Quality Of New Time Bandits DVD?

[Jamie Tate]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000844JJ/ref=ase_dvdtalk/103-4334283-2556606?v=glance&s=dvd

I've read many reviews that refer to the bad transfer of the Criterion version of Time Bandits. I dont know about all that, I thought it looked nice.

So, is there really a problem with the Criterion transfer and if so does this new version fix those problems?

Thanks guys.

[Steve Hoffman]

I can't answer your question, sorry.

Forum member Father McKenzie and I went to see TIME BANDITS when it opened, at one of the neat theaters in Westwood. It was so crowded we had to sit in the FIRST row. Urggh. I was seasick for two hours. I can't even look at that movie without getting imaginary eye strain and an upset stomach....:)

[Jamie Tate]

I remember sitting at home Saturday night (things still haven't changed) watching the Muppet Show (things still haven't changed) when my friend, Jimmy Carter, no relation, called and asked if I wanted to see a movie. His mom took us to see Time Bandits and I've been an avid Gillium fan ever since (except for jabberwocky... What the heck is that? about?) This movie was a lot for a third grader to take in.

[Beatlesfan03]

Originally posted by yesman
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000844JJ/ref=ase_dvdtalk/103-4334283-2556606?v=glance&s=dvd

I've read many reviews that refer to the bad transfer of the Criterion version of Time Bandits. I dont know about all that, I thought it looked nice.

So, is there really a problem with the Criterion transfer and if so does this new version fix those problems?

Thanks guys.

I thought it was the Anchor Bay pressing that was flawed? I don't remember hearing anything bad about the Criterion.

[poweragemk]

I used to have the Criterion and didn't notice any problems with it...:confused:

[Todd Fredericks]

I have the Criterion version. I think the transfer is fine. I'm guessing that the biggest complaint is the fact that it isn't anamorphic. At the time this was released, Criterion wasn't on the anamorphic bandwagon. Now that I own a 16x9 TV, it is a little unfortunate but it isn't the end of the world....

[Jamie Tate]

I always thought the Criterion looked fine. Didn't realize it wasn't anamorphic though.

I guess there's no reason to get this new version then.

[Gardo]

I've got the Criterion on LD--got it for a nice transfer, but even more for the commentary track. This is one of my favorite movies and I'm always eager to know more about it.

Never did get it on DVD,. but the new Anchor Bay set is two discs, anamorphic, and about 15 bucks at Best Buy. If anyone comes across any info on the transfer, I'd love to know what you find.

P.S.: Sorry about the seasickness, Steve. I hope it eventually disappears--this is one great movie!

[Doug Hess Jr.]

Several years ago I subscribed to Cinemax because they used to show Time Bandits all the time. I LOVE that film!!

[Steve Hoffman]

Not to pick a nit, but anamorphic means a scope lens was used, the picture was filmed squeezed and has to be unsqueezed to view. Time Bandits was just filmed with regular old lenses, with the top and bottom of the image masked for a wider screen effect.

No doubt the Criterion version gave you the unmaksed film. The DVD might cut the top and bottom off for you to give you back that wide screen effect.



American Graffiti, now THAT was anamorphic.

[Claviusb]

Right. Time Bandits was released at a time when Criterion's transfers were not (as they state now) "enhanced for 16:9 TVs." The original version of Charade was released this very same way, and it has been out of print for some time now. Criterion will be releasing Charade again in April with all of the old extras and a new transfer that will look great on a Widescreen set.

[Claviusb]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
American Graffiti, now THAT was anamorphic.

An easy way to spot a film shot with Anamorphic lenses is to look at the halos around street lights (something that there are a ton of in AG.) The halos are ovular, not circular.

[Todd Fredericks]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Not to pick a nit, but anamorphic means a scope lens was used, the picture was filmed squeezed and has to be unsqueezed to view. Time Bandits was just filmed with regular old lenses, with the top and bottom of the image masked for a wider screen effect.

No doubt the Criterion version gave you the unmaksed film. The DVD might cut the top and bottom off for you to give you back that wide screen effect.



American Graffiti, now THAT was anamorphic.

Steve, I was talking about "enhanced for 16x9," which is also referred to as anamorphic in DVD lingo because of the squeeze on unsqueezing of the picture. Criterion was against it when they first starting doing DVD's....

Wasn't AG shot with 16mm film (anamorphic)?

Robert, that's cool news about 'Charade' coming out again. I guess I should sell my old copy for the new anamorphic/enhanced for 16x9 teletubies one...

[Ken_McAlinden]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
...American Graffiti, now THAT was anamorphic. At the risk of setting off all of the film geek alarms for a mile radius, I will point out the following...

Actually, American Graffiti was shot flat using a process called Techniscope, which was sort of the "poor man's scope". Release prints would have been anamorphic 35mm with a standard four perforation frame height, but the negative itself was flat unsqueezed 35mm with each frame only two perforations high.

In other words, while watching it in the theater, the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and the oval shaped "cigarette burns" (reel change markers) would lead one to believe that it was shot anamorphically, but if you look closely at lens flare artifacts, for instance, they would be round instead of oval.

Regards,

[Gardo]

Originally posted by Ken_McAlinden
At the risk of setting off all of the film geek alarms for a mile radius, I will point out the following...

Actually, American Graffiti was shot flat using a process called Techniscope, which was sort of the "poor man's scope". Release prints would have been anamorphic 35mm with a standard four perforation frame height, but the negative itself was flat unsqueezed 35mm with each frame only two perforations high.

In other words, while watching it in the theater, the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and the oval shaped "cigarette burns" (reel change markers) would lead one to believe that it was shot anamorphically, but if you look closely at lens flare artifacts, for instance, they would be round instead of oval.

Regards,

Techniscope was also used for Once Upon a Time in the West, IIRC.

And yes, I meant "enhanced for 16:9 sets" when I said "anamorphic." Early on, Criterion felt that most DVD players didn't do a very good job with in-player letterboxing for 4:3 sets, so they didn't release titles in DVD-anamorphic. Now, apparently, they feel there are enough native widescreen sets (or 16:9 raster mode sets) to make everything okay. I sure wish Yojimbo were 16:9 enchanced. I'd also like a better source print!

[Todd Fredericks]

Originally posted by Gardo


Techniscope was also used for Once Upon a Time in the West, IIRC.

And yes, I meant "enhanced for 16:9 sets" when I said "anamorphic." Early on, Criterion felt that most DVD players didn't do a very good job with in-player letterboxing for 4:3 sets, so they didn't release titles in DVD-anamorphic. Now, apparently, they feel there are enough native widescreen sets (or 16:9 raster mode sets) to make everything okay. I sure wish Yojimbo were 16:9 enchanced. I'd also like a better source print!

Gardo, it's okie-dokie to use the term "anamorphic" (aka "enhanced...") in terms of DVD's. It's an official term used in identifying what the DVD is, etc.

[Gardo]

Originally posted by Todd Fredericks


Gardo, it's okie-dokie to use the term "anamorphic" (aka "enhanced...") in terms of DVD's. It's an official term used in identifying what the DVD is, etc.

Thanks, Todd. Actually, I knew that.;) It does make for confusion at some times, though.

Cheers!

[FredCamp]

I bought this one. The transfer is marginally better than the Criterion laserdisc. The 5.1 soundtrack is wholly uninteresting. The disc contains one of the ugliest layer changes in recent memory.

The extras on the second disc are cool. All in all, I'll be hanging on to my Criterion ld.

[Jamie Tate]

Thanks Fred. That's what I needed to know.

[Todd Fredericks]

Jamie, it's your call but I say just get the Criterion. One the disc is fine (except not "enhanced", etc.) and also it would be supporting one of the good companies out there trying to keep us film-lovers happy with scores of obscure material....

[Gardo]

Is the Criterion DVD still available? Is the transfer significantly better than on the LD?

[Jamie Tate]

Originally posted by Todd Fredericks
Jamie, it's your call but I say just get the Criterion.

I've had it for years. I just wanted to know if this new DVD is a big improvement, although I always thought the Criterion version looked great.

[BradOlson]

The Criterion DVD is still in print, BTW.

[Todd Fredericks]

Originally posted by yesman


I've had it for years. I just wanted to know if this new DVD is a big improvement, although I always thought the Criterion version looked great.

Oh, great, I'm glad you do have it!! Another suggestion, take the money you were thinking of spending on the new 'TB' DVD and send it to me (only kidding). Seriously, spend the money on something you don't have. Here's a cool suggestion, for the same price you could pick up the new WB twofer of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Very nice job on their part with this release.....

Gardo, the Criterion 'TB' is still available. I don't know how it stacks up to the laserdisc but I think it's fine....

[Michael St. Clair]

Detailed comparison with screen grabs:

http://207.136.67.23/film/DVDCompare2/timebandits.htm