It's a true classic John, picked it up on 4K a couple of week's ago, watched it on Halloween night and it's a great 4K transfer, I remember first seeing it on VHS back in the day, the red's just blew me away, especially the car at the end.
That image clarity, the colour and the density is all down to the mastering James. Some comments have told me the image noise reduction showed up by causing a few side-effects but I didn't notice them. It is a surprisingly fine grain though so I don't disbelieve them at all. But who cares what has been done when the overall end result looks this good? John.
Thanks very much for this, John. I already have my copy and I was praying for you to analyse this 4K version. I think this is probably one of the most awaited releases since the format was unveiled all those years ago. This is really the BEST channel for anyone who wants to learn about movies and the products that we own. Thanks again, mate, you’re a LEGEND. I think Dream Warriors and The New Nightmare are the best of the sequels hands down.
Morning Nick. When/if New Nightmare gets a 4K release I'll finally take a look at it. By the way, some people are telling me they spotted evidence of image noise reduction in Elm Street. I kept looking for it because I couldn't believe the original shoot would have been on such fine grain negative stock but I didn't spot anything. It could be others have their tellies too bright which is a common error. John.
OMG New Nightmare is a masterpiece! Best of the franchise BY FAR imo. I saw it when I was a kid and didnt love it but my rewatch of it blew me away. A much more slow, thoughtful and brooding film than any of the others in the franchise, this didnt appeal to me as a kid and clearly didnt go over great with fans of the quick, loud and slash and dash-ness of the sequels. But New Nightmare is far and away the best film in the series. It is on an entirely different level to any of the other films and that includes the original. Couldn't recommend it more highly.
@Movie Collector another great video. Glad you enjoyed Nightmare on Elm Street on 4K, John! I loved this film (and its successors) when I was young. Especially the original. Recently I rewatched the original and it didn’t do it for me anymore. Where I still can enjoy movies from the 80’s and my youth, like Footlose, Roadhouse and Back To The Future that I all bought on 4K, I pass on this one.
A Nightmare On Elm Street is a little childish nowadays Pieter but that whole 'don't fall asleep' aspect to it harks back to my teenage years. I loved that whole side of it years ago and as much as I don't feel like I want to sit through the whole series these days, the orginal is a classic. John.
Nightmare 3 Dream Warriors was my favorite. That's where Freddy really comes into his own, and becomes the wise cracking villain we've all come to love. Tons of funny one-liners for Freddy. I am biased however, as I watched Dream Warriors when I was about 6 years old, and I've loved it ever since. I know it's actually a really schlocky movie, but I love it nonetheless. Lots of great stuff in there for a naughty 6 year old watching things I wasn't supposed to. Just thinking back to the scene with the deaf guy and the topless nurse, where their tongues stick together. Or when Freddy kills the junkie girl, with gloves that had syringes instead of blades. Trust me, that stuff is especially awesome when you're 6! I have the set on Blu-ray somewhere, and didn't think I watch them again, but now I might go back, at least for movie #1 and #3. Great review as always John!
I think you'll have to include the second film in your nostalgia trip because I remember that one having a particularly good atmosphere to it. Very dream-like as I recall. But I haven't watched them in years other than an occasional spin of the LaserDisc of the sixth film owing to the 3D sequence. John.
Over here Don, it seems that hardly anyone actually saw A Nightmare On Elm Street in a cinema. I expected people would correct the box office figures I put up but alas, no one has. Somehow this highly entertaining, original horror movie was missed by almost everyone when it first appeared and I was one of the few outside of North America to actually see it as it should have been seen. John.
Probably my best memory of the Leicester Square theatre is Return of the Jedi in 1983. I think that was a 70mm blow up so six track magnetic sound. I had never heard anything like it. The film has never again been as good as it was that day. John.
Hi John, thanks for another great video. I had this delivered this morning so will be my Friday night movie along with a beer and pizza. Just wondering what your all time favourite horror film is? I think I will have to go with The Thing, though it’s a tough choice. It is getting hard to keep up with all these 4k releases, the studios have really upped their game haven’t they?
Alien is still my favourite horror film but there are more horrific films and probably some better horror films too. Have a good time on Friday evening. Pizza and a beer is a good idea to accompany A Nightmare On Elm Street. John.
Great review, and the transfer is brilliant. I love that they included the CBS fox uncut version with this film as I had a terrible feeling it would be the R rated crappy cut. The artwork, however, is shocking, so I'm glad I've got my original custom sleeve insert made for this film( the CBS fox artwork). I liked no 2, and I love dream warriors, especially the song sung by dokken. The little box artwork for part 2 is trimmed for sell thru I havr the big box ex rental which is the un trimmed cover. Brilliant review john
I like the design on the card cover and the inlay Dave. As a work of art it's not very good but the colours make the contents look and feel enticing. A landscape print of the UK quad poster would have been even better though. By the way, it's not the cine to video transfers that make or break these 4K home videos, it's the skill that goes into the mastering. The days of a skilled technician monitoring and adjusting an aerial image transfer are gone now and handled by automated scanners. John.
"People are more interested in watching paint dry than watch a film." That made me giggle. I also still have my 3D glasses from watching Freddy's Dead at my local (at the time) flea pit which was call the Cameo cinema. Confusingly, I must have the version that came with the Laserdisc because they have the Guild logo on the ear parts. I have to say I like the first 4 of the Nightmare series and think that the fifth was easily the worst one followed by Freddy's Dead. The less said about the remake the better. To the fans of these films who may be unaware, there is a brilliant 4 hour documentary on Blu-ray called Never Sleep Again. Great video as always John.
That documentary sounds interesting to me. And you might be right about the fifth film being the turkey of the bunch as I may be confused about which of them was the one I liked least. Quite possibly it was the fifth. The anaglyph 3D sequence saves the sixth film which would otherwise likely be the worst of the lot. I don't think I've ever seen anaglyph 3D as impressive as that was at the Odeon West End. It's not as good on LaserDisc but might be closer if it gets a 4K release and the anaglyph 15 or 20 minutes is included. John.
Watched it at my local Odeon last night as it was on for it’s 40th year anniversary. I didn’t realise it was the film where Johnny Depp made his debut!
Apparently Mr. Depp won the part because he was better looking than others after the part. All I can say is, the others must have been bloody ugly! John.
Great work John.... Only watched it yesterday.....The blu ray is also very impressive......i was checking out the bit rate and noticed that it jumped to over 50mbps on several occasions. Highest iv ever seen on a blu ray.
Thank you Roy. I think most of us have been impressed by the mastering of this one. The standard 4K doesn't come with the Blu-ray so I wasn't able to take a look. Sounds like a good 'un from what you've said. John.
The image quality may be a little too good at times which means you can see some inadequacies that were disguised on huge screens such as the Leicester Square Theatre. John.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare is one of my favourites, of course without the original it couldn't have been done but the first film and New Nightmare are the only films I watch from the entire series.
Quite a number of people have said similarly Ethan so I will take a look assuming the seventh film gets a 4K release. It might be a while though if WB are going through the whole series. John.
I've not seen them all but Wes Craven's New Nightmare is highly recommended in my opinion. I only have the UK dvd with the red background but the transfer is still very good and it has an old commentary if that's your bag. I have seen the first many times and due to current financial issues will not be picking it up straight away but it would be nice to see the 4K eventually. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Funnily enough, only this morning I was looking at the 1 to 7 DVD pack in a shop for just £4. I was tempted but thought I really should hold on in the hope of the seventh film getting a 4K release one day. Might prove to be a mistake though. John.
Fantastic review John 🤩 I literally just seen this earlier today at my local independent cinema Tyneside Cinema and it looked awesome on the big screen 🙌 Seen the first four Elm Street films; all really enjoyable; particularly the original and ‘Dream Warriors’ 😀 Nice VHS editions & Laserdisc aswell; keep up the fantastic work John 🙌
Hi John! "paved paradise... put up a parking lot" Joni Mitchell...(tongue in cheek haha) I feel you and thanks for sharing those great cinema memories. I have many myself. I picked this up for 25 cdn and hope to put it on this weekend. Pretty sure it was on VCR where I seen this first and havn't seen it much sinse so looking forward to this 4k. I'll make sure my room is as dark as possible lol. Just looking at those 3d glasses you pulled from the laserdisc, I was thinking that with such a collection and history of collecting for lack of a better word you have so many cool items like ticket stubs and just stuff you've hung on to over the years... just another thing I enjoy and appreciate you showing and sharing these items. All the best to you guys Cheers D in BC!
Morning Dave. This 4K was an excuse for a trip down memory lane. I was going to shoot some video of the trailer for the sixth film going through a Super 8 projector but I'll leave that for if/when another Elm Street film gets a 4K release. I hope you enjoy this one when you see it at the weekend. Remember that it's a film of its time and it has a lot of fun included as well as being rather scary. You should be laughing quite often as much as hiding behind your wife! John.
The original UK quad is my preferred poster art. A landscape inlay design would have made it fit. But the red bias of the 4K cover has a nice feel to it. John.
Thanks for reviewing this, John! I loved this 4K release. I first saw the film on a Blockbuster ex-rental VHS in about 1990 with the wonderful blue UK movie poster on the cover (the standard 4K cover is diabolical!) There are moments such as Tina's death that have always stayed with me. I've long been disappointed with the DVD and Blu-ray versions, because they used the version with MPAA-mandated cuts. They also looked different in terms of colour timing. This felt like the first time I'd seen the version I fell in love with in decades... because it was! It's unusual that the UK got a version of a horror film with extra material back then. Hopefully we'll get the full cut of the fifth film when it comes out. The cuts to the fourth film (nunchucks) have at least been reinstated in the UK down the years! That last shot in the first film of Nancy's mother being pulled through the window bothers a lot of people, but I always took its artificial quality as all being part of the dream. It's amazing, given the different creative teams involved, that the first, third, fourth and fifth films form a pretty coherent narrative with a beginning, middle and an end. The other films - Part Two, Freddy's Dead, New Nightmare and Freddy vs Jason are all kind of standalone 'anthology' episodes existing outside that main narrative. The major documentary material on the disc comes from the long form documentary Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy, which is available from 101 Films and covers all the films up to Freddy vs Jason. I highly recommend it, along with Crystal Lake Memories!
I've been hearing from a few people who tell me they don't like some of the low budget, comedy aspects of A Nightmare On Elm Street Dominic and I think that's because people only ever knew the film as a big success and never realized it was low budget and very much a few film enthusiasts trying to make a film that would return its costs. There is a tendency to think that every production can achieve the highest standards but that's only true when there is an enormous budget and even then they don't always get it right. I like the humour in this 1984 film and without it it would have taken itself too seriously and would not have been so likable or enjoyable. Thank you for the pointer to the 101 Films Blu-ray release. I might have a look at that but I doubt I'm ever likely to generate enough enthusiasm for the Friday the 13th documentary. I enjoyed the first film in that series and gave up after seeing the 3D film a couple of years later. John.
@@moviecollector5920 Haha! Yes, it took me until my 40s to watch the Friday the 13th series. It's one of the oddest I've ever watched. Numerous films in the series would have killed any other series, yet Jason keeps on coming back! I actually thought the 'remake' was good fun. I loved the more subtle humour in A Nightmare on Elm Street - little things like Nancy's mother taking away her coffee jugs only for Nancy to pull a coffee maker and full coffee jug out from her dressing table!!
@@DomH75 My opinion is that without the rather wacky humour in A Nightmare On Elm Street it wouldn't be as enjoyable. It keeps a fun element amongst the carnage and tension. I just watched the 50 minute long documentary over lunch and it's helped rekindle my memories of why I liked the films so much when I was younger. John.
Hi John, great review !!! Bang on the money ... the only disappointment 4k pick up this year was True lies 😢 ... and the global l box office for nightmare on Elm street was $57.000.000
I couldn't find any information about the box office other than the amount that showed a few hundred thousand more than the North American takings so thank you for that. Is there a web site that details this? If so, I can include an update in the next video. True Lies looks pretty good in here but it took a bit of work. Trevor from Double Bill Movies still preferred the Blu-ray but I thought the 4K just pipped it. I'm happy enough with the LaserDisc (best sound of the lot) so it doesn't bother me either way. I finally purchased the 4K of Aliens so that should be a laugh. Simon Nicholls and I have been talking about getting together to look at a 35mm print so hopefully we'll get that sorted soon and can directly compare it to the 4K - and the Super 8 for that matter. Plus a whole plethora of LaserDisc releases and maybe even a DVD or two and the Blu-ray. Now that I think about it I've got a VHS too. John.
The demise of our great cinemas is still sad to recollect… there was always something magical having a night out at the ‘flicks’… looking forward to your thoughts on Twisters… cheers
Great video, John and good tip about the slipcover. I was holding off, but I'm going to pop to HMV tomorrow and get it before those slips vanish. Would love to see you review 'Late Night With The Devil' 4K!
I had requested review discs of Late Night With The Devil so I could include it in another review video but alas, nothing was forthcoming. There doesn't seem to be much interest in reviews of that one so far so perhaps it was for the best but I thought it looked quite interesting. Try not to spend too much in HMV James... yeah, good luck with that! John.
I watched this just the other day with my 4K copy. I thought it looked very good on my TV. I'm not a big horror/slasher fan, but I adore the concept of Nightmare on Elm Street, that Freddy can only get you if you're asleep. I've only watched the original. Was never sure if any of the sequels were worth exploring. As bloody as it is, this movie has sort of a cheesy quality to it now. Certain moments, especially the ending seem almost comedic. There's some terrific stunts and special effects in this though. It's one of the iconic horror movies that I think has stood the test of time fairly well.
First of all Murray, I haven't seen the Freddy vs. Jason debacle and I'm probably never likely to. But if it brought money into the cinema industry then it's still a good thing despite what I may think of the whole ridiculous concept. I bet that Mark Williams fella' loved it though! Andy, I think it's a film for younger audiences but because we saw it when we were quite young it's probably stayed with us. As much as I don't enjoy it so much today I have fond memories of seeing it and then watching it and the whole series on video and LaserDisc many times in the days when I didn't have thousands of home movies and home videos on the shelves. Struggling to stay awake to watch a late night horror on telly was something many of us did in our youth. Today we don't have to bother because everything is available when you want to watch it. But perhaps we've lost something because of that. John.
We are about the same age and I think you are definitely the new age Barry Norman. Liecester square closing was a tragedy, but the closure of Odeon Marble Arch was criminal😢
We used to support the Odeon Marble Arch as often as we could but it was always practically empty except for the time the 70mm print of Spartacus was being screened in 1991 I think. That show was a sell out. We still frequented when it was a five screen multiplex but the audience just wasn't there on Edgware Road any longer. It had become a mainly Arab district and they didn't seem to have the same cinema going tendencies at the time. Now the few cinemas remaining are struggling to survive and the world needs to be made aware of how precarious things are in that regard... well, here in the UK anyway. John.
You HAVE to see New Nightmare. I’d hardly even consider it as a part of the series about instead something adjacent/inspired by the rest of the films. It’s such an interesting and even provocative film that stands tall all on its own.
Another great review John :) I actually watched this horror classic tonight. It’s the best film in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. I also enjoy Freddy’s Revenge and Dream Warriors, but it went downhill after that.
It's been awhile since I saw New Nightmare but I remember that I didn't enjoy it that much. I think it was the lack of real horror that made me dislike the film.@@moviecollector5920
Hello John i still have many laserdiscs in my collection can you let me know what Laserdisc player do you use and is their any chance of a demo of this old technology on your screen ?
There's not much interest in LaserDisc these days David so it's not realistic to do a video on the subject but if I can come up with a new angle or something that might help to generate enough interest then I'll do it. I need to find a second player actually as our near 35 year old Pioneer CLD-1750 is struggling a little now. I'll need to keep it working for PAL LaserVision analogue sound discs as I have a few of those. All later players were only capable of reading the digital track. John.
Always a pleasure John,, great review. Would you care to comment on how film quality affects experience when watching a horror movie? The dark focus shadowy spots, the creepy grain, the grindhousey cigarette burns, the dodgy cuts, what scares lost or found with org and new restorations? Bit of a non-sequitur, but is The Black Stallion in your area of interest or possibly already reviewed?
Film is better for everything Chris, not only for horror movies. There is so much more going on with film that it feels alive. Video is too sterile by comparison. I'm not sure I even notice the cigarette burns on my 35mm prints so I'll have to keep a look out next time I run one. I don't think I've ever come across The Black Stallion. If it's a more modern horror film then I tend to stay away from most of those as I tend to find them silly more than scary now. John.
@@moviecollector5920 thank you for the kind reply. Classic 1979 film The Black Stallion is only scary if disturbed by beautiful cinematography, impeccable acting by its young star, mickey rooney and teri garr and a few handsome horses (one horse actor that also played in Animal House). the 4k came about some time back and IMO was great but I may have added many points for nostalgia. Chris
@@Chris_Hardy Teri Garr just died Chris, but you probably already heard that. I don't think I've ever come across The Black Stallion and certainly haven't seen a 4K disc anywhere. I'll take a look the next time I'm in HMV or FOPP. The fact that it was made in 1979 is a good thing in its favour. If it was made in the last ten years or so then it wouldn't have stood much of a chance. But there have been some very good films and movies/videos made during that time. John.
haven't seen any of these since I was a kid. I saw them all back then. I should go see the 1st one again. and maybe Dream Warriors. I remember loving that one.
I believe cinemas are only projecting a 4K video Luis so it might be best to watch it at home. That's a large part of the reason for the demise of cinemas - they're not doing anything different to what we perceive we can do at home. That is something that has to change if any are to survive. John.
I came out of the cinema feeling like I'd seen a rare thing - namely a horror movie that was actually rather scary and also quite original. I can't remember the last time I saw a modern horror movie that impressed me which is probably why I rarely bother with them any longer. John.
I can’t help but feel we need a return to the 90 min movies. Low budget movies that punch above their weight at the box office is what’s needed today: at the moment we are held hostage by £200m+ huge tentpole titles that lack anything remotely exciting and original.
I think the big budget movies are largely consigned to the history books now. There aren't the cinemas left in the world to provide a big enough audience any longer. Those that are left here in the UK are tiny compared to just 30 years ago. John.
I agree, ManCave! I miss 90-minute films. These bladder-busting two-and-a-half-hour movies reflect a lack of discipline on the part of many filmmakers now they've traded shooting on expensive celluloid for digital memory cards!
@ They made A Nightmare on Elm Street for $1.8m 🤯 Give me a 90min cheapo movie anyday! The 80s was prime for those sorts of movies. They kept it simple and entertainment was the No.1 rule
@@moviecollector5920some good news was I took my son to the cinema the other day at Vue Southport. There were hardly any films on and low and behind they are having a refurb and half of the screens were blocked off and closed. It’s a lovely multiplex with really friendly staff. Kind regards, Dave
Masterful horror with a good story! I’m watching the 4K on Saturday (along with Late Night With The Devil) - so really hyped. Freddy’s 1st kill still stands the test of time - but I remember the music being the main element that had dated. But Englund’s best Freddy is his portrayal in Part 2 (film isn’t as good as the first…) - it’s sinister and the make-up is better. Wes craven’s new nightmare is the second best film - Heston a concept! Thanks, clark
I did expect to watch Wes Craven's New Nightmare a few years after avoiding it when first release Clark but somehow I've never quite managed to work up the enthusiasm. However, it if now gets a 4K home video disc then I think I've played a blinder as I'll still, after all these years, be able to enjoy it in a cinema but without leaving the house. John.
Great shame about the Odeon Shaftesbury AVE. Saw Gremlins, Blade Runner Directors Cut and a a gala screening of Moron's From Outer Space, to name a few. Last film I saw there was DUNE Part 2, at least I will always have that memory. Same sentiment for the Leicester Square Theatre. Saw a few Star Wars films there along with a Star Trek trilogy and Ridley Scott's LEGEND in 1985. Lovely cinema greatly missed. Got a deluxe version of Nightmare on order, so looking forward to that. Great video as always John.
You have some similar treasured memories to me Robert. It's sad to see cinema continue to decline but it's looking increasingly terminal I'm afraid. Perhaps the last man standing in Leicester Square will be taken over and run by the BFI just so there's one cinema still in existence at the home of cinema in Britain. By the way, I saw Return of the Jedi at the Leicester Square Theatre. That film has never been as good ever since. John.
Nightmare On Elm Street looks fantastic on 4K, I just hope the rest of the series looks just as good. And there is no remake (yes I know there’s a remake but I like to pretend it doesn’t exist 😉) I enjoyed every film in the original franchise with 3 being my favorite. 2 is terrible but I love it! See New Nightmare, it’s a clever conclusion to the franchise.
If they do all get a 4K release then I will finally take a look at the seventh film. Might have to get the sixth too providing the anaglyph Freddy Vision sequence is included. John.
Just picked it up on Sunday and plan to watch it tonight. Was excited to see it get the 4K release because the bluray was terrible. I remember here in Canada going to $2.50 Tuesday movies. Shame that does not exist anymore. I don’t see nearly as many movies in the cinema anymore because it’s just too expensive. Especially if I take the wife and kids.
Evening Jon. Another problem with cinema today is the boring presentations and the black box auditoriums. Many don't even have motorized masking to envelop the projected image let alone tabs. If image quality still had the quality of the 1980's and 1990's that would be a help too. There are occasional exceptions though. John.
Another great review, John. I haven't seen IT at cinema in the 80 's. It was one of the first Horror movies i borrowed at a video Store. I pre-ordered the 4k a month before and get It last week. It is a Limited Steelbook edition with some extras. The Amityville Horror 4k is still on the way but it arrived at germany at saturday. I am looking forward to it. German RUclips'ers don't Like the new 4 K of a Nightmare on Elm street because for example the unrated Version is only with original sound. I think it is okay. Most movies i don't Like synchronized to German language.
Dubbing films used to be a skill Jens but these days there is little attempt to make the dialogue match the lip movements. How anyone watches a foreign language film dubbed is beyond me. I always stick to the subtitles. I hope you like Elm Street and Amityville. Two great horror 4K releases. John.
i often stick to subtitle too, John. My english is not so rich to follow movies with difficult long dialogues. But much movies are easy to understand. I think it is dependent to the genre of the movie. I watch a lot of korean, Chinese and japanese movies but always with subtitle, most dubbing of asian movies to german are not so good. I often don't like the german voices. Do you remember the first movie you have seen at Cinema? Have a nice evening. Jens
@@JensStelzer I think the first film I saw at a cinema might have been the 1960's 'Batman'. The one that really made an impression on me though was 'Zulu' a few years later. John.
I bought Zulu on DVD some days before but i haven't seen it before. But i want to complete my collection of Sir Michael Caine movies. He is one of the great actors of the last 60 years. I saw his last movie, the great escaper some weeks before. As i read he want to end his carrer with this movie. My favorites are dressed to kill, the Italien Job , Shiner and Harry Brown. As i remember my first one was the Last unicorn with the unforgettable Soundtrack. I have IT on CD and Vinyl record.
@@JensStelzer We just re-watched The Great Escaper a week or so ago. It's even better the second time around. I think his best film is still Zulu but there have been so many good ones. John.
Excellent review John,i got the limited collectors edition, its a beautiful set..did a review of it myself, turned out to be my most viewed vid(3100 views)...thanks for your and Trevors advice 😊
And yours is an interesting video Marty. A lot depends on the film being reviewed so I tend to be a little selective about what I spend time on for reviews. Some of my best videos have probably been for lesser known films and it can be a little depressing when they don't find much of an audience. John.
@@MadMartysMovieReviews-gv6hk It's just a shame there aren't enough popular films released as 4K discs so we could do work that would get adequate views each time. One day maybe.
@moviecollector5920 Indeed John, we'll do our best with what gets released..I've a review of Trick R Treat 4k coming in the next day or so,its a film I've been a fan of since it got released,perfect fare for the time of year 😀
@@MadMartysMovieReviews-gv6hk Trevor just did a good and enticing review of Trick 'R Treat. I'll have to take a look to see how well that one is doing for him and hopefully you'll be able to do just as well. John.
Thank you for praising Freddy’s Dead. I do agree with fans that say it’s the weakest entry. But from a film making point of view, it’s technically brilliant. Also, hold on to the VHS of The Dream Child. The U.K. regard was one of the only English uncut releases out there. Everything since has been the MPAA butchered cut.
@@moviecollector5920 It's great that it has the 3D ending. So many releases ignore it or have it as a bonus feature. Again, the UK VHS release was one of the only worldwide to use it in context.
@@The_Big_Blue_Bug_of_Justice It's the 3D sequence that makes that sixth film. Without it, it's just a load of nonsense with nothing to salvage it. John.
Saw the film on release at the Odeon in Leeds, It was scary (before Freddy became just a pun making figure of 'fun') but not as scary for my friend and I (both 16) as making it back across Leeds to the train station on a drunken 80's Friday night in the same! My mate said to me the movie was not that scary but I was aware of him gripping the handles of his seat on more than one occasion. The only one in the series I have yet (if ever to see) is 'A New Nightmare' which I keep meaning to get around too, but somehow don't.
I'm the same, I've not yet seen New Nightmare but enough people have told me it's second best in the whole series on here that I'll be getting a 4K if it ever gets the treatment. John.
NOES is one of my favorite film, as good as this is there are some issues, several instances of dot-crawl/still grain. The Dolby Atmos for everything it fixed from the Blu-ray sound snafu missed a few things still and doesn't impress as much as the stereo mix from the old Elite Laser Disc. Though this is the best the movie has ever looked, my understanding is that this is an older scan too...
I didn't notice any freeze frames on this one. Perhaps I have got the image set dark enough after all because I was concerned with Twister that I needed to darken it down further as the freezed frames at the start of that were so obvious. The original sound on this release of Elm Street is very good. Just remember to turn the volume up quite a bit because it is set much lower than the new track. John.
@@MidnightsEdgeAfterDark If you ever watch this disc again and spot it please let me know and I'll have another look. It didn't make itself obvious in here at all.
Similar story I saw the film on release in 85 at the Odeon Manchester one afternoon and there were maybe 20 people in the auditorium. I too was shocked at the blood and the scares of this very original horror. As I walked out at the end I said that was brilliant to a man who said complete rubbish. Funny how not everyone realises they just saw something groundbreaking
Sometimes with horror movies, if someone has been scared they will claim it's rubbish to cover their embarrassment. I felt like I'd seen something original/different and that it succeeded in scaring me a little. That alone made me think that most people would be scared sh!tless!!! John.
I was keeping an eye out for image noise reduction Mike because I did feel it was a little too good to be true but nothing made itself obvious. If you've spotted something suspicious then please let me know and I'll have another look. Normally ten feet wide is enough to spot most things but maybe my home screen is still too tiny for some home video discs. John.
I don't know Jay. I never knew it was cut but if it ever was, I didn't spot any differences this time around. It's many years since I last ran that VHS though. John.
@@jaydoubleu3419 There are two versions of the film on this 4K Jay but both are 91 minutes long. I showed that on the back of the box at the start of the video so have a look - 19 seconds in. Anything that makes up the 'uncut' version must be miniscule so I wouldn't worry about it. I only ever tend to watch theatrical versions of a film and that is the default so you should be okay. John.
I've never been able to take ANOES seriously because of that dream sequence with the ridiculous arms, it made me laugh so much and rendered the whole thing impotent for me. I had the same issue with Hereditary which I and quite a few others in the cinema legitimately thought was a black comedy, especially when the kid's head came off.
I don't think I've ever taken it seriously myself Andy. Perhaps that's why it's stood the test of time because it's a scary film that got plenty of black humour in it. John.
Hopefully it will appear as a 4K disc too Tommy then I can enjoy it like I would have done if I'd have seen it in a top West End cinema all those years ago. John.
I can hardly remember anything of that remake Jon other than I found it poor and pointless. Hopefully the seventh film will get a 4K sometime too and then I'll finally see it. John.
Sorry Murray, I thought your comment was a reply to another comment and I responded within that. Whoops. I typed in quite a bit but can't remember it all now. I know I referred to the Freddy vs. Jason thing as a debacle but if it was successful and brought money into the cinema and film industry then that's a good thing irrespective of what I may think. No doubt that Mark Williams bloke loved it! John.
It looks like a lot more are going to be closing too. Maybe more than I even fear after tomorrow, but we won't go into that impending disaster on here!!! John.
It would be possible to make a slip cover at home for the cost of a bit of ink. I'm not particularly bothered about them but often they look very nice as is the case with Elm Street. Twister really should have had one though. John.
I think half a dozen people have so far recommended the seventh film. If it gets a 4K disc release, I'll get a copy. It's a shame the slip covers are going the way of the Dodo but after tomorrow we might find everything is!!! John.
@@AndrewDyson-u2u well I believe the fact that this sold really well in pre-sales is why we are getting the rest in 4K (been confirmed for quite a few now including Freddy's Dead, FvJ, Jason X and Jason Goes to Hell as well)
@@AndrewDyson-u2u Warner Brothers did almost single-handedly save the DVD format when that first appeared. If they hadn't have done that we might still be suffering VHS tapes! WB ain't all bad. John.
@@moviecollector5920 Thanks John; interesting point you make - do we know of a url on internet that can elaborate on that please? I mean to sledge WB marketing dept really; not so much the quality of the product itself...
Watched the 4k last weekend and gotta say it didn't hold up over the years for me. Not as scary as it was to a teenager in the 80's. Love the transfer though
I think we may not be finding it quite as scary because this 4K has such clear imagery Scott. On a huge screen the size differential would degrade that sufficiently but on our tiny home screens we can see everything, including all the inadequacies, too well. John.
I think a slightly fuzzy image does help this one. The 4K is so clear that it doesn't feel as scary because it's easy to see inadequacies. At the Leicester Square Theatre the huge screen would have degraded the image quality somewhat owing to the size differential. It was possibly too good in here at just ten feet wide. John.
@@ianwood6438 I don't remember how the film looked in the cinema Ian but if must have been very good judging by this 4K (albeit with image degradation owing to the huge enlargement compared to our tiny home screens) and the fact that I can't remember how it looked. I tend to remember bad imagery or exceptional imagery but I might have been a little distracted whilst watching this film as it was bloody creepy in that almost completely deserted, dark auditorium. John.
@@moviecollector5920 Yes, it's the extra cheesy pizza from the local kebab shop. It doesn't need rocket, or olives, I'll enjoy it more in it's borderline-sordid, greasy and unhealthy state. 😂
I suppose the budget then would seem like a lot more in real terms today. £2 to get in to see it in 1985 at a top West End cinema rather confirms that. John.
I have the Blu-ray of Superman Returns Daniel. Can't remember much about the image quality but I like the film itself. Saw it at the BFI IMAX first time around. John.
@@danielwalters2045 It is a home video though Daniel and only costs a few pounds. To get a copy on film you'd have to shell out quite a few hundred pounds now. John.
@@knownpleasures I know it well, and generally swear by it. I'm actually a miserly tight-ass, BUT can spend like a drunken sailor on nostalgic crap such as this lol!
![Quando Rondo - Grow Up [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8zFnCg3BO4Q/mqdefault.jpg)
It's a true classic John, picked it up on 4K a couple of week's ago, watched it on Halloween night and it's a great 4K transfer, I remember first seeing it on VHS back in the day, the red's just blew me away, especially the car at the end.
That image clarity, the colour and the density is all down to the mastering James. Some comments have told me the image noise reduction showed up by causing a few side-effects but I didn't notice them. It is a surprisingly fine grain though so I don't disbelieve them at all. But who cares what has been done when the overall end result looks this good?
John.
Thanks very much for this, John. I already have my copy and I was praying for you to analyse this 4K version. I think this is probably one of the most awaited releases since the format was unveiled all those years ago.
This is really the BEST channel for anyone who wants to learn about movies and the products that we own. Thanks again, mate, you’re a LEGEND.
I think Dream Warriors and The New Nightmare are the best of the sequels hands down.
Morning Nick. When/if New Nightmare gets a 4K release I'll finally take a look at it.
By the way, some people are telling me they spotted evidence of image noise reduction in Elm Street. I kept looking for it because I couldn't believe the original shoot would have been on such fine grain negative stock but I didn't spot anything. It could be others have their tellies too bright which is a common error.
John.
OMG New Nightmare is a masterpiece! Best of the franchise BY FAR imo. I saw it when I was a kid and didnt love it but my rewatch of it blew me away. A much more slow, thoughtful and brooding film than any of the others in the franchise, this didnt appeal to me as a kid and clearly didnt go over great with fans of the quick, loud and slash and dash-ness of the sequels. But New Nightmare is far and away the best film in the series. It is on an entirely different level to any of the other films and that includes the original. Couldn't recommend it more highly.
If it gets a 4K disc release TJ I will finally get to see it. Many have spoken quite highly of it. John.
@Movie Collector another great video. Glad you enjoyed Nightmare on Elm Street on 4K, John!
I loved this film (and its successors) when I was young. Especially the original. Recently I rewatched the original and it didn’t do it for me anymore.
Where I still can enjoy movies from the 80’s and my youth, like Footlose, Roadhouse and Back To The Future that I all bought on 4K, I pass on this one.
A Nightmare On Elm Street is a little childish nowadays Pieter but that whole 'don't fall asleep' aspect to it harks back to my teenage years. I loved that whole side of it years ago and as much as I don't feel like I want to sit through the whole series these days, the orginal is a classic.
John.
Nightmare 3 Dream Warriors was my favorite. That's where Freddy really comes into his own, and becomes the wise cracking villain we've all come to love. Tons of funny one-liners for Freddy. I am biased however, as I watched Dream Warriors when I was about 6 years old, and I've loved it ever since. I know it's actually a really schlocky movie, but I love it nonetheless. Lots of great stuff in there for a naughty 6 year old watching things I wasn't supposed to. Just thinking back to the scene with the deaf guy and the topless nurse, where their tongues stick together. Or when Freddy kills the junkie girl, with gloves that had syringes instead of blades. Trust me, that stuff is especially awesome when you're 6! I have the set on Blu-ray somewhere, and didn't think I watch them again, but now I might go back, at least for movie #1 and #3. Great review as always John!
I think you'll have to include the second film in your nostalgia trip because I remember that one having a particularly good atmosphere to it. Very dream-like as I recall. But I haven't watched them in years other than an occasional spin of the LaserDisc of the sixth film owing to the 3D sequence.
John.
Great review. I remember seeing the original at the Lowe’s Twin Cinema in 1984 and will always have the memory of how much fun it was
Over here Don, it seems that hardly anyone actually saw A Nightmare On Elm Street in a cinema. I expected people would correct the box office figures I put up but alas, no one has. Somehow this highly entertaining, original horror movie was missed by almost everyone when it first appeared and I was one of the few outside of North America to actually see it as it should have been seen.
John.
Great review mate, i saw the film as well in that theatre and Predator in 1986
Probably my best memory of the Leicester Square theatre is Return of the Jedi in 1983. I think that was a 70mm blow up so six track magnetic sound. I had never heard anything like it. The film has never again been as good as it was that day.
John.
Just watched the 4K last night. I was very pleased with the presentation.
Jolly good show! John.
Great video - as always from you. Thanks!
Thank you Bob. I was pleased with how this one turned out. A good excuse for another trip down memory lane. John.
Great review John, always look forward to your videos
Thank you Dakers. John.
Great Video John I avoided the first one for years after watching it on VHS I think it's the best now with 3 and 2 then 7 my favourites.
I'll look forward to the seventh film Andy which will hopefully get a 4K release in the next year or two. John.
Hi John, thanks for another great video. I had this delivered this morning so will be my Friday night movie along with a beer and pizza. Just wondering what your all time favourite horror film is? I think I will have to go with The Thing, though it’s a tough choice. It is getting hard to keep up with all these 4k releases, the studios have really upped their game haven’t they?
Alien is still my favourite horror film but there are more horrific films and probably some better horror films too.
Have a good time on Friday evening. Pizza and a beer is a good idea to accompany A Nightmare On Elm Street.
John.
Just ordered this one .
Great review 👌👌👌
You'll have to review it too. It seems this old horror flick is still very popular. John.
Watched the 40th Anniversary re-release on a 21.95m screen last weekend.
Thank you John.
I hope that was a film master print Cheekster. John.
@@moviecollector5920 - Cineworld, so not a chance. DCP. They did have masking though which is rare these days.
Great review, and the transfer is brilliant. I love that they included the CBS fox uncut version with this film as I had a terrible feeling it would be the R rated crappy cut. The artwork, however, is shocking, so I'm glad I've got my original custom sleeve insert made for this film( the CBS fox artwork). I liked no 2, and I love dream warriors, especially the song sung by dokken. The little box artwork for part 2 is trimmed for sell thru I havr the big box ex rental which is the un trimmed cover. Brilliant review john
I like the design on the card cover and the inlay Dave. As a work of art it's not very good but the colours make the contents look and feel enticing. A landscape print of the UK quad poster would have been even better though.
By the way, it's not the cine to video transfers that make or break these 4K home videos, it's the skill that goes into the mastering. The days of a skilled technician monitoring and adjusting an aerial image transfer are gone now and handled by automated scanners.
John.
"People are more interested in watching paint dry than watch a film."
That made me giggle.
I also still have my 3D glasses from watching Freddy's Dead at my local (at the time) flea pit which was call the Cameo cinema.
Confusingly, I must have the version that came with the Laserdisc because they have the Guild logo on the ear parts.
I have to say I like the first 4 of the Nightmare series and think that the fifth was easily the worst one followed by Freddy's Dead.
The less said about the remake the better.
To the fans of these films who may be unaware, there is a brilliant 4 hour documentary on Blu-ray called Never Sleep Again.
Great video as always John.
That documentary sounds interesting to me. And you might be right about the fifth film being the turkey of the bunch as I may be confused about which of them was the one I liked least. Quite possibly it was the fifth. The anaglyph 3D sequence saves the sixth film which would otherwise likely be the worst of the lot. I don't think I've ever seen anaglyph 3D as impressive as that was at the Odeon West End. It's not as good on LaserDisc but might be closer if it gets a 4K release and the anaglyph 15 or 20 minutes is included.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 the 3D effect didn't work for me unfortunately.
salut bonne revue sur le 4k UHD et belle vidèo
Vous êtes le bienvenu Alain. John.
Watched it at my local Odeon last night as it was on for it’s 40th year anniversary. I didn’t realise it was the film where Johnny Depp made his debut!
Apparently Mr. Depp won the part because he was better looking than others after the part. All I can say is, the others must have been bloody ugly!
John.
Watched it last night great movie fantastic review john
Thank you Dave.
Great work John.... Only watched it yesterday.....The blu ray is also very impressive......i was checking out the bit rate and noticed that it jumped to over 50mbps on several occasions. Highest iv ever seen on a blu ray.
Thank you Roy. I think most of us have been impressed by the mastering of this one. The standard 4K doesn't come with the Blu-ray so I wasn't able to take a look. Sounds like a good 'un from what you've said. John.
Thank you for review. My next purchase for sure.
The image quality may be a little too good at times which means you can see some inadequacies that were disguised on huge screens such as the Leicester Square Theatre.
John.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare is one of my favourites, of course without the original it couldn't have been done but the first film and New Nightmare are the only films I watch from the entire series.
Quite a number of people have said similarly Ethan so I will take a look assuming the seventh film gets a 4K release. It might be a while though if WB are going through the whole series. John.
Thanks John Freddy is one big star of Horror. Have a great day.
You're welcome Craig. John.
Fantastic 4K
Many will agree with you there Rick. John.
I've not seen them all but Wes Craven's New Nightmare is highly recommended in my opinion. I only have the UK dvd with the red background but the transfer is still very good and it has an old commentary if that's your bag. I have seen the first many times and due to current financial issues will not be picking it up straight away but it would be nice to see the 4K eventually. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Funnily enough, only this morning I was looking at the 1 to 7 DVD pack in a shop for just £4. I was tempted but thought I really should hold on in the hope of the seventh film getting a 4K release one day. Might prove to be a mistake though.
John.
Fantastic review John 🤩 I literally just seen this earlier today at my local independent cinema Tyneside Cinema and it looked awesome on the big screen 🙌 Seen the first four Elm Street films; all really enjoyable; particularly the original and ‘Dream Warriors’ 😀 Nice VHS editions & Laserdisc aswell; keep up the fantastic work John 🙌
I hope you've been seeing 35mm prints Sam, but I won't hold my breath!
John.
Hi John! "paved paradise... put up a parking lot" Joni Mitchell...(tongue in cheek haha) I feel you and thanks for sharing those great cinema memories. I have many myself. I picked this up for 25 cdn and hope to put it on this weekend. Pretty sure it was on VCR where I seen this first and havn't seen it much sinse so looking forward to this 4k. I'll make sure my room is as dark as possible lol. Just looking at those 3d glasses you pulled from the laserdisc, I was thinking that with such a collection and history of collecting for lack of a better word you have so many cool items like ticket stubs and just stuff you've hung on to over the years... just another thing I enjoy and appreciate you showing and sharing these items. All the best to you guys Cheers D in BC!
Morning Dave. This 4K was an excuse for a trip down memory lane. I was going to shoot some video of the trailer for the sixth film going through a Super 8 projector but I'll leave that for if/when another Elm Street film gets a 4K release. I hope you enjoy this one when you see it at the weekend. Remember that it's a film of its time and it has a lot of fun included as well as being rather scary. You should be laughing quite often as much as hiding behind your wife!
John.
That original artwork is still the best. Shame it's not on any of the different releases of the 4k.
Good review John.
The original UK quad is my preferred poster art. A landscape inlay design would have made it fit. But the red bias of the 4K cover has a nice feel to it. John.
Inherent problem with numpties at WB never issuing original artwork for bluray, DVD, or even VHS releases.
Thanks for reviewing this, John! I loved this 4K release. I first saw the film on a Blockbuster ex-rental VHS in about 1990 with the wonderful blue UK movie poster on the cover (the standard 4K cover is diabolical!) There are moments such as Tina's death that have always stayed with me. I've long been disappointed with the DVD and Blu-ray versions, because they used the version with MPAA-mandated cuts. They also looked different in terms of colour timing. This felt like the first time I'd seen the version I fell in love with in decades... because it was! It's unusual that the UK got a version of a horror film with extra material back then. Hopefully we'll get the full cut of the fifth film when it comes out. The cuts to the fourth film (nunchucks) have at least been reinstated in the UK down the years! That last shot in the first film of Nancy's mother being pulled through the window bothers a lot of people, but I always took its artificial quality as all being part of the dream.
It's amazing, given the different creative teams involved, that the first, third, fourth and fifth films form a pretty coherent narrative with a beginning, middle and an end. The other films - Part Two, Freddy's Dead, New Nightmare and Freddy vs Jason are all kind of standalone 'anthology' episodes existing outside that main narrative. The major documentary material on the disc comes from the long form documentary Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy, which is available from 101 Films and covers all the films up to Freddy vs Jason. I highly recommend it, along with Crystal Lake Memories!
I've been hearing from a few people who tell me they don't like some of the low budget, comedy aspects of A Nightmare On Elm Street Dominic and I think that's because people only ever knew the film as a big success and never realized it was low budget and very much a few film enthusiasts trying to make a film that would return its costs. There is a tendency to think that every production can achieve the highest standards but that's only true when there is an enormous budget and even then they don't always get it right. I like the humour in this 1984 film and without it it would have taken itself too seriously and would not have been so likable or enjoyable.
Thank you for the pointer to the 101 Films Blu-ray release. I might have a look at that but I doubt I'm ever likely to generate enough enthusiasm for the Friday the 13th documentary. I enjoyed the first film in that series and gave up after seeing the 3D film a couple of years later.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 Haha! Yes, it took me until my 40s to watch the Friday the 13th series. It's one of the oddest I've ever watched. Numerous films in the series would have killed any other series, yet Jason keeps on coming back! I actually thought the 'remake' was good fun. I loved the more subtle humour in A Nightmare on Elm Street - little things like Nancy's mother taking away her coffee jugs only for Nancy to pull a coffee maker and full coffee jug out from her dressing table!!
@@DomH75 My opinion is that without the rather wacky humour in A Nightmare On Elm Street it wouldn't be as enjoyable. It keeps a fun element amongst the carnage and tension. I just watched the 50 minute long documentary over lunch and it's helped rekindle my memories of why I liked the films so much when I was younger.
John.
Hi John, great review !!! Bang on the money ... the only disappointment 4k pick up this year was True lies 😢 ... and the global l box office for nightmare on Elm street was $57.000.000
I couldn't find any information about the box office other than the amount that showed a few hundred thousand more than the North American takings so thank you for that. Is there a web site that details this? If so, I can include an update in the next video.
True Lies looks pretty good in here but it took a bit of work. Trevor from Double Bill Movies still preferred the Blu-ray but I thought the 4K just pipped it. I'm happy enough with the LaserDisc (best sound of the lot) so it doesn't bother me either way.
I finally purchased the 4K of Aliens so that should be a laugh. Simon Nicholls and I have been talking about getting together to look at a 35mm print so hopefully we'll get that sorted soon and can directly compare it to the 4K - and the Super 8 for that matter. Plus a whole plethora of LaserDisc releases and maybe even a DVD or two and the Blu-ray. Now that I think about it I've got a VHS too.
John.
The demise of our great cinemas is still sad to recollect… there was always something magical having a night out at the ‘flicks’… looking forward to your thoughts on Twisters… cheers
Cinemas have disappeared from the West End of London quite gradually Stephen and that's probably why hardly anyone has noticed how bad it's got. John.
Great video, John and good tip about the slipcover. I was holding off, but I'm going to pop to HMV tomorrow and get it before those slips vanish.
Would love to see you review 'Late Night With The Devil' 4K!
I had requested review discs of Late Night With The Devil so I could include it in another review video but alas, nothing was forthcoming. There doesn't seem to be much interest in reviews of that one so far so perhaps it was for the best but I thought it looked quite interesting.
Try not to spend too much in HMV James... yeah, good luck with that!
John.
I watched this just the other day with my 4K copy. I thought it looked very good on my TV. I'm not a big horror/slasher fan, but I adore the concept of Nightmare on Elm Street, that Freddy can only get you if you're asleep. I've only watched the original. Was never sure if any of the sequels were worth exploring. As bloody as it is, this movie has sort of a cheesy quality to it now. Certain moments, especially the ending seem almost comedic. There's some terrific stunts and special effects in this though. It's one of the iconic horror movies that I think has stood the test of time fairly well.
You should see the third. It's the fan favourite for many with amazing set pieces.
First of all Murray, I haven't seen the Freddy vs. Jason debacle and I'm probably never likely to. But if it brought money into the cinema industry then it's still a good thing despite what I may think of the whole ridiculous concept. I bet that Mark Williams fella' loved it though!
Andy, I think it's a film for younger audiences but because we saw it when we were quite young it's probably stayed with us. As much as I don't enjoy it so much today I have fond memories of seeing it and then watching it and the whole series on video and LaserDisc many times in the days when I didn't have thousands of home movies and home videos on the shelves. Struggling to stay awake to watch a late night horror on telly was something many of us did in our youth. Today we don't have to bother because everything is available when you want to watch it. But perhaps we've lost something because of that.
John.
We are about the same age and I think you are definitely the new age Barry Norman. Liecester square closing was a tragedy, but the closure of Odeon Marble Arch was criminal😢
We used to support the Odeon Marble Arch as often as we could but it was always practically empty except for the time the 70mm print of Spartacus was being screened in 1991 I think. That show was a sell out. We still frequented when it was a five screen multiplex but the audience just wasn't there on Edgware Road any longer. It had become a mainly Arab district and they didn't seem to have the same cinema going tendencies at the time. Now the few cinemas remaining are struggling to survive and the world needs to be made aware of how precarious things are in that regard... well, here in the UK anyway.
John.
You HAVE to see New Nightmare. I’d hardly even consider it as a part of the series about instead something adjacent/inspired by the rest of the films. It’s such an interesting and even provocative film that stands tall all on its own.
Hopefully the whole lot will get a 4K release which means I'll be able to see it properly after all these years.
John.
Another great review John :)
I actually watched this horror classic tonight. It’s the best film in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. I also enjoy Freddy’s Revenge and Dream Warriors, but it went downhill after that.
Quite a few comments have come in to tell me they think Wes Craven's New Nightmare is the second best. What do you think of that one? John.
It's been awhile since I saw New Nightmare but I remember that I didn't enjoy it that much. I think it was the lack of real horror that made me dislike the film.@@moviecollector5920
really loved it just watched today
It is amazing to see films like this looking so good. Glad you love it. John.
Hello John i still have many laserdiscs in my collection can you let me know what Laserdisc player do you use and is their any chance of a demo of this old technology on your screen ?
There's not much interest in LaserDisc these days David so it's not realistic to do a video on the subject but if I can come up with a new angle or something that might help to generate enough interest then I'll do it. I need to find a second player actually as our near 35 year old Pioneer CLD-1750 is struggling a little now. I'll need to keep it working for PAL LaserVision analogue sound discs as I have a few of those. All later players were only capable of reading the digital track.
John.
Always a pleasure John,, great review. Would you care to comment on how film quality affects experience when watching a horror movie? The dark focus shadowy spots, the creepy grain, the grindhousey cigarette burns, the dodgy cuts, what scares lost or found with org and new restorations? Bit of a non-sequitur, but is The Black Stallion in your area of interest or possibly already reviewed?
Film is better for everything Chris, not only for horror movies. There is so much more going on with film that it feels alive. Video is too sterile by comparison. I'm not sure I even notice the cigarette burns on my 35mm prints so I'll have to keep a look out next time I run one. I don't think I've ever come across The Black Stallion. If it's a more modern horror film then I tend to stay away from most of those as I tend to find them silly more than scary now.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 thank you for the kind reply. Classic 1979 film The Black Stallion is only scary if disturbed by beautiful cinematography, impeccable acting by its young star, mickey rooney and teri garr and a few handsome horses (one horse actor that also played in Animal House). the 4k came about some time back and IMO was great but I may have added many points for nostalgia. Chris
@@Chris_Hardy Teri Garr just died Chris, but you probably already heard that. I don't think I've ever come across The Black Stallion and certainly haven't seen a 4K disc anywhere. I'll take a look the next time I'm in HMV or FOPP. The fact that it was made in 1979 is a good thing in its favour. If it was made in the last ten years or so then it wouldn't have stood much of a chance. But there have been some very good films and movies/videos made during that time.
John.
haven't seen any of these since I was a kid. I saw them all back then. I should go see the 1st one again. and maybe Dream Warriors. I remember loving that one.
I believe cinemas are only projecting a 4K video Luis so it might be best to watch it at home. That's a large part of the reason for the demise of cinemas - they're not doing anything different to what we perceive we can do at home. That is something that has to change if any are to survive.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 agreed. I'm waiting more and more to watch movies at home since I upgraded my home set up this year.
You watched it in the cinema in1985, must have been a special experince, elm street 3 is My favorite. Thank you for a good review.
I came out of the cinema feeling like I'd seen a rare thing - namely a horror movie that was actually rather scary and also quite original. I can't remember the last time I saw a modern horror movie that impressed me which is probably why I rarely bother with them any longer.
John.
What a surprise, didn’t know you were doing this one.😉
I probably wouldn't if so many people hadn't pestered me to review it Gary. It did give me another excuse to go down memory lane though. John.
I can’t help but feel we need a return to the 90 min movies. Low budget movies that punch above their weight at the box office is what’s needed today: at the moment we are held hostage by £200m+ huge tentpole titles that lack anything remotely exciting and original.
I think the big budget movies are largely consigned to the history books now. There aren't the cinemas left in the world to provide a big enough audience any longer. Those that are left here in the UK are tiny compared to just 30 years ago.
John.
I agree, ManCave! I miss 90-minute films. These bladder-busting two-and-a-half-hour movies reflect a lack of discipline on the part of many filmmakers now they've traded shooting on expensive celluloid for digital memory cards!
@ They made A Nightmare on Elm Street for $1.8m 🤯 Give me a 90min cheapo movie anyday! The 80s was prime for those sorts of movies. They kept it simple and entertainment was the No.1 rule
I thought the same when John read out the running time.
@@moviecollector5920some good news was I took my son to the cinema the other day at Vue Southport. There were hardly any films on and low and behind they are having a refurb and half of the screens were blocked off and closed. It’s a lovely multiplex with really friendly staff. Kind regards, Dave
Masterful horror with a good story! I’m watching the 4K on Saturday (along with Late Night With The Devil) - so really hyped. Freddy’s 1st kill still stands the test of time - but I remember the music being the main element that had dated.
But Englund’s best Freddy is his portrayal in Part 2 (film isn’t as good as the first…) - it’s sinister and the make-up is better. Wes craven’s new nightmare is the second best film - Heston a concept! Thanks, clark
I did expect to watch Wes Craven's New Nightmare a few years after avoiding it when first release Clark but somehow I've never quite managed to work up the enthusiasm. However, it if now gets a 4K home video disc then I think I've played a blinder as I'll still, after all these years, be able to enjoy it in a cinema but without leaving the house.
John.
Great shame about the Odeon Shaftesbury AVE. Saw Gremlins, Blade Runner Directors Cut and a a gala screening of Moron's From Outer Space, to name a few. Last film I saw there was DUNE Part 2, at least I will always have that memory. Same sentiment for the Leicester Square Theatre. Saw a few Star Wars films there along with a Star Trek trilogy and Ridley Scott's LEGEND in 1985. Lovely cinema greatly missed. Got a deluxe version of Nightmare on order, so looking forward to that. Great video as always John.
You have some similar treasured memories to me Robert. It's sad to see cinema continue to decline but it's looking increasingly terminal I'm afraid. Perhaps the last man standing in Leicester Square will be taken over and run by the BFI just so there's one cinema still in existence at the home of cinema in Britain.
By the way, I saw Return of the Jedi at the Leicester Square Theatre. That film has never been as good ever since.
John.
Nightmare On Elm Street looks fantastic on 4K, I just hope the rest of the series looks just as good. And there is no remake (yes I know there’s a remake but I like to pretend it doesn’t exist 😉) I enjoyed every film in the original franchise with 3 being my favorite. 2 is terrible but I love it! See New Nightmare, it’s a clever conclusion to the franchise.
If they do all get a 4K release then I will finally take a look at the seventh film. Might have to get the sixth too providing the anaglyph Freddy Vision sequence is included. John.
Just picked it up on Sunday and plan to watch it tonight. Was excited to see it get the 4K release because the bluray was terrible.
I remember here in Canada going to $2.50 Tuesday movies. Shame that does not exist anymore. I don’t see nearly as many movies in the cinema anymore because it’s just too expensive. Especially if I take the wife and kids.
Evening Jon. Another problem with cinema today is the boring presentations and the black box auditoriums. Many don't even have motorized masking to envelop the projected image let alone tabs. If image quality still had the quality of the 1980's and 1990's that would be a help too. There are occasional exceptions though.
John.
@ Yes I’m in total agreement!
Another great review, John. I haven't seen IT at cinema in the 80 's. It was one of the first Horror movies i borrowed at a video Store. I pre-ordered the 4k a month before and get It last week. It is a Limited Steelbook edition with some extras. The Amityville Horror 4k is still on the way but it arrived at germany at saturday. I am looking forward to it. German RUclips'ers don't Like the new 4 K of a Nightmare on Elm street because for example the unrated Version is only with original sound. I think it is okay. Most movies i don't Like synchronized to German language.
Dubbing films used to be a skill Jens but these days there is little attempt to make the dialogue match the lip movements. How anyone watches a foreign language film dubbed is beyond me. I always stick to the subtitles.
I hope you like Elm Street and Amityville. Two great horror 4K releases.
John.
i often stick to subtitle too, John. My english is not so rich to follow movies with difficult long dialogues. But much movies are easy to understand. I think it is dependent to the genre of the movie. I watch a lot of korean, Chinese and japanese movies but always with subtitle, most dubbing of asian movies to german are not so good. I often don't like the german voices. Do you remember the first movie you have seen at Cinema? Have a nice evening. Jens
@@JensStelzer I think the first film I saw at a cinema might have been the 1960's 'Batman'. The one that really made an impression on me though was 'Zulu' a few years later. John.
I bought Zulu on DVD some days before but i haven't seen it before. But i want to complete my collection of Sir Michael Caine movies. He is one of the great actors of the last 60 years. I saw his last movie, the great escaper some weeks before. As i read he want to end his carrer with this movie. My favorites are dressed to kill, the Italien Job , Shiner and Harry Brown. As i remember my first one was the Last unicorn with the unforgettable Soundtrack. I have IT on CD and Vinyl record.
@@JensStelzer We just re-watched The Great Escaper a week or so ago. It's even better the second time around. I think his best film is still Zulu but there have been so many good ones. John.
Excellent review John,i got the limited collectors edition, its a beautiful set..did a review of it myself, turned out to be my most viewed vid(3100 views)...thanks for your and Trevors advice 😊
And yours is an interesting video Marty. A lot depends on the film being reviewed so I tend to be a little selective about what I spend time on for reviews. Some of my best videos have probably been for lesser known films and it can be a little depressing when they don't find much of an audience.
John.
@moviecollector5920 i know the feeling John,disheartening when a film you love gets little views.
@@MadMartysMovieReviews-gv6hk It's just a shame there aren't enough popular films released as 4K discs so we could do work that would get adequate views each time. One day maybe.
@moviecollector5920 Indeed John, we'll do our best with what gets released..I've a review of Trick R Treat 4k coming in the next day or so,its a film I've been a fan of since it got released,perfect fare for the time of year 😀
@@MadMartysMovieReviews-gv6hk Trevor just did a good and enticing review of Trick 'R Treat. I'll have to take a look to see how well that one is doing for him and hopefully you'll be able to do just as well.
John.
Thank you for praising Freddy’s Dead. I do agree with fans that say it’s the weakest entry. But from a film making point of view, it’s technically brilliant.
Also, hold on to the VHS of The Dream Child. The U.K. regard was one of the only English uncut releases out there. Everything since has been the MPAA butchered cut.
I haven't run any of those VHS copies for many years. But that LaserDisc gets a spin occasionally. John.
@@moviecollector5920 It's great that it has the 3D ending. So many releases ignore it or have it as a bonus feature. Again, the UK VHS release was one of the only worldwide to use it in context.
@@The_Big_Blue_Bug_of_Justice It's the 3D sequence that makes that sixth film. Without it, it's just a load of nonsense with nothing to salvage it. John.
Saw the film on release at the Odeon in Leeds, It was scary (before Freddy became just a pun making figure of 'fun') but not as scary for my friend and I (both 16) as making it back across Leeds to the train station on a drunken 80's Friday night in the same! My mate said to me the movie was not that scary but I was aware of him gripping the handles of his seat on more than one occasion. The only one in the series I have yet (if ever to see) is 'A New Nightmare' which I keep meaning to get around too, but somehow don't.
I'm the same, I've not yet seen New Nightmare but enough people have told me it's second best in the whole series on here that I'll be getting a 4K if it ever gets the treatment.
John.
NOES is one of my favorite film, as good as this is there are some issues, several instances of dot-crawl/still grain. The Dolby Atmos for everything it fixed from the Blu-ray sound snafu missed a few things still and doesn't impress as much as the stereo mix from the old Elite Laser Disc. Though this is the best the movie has ever looked, my understanding is that this is an older scan too...
I didn't notice any freeze frames on this one. Perhaps I have got the image set dark enough after all because I was concerned with Twister that I needed to darken it down further as the freezed frames at the start of that were so obvious. The original sound on this release of Elm Street is very good. Just remember to turn the volume up quite a bit because it is set much lower than the new track.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 not freeze frames but "frozen grain" a sign of heavy DNR
@@MidnightsEdgeAfterDark If you ever watch this disc again and spot it please let me know and I'll have another look. It didn't make itself obvious in here at all.
@moviecollector5920 it's not as bad as others for sure. I will try and make note next time. At least they fixed the framing too.
I think Wes Craven’s New Nightmare might be the second best one of the Elm Street movies.
A number of people have told me the same thing so if a 4K of that appears I'll finally get to watch it. John.
Similar story I saw the film on release in 85 at the Odeon Manchester one afternoon and there were maybe 20 people in the auditorium. I too was shocked at the blood and the scares of this very original horror. As I walked out at the end I said that was brilliant to a man who said complete rubbish. Funny how not everyone realises they just saw something groundbreaking
Sometimes with horror movies, if someone has been scared they will claim it's rubbish to cover their embarrassment. I felt like I'd seen something original/different and that it succeeded in scaring me a little. That alone made me think that most people would be scared sh!tless!!!
John.
Little heavy on the grain management in some scenes, and the mono has an issue in the mix, no way it touches 88 films on any 4k
I was keeping an eye out for image noise reduction Mike because I did feel it was a little too good to be true but nothing made itself obvious. If you've spotted something suspicious then please let me know and I'll have another look. Normally ten feet wide is enough to spot most things but maybe my home screen is still too tiny for some home video discs.
John.
Is it uncut on blu ray too in the 4K ? Package
I don't know Jay. I never knew it was cut but if it ever was, I didn't spot any differences this time around. It's many years since I last ran that VHS though. John.
@ the uncut version is 91 mins long compared to the rated r version which is 90 mins long
@@jaydoubleu3419 There are two versions of the film on this 4K Jay but both are 91 minutes long. I showed that on the back of the box at the start of the video so have a look - 19 seconds in. Anything that makes up the 'uncut' version must be miniscule so I wouldn't worry about it. I only ever tend to watch theatrical versions of a film and that is the default so you should be okay. John.
@@moviecollector5920
ruclips.net/video/4N4PWvpT2HA/видео.htmlsi=VCNMDlpwCNkym1Vk
I've never been able to take ANOES seriously because of that dream sequence with the ridiculous arms, it made me laugh so much and rendered the whole thing impotent for me.
I had the same issue with Hereditary which I and quite a few others in the cinema legitimately thought was a black comedy, especially when the kid's head came off.
I don't think I've ever taken it seriously myself Andy. Perhaps that's why it's stood the test of time because it's a scary film that got plenty of black humour in it. John.
New nightmare I found it to be an early version of Scream. I think it the second best in the nightmare series.
Hopefully it will appear as a 4K disc too Tommy then I can enjoy it like I would have done if I'd have seen it in a top West End cinema all those years ago. John.
i would recommend watching wes cravens new nightmare and using the remake as a coaster
I can hardly remember anything of that remake Jon other than I found it poor and pointless. Hopefully the seventh film will get a 4K sometime too and then I'll finally see it. John.
Let's not forget Freddy vs Jason crossover film . Or maybe we should 😊
Sorry Murray, I thought your comment was a reply to another comment and I responded within that. Whoops. I typed in quite a bit but can't remember it all now. I know I referred to the Freddy vs. Jason thing as a debacle but if it was successful and brought money into the cinema and film industry then that's a good thing irrespective of what I may think. No doubt that Mark Williams bloke loved it!
John.
Sich a shame when cinemas close. I live not far from the electric which was the oldest working cinema in the country. Thats now closed also
It looks like a lot more are going to be closing too. Maybe more than I even fear after tomorrow, but we won't go into that impending disaster on here!!!
John.
No slip cover = no sale at 20 plus quid a throw for these vanilla releases for me 👍😎
It would be possible to make a slip cover at home for the cost of a bit of ink. I'm not particularly bothered about them but often they look very nice as is the case with Elm Street. Twister really should have had one though.
John.
Warner is reportedly stopping slip covers all together (and do yourself a favor New Nightmare is one of the best)
I think half a dozen people have so far recommended the seventh film. If it gets a 4K disc release, I'll get a copy.
It's a shame the slip covers are going the way of the Dodo but after tomorrow we might find everything is!!!
John.
WB wouldn't know if their arses were on fire. If they did, we'd have a 4K box set by now.
@@AndrewDyson-u2u well I believe the fact that this sold really well in pre-sales is why we are getting the rest in 4K (been confirmed for quite a few now including Freddy's Dead, FvJ, Jason X and Jason Goes to Hell as well)
@@AndrewDyson-u2u Warner Brothers did almost single-handedly save the DVD format when that first appeared. If they hadn't have done that we might still be suffering VHS tapes! WB ain't all bad.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 Thanks John; interesting point you make - do we know of a url on internet that can elaborate on that please? I mean to sledge WB marketing dept really; not so much the quality of the product itself...
Watched the 4k last weekend and gotta say it didn't hold up over the years for me. Not as scary as it was to a teenager in the 80's. Love the transfer though
I think we may not be finding it quite as scary because this 4K has such clear imagery Scott. On a huge screen the size differential would degrade that sufficiently but on our tiny home screens we can see everything, including all the inadequacies, too well.
John.
Honestly, on VHS this was hugely entertaining to the extent that, extra visual fidelity might actually detract from the experience 😂
I think they should start putting the VHS version as an extra!
I think a slightly fuzzy image does help this one. The 4K is so clear that it doesn't feel as scary because it's easy to see inadequacies. At the Leicester Square Theatre the huge screen would have degraded the image quality somewhat owing to the size differential. It was possibly too good in here at just ten feet wide.
John.
Yeah I purchased the Blu-ray a while back and even that spoilt the vibe of it
@@ianwood6438 I don't remember how the film looked in the cinema Ian but if must have been very good judging by this 4K (albeit with image degradation owing to the huge enlargement compared to our tiny home screens) and the fact that I can't remember how it looked. I tend to remember bad imagery or exceptional imagery but I might have been a little distracted whilst watching this film as it was bloody creepy in that almost completely deserted, dark auditorium.
John.
@@moviecollector5920 Yes, it's the extra cheesy pizza from the local kebab shop. It doesn't need rocket, or olives, I'll enjoy it more in it's borderline-sordid, greasy and unhealthy state. 😂
I own this movie on 4k
I think it's sold very well Victor so you and I are two of many. John.
6:55 burn the 2010 remake.
It seems that not many of us like it Daniel. John.
Watched the 4k recently and couldn’t believe how low budget the movie was at the time. The skeleton in the bed at the end looked especially ropey. 😀👎🏻
It's staggering for the budget, odd poor moment aside.
@ They certainly upped the budget for the sequels.
I suppose the budget then would seem like a lot more in real terms today. £2 to get in to see it in 1985 at a top West End cinema rather confirms that. John.
3:23 Superman Returns
Better off not seeing a 4K copy
I have the Blu-ray of Superman Returns Daniel. Can't remember much about the image quality but I like the film itself. Saw it at the BFI IMAX first time around.
John.
@
Image is to dark on certain scenes.
On ultra 4k blu ray they’ll be pitch black
@@danielwalters2045 It is a home video though Daniel and only costs a few pounds. To get a copy on film you'd have to shell out quite a few hundred pounds now. John.
It’s still crazy to spend more money on a film 📀 that’s 40 years old.
But many many of us crazies out there with $$$ to blow on 4Ks and blurays
@@AndrewDyson-u2uthere’s an old saying bro : a fool and his money is easily parted 😅
I agree. But it's wonderful to see some of these older films looking so good on home video. Who ever would have thunk it?
John.
@@knownpleasures I know it well, and generally swear by it. I'm actually a miserly tight-ass, BUT can spend like a drunken sailor on nostalgic crap such as this lol!
I mean i rather watch paint dry at times
I know what you mean. But there are still some very good movies being made. John.