Last month, we were treated to the double dose of Gladiator and Braveheart on blu-ray, both looking outstanding in high definition glory. While the story and acting are excellent in these film, a huge part of the enjoyment comes from the cinematography. These are the films that deserve the blu-ray treatment

While the medium is still fairly young, it is almost criminal that some visually stunning films are still only in SD such as:


Dances with Wolves


I would think this film would have been one of the first blu-rays releases. This movie is perhaps the most visually poetic film about the old west. Open plains, Native Americans, and a buffalo hunt would be a visual feast in blu-ray.
Unfortunately, no release date or news. Instead, we get the stinkfest, The Postman.


Saving Private Ryan


This movie blew me away with its realistic visuals and sound. The best part for me was when they are waiting for the attack in the town, and you can hear the beast tanks grinding away and coming close. Such realism.


Star Wars


Yea, we know it is coming, and Lucas will milk us for more money.


That's all that comes to mind at the moment. Can anyone give more examples?

david lynch

I can't be the only one that's surprised that more Spielberg films havn't been released. 3 years into the format and CEO's are wondering why Blu-rays don't have more market penetration? It's simply because there are not enough catalog titles yet.

M. Night Shyamalan's THE VILLAGE. I still think it's his best film. Of course, it'd look beautiful given the BD treatment.

Legends of the Fall would be a nice one to see in HD.

He allowed a fairly big catalog title (Close Encounters) to be released back in 2007, and then nothing except the day and date Indiana Jones 4. I think that tells us something. Yes, I know sales are gradually increasing, but he still may not be happy with the level they're at yet.

I'd really like to see Sam Mendes' collaborations with Conrad Hall: American Beauty and Road to Perdition.

BTW, Dances with Wolves has been available to download in magnificent 720p on PSN for some time. What a tease!

The Thin Red Line
Days of Heaven
Il Conformista
The Last Picture Show
The Mirror
City of God
8 1/2

____________ by Hayao Miyazaki (preferably Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke).

Naked lunch, a disturbing yet very intriguing movie. This id pick up day 1

Lawrence of Arabia.

Should've been the first blu.

Barry Lyndon

Cleopatra 1963.

Fixed...

HEAVY METAL (animated) and TOMMY

both were available on sony/columbia "superbit" dvds and looked & sounded wonderful...

still hoping for the day of them in 1080P

Boogie Nights (but it's finally coming...)
Street Trash
Altered States

First one that came to mind for me also. But plenty of other great suggestions so far.

visually stunning? oh... I'd say 'Prospero's Books' which was shot in very early prototype HiDef cameras.

The majority of Prospero's Books was shot on 35mm film. It was only the P-i-P style insert images that were shot on video.

Regardless, it's a very visually arresting movie. I can't believe there isn't even a decent DVD edition of it available anywhere.

For some reason, a few musicals popped into my head...
Sound of Music
West Side Story
Mary Poppins

Last of the Mohicans with both cuts.

How about Empire of the Sun?

Amen! This and "Days of Heaven" were the first two movies that immediately came to mind. I'd like to also nominate the two "Elizabeth" films.

Heima and Picnic at Hanging Rock

the only DVD I know about where this has been released is Spain

I sure would love Sofia Coppola's movies on blu. Marie Antoinette would look fantastic.