'The Untouchables' - High-Def Digest review

[jed]

Just posted Peter's review of 'The Untouchables.' He says the film holds up as a very commercial, very entertaining mob picture, and that this HD DVD release is a solid catalog effort from Paramount. Though the transfer isn't as strong as some of the studio's other recent catalogue titles, the surprise inclusion of a DTS 6.1 soundtrack, and a nice batch of recycled making-of featurettes helps pick up the slack.

Full review here:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/untouchables.html

[Spideybat]

I love this film! I can't wait to have it in HD! One correction though: The SD Special Ed. was a single disc, not 2. I have it, or should say had it.

[eNoize]

Excellent news!

I love this film -- De Palma at his best (besides Phantom fo the Paradise and Scarface) and Morricone doing what he does best, making memorable music for memorable scenes! One of the reason why I love this film so much is that staircase scene. Morricone's music is in perfect harmony with De Palma's directing, a nice imitation of Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin. I can't wait to watch!

[resevilfan86]

Yea this film was great, all the actors were great too, especially of course Mr. Connery. Cant wait to get this movie in HD either.

[Spideybat]

Originally Posted by eNoize

One of the reason why I love this film so much is that staircase scene.

No matter how many times I see that scene, I end up on the edge of my seat. For me, that is something.

[Rouqe]

Oh, yes I will pick this one up!, third time might be the charm

[tibbydriver]

This is going to be in my next batch of HD DVD purchases. Im on a Deniro kick as of late.

[Moon Panda]

I have to have this too, although the mention of edge enhancement on an HD title really makes me shudder. I don't think any of my discs to date have it. Hope it doesn't spoil it for me.

[Josh Z]

FYI, the Untouchables HD DVD is not an AVC encode. It's VC-1.

I disagree with the comments about edge enhancement. Ringing only stood out to me over the opening title and during the scene where Ness is chasing Nitti on the courthouse roof. I think the review really overstates this issue.

I have not seen the Blu-ray, which I believe really is an AVC encode.

[Moon Panda]

So how did you rate the disc, Josh?

[Kimba1970]

Spideybat

Do you know that scene borrows heavily from one of the most famous scenes of the masterpiece of the Russian director Eisenstein titled "Bronenosets Potyomkin" (The Battleship Potemkin, 1925 (?!), black and white, no sound)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015648/

De Palma chose to shot that scene as a homage to Eisenstein...
I know is mighty old, some people say it's full of Russian propaganda... still is an amazing piece of innovative cinema years ahead of anything else that come out at the time... over 92 years ago...

[Spideybat]

Originally Posted by Kimba1970

Spideybat

Do you know that scene borrow heavily from one of the most famous scenes of the masterpiece of the Russian director Eisenstein titled "Bronenosets Potyomkin" (The Battleship Potemkin, 1925 (?!), black and white, no sound)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015648/

De Palma chose to shot that scene as a homage to Eisenstein...
I know is mighty old, some people say it's full of Russian propaganda... still is an amazing piece of innovative cinema years ahead of anything else that come out at the time... over 92 years ago...

Yes, though I admit to never have seen the complete movie. I have seen the scene though. De Palma did a fantastic job in his tribute. Classic!

[Kimba1970]

Yup, the complete thing can be quite a feat to sit through... Still for a 92 year movie still manages to surprise!

In my case used to have a girlfriend who was attending a "school of cinema" so I have seen my fair share of silent, black and white movies...

Ah, l'amour ...

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Moon Panda

So how did you rate the disc, Josh?

I think the 4 star rating is fair. I just disagree with the comments about edge enhancement.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Kimba1970

Do you know that scene borrows heavily from one of the most famous scenes of the masterpiece of the Russian director Eisenstein titled "Bronenosets Potyomkin" (The Battleship Potemkin, 1925 (?!), black and white, no sound)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015648/

De Palma chose to shot that scene as a homage to Eisenstein...
I know is mighty old, some people say it's full of Russian propaganda... still is an amazing piece of innovative cinema years ahead of anything else that come out at the time... over 92 years ago...

You've got to love DePalma shamelessly quoting scenes from his favorite movies. I especially like the fact that he does the scene all over again in Carlito's Way as a reference to his own previous movie, which was an homage to Potemkin.