THE TEN COMMANDMENTS 4K Review: VistaVision Clarity, Richest Technicolor
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- 4K UHD Blu-ray review of Cecil B. De Mille's 'The Ten Commandments' (1956). One of the best 4K disc releases so far (2021) owing to its VistaVision large format film origin and the sumptuous colour by Technicolor - the best colour I've ever seen on video.
Screen ratio is 1.78:1
Sound is DTS-HD 5.1 
Кино
"THE LORD HAS GIVEN US THIS NEW 4K!"
I love the fact that younger people are so perplexed by how stunning older formats like VistaVision and 70mm are; they are so used to basically watching tv on a big screen, that when they see a top notch transfer of a large format film, it's a revelation.
'Revelation' is an entirely appropriate word Eric. Couldn't have put it in better terms myself, nor Biblical terms! John.
@@moviecollector5920 i'm wondering why some of those old vistavision movies aren't remastered for the imax screen? Apart from how much it would cost. The format would fit perfectly.
What are your views on that could there be anything in the pipeline Graham talking to you not Hilda.
@@hildamontes6146 I think it's more to do with the size of audience a re-release of an older film would get in cinemas Graham. I think cinema is going to struggle for a while but I hope there's an explosion in attendance with some of the held over big releases get going again in a month or so. The James Bond should be massive and maybe the Top Gun sequel too but for me a lot depends on the 70mm screenings of Kenneth Branagh's 'Death on the Nile'.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 your absolutely right the audiences have gotten smaller
But think how good North by Northwest would look on an IMAX screen.
Paramount do such a good job of transferring films for home viewing.
So no surprise how The Ten Commandments looks on 4K.
Even Paramount pics onto DVD were masterfully produced.
The most informative and insightful channel on 4k transfers on RUclips. This was a history lesson. Another fantastic video, thanks John.
History lesson indeed. 👍
Thanks Alex. It's actually good fun to look back at these historic films and explain why they look so good today.
John.
Completely agreed. Thanks!
This guys videos make me feel like a true cinephile.
Films like this have turned me into a cinephile. A true work of art. John.
@@moviecollector5920 I’ve always viewed Film as one of the best art mediums
@@sinisterone4673 I agree entirely.
Not only do I watch your videos for my love of film and film history but also just how nice your voice sounds
I'm almost getting used to hearing it myself now. None of us ever like to see or hear ourselves I think... unless we've got some sort of ego problem which I certainly don't believe I have. Thank you for taking the time to let me know Pedro.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 me too ❤️
Your reviews are a cut above - I love the extra information you give us about the production and film background, etc. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Tim.
This channel deserves more subscribers. Top notch reviews IMO.
Thank you James. Subscribers have gone up about 6000 in the past month so it's not going too badly!
@@moviecollector5920 that's awesome. I have a feeling it's going to keep on growing too. Best of luck 👍
@@innerlightfilms Thanks James. I'll see what happens with a few reviews of superhero movies because that seems to be the sort of thing that gets a big audience. But I've also just purchased the 4K of The Fifth Element which I intend to compare to a 35mm print I got in from America years ago.
@@moviecollector5920 can't wait to see it. I wish I could watch a 35mm print near me. I've forgotten what it feels like but from what I remember, it had a different feeling while watching.
@@innerlightfilms I have recommended your channel to my movie buff friends and they seem to like it. One comment I got was "he needs to get his camera closer to his screen when showing scenes." Just passing that along.
This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Everything from the special effects to the acting and script are truly spectacular.
I think this film is more impressive today simply because we can't believe that something so spectacular could have been made in 1956. To be able to own a home video copy with such rich Technicolor reproduction is a dream. John.
vistaVision looks so amazing. I wish I could have seen in a movie theater. Thank you for all the great information!
Me too Adam. Maybe one day the old formats will be revived in a few premiere theatres just to entice patrons back to the cinema. It would certainly generate press coverage and that is more beneficial than any advertising.
John.
That would be awesome if that happened! I love your channel. Film is such an amazing media. Keep up that great videos!
It had a major Restauration in 1989 and hit the Cinemas with 70mm Prints.
As for the 4k Blurays. I dont think they are suitable for this old Classics, since they overdo it with sharpening and grading the Picture and enhance the Matte Lines of the Optical FX's. I own some of this films both as Bluray and 35mm Tecnicolor Prints. The Softness and Characteristics of analog Film suits this Classics better, in my humble Opinion. Anyway, love your Chanel and your love for Classic Film.
I love the transformation of Moses' staff into a cobra. That's surprisingly realistic animation and compositing even to this day.
Good point, it is entirely realistic. Someone was ahead of their time, that's for sure.
I've been a subscriber for over a month now, and I can honestly say that this is the best and the most informative review channel I've ever followed. Great stuff. Keep it up John.
Thank you Ahmed. I have a few 4K discs sitting here which I hope to include with their 35mm equivalents so that should prove to be a lot of fun. John.
@@moviecollector5920 I'm turning the notification bell on and I'm so looking forward to see your next review.
@@ahmedkhattab9594 It should be Batman which arrived this morning. I have all the original comics in a 1970s book so I've been something of a Batman fan for a long time. Haven't seen the film in years.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 I'm a big fan of Batman and I'm really excited to hear your expert take on the film, especially the replaced sound effects!
@@ahmedkhattab9594 Thank you for the forewarning about the sound effects because I don't think I know the film well enough to spot them but I'll keep an ear out.
I have actually decided to read the Old Testament from start to finish and am in Exodus right now and this would be a perfect time to watch this movie!
Oh, you are going to enjoy both very much! What fortuitous timing!
I actually feel like dipping back into The Old Testament myself right now. Perhaps that confirms what a great film this is. John.
You have a great channel filled with experiences and knowledge. Please continue this great work.
Thank you Raul. Please keep watching!
John.
Just want to say I stumbled upon your RUclips Channel about a month or so ago and absolutely love it. I believe you have the most genuine movie review channel out there today. Have a lovely weekend and I'm always looking forward to the next review.
Thanks Nick. Have a nice Easter. Don't eat too much chocolate... I'll do that for you!
John.
I could watch his videos all day long? So informative and great reviews
Thanks Darth. I'm glad to know that some people seem to really like the efforts I put into producing these. John.
@@moviecollector5920 no problem. i am a movie collector myself and you have helped me pick up a few 4k bluray upgrades
Just in time for Easter. Thanks for the timely review.
The perfect film for this time of year. Maybe next year we'll be enjoying a new 4K transfer of 'Ben-Hur'.
John.
watched my 4k UHD BD Copy yesterday, (had it in the house for a while now) after finding a Making of the 4k restoration on youtube and watching that first. I hadn't watched your review beforehand, but you are right: The colours on this film in 4k are stunning. I could not believe HOW good this 'old' classic (which I 'd seen once, a long time ago ) looked on my 100in PJ screen. I really enjoyed this as a film as well. I Can recommend this disc. John thank you for the revie. A Pleasure, as always!
Regards, Roland Robinson.
Good to know you think highly of it too Roland. It's the VistaVision and Technicolor origins of this one that resulted in it being one of the best 4K discs so far. Some of the blue screen effects work shows up but back when it was made and projected onto huge screens those slightly sub-standard images wouldn't have stood out so much. John.
I just got the 4K. MAN--this is GORGEOUS, a joy and pleasure to look at! That Technicolor is so rich! You even see tiny blue gleams of light in the ripples of water when baby Moses shows up in the river next to the Pharoah's palace! Next to a true VistaVision screening on a giant cinema screen, this is the ULTIMATE release. You feel like you're right in front of the actors, feel their passion and pain.
You got the same impression as I did. One of the best 4K releases thus far and just maybe a few more people will start to understand that it's the large film format releases that are the best. Because this one originated from VistaVision it also had the added benefit of Technicolor which the 70mm do not.
Couldn't waiting to hear your thoughts on this 4k offering. The quality of the image is amazing. Great review as always 👍
It's one of the best yet Stephen. What a great example of how video has improved in the last ten or fifteen years to get to this level.
Just picked this up last night, glad to hear it turned out so well. Keep up the good work, this channel is easily my favorite on RUclips.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Cody. I never saw it at the cinema so this was really the first time I'd ever seen this great film properly.
John.
Also speaking of Vistavision, I would love your opinion on the Vertigo 4k release or for that matter the whole Hitchcock 4k set. Thanks again for all the insight.
The 10 Commandments on Blu-ray was a big improvement over the DVD. How does the 4K compare to the Blu-ray?
A top-notch, epic, and beautiful film with rich colors especially in the 4K. EDIT: I guess I popped off a few words!
The word 'pop' to describe colours is banned from this channel Lord Krit!!! Rich, vivid and vibrant are permitted though - snort! 'Jump off the screen' would be acceptable too. And with regard to The Ten Commandments in 4K I'd say these are the richest, most vibrant and vivid colours that have ever jumped off the screen from any video.
John.
Your reviews have my dangerously close to spending too much money to completely revamp my home theatre to 4K HDR w/ ATMOS. Probably by this summer. Keep up the great work.
Well I'll want to see your home theatre when it's done!
Extremely informative. Never knew the process of making this film. Can’t wait to watch this over the weekend.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did Jason. Just the colour alone makes this one special but it's not just that.
John.
Glad I stumbled on your channel. Really interesting to learn about the history of film formats. Thanks for the great content!
You are welcome Ian. I hope you like Spider-Man because the Sam Raimi trilogy is next and I have two of those on film as well as 4K. Should make for an interesting comparison. John.
@@moviecollector5920
I love the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies! Looking forward to it. Thank you!
Congratulations on over 7k Subscribers John you totally deserve it.
Thanks Danny. Things went mad there for a while but have quietened down a lot now... until I uploaded this video today that is. You'd better get a copy of this to run through your BenQ. John.
I’ll look into it, I’m not a massive fan of biblical movies but I may give this one a try. I’ve been rediscovering my old standard DVD’s recently, I think the BenQ upscale them and they look surprisingly watchable, currently enjoying Alec Guinness The Horses Mouth, it looks great.
llooking forward to watching my 4k copy this weekend cant wait.
And once you've got your Elmo Super 8 sorted Derek, you can then track down a print on Super 8 too!
As is usual and what we now expect, this is yet another excellent 10 minutes. I only got the Blu-ray around 18 months ago, but it now looks as if a 4K is in order. Thanks john and please keep up the reviews.
Thank you Ged. The Blu-ray is terrific... the 4K is even better. If I'd have already seen the Blu-ray beforehand I'd have doubted it could have been improved upon but it has.
SWEET! Thanks for another stellar review analysis, John! Ordering The Ten Commandments today!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. John.
Excellent review and great history of VistaVision! I'm glad this one turned out great on the UHD/HDR format. Being 44, I grew up on NTSC VHF/UHF broadcast and VHS, so I never thought we'd have this level of fidelity at home in my lifetime! Love your setup and always enjoy your reviews!
I thought exactly the same Ryan. Super 8 was the king of home cinema for decades but modern video projection combined with the exceptional quality of a lot of blu-rays and now 4K blu-rays has taken us to a whole new level. John.
This was a Day One blind buy for me and I was immediately blown away by the quality - Definitely one of my very best 4K discs.
We're in complete agreement Jamie.
John.
If "The Movie Collector" recommends a release, I just buy it for my personal collection, it's that simple.
Watching this 4K disc on my laser projection system was a revelation (pun intended!).
Thank you for all your hard work, Sir!
Love the pun Tonya. And thank you for your kind words and your support.
John.
Excellent review, so I just went to Amazon and bought it. Hopefully it will be delivered next week. The Ten Commandments is one of my favorites.
I hope you like it as much as I did Jeffrey. Just the colour alone would have been enough for me but it's also a great film. John.
Nextweek? I ordered mine from Amazon on Tuesday and received it yesterday.
@@jameshorton7496 Amazon Prime says Monday for me.
This is such an enjoyable channel. I always learn something and you do such a great job explaining the history of cinema, John. Thank you.
Thank you very much Lee.
John.
Very nice video. Very interesting. Also loved the richness in the colours. As shown Moses in front of the grey storms is vibrant and where he has a red background behind him. Shone bright on my 8K QLED. Liked the video and subscribed. Thanks.
Thank you for taking the time to comment and thank you for subscribing. It's the support I'm getting that's keeping me going.
John.
Always great to see another video from you, John.
Thank you Rich.
So glad I found your channel, love you’re videos sir
Thank you Jake.
Wonderful review, as always! Thank you!
Thank you for another vote of confidence Sega Sync. John.
Every time I watch one of these videos, I feel like I am staring at a vision of myself in the future. Love your work
Thank you Sir. It took me a while to get started at this but my original idea to include film history and each film's home movie history was there from the beginning and it seems to have worked... so far anyway. Tim Burton's 'Batman' arrived this morning so I reckon I know what I'll be watching tonight.
John.
Very technical and detailed analysis. Thoroughly enjoyed and actually took me off the fence on purchasing a copy on 4k👍 look forward to more e.g. Speed and Heat please 😁
I hope you like The Ten Commandments as much as I did. As for Speed and Heat, I didn't know they were out or coming out. Speed was one of the best quality Super 8 releases ever so you probably won't be surprised to know I have a first run copy here. That'll be a good excuse to show some more film running through a projector!
John.
Very good review , full of great context setting and technical background. Loved it.
Thank you Julian. I am surprised how much I enjoyed The Ten Commandments but this new 4K disc is so special I don't think anyone could not enjoy it. John.
I'm definitely not a religious "epic" film afficianado, but boy, this high definition transfer is absolutely stunning. Follows in the footsteps of "Spartacus " .
The old VistaVision format definitely aided the transfer to UHD process.
To think this film was made in the 1950s - quite stunning. Remains at the top of my 4k bluray ever growing collection! Fantastic review as always. 👍
It is the VistaVision film format that ensures this is one of the best looking releases onto any video disc James. It's the same with Spartacus which was VistaVision with a 1.5x anamorphic squeeze lens and known as Technirama. Because that 1.5 squeeze added to VistaVision made the aspect ratio almost identical to the 2.20:1 ratio of 70mm Spartacus (and Zulu and probably many others) were released as 'Super Technirama 70' because they were released as 70mm prints for premiere houses. All the best image quality Blu-ray and 4K discs come from large film formats. There are a few exceptions that might match up but overall film is best with genuine IMAX being in the top spot as it's the largest of the lot.
John.
@moviecollector5920 Thanks John. Everyone of your subscribers here values your knowledge. I liked the recently released 4k version of The Exorcist. Will be anxiously awaiting Exorcist 3 on 4k here in Australia as well. I purchased it on standard bluray over 12 months ago and thought it was brilliant. Cheers.
@@James.Fife05 I only ever saw Exorcist III once and that was when it was first released. I thought it was a great sequel and scary. Quite oppresively scary! I nearly purchased the Blu-ray on the same day as the 4K of The Exorcist but it can wait a while longer. John.
Outstanding review!
Thank you braviafeed.
John.
You are my new RUclips obsession. Great work.
Thank you Napoleon. Unforgettable user ID so I'll always manage to pick you out by the way.
John.
Informative and entertaining as always
Thanks Chris.
Someone I worked with in the 1970's who had an evening job as a cinema commissionaire told me that the re-release around that time used the original release prints. A testament to the non-fade of Technicolor dye imbibition prints.
That's brilliant Brian. I'd love to see an undamaged one of those prints today.
I thoroughly enjoy your reviews....thoughtful and concise.
Thank you Jack. I hope you like Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' series because that's next. John.
@@moviecollector5920 I'm not a huge fan of "superhero" films (except for The Dark Knight). However,I am looking forward to The Shawshank Redemption in 4K and will be looking for your review. Also,have you reviewed any of the BBC's nature discs? Planet Earth II,Seven Worlds One Planet,etc? If not,are you planning them in the future?
@@jackfitzpatrick8173 I don't think I'll be reviewing the BBC programmes but I might take a look at The Shawshank Redemption. As I recall, the Blu-ray is very good already so there might not be much of an improvement. One thing a subscriber asked me about a while ago now was my favourite comedies and I rather liked the sound of that so I'm going through what I think may be the ten I like most for what may be the next video.
Nice to see classic films getting the care they deserve when it comes to the new transfers
Agreed. I suspect Kenneth Branagh's 'Death on the Nile' will top the lot of them when it finds its way onto 4K after its theatrical run sometime this year. That's a 70mm release and of course will be on modern, fine grain film stock so if it's as good as his earlier 'Murder on the Orient Express' we're all in for a cinematic treat. John.
Had the pleasure of viewing this movie at the cinema in my childhood,
Words cannot describe..
I can only imagine the impact it would have had at the time John. What a treasured memory that must be.
John.
Hi John. I greatly enjoy the combination of content review with the technical detail of how the product master was created and has been used and abused down the years. I think it is a unique blend. Cheers. BobUK.
Thank you Bob. Right from the start last May I wanted to include the history of a film wherever possible because I didn't think there was anyone else on the web covering it and it's an important factor in image quality. John.
Looking forward to those comic book 4k reviews , your commentary is Top draw! Tempted to pick this up at some point not seen it for years, great video as always 👍
Thank you Matt. Ten Commandments looks so good it makes me think about the impact it would have had on audiences back in 1956, particularly those lucky few who saw a genuine VistaVision print. Must have seemed like magic at that time.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 yes can remember watching this on telly years ago, will be good to re visit on a bigger screen in the best possible format for home entertainment 👍
Wow! Such an in depth analysis!!
VistaVision and dye-transfer Technicolor... it doesn't get much better than that. John.
Thanks so much for these great reviews-I’m always excited to see a new video from you! I watch Ten Commandments each year around Passover. I’m sticking with the blu-ray (which, as you mentioned, looks great) until the 4K disc comes down in price a bit, but loved hearing your thoughts.
It's come down in price already at HMV. I paid £29.95 I think and it's now £19.95 so I think sales much have been poor. Give it another few months and it could appear in their 2 for £30 offer or perhaps even the 3 for £30. At those prices it will be a bargain.
John.
When I was knee high to a grasshopper, my mother (who loved all movies), took me to see this. It was either at the old Norwich Odeon or Gaumont cinema. I was less than ten and although I've forgotten the exact cinema, still remember the movie! Thanks for this review (and others!), I shall look forward to watching it in my own home cinema (on 7ft. wide screen) now. Though having watched a few of your videos on here last night, having just discovered the channel, realised that I must go to watch another movie in 70mm or other large format again soon! Obviously the Norwich cinemas didn't back then (and still don't!) have anything like that and only have a 'pretend' IMAX.
I saw both 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return Of The Jedi' in London cinemas, as we only used to get films like that many months after their original release (like 'Star Wars' in February 1978, rather than the 1977 date it should have been), so saw 'TESB' at the Odeon Leicester Square, a few days after the Queen saw it in May 1980 and 'ROTJ' three years later at the Odeon Marble Arch. both amazing picture palaces back in the day.
Please do keep on making these amazing videos and film reviews. I love all things about film history (as well as new stuff) and especially film restorations, like the 'Jaws' one on it's latest BD. (I have the 4K version too, though cannot see much difference)! I have a few old classic, restored movies on BD (Gone With The Wind, Lawrence Of Arabia, The Red Shoes and The Sound Of Music amongst others). Having also got 'Super 8' on BD and loved it, may yet try to get into Super 8 movie making myself! My parents once bought me a hand-cranked 'plastic' projector one Sixties Christmas and I wore out the three, very short B&W 8mm film segments (all comedies) as well as the projector, within the first few months of owning it! I was hooked and wanted more, but they just kept saying no. So maybe I should take this chance to get into it properly, now I'm well past the 'intermission' myself!
Super 8 has been a wonderful hobby for me Charles but it is rather expensive now. However, the older package movies are still cheap and good value projectors can be had but film stock and processing costs are a bit out of my reach now. Hopefully one day I'll be able to get back into filming with Super 8 though because I do miss those little reels of magic coming back in the post a week after sending them in for processing.
Star Wars only opened in London in November 1977 if I remember correctly so you weren't waiting too long to see it in 1978. I think the distributors were able to save money on film printing costs by completing a release schedule in the USA and then shipping any undamaged prints over to the UK to be screened here. I'm not certain of this but it would explain the staggered release schedule.
Kenneth Branagh's 'Death on the Nile' is out in 70mm sometime this year so I think I'll be making a trip to London. Maybe we should arrange some sort of RUclips Movie Collector meet up when the Odeon Leicester Square has it on. We could probably fill the local Travelodge!
John.
Sounds good to me John! I'm a carer for my wheelchair bound partner and I currently have a bad bout of Sciatica (for six months already!), which hampers things a bit, but I'm sure I could probably arrange for another carer to help her, while I'm away. Thanks for your swift reply! Charlie.
Tempted to buy it- I remember watching it as a child in the 1980’s over Easter and being slightly bored but the special effects were impressive
I think I saw it one afternoon in the mid-1980s on ITV complete with 7 minutes of advertising in ever hour. I too found it a bit difficult to get through but this 4K disc is a revelation. I knew it would be simply because of its VistaVision and Technicolor origins. I now fully appreciate what a great, epic film it always was. We are so lucky to be able to view these historic movies in such wonderful quality at home today. Quite unbelievable in fact.
John.
A masterpiece work of art is best appreciated by adults. I'm sure you will enjoy this more now.
Well done Mike, look forward to seeing more from ou ,all the very Best Geoff Wheeler
Thank you Geoff. This video is doing remarkably well so it's been a nice surprise. Next one should be the 1989 Batman which may not appeal to you so much but I do expect to include Super 8 and 35mm of it in that so it might be interesting to all. I hope so anyway.
John.
"Ready when you are C.B.!" Can't wait to see this one so I'm ordering it today. I thought the blu-ray looked pretty good on the upgrade through my 4K player but after listening to yours and one other reviewer on RUclips the new 4K transfer sounds really great. The Wizard Of Oz was a great 4K release as well. Here's to more classic movie releases being released in 4K in the near future. Long live classic cinema.
The Wizard of Oz looking great on 4K will largely be down to the Imbibition dye-transfer Technicolor process Daniel. I haven't seen it yet but the CAV LaserDisc box was fabulous because of the colour so I know what it should look like on 4K. The Ten Commandments should be superior definition owing to it being of VistaVision origin rather than standard 35mm as was the case with The Wizard of Oz.
Excellent and informative channel and a must for any film fan and you have inspired be to plan my own home cinema:-)
That's great Graham. String and sticky tape is the major ingredient that makes my home cinema hang together. It's all very simple really and it all started when I spotted those red, theatrical looking curtains in the local department store about 20 years ago.
John.
Hello Mr. Movie Collector. I have watched a few of your vids and I have to say well done on the depth of your reviews and I wish you the best . Keep those vids coming ! Subbed
Thank you Tom. More early next week. John.
Just saw Ten Commandments in theaters for the first time last Sunday. I have seen it many times on home video but it was nice to see it on a big screen. Thank you for the 4K review; I was curious and will now be sure to pick it up. I have subscribed and am looking forward to your take on Batman '89.
Thank you Michael. I too would like to see The Ten Commandments on a huge screen now. I wonder if anyone has still got an original VistaVision print... or even a horizontal VistaVision print - then again, I doubt any projectors are installed anywhere any longer. John.
Have been a subscriber for a couple of months now, and thought it was about time I told you how much I love your channel. Stealing a qoute from Alex Heschuk: "The most informative and insightful channel on 4k transfers on RUclips" Also enjoy the edjucation on formats and aspects, and all kinds of history of movies you share. Salute
Thank you for saying so Ivar and thank you for being a subscriber the past couple of months.
John.
Just discovered your channel and have been watching them back to back. Really enjoy the laid back presentation and film knowledge you have. Surprised you haven't reviewed the 4K of Lawrence of Arabia as it has been so highly reviewed. Looking forward to future videos. Cheers.
Greetings Ray. If I can get into HMV and find Lawrence of Arabia (I think it's only in the Columbia Classics box of six at the moment) then I'll be snapping it up. But I can tell you the reason why the 4K looks so good - because it was shot on 65mm which equates to a compressed video equivalent of about 16K. John.
I was lucky enough to get the box set on preorder. Looking forward to your review some day.
You have me absolutely excited about getting this.
Well it is one of the best Albert so if you do get it I hope you like it as much as I.
John.
Very interesting and entertaining video John ❤
It's a very good 4K disc Raymond and that's mainly due to the fact that the film was shot in VistaVison but the Technicolor certainly helps too. John.
Another great one John ! By far my favorite movie channel 👌
Thank you De Sander. Next up is Batman which I watched last night and found it surprisingly good. John.
Love your reviews and insight, especially on these classic films. Can't wait for some of the classic westerns to get some 4k love...How the West Was Won, Rio Bravo, The Searchers.
Keep up the great work!
Funnily enough, I've just been discussing How The West Was Won and The Searchers with IM35461 a few minutes ago. Cinerama and VistaVision respectively but I'll guarantee that Cinerama will come out on top for definition owing to its much larger film frame(s) area.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 would love to hear your thoughts about black and white films being converted to 4k. I think there's only 4 or 5 at the moment. Do you think we will see more? I love the film nor genre, so I hope to see some of the classics make it to 4k.
@@jeffreymcquillen1208
I only have 'It's a Wonderful Life' and I don't think that's particularly impressive but I do want to take a look at The Elephant Man which I expect to be much better. As to the older film noirs etc. I don't think we'll get much more out of them but I may be wrong. It all depends on the quality of the best surviving master (hopefully the original camera negative) and how fine grain it is.
Very interesting and educational. Thank you very much!
Thank you Dmitri.
@@moviecollector5920 You are most welcome. Well deserved! :-)
I do wish films like this would get a complete restoration like they did for Star Trek The Next Generation. Fixing the effects with newer technology but keeping all the original assets and intents. I feel like that is acceptable and does not compromise the original vision.
Funnily enough, I had been thinking exactly the same thing Darren but now you've made me consider this some more. What I now realize is that I am probably right and the 6K transfer was done from the three Technicolor matrices. This means they did not go back to the original camera negative which wasn't Technicolor so wouldn't have had the unbelievably rich colours. The elements we're talking about are not in the original negative anyway but the principle is that same because all those elements would have to be found and scanned and then somehow turned into Technicolor which I'm not sure is possible but someone may be able to get them close. It's unlikely all the elements survive anyway and if they do they've probably faded so much that there is no way to restore them.
But I agree that it would be perfectly fitting to correct those blue screen effects if the elements were available and usable.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 Two things....
1. Impossibly Expensive!
2. Changing history. Let the film be what it is. :)
Yes I know I am hypocritical about #2 since I approve of fixing some sfx shots in Superman (especially in regards to the blue Superman suit), but we have to draw the line somewhere. Look at what George Lucas has done to his own films! Ugh. Thanks the Maker for Star Wars "Despecialized." :-)
Hello-
as !!!WOW!!! as the picture image might be this 4K package doesn't include the beautifully restored 1923 silent film which last
tear's digibook did.
Now I'll have to get the digibook too! Thank you for costing me another outlay Christopher! John.
The epic Sergio Leone Spaghetti Westerns are calling you. Would love to see you discuss those - Once Upon a time in the West, For A Few Dollars More, Good the Bad and Ugly etc.
Greetings Kevin. Funnily enough I was only discussing A Fistful of Dollars and For A Few Dollars More with a friend the other day because they will not be good 4K releases owing to their TechniScope or SuperScope (whatever it was called) origin. This was a masked 2.35:1 filming frame that was only two sprockets high. Basically it was the same as 2X anamorphic 16mm. The Good The Bad & The Ugly appears to have been true anamorphic 35mm so that should come out much better and I believe it has already had a 4K scan. Once Upon A Time In The West already looks great on Blu-ray.
John.
Many Thanks John! Screening The Ten Commandments is an Annual Easter Event in our Home theatre and it is Good to know that the latest Release got your approval, maybe it's time for me to retire my Blu Ray copy and get the UHD Disc. Once again another Brilliant and Detailed analysis of the latest version of this movie. Happy Easter to you and your wife. Looking forward on your UHD Review. BTW, i've rewatched your Cinema Tour and really enjoyed it a lot. Have you changed anything of added any props in your Cinema? Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and comments, YOU ARE THE BEST!
Thank you Noel and a happy Easter to you and your family. The Ten Commandments is a perfect choice for this time of year. I suspect we'll be dipping into it again sometime over the next few days but what I'd really like to screen in 'Ben-Hur' so I may dig out a couple of old Super 8 reels of that too.
I don't think I've changed anything in the home cinema. It's been the way that it is for so many years now I suppose I take it for granted a little. But I will be firing up the 35mm sometime soon to include it in the Batman review so that will be fun.
John.
Saw it just yesterday. Amazing picture.
Good to know you think so too Stefan. John.
Another fascinating review and insight into Vistavision. I believe ILM used Vistavision cameras up until the late 80’s for their visual effects work, because of the increased resolution. It also made it cheaper, as they could buy normal 35mm stock. Looking forward to the Batman review.
ILM still have their VistaVision equipment but I don't know if it's used any longer. If it were up to me it would be compulsory! Get those people away from their computer screens and do something really creative and artistic! Batman should be next Ian.
John.
Excellent video John. Not a film that would ordinarily interest me but after watching your review and the history I guess I'd better get to HMV in April. The consistency of your uploads is exceptional, always interesting, informative with the added bonus of the history which you clearly have a great knowledge of and an undampening enthusiasm that comes through loud and clear. Really look forward to your videos,absolutely brilliant each time.
Thank you John. The Ten Commandments is not something I'd have rushed out for until this 4K format came along. HDR is what makes the difference to these discs and as soon as I saw this title was announced I thought "Hello! VistaVision and Imbibition Dye-Transfer Technicolor - that's going to be something special." I'd have eaten my hat if it had have been a disappointment but there wasn't really much chance of that. I have watched a couple of other reviews since uploading my own and it's interesting that neither of the other chaps knew anything about why it looks the way it does. I suppose that lack of knowledge is what encouraged me to finally sit down and record my first review video back in May last year.
Right now I'm working on the 1989 Tim Burton 'Batman' which has proved to be a good surprise. I never enjoyed it as much as I did last night. Bog standard 35mm this time so it's not exactly special, particularly as most of it was filmed on dark sets, but I thought it was terrific.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 strangely enough I watched all the Batman movies from Tim Burtons 89 film through to Batman vs Superman by Zack Snyder just last month. Still think the Christopher Nolan films were the best. I only have them on blu ray but enjoyed them all (I dont even think Batman and Robin was as bad as the critics said 😆 ).
I did watch Midway the other night on 4k and atmos and that was a good workout for my system.
I do watch a RUclips film reviewer called Films At Home. Its an American guy and quite informative though nowhere near your level,of detail,regarding the source material and the image quality. Does give a good general overview of a film though but it is geared for the American market.
Will look forward to your Batman upload. Kind regards John
@@johnmccann5104 If the Batman review turns out well and it's a successful RUclips video I may well cover the Christopher Nolan versions in the near future.
John.
Comments speaks for itself. Each video seems like a good discussion at a Cine Club with Tea ☕ 😎 👍 informative, interesting, elegant graceful. English gentleman reviews 👍
Thank you again Nag. John.
Another really informative review John! I ordered this from HMV and am looking forward to watching it, I had a quick preview and thought it looked spectacular! Hopefully Ben Hur will get the 4K preservation treatment sometime, and Jason and the Argonauts is another classic epic that I would love to see remastered, even with the dated skeleton effects :)
Ben-Hur will come from 65mm so it won't be Technicolor but I think we can live with that just so long as they get the negative out and do the best they can. Jason and the Argonauts looks great on film so I hope they do something good with that for a 4K release too. I did meet Ray Harryhausen and my colleague actually captured us chatting on camera so that was rather special. He had one of those skeletons with him that evening.
@@moviecollector5920 Wow that must have been quite an evening to remember! Hopefully they will both be released on 4k sometime.
Hi ! its more than that, it's a honor
Thank you Beausoir1.
John.
And so polite too! New favorite channel. Subscribed!
Good to have you here Peter. If you love movies then you'll find a good group of fellow enthusiasts on here. John.
@@moviecollector5920 Yes! what a great community you have built up here.
@@petergarcia3373 That's been the best aspect of starting this RUclips channel Peter. Some wonderful camaraderie among fellow film fans after every video I've uploaded. John.
This was the channel I was looking for for years. Something that goes in depth about video/audio quality while also explaining the history of it. Great job! The thing I don't understand is the technicolor element. I think I read that the 3 strip technicolor was used only on standard 35mm format, usually 4:3. So my question is, was The Ten Commandments shot using 3 strip Technicolor?
As far as I know Matango, VistaVision films released in Technicolor used the separation matrix process rather than a camera with three strips of film going through it. VistaVision was already a cumbersome photographic process to use as it ran horizontally through the camera at twice the rate of a standard 35mm camera - but I suspect you already know that. Running three films through a VistaVision camera back then would be yet another filmic engineering marvel. I consider The Ten Commandments to be a perfect example of Technicolor and probably the best colour I've ever seen on video. This 4K disc might even be the best I've ever seen including film so it is perhaps proof that the matrix process was so good that there really wasn't any need for the true three strip Technicolor cameras after all. What an amazing release this one is.
John.
Thank you. Just got my copy in today.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Paul.
@@moviecollector5920 It has been a decades old tradition for Easter to have leg of lamb, egg nog and watch "The Ten Commandments". My family is gone now but they will be with me in spirit at the viewing.
@@paulglover6525 There's no better film for that sort of thing Paul. Have an egg nog for me while you're at it!
John.
HOWARD W. says > Back in the late 70`s and 80`s when I lived in Los Angeles, I went to theater every weekend where they showed classic movies. It was called the Bing Theater and was part of a museum. One weekend they showed The Searchers and North By Northwest. When each movie played, I couldn`t believe what I saw. Whenever a scene took place in the studio, you could actually see the studio lights on the top frame of the screen. I soon realized it was because of the Vista Vision process and the projector in the theater. It was quite amazing and I`ll probably never see that again. But I agree with you about The Ten Commandments. It`s by far the best looking photographed color movie I`ve ever seen. In 1979 I went to the 40th anniversary screening of GWTW. They had the original 1939 Technicolor nitrate print. The color was amazing. It was Danny Selznick`s own print. Oh by the way, every living actor and actress that was in GWTW was there at the screening.
What an historic occasion you attended there at that Gone With The Wind showing. Nitrate is not something you're likely to see very often these days. And it seems a certainty that was horizontal VistaVision you were watching at that double bill of The Searchers and North By Northwest. What great memories of times gone by. But 70mm is still with us so keep a look out for a cinema that can still screen 70mm for Death on the Nile later this year.
John.
HOWARD W. says > There`s another movie that I remember seeing in the late 70`s that had beautiful Technicolor. It was ALI BABA and THE FORTY THIEVES. It was at the Vagabond theater in Los Angeles. They had an original Universal Studios Technicolor print. Along with GWTW, it was the best Technicolor movie I`ve ever seen. Yes, I`ve seen Robin Hood (1938 ) and most of the Technicolor MGM musicals and other color films of the 40`s and 50`s in the theater but none of them come close to The Ten Commandments, GWTW and Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves.
Well Neil, Howard has now got me hoping that Gone With The Wind and Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves both come out on 4K with similar treatment to that of The Ten Commandments. If they do and they're as good then we're in for another couple of treats. John.
Wow. Your knowledge on movies is excellent. If a man has passion over something it looks like this.
Thank you. I hope you like the Sam Raimi 'Spider-Man' films because they're next. John.
@@moviecollector5920 I sure do and I will be waiting .
Better than any 4K reviewers out there 👍👍👍
Thank you for saying. Probably not true but I do appreciate the encouragement.
John.
I just finished the blu-ray yesterday and it looks phenomenal.
It is a great Blu-ray. Amazingly, the 4K is even better. John.
@@moviecollector5920No doubt. I will be watching the 4k soon.
I bought the usa big box collectors edition last year..loved the big box and all the bits that came with it..looks like im going to have to buy the 4k now..also
I'm afraid so! John.
Very informative as usual. I have to spread the word about you. Learn so much with your videos. Lovely film geek stuff.
I just got the remastered Batman V Superman in my hands, so I'll be giving it a watch over this weekend. Having not seen the Ultimate Edition before, which is said to better tell the story, I looking forward to it.
I heard that the film has the full imax aspect ratios which is the first for a disc to have incorporated into the film.
Thank you Marc. I don't think the remastered Batman vs. Superman is out until the end of the month here so please let me know how you get on with it. John.
Thanks for this one!
You're welcome Samuel. Still one of the most impressive of all 4K home movie disc releases I think. John.
I’m most definitely going to have to pick up this masterpiece in glorious 4K!
It's the glorious Technicolor that gives it such a sumptuous colour palette and the VistaVision that ensures the clarity. One of the best 4K releases as far as I'm concerned but with everything it had going for it, it would have been a real disappointment if it wasn't one of the best. John.
I knew you would like this one, John. I watched it on Monday & i thought it looked beautiful.
Now, if we could just get Warner Bros to release a 4K of The Searchers, i would be happy. 👍
The Blu-ray of The Searchers is pretty darned good Gary. Probably just an HDR colour benefit to ensure it's improved a little further in 4K but it would be nice to have even if that was the only perceptible difference.
IMO this movie is a masterpiece -- very rare. Enthusiasts should own masterpieces in the highest quality reasonably available to them... which makes this a MUST BUY for anyone here.
So let it be written. So let it be DONE!
Very well said! John.
Rewatching this reminded me that many years (or should I say several decades) ago I read a book from my local library on special effects and other cinematography techniques which had a section showing the way they made a "Synthetic" blue separation negative after extracting the mask for Blue Screen shots. Don't expect me to remember how, but the number of steps would account for the drop in quality for those shots. After all the blue register contains more detail then the others, especially the red.
That makes a lot of sense Brian. Now go away and look into it so you can tell us all exactly how it was done!!!
🎯 RUclipsr GATURKS says: Your historical detail into film is unmatched!!!!! Keeps me coming back for more and more!!!!
Thank you so much Gaturks. Hopefully new new Batman review video will do well and encourage me to spend a similar amount of time on the next video. John.
Yes I did enjoy it thanks .
Jolly good show! John.
Once again another outstanding video. I don't have fond memories of this film. However, I purchased the 4k based upon the interest you have created in the restoration. I'm fortunate yo have a 150" screen so cannot wait for the experience. Thanks John. BTW the Tim Burton Batman and Sam Raimi Spidey's are my favorite superheroes along with Christopher Nolan. The whole MCU thing is not for me. Have you reviewed the VistaVision 4K of Vertigo. It's another stunning restoration. Bestest!
I nearly got that Hitchcock box set of 4K movies recently but just missed out on the half price deal, damn it! But I will track it down one of these days because VistaVision on home video now really is something special. It seems to rival 15/70mm IMAX on 4K which suggests the quality on that horizontal 8 sprocket 35mm film is about the limit and anything larger is ever diminishing returns. Then again, 'Murder on the Orient Express' tops the lot from 2.2:1 70mm. Can't wait to see how 'Death on the Nile' looks.
I too don't care much for the excessive Marvel comic films of recent years but I may enjoy them more as the years go on. 'Spider-Man Homecoming' was okay but just not really Spider-Man. The Raimi films are different and they are the original comics come to life. Same for the first hour of Tim Burton's 'Batman' which I haven't seen in a long time so it will be interesting to see what I think of the second hour now I'm older. I'm fairly sure I'll really like Nicholson's over the top Joker this time.
I hope you enjoy The Ten Commandments Robert. I certainly did and I can say with certainty that the image quality was a big factor in why I enjoyed it so much. The colour... oh my!
John.
@@moviecollector5920 John, I jump around on my favorite film from Vertigo, Citizen Kane and 2001. Many years ago, my then GF took me to a theater and asked me to stare down as we went in. I had no idea what we were going to see. Then Bernard Hermann's music started. The restored print was astonishing, as is the 4K disc. Boringly, I have to agree that Murder On The Orient Express is the very best image I have seen in a home theater. I too am excited to see what Branagh does with Death on the Nile. if you haven't already, when Covid is past, a day trip to Galmpton on the Dart is a lovely experience. I took my mom just before she died and she had a wonderful day. We should start a go fund me for you to supply you with discs to review for us!
@@Celestialrob Covid is almost sorted here now Robert assuming a new variant doesn't appear that the vaccines don't successfully thwart.
I don't think I know Galmpton so I'll check it. My brother loves Devon and has written many books on the best walks around the south-west so I'll ask him about it. We might all be able to see each other very soon so maybe a day trip there would be a good suggestion.
We put on the 4K or Orient Express to check it against Ten Commandments (as well as some of the other top 4K discs) and it is so obviously in the top spot that we could have sat down and watched it again there and then. It just looks so good that it's simply irresistible. And what a cast. What great locations. What great filming. The story's pretty good too thanks to that gal wot wrote it!
Damn. Thank you sir.
You are welcome Sir. John.
Awesome motion picture of all time. 👍👍👍
Must have been a game changer in 1956. John.
@@moviecollector5920 For sure. I saw it every year in theaters 🎭 in 60’s.
Great video John. Part of the fun in getting older films on Blu-ray and UHD is seeing how good they can look. What's your next video?
Batman. I hope to put the finishing touches to that one today. It's a surprisingly good 4K disc. Not quite Jaws standard but possibly not too far off.
John.
Thanks for sharing The Ten Commandments Review it’s quite a long,Film I’m hoping that they will release Those Magnificent men in their flying machines on 4K.
Now Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines was another film that looked superb on Super 8. In fact, we had the 16mm check print from the new 16mm negative (from which double Super 8 prints were struck and then slit in half to make two prints at a time) loaned to us by Derann Film Services and it was so good that we put it on at the BFCC and called the show 'IMAX Comes To 16mm'. So yes, it should look outstanding on 4K.
@@moviecollector5920 Yes it’s a film I just love watching over and over again.
I bought the movie on Bluray a few years ago and it is astounding. I shall buy the 4K bluray when it is released down under. I am also looking forward to buying the 4K release of The Court Jester (1955) which was filmed in the Vista Vision format too.
The Ten Commandments 4K has to be the richest colour I have ever seen. I don't think I've ever seen a Technicolor film print that looked as saturated as this video disc. As for The Court Jester, i've never even seen that one and so as it's a VistaVision I'm with you cos' I think we know how good it's likely going to look if there is a good master to use as a source.
John.
I really enjoy ur awesome reviews John :) I haven't seen The Ten Commandments so it's definitely a film I have to watch at some point. On Sunday I will watch The Passion of the Christ and I just recently found out that they're working on a sequel but there's no release date yet. Glad to hear that u will take a look at my favorite Batman film from 1989, it's definitely one of my all time favorite superhero movies along with Superman the movie :)
I too fancy seeing The Passion of the Christ now. I've avoided it all these years but I think I may have grown up enough to enjoy it now. Then again, I still feel like a 12 year old!
Batman should be good. I've got to dig out my 35mm trailer of it so we can see that running. Now that I think about it, I have that same trailer on Super 8 somewhere too.
John.
You will be the king of RUclips, and I will be your footstool..
And I will subscribe to you forever. Thanx!
That sounds like a quote from The Ten Commandments. How about "Thou shalt not commit..." maybe I'd better not complete that one!