The bumbling idiots at WB have really screwed the pooch on this one. Terrible transfers (none of the films are anamporphic widescreen), faded colors, MONO @!#$ING SOUND! Just terrible. FOR SHAME!

Why is it that WB will put out The Postman with 5.1 and the like (truly one of the top 10 worst films of all time), but they won't take the time to remaster the MASTER OF CINEMA'S collection of masterpieces? Barry Lyndon- one of the most beautifully photographed films of all time is ruined. Clockwork- Forget it. Fortunately, they had the presence of mind to keep 2001 and Strangelove as the original copies.

Because Kubrick is my favorite, I was under obligation to purchase this (to myself, of course), but if you are debating purchasing the collection, just don't do it. You are better off purchasing Videotapes (who would have thought that I would ever say that?).

I am going to plead to the Criterion people to get ahold of Clockwork, Barry, Shining and FMJ so that some justice may be done. They will no doubt botch the Eyes Wide Shut transfer as well. Lousy lousy lousy

I also purchased and received this Kubrick set. You have to understand that Kubrick did not film his works in stereo, he didn't trust the format. I watched Full Metal Jacket last night. The video transfer, while full screen, was clean. Stanley was also a fan of full screen. C'est la vie

Before any more complaints come about WB not releasing the Kubrick collection in anamorphic widescreen, I suggest you read through this thread first and gain a little more history on the situation.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/...ML/001390.html

Obviously, The Postman is a recent film and the technology was available to create the film in 5.1 originally, thus there was no need to create a remix from the ORIGINAL MONO track. These films were created in Mono and should be viewed as such. Making a 5.1 remix to these movies would be like adding color to The Seven Samurai.

Although I have to agree that they could have done a better job transfering the movies to DVD, WB has given us the aspect ratio that Kubrick wanted released on home video.

Hope this helps,
Ichi

Here's strange glitch in the Shining. I can't select a chapter. If I am playing the disc and what to skip straight to chapter 20 or 30, it won't let me hit "20" and enter. Kinda sucks.

Ichban-
Why then does it say: Standard
version This film has been
modified as follows from its
original version: It has been formatted
to fit your screen.
on <cite>The
Shining</cite>.Are you saying that is the way Kubrick wanted his film to be presented,modified? I guess he must have thought he didn't do it right the first time.
Also, how do they know what dimensions my screen is!!

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tjames

My Lists

For the record, which of Kubrick's films are open matted and which are actually anamorphic?

tjames,

It says Modified... because it IS modified from its original theatrical release. However, Kubrick did intend to DVD release to be open matte. This is not a mistake by WB and not because they did not want to make an animorphic widescreen version. They were simply following the director's wish when tranferring to DVD.

I urge you to read this thread if you have any further questions: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/...ML/001390.html

tjames -

Without debating what is the "proper" aspect ratio for these films, I'd just like to mention that I've seen that "STANDARD VERSION: THIS FILM HAS BEEN MODIFIED..." on many things where it doesn't belong, including pre-1950s films and made-for-TV movies that have been released on home video.

The people designing the packaging are often not film fans or experts. Sometimes they notice that the film isn't letterboxed and just stick the "usual stuff" on the box.

I am not trying to be argumentative or anything like that. I'll take any aspect ratio the director wants to use, if it's a good film. I guess I just don't want to miss(have cut off) anything the director wanted me to see.

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tjames

My Lists

My advise:

Don't worry about the aspect ratios, none are P&S (as explained at least a billion times). The sound is what was intended and is just fine. The transfers are not from newly restored pristine prints, but are adequate, the best you can get on these movies.

The movies are outstanding, some of the finest films ever made.

If you want wizbang affects and 2.35 anamorphic transfers, watch The Fifth Element or Lost in Space. If you want to watch great movies, get the Kubrick collection.

** "The transfers are not from newly restored pristine prints, but are adequate, the best you can get on these movies." **


I was with you until this point. Here, I have to disagree. "The best you can get"? Hardly. These are basically the old laserdisc transfers stuck onto DVD. Some of those transfers (like "The Shining" for example) are ancient and could have benefitted from remastering -- improving the color+clarity of the image.

I don't think this set is terrible or anything, but I do think that it shows some laziness on Warners part -- just sticking older elements onto DVD and saying "look -- a new product."

I'm glad that these films are now available on DVD, but when I buy a DVD I expect more than the exact same product I bought years ago. Remaster the classics or don't bother releasing them, I say. I would have gladly waiting several years for them to remaster these titles and do this set correctly...