"A Christmas Carol" (1951 - Alastair Sim) 11/3

[bluskiessmingatme]

The Christmas classic is coming to Blu on Nov. 3rd from VCI Entertainment.

Extras include:

Audio Commentary by George Cole
Includes the Standard DVD with Both the 4:3 and the 16:9 versions
Bios

http://www.classicflix.com/christmas...ay-p-8829.html

[Nut Bunnies]

Originally Posted by bluskiessmingatme

Includes the Standard DVD with Both the 4:3 and the 16:9 versions

ugh

[rayley1]

Originally Posted by Danyuld

Ive been watching this get restored for the past year bit by bit... a lot of money spent on this one......

Good news on the restoration for classic movie fans like myself! I know most like this version compared to the 1938 version with Reginald Owen...but I like that one equally as well.

However, many will agree that the best one is the most recent one with George C. Scott. Lets hope we'll get this one from Fox this year also!

[Kid Banana]

Originally Posted by Danyuld

Ive been watching this get restored for the past year bit by bit... a lot of money spent on this one......

Hang on. It's actually been restored? When I saw the link to the disc, I assumed that it would be another 'Gulliver's Travels' type disc. I'm glad to hear this is not the case.

Is this a definitive restoration? There are about 2 DVD versions that are ok but I'd guess the elements used for them would not be ideal for blu-ray production.

[Rich86]

This is another film I've purchased multiple times (VHS, Laser Disc, DVD) and now will purchase again, assuming it really has been properly restored to make it shine in high definition.
btw - I've never heard of a 16:9 version of this film. How would anyone even do that? Talk about butchering a classic film. Maybe they mean both the b&w and colorized versions are included on the DVD in this set?

[Arkadin]

this movie is correctly called "Scrooge".
that's its real title.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044008/

great UK film!
considered by most critics to be the best "Christmas Carol" adaptation ever filmed.

[taygan315]

Classic great. Will definitely pick it up.

[Area51]

Nice to see more classics getting restored and going blu.

[Area51]

Originally Posted by Danyuld

Guys - I'll check to make sure this is the version - but Im pretty sure this is the movie we've been restored for over a year now

Cool. Are there other classics you know of that are getting restored soon for blu too?

[dbmottle]

I've never seen this one. Is it as good as the Bill Murray or Patrick Stewart versions?

[dommie]

A 16:9 version will not be a true representation of the original film. This fiim was made in 1951 before wide screen hit. The 4:3 will be the true restoration in the actual format as it was presented when released to theatres. It will be interesting to see what they do with a 16:9 even though it will be artificial.

That begs the question about what are they doing with Gone With the Wind. That release this Fall will also be 4:3 if presented in the original format.

[Nut Bunnies]

Originally Posted by dommie

A 16:9 version will not be a true representation of the original film. This fiim was made in 1951 before wide screen hit. The 4:3 will be the true restoration in the actual format as it was presented when released to theatres. It will be interesting to see what they do with a 16:9 even though it will be artificial.

That begs the question about what are they doing with Gone With the Wind. That release this Fall will also be 4:3 if presented in the original format.

Nothing interesting at all. They'll just zoom it in.

[bluskiessmingatme]

Okay, let's talk about the formatting.

I have the recent DVD version from VCI and on the first DVD, they have both the 4:3 and the 16:9 versions. They give you the choice of which you want to watch. The 4:3 is, as stated, the originaal version and looks terrific. The 16x9 was put on there for those who go screaming down the hall in terror, not knowing what to do because a 4:3 image has black bars on the sides. What they have done is magnify the image until it fills the screen, but in doing so have cropped off the top and bottom of the picture. Not a pretty sight. I am sure when they do the Bu, they will do something similar, but don't worry, they will give you a choiice, I am certain.

Now, as to Gone with the Wind, boy, that came out of left field. Christmas Carol is coming from VCI Entertainment. Gone with the World is coming from Warner Bros., in my opinion the best at preserving the classics the way they were meant to be. You don't have to worry about WB doing a 16x9 version. They will retain the 4:3 version.

[Arkadin]

absolutely pointless to offer 16x9 versions of native academy ratio films.
it's not even worth talking about it's so absurd and pathetic.

[horrorbusiness]

A classic that I'm sure I will get eventually.