61 / BD 47 La notte

[peerpee]

The hoary old story that no-one's mentioned yet is that European films were apparently shown in Europe in "European widescreen" 1.66:1, and in America in "American widescreen" 1.85:1 due to how respective cinemas/projectors/screens were set up on each continent. This is why European sourced OAR has often been 1.66, and US editions have been 1.85. Both being "OAR" in their respective countries.

Seeing as the film is Italian, and was displayed on release in its homeland and around Europe in 1.66, I'd argue that 1.66 is the most accurate OAR – unless there was some other information which trumped that...?

The Criterion L'AVVENTURA DVD has always looked too tight to me (and, from memory, it's not even 1.85:1, it's 1.77:1)

[Jeff]

what on earth is this biz that the new scan has "far more" picture info on the sides? IS this from a previously unknown O-neg? I mean this as a serious question.

Is it possible that the telecine operator on the old transfer just got a little crazy with the zooming?

[zedz]

Maybe the previous transfers were based on positive prints that had already been reframed somewhat, and accessing the original negative revealed more picture information. (Pure speculation: though that scenario would pose the question of whether the new framing was ever intended by Antonioni.)

[bdlover]

So hang on, the MoC isn't from the new 4k restoration? Meaning I need to cancel my pre-order and pay double for the Criterion?

[andyli]

I think they were talking about the DVD. I'd say their blu-ray would be sourced from the same 4K scan.

[MichaelB]

So hang on, the MoC isn't from the new 4k restoration? Meaning I need to cancel my pre-order and pay double for the Criterion?

I'd have thought it was a very safe bet that MoC and Criterion are using exactly the same source, especially since neither of them did the restoration themselves. What Craig seems to be saying is that the new restoration reveals more of the original negative area than the master that MoC previously used, hence the fact that 1.85:1 now works in a way that it didn't before.

[swo17]

Is the La Notte you're releasing from a 4K restoration?

Yes, it's the same restoration.

[bdlover]

Good to know!

[ellipsis7]

16th September now for the BR...

[tenia]

16th September now for the BR...

It's starting to be a bit of a delay, now... At this pace, it's going to be released in 2014.

[ellipsis7]

It's advertised in the new September issue of Sight and Sound as the 16th Sept, so hopefully this is the definitive date...

[ellipsis7]

But has now slipped to September 23rd, according to Amazon...

[MichaelB]

Beaver.

[FrauBlucher]

For what it's worth the caps look beautiful. I can't wait to see this in motion.

[FrauBlucher]

I am stoked. Just got my notice from AmazonUK telling me La Notte shipped.
Finally. Yes!

[tenia]

I received my copy from MoC a couple of days ago. I gave it a quick spin, and it seems indeed gorgeous. Hopefully, I'll be able to sit through it completely tomorrow.

[ellipsis7]

Yes, it really is a thing of beauty!...

[tenia]

So, I just watched it, and it is indeed a beautiful transfer. Of course, you have the usual limitations (a hair at the very bottom of the screen, some light density fluctuations here and there, some very thin scratches at one or two occurrences) but only very light ones, while the positive are overwhelming. The overall definition is marvelous, with especially beautiful shots of Milan, and the picture very stable.

[Props55]

For those familiar with the previous release: any additions/deletions to the marvelous booklet? The four booklets on the Antonioni discs amount to the equivalent of an old Tantivy Press/International Film Guide title!

[Nadsat]

Blu-ray.com review

[David Locke]

Is it possible for someone to be green-blind (as in colour-blind) ? Anyway, I don't think that I am.
Proof : This is green, right ? And this, and this...

Well, quite frankly, I just do not see any greenish chroma noise on the pictures of MoC's La Notte in the blu-ray.com review...

What I see on the other side, is that Criterion's La Notte is generally more blue, which seems to be a general practice by them, lending a cooler aspect to every film that they put out.

I will watch my own copy of the MoC bluray this week and report about this puzzling matter.

[FrauBlucher]

David Locke....I agree with you. I didn't notice the greenish issue that Dr. Svet mentioned. I watched the MoC blu and didn't see any issues what so ever. I think it's a terrific transfer.

[fdm]

Me too, I was kind of watching for it but didn't see anything that wasn't some shade of black or white. (And didn't see anything green looking on those blu-ray.com captures either.)

(Caveat is I seem to be sensitive to phosphor lag on plasma tvs, so lots of colors due to that... so not sure I'm the best data point. But was looking for that building shot and no colors there, phosphor lag or otherwise.)

[tenia]

I'm glad to see I'm not crazy. I've asked time codes and examples of where to look, because I totally missed this issue. I'm still unable to detect them, neither on my 50" Plasma, nor on my 23" LCD computer screen (where my software allows me to zoom in the picture).

However, the picture of the MoC does look greenish overall, especially in comparison of the Criterion, or the Criterion is more blue-ish.