[Blu-ray] Latest and Upcoming Releases 📀

that’s right, thanks for the reminder

Some minor updates to the calendar, mostly to April, which is still filling up, and makes for a nice shopping cart for all you UK amigos.

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I still can’t believe we don’t know if Arrow had access to new scans of The Dollars Trilogy or if they worked off the same scans Kino worked off of that had to be color corrected. I pre-ordered A Fistful of Dollars but am waiting to see if these are new scans to order the latter films.

To the question of why Arrow can offer HDR and Kino didn’t, someone explains

Scans, as in the raw scans of the actual film and not ‘scan’ being conflated with ‘master’, are not SDR or HDR. They capture a set range of data points, usually 12-bit log or 16-bit linear, which is then ingested into a grading suite and colour grading is performed in the desired EOTF, be it regular SDR or HDR. Those completed masters are saved and the raw scan data is also usually archived by the rights holders. Kino were told they could only have the finished 4K SDR masters, not the raw scans, and they decided not to forcibly apply HDR to them (tho this has been done with other MGM remasters from that mid 2010s period). It was difficult enough applying their adjusted SDR grading over the top of Ritrovata’s PisstaVision™️ colour grading. But as Arrow have been granted access to the raw data, not the final SDR masters, then they can restore and regrade from scratch.

Also, regarding versions. Read the specs again, it won’t have an ominous “Italian cut”, but with the seamless branching version offered, you get sort of close to it. Probably the best they could do license-wise. I have also read that some material for the old Italian longer cut doesn’t exist in negatives, only in positives, not sure if that’s much of an obstacle anymore though. I am also not sure if the Italian 4K release is even the ‘Italian cut’.

And the three release make for a nice look in the shelf:

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Arrow’s A Fistful of Dollars has had its release date pushed back to May 12.

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Would rather they do this than have to faff about with a replacement program. Will happily wait the extra time if it means they get it right the first time

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Has anyone purchased the 4k version of The Hellbenders? Is the musical soundtrack flaw fixed from the old Kino Blu if so?

In the old Blu, the Morricone song would skip some notes at times. It was quite jarring if you know the song. I know I talked to another members about it during Spagvember some time ago, so it wasn’t an isolated issue.

Oh man they do look nice displayed that way. I am probably just going to arrange them on a shelf facing forward but that’s cool.

Also you are right @Admin we are pretty much getting all three versions here. Removing the “Grotto” scene via seemless braching gets you pretty much at the Italian cut.

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I wish they had the original poster instead of the new artwork for FFDM… it’s the case for FOD and GBU but not FFDM? Inconsistent and stupid.

I imagine it will be a reversible poster with the original art on the back, that’s what arrow usually do. They must’ve just had it flipped for the product images.

You’re right…

image

…very misleading marketing.

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella

You mean this? I guess Stella on one side, original poster art on the other

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yeah… it’s just inconsistent marketing because they used the original poster to advertise FOD and GBU but not FFDM.

Kino: Rustlers’ Rhapsody June 24

Anyone heard any rumblings from Plaion on when they plan to release their Blu Ray of Fort Yuma Gold? They called for a 1st Q 2025 release date, and I think we’re in the 2nd or 3rd Q now. I sure hope they’re not lollygagging after keeping us in suspense for over a year.

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Made one last calendar update for today (April)

Great news:

A book about the music of the Spaghetti Western!

According to the description, IT should be the book for us soundtrack enthusiasts. The interviews with the meastros are particularly interesting, especially with regard to how this typical film music, which is closely interwoven with the plot, was created. I’m really looking forward to the book and will be buying it!

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Watch Arrow’s A Fistful of Dollars sizzle reel (you can play it at 4K)

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Looks lush. I splashed out on a new 4K TV for myself with all the Dolby Vision and HDR bells and whistles so I’m super excited to watch these!

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