13 rating. Once it has it, there's no reason to release a tamer version on DVD. The US version only removes a few frames/shots of violence here and there to lessen the intensity of scenes. Nothing significant was cut. http://www.movie-cen...ort.php?ID=4011

It seems the squeezed titles were not just done on the UE DVDs (which were standard def) but also on the high def masters as the blu ray versions of thunderball, moonraker and the world is not enough all had squeezed titles, as have the digital cinema prints of many of the other films.

I believe these films have the opening titles sans credits in the "Mission Control" section of the supplements and are unsqueezed in comparable quality there, so it wouldn't have been hard to fix/edit into the HD master.

Edited by ShiftyEyes, 19 September 2012 - 10:44 PM.

[clublos]

Squeezed probably isn't the best term. Binder actually filmed the titles with a slightly narrower aspect ratio to accout for theater projectionists that aren't adept at their job. Hence, the reason I thought Bond was played by Oger Moore.

[scaramunga]

Squeezed probably isn't the best term. Binder actually filmed the titles with a slightly narrower aspect ratio to accout for theater projectionists that aren't adept at their job. Hence, the reason I thought Bond was played by Oger Moore.

Hmm. It would be interesting to get a statement on why it was done this way. Especially as they are on the discs under the mission control section. Or were, but not on the new ones.

Anyway...

I'm really looking forward to the set!!

I am re watching all of the UE DVD extras. I noted on the one about the mastering project on Dr. No License to Restore, that decisions were made about color timing, etc.

I know there's lots of opinions about how the films should look, but I think they have looked fantastic on blu ray.

My references for the older films are mainly VHS - SE DVD and UE DVD.

[oatesy]

Squeezed probably isn't the best term. Binder actually filmed the titles with a slightly narrower aspect ratio to accout for theater projectionists that aren't adept at their job. Hence, the reason I thought Bond was played by Oger Moore.

Sorry, but they are squeezed. You can tell in the titles for Moonraker and The world is not enough. Objects which are supposed to be round (namely moons and worlds) are oval. The unsqueezed versions are present in "mission control" extra disc and on the old SE DVDs

[Berni99]

My new James Bond Collection, greetings from Austria

Edited by Berni99, 20 September 2012 - 12:05 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

What, you think we're jealous Berni99 that you have your brand spanking, amazing Bond50 Blu Ray?


Well we are! Looks wonderfully glorious... thanks for the pics!


Bit of a dissapointment already - wished they'd have used an image of Eve or at least the glamorous Severine for 'Skyfall's space - it already looks out of place without a Bond girl! D'oh!

[Arbogast777]

Best Buy is going to be selling the set for $149.99, which means Amazon will probably be matching for that price...

Also, it was reported on a Blu-ray forum that the discs are literally the same as the ones already released. Same menus, etc. The new to Blu films also share the same menus (including Casino, but not Quantum). Personally I'm just going to piece together a set in the coming weeks with the store exclusives. No point in buy 11 blu rays I already own again.

[5 BONDS]

There are screencaps from the German Blu rays. They look like a mixed bag indeed.They don't look as good as the blu rays released back in 2008. I have a feeling they have just contrast boosted the DVD master changed the color and then passed it as HD.

As far as I can remember the blu rays were meant to go back to the origianal negatives.

As I mentioned earlier a friend of mine had reported that You Only Live Twice has the iffy sound effects added just like the DVD, after the gun barrel the whoosing sound as it opens up and the space capsule opening up and making a big jarring sound. Also he says in Diamonds Are Forever the cat in the pre title sequence has a longer cry which can't be right because the original sound was more like a single cry.

Do you think the US versions may be different?


http://screenshotcom...46326/picture:0 Octopussy

http://screenshotcom...46305/picture:0 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

http://screenshotcom...46309/picture:0 Diamonds Are Forever

http://screenshotcom...46293/picture:0 You Only Live Twice

http://screenshotcom...46280/picture:0 Tomorrow Never Dies

http://screenshotcom...46274/picture:0 Goldeneye

http://screenshotcom...46334/picture:0 The Living Daylights


They look horrible....I just hope the US versions will be different.

[col_007]

You have hover your mouse over the screencap to see the blu-ray shot they look fantastic to me

[dutch_pepper]

You have hover your mouse over the screencap to see the blu-ray shot they look fantastic to me

There are screencaps from the German Blu rays. They look like a mixed bag indeed.They don't look as good as the blu rays released back in 2008. I have a feeling they have just contrast boosted the DVD master changed the color and then passed it as HD.

As far as I can remember the blu rays were meant to go back to the origianal negatives.

As I mentioned earlier a friend of mine had reported that You Only Live Twice has the iffy sound effects added just like the DVD, after the gun barrel the whoosing sound as it opens up and the space capsule opening up and making a big jarring sound. Also he says in Diamonds Are Forever the cat in the pre title sequence has a longer cry which can't be right because the original sound was more like a single cry.

Do you think the US versions may be different?


http://screenshotcom...46326/picture:0 Octopussy

http://screenshotcom...46305/picture:0 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

http://screenshotcom...46309/picture:0 Diamonds Are Forever

http://screenshotcom...46293/picture:0 You Only Live Twice

http://screenshotcom...46280/picture:0 Tomorrow Never Dies

http://screenshotcom...46274/picture:0 Goldeneye

http://screenshotcom...46334/picture:0 The Living Daylights


They look horrible....I just hope the US versions will be different.

Mouse over (the image): Blu-Ray.
Mouse off: UE DVD.

What a huge difference in colors!! (YOLT)

[oatesy]

There are screencaps from the German Blu rays. They look like a mixed bag indeed.They don't look as good as the blu rays released back in 2008. I have a feeling they have just contrast boosted the DVD master changed the color and then passed it as HD.

As far as I can remember the blu rays were meant to go back to the origianal negatives.

As I mentioned earlier a friend of mine had reported that You Only Live Twice has the iffy sound effects added just like the DVD, after the gun barrel the whoosing sound as it opens up and the space capsule opening up and making a big jarring sound. Also he says in Diamonds Are Forever the cat in the pre title sequence has a longer cry which can't be right because the original sound was more like a single cry.

Do you think the US versions may be different?


http://screenshotcom...46326/picture:0 Octopussy

http://screenshotcom...46305/picture:0 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

http://screenshotcom...46309/picture:0 Diamonds Are Forever

http://screenshotcom...46293/picture:0 You Only Live Twice

http://screenshotcom...46280/picture:0 Tomorrow Never Dies

http://screenshotcom...46274/picture:0 Goldeneye

http://screenshotcom...46334/picture:0 The Living Daylights


They look horrible....I just hope the US versions will be different.

To be fair it was only DN through to LALD plus MR which got transfers from the original negative. The rest had 2k scans from intermediate sources.

FYEO's bluray wasn't that great which is partly due to the 80s asthetic for soft images, and Roger's increasing age requiring a heavy coat of vaseline to the lense. OP, AVTAK and TLD look probably as good as they ever will.

GE and TND are a disappointment though. At least GE is presented without the cropping of the DVD and the location captions are burned-in rather than player generated. However I can't detect much additional detail from either two. The film stocks they were shot on should have more detail. Looks like the 2K scans that were sent to Lowry were old.

YOLT looks fantastic - the color timing has been sorted. OHMSS and DAF look a bit contrasty, but to be honest the DVDs were too muted anyway. It would be good to do a comparison of these two to the SE DVDs which had colour and densities closer to the original IB prints.

Edited by oatesy, 20 September 2012 - 04:06 PM.

[5 BONDS]

Doesn't look like A View To A Kill was sorted out..just a frame in from the zoomed DVD

http://screenshotcom...46331/picture:0 A View To A Kill

Here is scene #4 I've captured from the special edition DVD.

http://imageshack.us...iewtoakilli.jpg

Edited by 5 BONDS, 20 September 2012 - 04:59 PM.

[SteveBolton]

For those who have ordered there Bond 50 through Amazon, i checked my status of order today and it still says not yet dispatched. I know HMV have dispatched there's so i emailed Amazon and within an hour got a reply saying that they have yet to reserve Bond 50 from suppliers. On my order it states that i will get it on day of release.Amazon has assured me that this is still the case but if it hasn't been dispatched by tomorrow at 5pm to check back with them. Just thought i'd let people know so if you have ordered from them then maybe if you e mail them also they may be inclined to put pressure on the suppliers, otherwise i'm going to cancel my order and pop into town first thing Tuesday.

[StuffMyOrders]

5 Bonds: thanks for taking the time to scan them. Wow, what a shame that some of them seem so similar to the UEs. Still great that we're getting some improvements (OHMSS looks great).

Now wondering whether my purchase is a good idea given that I have almost all of the original blus. Will probably still get it...