New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
09-02-15, 07:44 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
http://www.thefilmdetective.com/#!blu-ray/c34u
Kind of an awkward name for a Blu-ray label but this distributor has announced the release of three different vintage films on Blu-ray, available apparently next week. Like everyone else these days, it appears they are floating the possibility of a VOD or streaming service down the line with their catalog.
Long-time film industry veteran Phil Hopkins started the label in 2014.
Here are their first three releases:
Hollow Triumph (1948)
John Muller, a career criminal on the run from vengeful gangsters after a botched casino robbery, finds the ultimate hideout, masquerading as a successful psychoanalyst to whom he bears a strong resemblance. However, he fails to take into account that when you take over someone’s life, you inherit the good with the bad …
Beat the Devil (1953)
An exquisitely dry comedy with a witty script, this film finds subtle, absurdist laughs in the misadventures of Humphrey Bogart’s tough customer, who – aboard a ship enroute to Africa – becomes involved with an unlikely group of rogues in a complex scheme to gain control of a patch of uranium-rich land. The fifth and final movie Bogart made with Peter Lorre.
Salt of the Earth (1954)
Centering on a long, difficult workers’ strike against a mining company in New Mexico, Ramon Quintero fights for equity of wages as well as health and safety issues … But at home he mistreats his wife, Esperanza. When the men are forced to end their picketing, Esperanza joins the other women who demand to play a role against their husband’s wishes. Written, directed and produced by members of the original blacklisted “Hollywood Ten,” a powerful and persuasive drama.
Kind of an awkward name for a Blu-ray label but this distributor has announced the release of three different vintage films on Blu-ray, available apparently next week. Like everyone else these days, it appears they are floating the possibility of a VOD or streaming service down the line with their catalog.
Long-time film industry veteran Phil Hopkins started the label in 2014.
Here are their first three releases:
Hollow Triumph (1948)
John Muller, a career criminal on the run from vengeful gangsters after a botched casino robbery, finds the ultimate hideout, masquerading as a successful psychoanalyst to whom he bears a strong resemblance. However, he fails to take into account that when you take over someone’s life, you inherit the good with the bad …
Beat the Devil (1953)
An exquisitely dry comedy with a witty script, this film finds subtle, absurdist laughs in the misadventures of Humphrey Bogart’s tough customer, who – aboard a ship enroute to Africa – becomes involved with an unlikely group of rogues in a complex scheme to gain control of a patch of uranium-rich land. The fifth and final movie Bogart made with Peter Lorre.
Salt of the Earth (1954)
Centering on a long, difficult workers’ strike against a mining company in New Mexico, Ramon Quintero fights for equity of wages as well as health and safety issues … But at home he mistreats his wife, Esperanza. When the men are forced to end their picketing, Esperanza joins the other women who demand to play a role against their husband’s wishes. Written, directed and produced by members of the original blacklisted “Hollywood Ten,” a powerful and persuasive drama.
09-03-15, 05:49 AM
#2
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
Looks like a public domain company using public domain prints rather than original elements. Jury's out till reviews come in.
09-03-15, 11:30 AM
#3
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Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
I follow their facebook page quite a bit. Bad news is that these are BD-R's. They are claiming that these are restored prints and they will be in their correct aspect ratio. The dvd version of Beat the Devil has the wrong aspect ratio.
09-03-15, 02:12 PM
#4
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Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
I was intrigued by the promise of new film transfers. I will likely end up reviewing them, so we shall know soon enough.
09-04-15, 02:07 PM
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Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
Phantom Stranger, I would be delighted to have you review our new BluRay releases. We took quite a bit of time doing additional restoration in hopes that these versions of our 35mm HD transfers will be the best versions available in home video, streaming and broadcast. No DVNR was used and all three titles will be in their correct original aspect ratio. Thanks for your interest! Phil Hopkins
09-04-15, 06:22 PM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
I'm definitely in for Beat the Devil if done right. I still own my Columbia laserdisc but would like to retire it.
09-04-15, 07:25 PM
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Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
That is very exciting news.
09-11-15, 12:06 PM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
Someone on another forum received this Blu-ray and the news is not good 
10-12-15, 01:29 PM
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
As promised, here is a full review of their Beat the Devil Blu-ray and transfer. It comes with 1080P screenshots.
http://www.doblu.com/2015/10/12/beat...lu-ray-review/
I would also expect a Hollow Triumph review sooner or later.
http://www.doblu.com/2015/10/12/beat...lu-ray-review/
I would also expect a Hollow Triumph review sooner or later.
10-23-15, 02:44 PM
#11
Senior Member
Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
This is my review from Amazon about their "RESTORED" version of the DVD of "The Killer Shrews"
This print from Film Detectives is interlaced throughout w/some scene moving. Motion was very slow and a few scenes had the reel change black mark. There was a faint yellow horizontal smear across the frame . The picture was 1.37:1, not 1.85:1 and the audio was clear.
They used a good source without print damage but did a lousy job in the transfer. The film ran 1.08.24.
This print from Film Detectives is interlaced throughout w/some scene moving. Motion was very slow and a few scenes had the reel change black mark. There was a faint yellow horizontal smear across the frame . The picture was 1.37:1, not 1.85:1 and the audio was clear.
They used a good source without print damage but did a lousy job in the transfer. The film ran 1.08.24.
10-27-15, 09:31 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Re: New classic film Blu-ray distributor 'The Film Detective'
And the complete review for Hollow Triumph, also known as The Scar, complete with screenshots for inquiring minds. While The Film Detective has been issuing these releases on BD-R, they aren't quickie jobs and have a professional look. Their two Blu-rays have been serious attempts at doing the best they can with older film elements. I would recommend using higher rez images on their Blu-ray covers.
http://www.doblu.com/2015/10/26/holl...lu-ray-review/
http://www.doblu.com/2015/10/26/holl...lu-ray-review/
