Ben Hur - 9/27/11
04-28-10 | 07:28 AM
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Ben Hur - 9/27/11
From Blu-ray.com--
I gave separate threads to Citizen Kane and Ben Hur so that they wouldn't be lumped together in one massive unweildy thread like with GWTW and Wizard of Oz.
Warner Home Video has announced a moratorium initiative in North America for two of its best-selling titles. As of May 10, the DVD of Citizen Kane will be pulled from shelves; in July 12, Ben-Hur will follow. Both films are undergoing comprehensive restorations in preparation for their return in 2011 – now on Blu-ray.
Jeff Baker, Warner's Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog stated, "As in the past, Warner Home Video is, once again, placing two of our 'event' titles on moratorium 12-18 months in advance of major re-releases." He added: "We know that it will be worth the wait, as significant content additions are being developed, and Ben-Hur, in particular, has been selected to receive the Ultimate Collectors Edition treatment, reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind and Woodstock, which celebrated anniversaries in 2009."
Last year, WHV put three movies in moratorium: Caddyshack, Doctor Zhivago and The Exorcist (see blu-ray.com, August 7, 2009). The first two have already been announced on Blu-ray; the third is expected to be announced later in the year.
Note that Ben-Hur had appeared in a provisional release schedule for 2010 (see blu-ray.com, January 27).
Jeff Baker, Warner's Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog stated, "As in the past, Warner Home Video is, once again, placing two of our 'event' titles on moratorium 12-18 months in advance of major re-releases." He added: "We know that it will be worth the wait, as significant content additions are being developed, and Ben-Hur, in particular, has been selected to receive the Ultimate Collectors Edition treatment, reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind and Woodstock, which celebrated anniversaries in 2009."
Last year, WHV put three movies in moratorium: Caddyshack, Doctor Zhivago and The Exorcist (see blu-ray.com, August 7, 2009). The first two have already been announced on Blu-ray; the third is expected to be announced later in the year.
Note that Ben-Hur had appeared in a provisional release schedule for 2010 (see blu-ray.com, January 27).
04-28-10 | 08:35 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
Oh man, this should look awesome on Blu-ray.
04-28-10 | 08:49 PM
#5
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
Looks like I'll finally be able to add both to my collection. There's a lot of classic films I never picked up on DVD, but will when they hit Blu.
04-28-10 | 11:49 PM
#6
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Miami, Florida
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
To be perfectly honest, the transfer on DVD is quite exceptional. The Blu-ray is gonna have to knock me out for me to upgrade. Plus, I happen to love the snapper case the DVD came in.
Here's hoping for a homerun!
Here's hoping for a homerun!
04-29-10 | 09:52 AM
#8
DVD Talk Legend
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
Probably one of the few who hopes this is offered in one of the lavish box sets. Would look great next to GOTW and Wizard of Oz sets. Anyway, should look brilliant on Blu.
04-29-10 | 11:48 AM
#9
DVD Talk Hero
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
And then there's this sweet-ass Asian set:
04-29-10 | 11:59 AM
#10
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
From: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
Jesus. I just want a set ala GWTW or WoZ. I dunno how nuts I'd be for the asian one, style wise. That may be too intense for me.
04-29-10 | 12:53 PM
#11
DVD Talk Special Edition
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Miami, Florida
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
I've heard that the four-disc set looks better, but the first set looks good enough for me, and takes up less space. Just never felt the need to upgrade it. With that said, if the new BD is vastly superior (which I'm guessing it will), that will definitely cause me finally upgrade.
Yeaaaah, that Asian set is way too EXTREME for me!
Yeaaaah, that Asian set is way too EXTREME for me!
11-04-10 | 03:09 PM
#12
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
11-04-10 | 03:17 PM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
I really could do without the graphic of Heston on the left, but I guess they needed to put something there. This is a title that probably should have gotten a case with poster dimensions if they couldn't use the logo in the center.
11-05-10 | 01:10 AM
#17
DVD Talk Godfather
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,819
Received 1,737 Likes
on
1,394 Posts
From: Home of 2013 NFL champion Seahawks
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
Putting things on moratorium is lame. But at least it's easy to buy copies used now compared to Disney's heyday.
03-25-11 | 03:06 PM
#18
DVD Talk Legend
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
Not sure if there's a more recent thread but I did find out the Ben-Hur Ultimate Collector's Edition BD and DVD is set for release sometime in the fall. Apparently the Blu-ray will have 2-discs while the DVD will have 5 and includes a replica diary written by Charlton Heston, a book of photographs, production art, etc and a feature-length documentary, "Charlton Heston & Ben-Hur: A Personal Journey" (in HD). And it looks like the other features from the previous release will be ported over. And, of course, the film went through restoration.
03-25-11 | 10:23 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
I hope there's a regular-size release of the BD edition, and not just one of those huge gift sets.
Pics up on The Digital Bits today.
Pics up on The Digital Bits today.
03-25-11 | 11:10 PM
#20
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
03-28-11 | 06:44 AM
#22
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
"The Digital Bits has the scoop on the release details of Ben-Hur, set for Blu-ray release next fall. The film has been newly restored at a resolution of 6K from the original 65mm camera elements. Apart from all previous DVD special features, this two-disc Ultimate Collector's Edition will include a reproduction of the personal diary that Charlton Heston kept during the production, complete with personal photos and his own sketches, as well as Charlton Heston & Ben-Hur: A Personal Journey, a new documentary (in HD) on Heston's experiences during the making of the film."
This photo is of the DVD Set. The BD set is on 2 discs.
This photo is of the DVD Set. The BD set is on 2 discs.
03-28-11 | 04:19 PM
#24
Moderator
re: Ben Hur - 9/27/11
wish that Warners would do what Sony did with 'Taxi Driver' and present the new 6K scan and rerelease this on the big screen for a couple of screenings.