I'll second (or third) How The West Was Won. Given all factors (the quality of previous home video versions, the nature of the 3 panel refinements, and filming style, the unique smilebox presentation, and ultimately the final visual quality of the disc), I don't think this will likely ever be topped for Video quality.

The Searchers unfortunately suffers from a yellow bias that seems to be the result of element degradation. I'm sure the technology (and the budget) will be 'found' in the future to balance this a little better. It's not a deal killer to me. I love the film and the Bd is a monster leap over what I've been able to own in the past.

Blade Runner
is just a sensational release all around- a great value and an essential library title for most of us. And yes, it looks and sounds wonderful.

Black Narcisuss is one of my favorite catalog titles and the Bd is an eye popper. The only flaw with this one is the presence of color breathing (slight perceptible fluctuations in the color temp/cast). It's a mild distraction to me, but that's the way the elements are and it's not a fault of the transfer or mastering. This should in no way dissuade anyone from owning it. It will be available from Criterion in July. It's another essential library title , imo.

The Fifth Element was a spectacular demo title on DVD for both audio and video and it's just as impressive for those purpose on Bd. Make sure you get the remastered disc, as the first release was a major +!@% up. Kind of surprising to me that it doesn't get mentioned as much in these kinds of threads. Maybe people burned out on it as demo material on DVD? You really can't do much better given the films bold use of color and sound design.

The just released Flash Gordon is not a perfect disc (more DNR and EE than necessary) but fortunately in this films case, with all glossy, garish artifice in every shot, the effect isn't discordant the way it would be with an 'earthier' film. The new disc is like liquid LSD placed directly on the eyeballs and a major step up over all past home video versions.

The Magnificent Seven is an big winner- one of the best reproduced 60's era catalog titles. It's only available in a set with it's sequels (few of which are reproduced near as well). I was able to score the set from Barnes and Nobel.com with some coupons for $35 and it was well worth it for the first film alone (I used to collect laserdiscs so this was still a bargain).

South Pacific looks extraordinary and is probably, outside of How The West was Won, as good looking a catalog title as you can get on the format.

The first UK version (Region Free) of Total Recall looks great and is a big step up from the US disc from Lionsgate.

The Adventures Of Robin Hood is another golden age title that looks amazing irrespective of it's vintage, and quite a bit more 'exciting' than many other discs of films from the last 40 years.

Not films, but wonderful documentaries, both Life and Planet Earth are A/V eye candy of the highest, most edifying order. In both cases I would go for the BBC versions with the Attenburough narration over the Discovery Channel versions.


imo, these are all good (or at least fun) movies and well worth owning regardless. If all you want is good demo material, your choices expand greatly because there is a whole lot of sheer crap out there that looks amazing. I wouldn't waste time watching it, but if all you want is eye candy, you have plenty of choices.

Last Edited By: Paul Denham Jun 29 10 8:32 PM. Edited 3 times.