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My Recent Posts · (09/21/08

I just bought JACK THE GIANT KILLER DVD at BIG LOTS for $3. But my question is this? On the back of the box is this disclaimer: ORIGINAL THEATRICAL PRESENTATION HAS BEEN MODIFIED FOR THIS DVD. What exactly has been modified? It is letterboxed at 1.66:1, is the OAR correct? Or was anything deleted? Or was the music modified? Was it wrong with this DVD? Thanks!

My Recent Posts · (09/21/08

Is it the version that was turned into a makeshift musical?

My Recent Posts · (09/21/08

Pay no attention to that bit on the back of the case. I've got the disc, and it is the complete, unedited theatrical version, in the proper OAR. The only time I've seen the ersatz musical reissue version (my GOD!!!) was an ancient TV broadcast. But it would have been great to have that headscratching atrocity as an extra. The "We Have Failed, Master, We Have Failed!" number has to be seen & heard to be believed. And you still won't believe it.

My Recent Posts · (09/22/08

Arrrgh! That musicalized version sounds so truly awful that I want to see it! Right now!

My Recent Posts · (09/22/08

Fortunately (?), I taped the musical version from cable many, many years back and have now burned a DVD-R of it. So far, I can't find anyone willing to risk watching it. I originally taped it at EP so it doesn't look that great but it makes a good reference copy.

My Recent Posts · (09/22/08

I also recently picked up the DVD from Big Lots for $3, but haven't popped it open yet. Glad to hear it's intact. I saw JACK several times at Saturday matinees back in the '60s; my friends and I always loved it. I too caught the musical nightmare on cable in the '80s and couldn't believe it. In addition to that "We Have Failed, Master, We Have Failed!" number, when Jack sets forth to battle the last monster they sang something like "Go ahead, you can do it... blah blah blah." Man, it was awful!!

My Recent Posts · (09/22/08

Compared to the atrocious, "musicalized" version, the original JACK THE GIANT KILLER looks like a masterpiece.

My Recent Posts · (09/22/08

From what I understand (and I don't remember where I read it), apparently Jim Danforth complained that the film (or at least the effects sequences) were misframed on the DVD. Maybe this is what the disclaimer is about?

My Recent Posts · (09/22/08

Earl B wrote:
From what I understand (and I don't remember where I read it), apparently Jim Danforth complained that the film (or at least the effects sequences) were misframed on the DVD.

Danforth was indeed unhappy with the framing, and even more frustrated that MGM didn't correct it after he got in touch with them.

My hunch is the disclaimer is there just by accident.

My Recent Posts · (09/23/08

How does the Goodtimes compare framing wise to the MGM?

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

I'm pretty sure that the Goodtimes DVD version was full frame, but I haven't seen it in years.

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

I expext it's open matte, and maybe it frames the animation better.

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

The GoodTimes VHS was full screen. MGM contacted Jim Danforth when JACK was being prepped for DVD, and he told them what the intended theatrical ratio was supposed to be, but they went with a different ratio. (Error? Miscommunication? Artistic choice? Since the studio took the time to contact Danforth, it seems odd they would intentionally ignore him.) Although Danforth pointed the ratio error out, it remained unchanged. (Don't know what kind of time and expense would have been involved in changing it...maybe the DVD pressing was too far along to do anything about it?)

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

BijouBob8mm wrote:
The GoodTimes VHS was full screen. MGM contacted Jim Danforth when JACK was being prepped for DVD, and he told them what the intended theatrical ratio was supposed to be, but they went with a different ratio. (Error? Miscommunication? Artistic choice? Since the studio took the time to contact Danforth, it seems odd they would intentionally ignore him.) Although Danforth pointed the ratio error out, it remained unchanged. (Don't know what kind of time and expense would have been involved in changing it...maybe the DVD pressing was too far along to do anything about it?)

The French DVD release has an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, which I believe is how the film was shown in cinemas. Even this framing obscures some details visible in the open matte version, such as the giant's hand being crushed by the millstone. It seems that the sfx shots were composed for 1.37:1, a curious decision given that this aspect ratio was no longer used.

I haven't seen MGM's DVD but read that the transfer is 1.85:1 or thereabouts. I would guess this ratio was chosen to fit widescreen TVs. I doubt artistic choice played any part in the decision.

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

BijouBob8mm wrote:
MGM contacted Jim Danforth when JACK was being prepped for DVD, and he told them what the intended theatrical ratio was supposed to be, but they went with a different ratio. (Error? Miscommunication? Artistic choice? Since the studio took the time to contact Danforth, it seems odd they would intentionally ignore him.) Although Danforth pointed the ratio error out, it remained unchanged. (Don't know what kind of time and expense would have been involved in changing it...maybe the DVD pressing was too far along to do anything about it?)

MGM did not contact Danforth; Danforth contacted MGM. By the time he contacted MGM the DVD was already in production, and it was too late to change it.

I haven't seen MGM's DVD but read that the transfer is 1.85:1 or thereabouts.

It's 1.66:1.

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

And non-anamorphic.

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

I taped the musical version that aired on the Disney Channel 20 years ago. It was an embarrassment to watch, but I have to confess, I couldn't get that damn earworm tune "A spectacle, a spectacle" out of my head! I think I would have preferred an earwig in my head instead!

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

MGM did not contact Danforth; Danforth contacted MGM.

Ooops, looks like ol' Bob got misinformed. Sorry, folks!

(Can't recall where the information I posted came from, but it did appear in print prior to the DVD actually hitting the shelves. Don't remember if it was a magazine about video, or one of the genre mags, only that the writer expressed the hope Danforth's participation might result in a commentary. Maybe just wishful thinking on his or her part?) Thanks for the heads-up, Jameson.

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

Oops, I guess it isn't OAR after all...? So, the consensus is that it's supposed to be Academy ratio then, despite all films supposedly being composed for widescreen ratios by this time, according to the knowledgeable Jack Theakston? I'm confused.

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

I seem to recall Kubrick started intentionally composing his images for full screen (after making 2001), saying that more people would be seeing his film on TV than in theaters, as the years passed. (Of course, back then, who knew widescreen TV was part of the future?) And a number of Ray Harryhausen's films (when seen full frame) have picture information in them not seen in the widescreen format. (For example, in MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, when the castaways find the unconscious Captain Harding by a fire, Captain Nemo briefly peers down on them from a crag in the rocks above. You can see it on the full screen VHS, but not on the widescreen DVD.)

My Recent Posts · (09/24/08

I've never run the film on film, so I can't comment, officially speaking. But my educated guess is that the film was composed for some sort of wide-screen. It's a possibility that Danforth didn't for his effects shots (which seems ridiculous, as the studio cameras' viewfinders would have been marked off regardless), or perhaps doesn't even remember. It's almost fifty years and some fifty-something films later.

The fact that MGM is releasing the film at 1.66:1 strongly makes me suspect that the film may have scenes that are hard matted to that ratio, since it is such an off-beat choice for an American film. But again, I'm only guessing and couldn't comment until I see a 35mm print.

Author	Comment
pinkfloyd95209	JACK THE GIANT KILLER DVD Question?	Lead	[-]
(09/21/08 6:09 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I just bought JACK THE GIANT KILLER DVD at BIG LOTS for $3. But my question is this? On the back of the box is this disclaimer: ORIGINAL THEATRICAL PRESENTATION HAS BEEN MODIFIED FOR THIS DVD. What exactly has been modified? It is letterboxed at 1.66:1, is the OAR correct? Or was anything deleted? Or was the music modified? Was it wrong with this DVD? Thanks!
blackbiped		#1	[-]
(09/21/08 7:01 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Is it the version that was turned into a makeshift musical? Legend, oh legend, the third wheel legend...always in the way. My MySpace page BumsCorner.com
WaverBoy		#2	[-]
(09/21/08 11:59 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Pay no attention to that bit on the back of the case. I've got the disc, and it is the complete, unedited theatrical version, in the proper OAR. The only time I've seen the ersatz musical reissue version (my GOD!!!) was an ancient TV broadcast. But it would have been great to have that headscratching atrocity as an extra. The "We Have Failed, Master, We Have Failed!" number has to be seen & heard to be believed. And you still won't believe it.
DonM435		#3	[-]
(09/22/08 12:25 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Arrrgh! That musicalized version sounds so truly awful that I want to see it! Right now!
ryanbrennan		#4	[-]
(09/22/08 1:14 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Fortunately (?), I taped the musical version from cable many, many years back and have now burned a DVD-R of it. So far, I can't find anyone willing to risk watching it. I originally taped it at EP so it doesn't look that great but it makes a good reference copy.
Lunkenstein		#5	[-]
(09/22/08 6:39 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I also recently picked up the DVD from Big Lots for $3, but haven't popped it open yet. Glad to hear it's intact. I saw JACK several times at Saturday matinees back in the '60s; my friends and I always loved it. I too caught the musical nightmare on cable in the '80s and couldn't believe it. In addition to that "We Have Failed, Master, We Have Failed!" number, when Jack sets forth to battle the last monster they sang something like "Go ahead, you can do it... blah blah blah." Man, it was awful!! "Playin' rock and roll music through the horn in his head!"
tomtriman		#6	[-]
(09/22/08 7:09 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Compared to the atrocious, "musicalized" version, the original JACK THE GIANT KILLER looks like a masterpiece. http://www.thrillervision.com
Earl B		#7	[-]
(09/22/08 7:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	From what I understand (and I don't remember where I read it), apparently Jim Danforth complained that the film (or at least the effects sequences) were misframed on the DVD. Maybe this is what the disclaimer is about?
Jameson281		#8	[-]
(09/22/08 11:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Earl B wrote: From what I understand (and I don't remember where I read it), apparently Jim Danforth complained that the film (or at least the effects sequences) were misframed on the DVD. Danforth was indeed unhappy with the framing, and even more frustrated that MGM didn't correct it after he got in touch with them. My hunch is the disclaimer is there just by accident.
killer meteor		#9	[-]
(09/23/08 8:21 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	How does the Goodtimes compare framing wise to the MGM?
Jobla.scarletstreet		#10	[-]
(09/24/08 1:01 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I'm pretty sure that the Goodtimes DVD version was full frame, but I haven't seen it in years.
killer meteor		#11	[-]
(09/24/08 4:30 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I expext it's open matte, and maybe it frames the animation better.
BijouBob8mm		#12	[-]
(09/24/08 11:35 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	The GoodTimes VHS was full screen. MGM contacted Jim Danforth when JACK was being prepped for DVD, and he told them what the intended theatrical ratio was supposed to be, but they went with a different ratio. (Error? Miscommunication? Artistic choice? Since the studio took the time to contact Danforth, it seems odd they would intentionally ignore him.) Although Danforth pointed the ratio error out, it remained unchanged. (Don't know what kind of time and expense would have been involved in changing it...maybe the DVD pressing was too far along to do anything about it?)
dobrien		#13	[-]
(09/24/08 12:01 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	BijouBob8mm wrote: The GoodTimes VHS was full screen. MGM contacted Jim Danforth when JACK was being prepped for DVD, and he told them what the intended theatrical ratio was supposed to be, but they went with a different ratio. (Error? Miscommunication? Artistic choice? Since the studio took the time to contact Danforth, it seems odd they would intentionally ignore him.) Although Danforth pointed the ratio error out, it remained unchanged. (Don't know what kind of time and expense would have been involved in changing it...maybe the DVD pressing was too far along to do anything about it?) The French DVD release has an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, which I believe is how the film was shown in cinemas. Even this framing obscures some details visible in the open matte version, such as the giant's hand being crushed by the millstone. It seems that the sfx shots were composed for 1.37:1, a curious decision given that this aspect ratio was no longer used. I haven't seen MGM's DVD but read that the transfer is 1.85:1 or thereabouts. I would guess this ratio was chosen to fit widescreen TVs. I doubt artistic choice played any part in the decision.
Jameson281		#14	[-]
(09/24/08 12:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	BijouBob8mm wrote: MGM contacted Jim Danforth when JACK was being prepped for DVD, and he told them what the intended theatrical ratio was supposed to be, but they went with a different ratio. (Error? Miscommunication? Artistic choice? Since the studio took the time to contact Danforth, it seems odd they would intentionally ignore him.) Although Danforth pointed the ratio error out, it remained unchanged. (Don't know what kind of time and expense would have been involved in changing it...maybe the DVD pressing was too far along to do anything about it?) MGM did not contact Danforth; Danforth contacted MGM. By the time he contacted MGM the DVD was already in production, and it was too late to change it. I haven't seen MGM's DVD but read that the transfer is 1.85:1 or thereabouts. It's 1.66:1.
Marshall Crist		#15	[-]
(09/24/08 12:43 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	And non-anamorphic. Fully-rendered color, story decompression, full bleed panels, manga-influenced art; no wonder modern comics are so popular!
Jethro Keene		#16	[-]
(09/24/08 12:58 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I taped the musical version that aired on the Disney Channel 20 years ago. It was an embarrassment to watch, but I have to confess, I couldn't get that damn earworm tune "A spectacle, a spectacle" out of my head! I think I would have preferred an earwig in my head instead!
BijouBob8mm		#17	[-]
(09/24/08 1:42 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	MGM did not contact Danforth; Danforth contacted MGM. Ooops, looks like ol' Bob got misinformed. Sorry, folks! (Can't recall where the information I posted came from, but it did appear in print prior to the DVD actually hitting the shelves. Don't remember if it was a magazine about video, or one of the genre mags, only that the writer expressed the hope Danforth's participation might result in a commentary. Maybe just wishful thinking on his or her part?) Thanks for the heads-up, Jameson.
WaverBoy		#18	[-]
(09/24/08 2:53 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Oops, I guess it isn't OAR after all...? So, the consensus is that it's supposed to be Academy ratio then, despite all films supposedly being composed for widescreen ratios by this time, according to the knowledgeable Jack Theakston? I'm confused.
BijouBob8mm		#19	[-]
(09/24/08 4:13 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I seem to recall Kubrick started intentionally composing his images for full screen (after making 2001), saying that more people would be seeing his film on TV than in theaters, as the years passed. (Of course, back then, who knew widescreen TV was part of the future?) And a number of Ray Harryhausen's films (when seen full frame) have picture information in them not seen in the widescreen format. (For example, in MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, when the castaways find the unconscious Captain Harding by a fire, Captain Nemo briefly peers down on them from a crag in the rocks above. You can see it on the full screen VHS, but not on the widescreen DVD.)
TServo4		#20	[-]
(09/24/08 4:15 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I've never run the film on film, so I can't comment, officially speaking. But my educated guess is that the film was composed for some sort of wide-screen. It's a possibility that Danforth didn't for his effects shots (which seems ridiculous, as the studio cameras' viewfinders would have been marked off regardless), or perhaps doesn't even remember. It's almost fifty years and some fifty-something films later. The fact that MGM is releasing the film at 1.66:1 strongly makes me suspect that the film may have scenes that are hard matted to that ratio, since it is such an off-beat choice for an American film. But again, I'm only guessing and couldn't comment until I see a 35mm print. J. Theakston The Central Theater, Passaic, NJ Last Edited By: TServo4 09/24/08 4:21 PM. Edited 1 times.

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JACK THE GIANT KILLER DVD Question?

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