Review Wanted: "Detour" (1945)
11-27-00, 08:01 PM
#1
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I love the film, but I've put off buying the DVD because I'm afraid of how bad the transfer will be. I've read 2 reviews. One said that the transfer was terrible. The other said that the transfer, while not great, was the best that could be expected. It's a 55 year old B-Movie, so I'm not expecting the transfer to be pristine, but is it decent? (I can't imagine it being any worse than the cheap VHS version I have.)
Thanks...
jim
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Thanks...
jim
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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp
My Current Film Noir Count: 87
11-27-00, 08:44 PM
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Hello,
DVDSavant had a nice little review of this film a while back. It can be read here: http://www.dvdresource.com/savant/s140detour.shtml
This may be the source of one of your reviews? If not, basically he says that the film has some problems, but still looks worlds better than the Image LD version put out earlier. A postscript from another source indicates that other companies have tried to assemble a better version of this public-domain film, but without the help of Wade Williams, the person behind the current version, a complete version is not possible. Barring a miracle, it sounds like this version will be the only one available.
DVDSavant had a nice little review of this film a while back. It can be read here: http://www.dvdresource.com/savant/s140detour.shtml
This may be the source of one of your reviews? If not, basically he says that the film has some problems, but still looks worlds better than the Image LD version put out earlier. A postscript from another source indicates that other companies have tried to assemble a better version of this public-domain film, but without the help of Wade Williams, the person behind the current version, a complete version is not possible. Barring a miracle, it sounds like this version will be the only one available.
12-05-00, 04:54 PM
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Thanks for the link to the great article and review. It pretty much confirms what I expected. The transfer is not as good as hoped, but it's better than the usual transfers of this film. I took a chance and bought the DVD on Ebay for under $10. (The guy selling it actually posted a warning to the buyer that the transfer was really bad. That's an odd way to sell on Ebay.) I'll post a review when I get it.
jim
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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp
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[This message has been edited by Gamblor187 (edited December 05, 2000).]
jim
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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp
My Current Film Noir Count: 93
[This message has been edited by Gamblor187 (edited December 05, 2000).]
12-17-00, 08:13 PM
#4
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Okay, I watched the DVD the other night. THE DVDSavant review is pretty accurate. The transfer isn't great. In fact, it some parts it's terrible. Still, on the whole, it is much better than any other print that I have seen of this film. The transfer (video and audio) is ten times better than the VHS copy I have.
jim
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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp
My Current Film Noir Count: 97
jim
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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp
My Current Film Noir Count: 97
