THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH - BD50 - R0 - Checkdisc date 6th August 2012
Length 02:00:18 / AVC / DTS-HD MA 2 Ch. 48kHz / Confirmed AR 1.85:1

These are my rough viewing notes about the technical quality of the *UK* Blu-ray:

Upshot: Another VistaVision feast for the eyes, but partly because of the way it was shot, and partly because of how it’s been transferred to Blu-ray, it’s a little uneven. Resolution is mostly superb. Could’ve been epic with a bit more love. No noticeable DVNR or digital heavyhandedness.

Excellent resolution more often than not, noticeable colour temperature fluctuations in some scenes; questionable colours, somewhat faded in some shots (poor Doris Day occasionally looks either jaundiced or slightly purple faced); a huge array of different types of process shots that aren’t particularly well matched from shot to shot. Frequently stunning, but technically uneven, and slightly disappointing overall. Needs poring over in much more detail and comparing to previous editions.

Occasional sparkle can be seen throughout. Seems ripe for a full restoration, perhaps from these elements, and thus appears “unfinished”. 

Because of the issues detailed above, this doesn’t have the technical consistency of the other VistaVision films in the boxset, but is still pleasurable to view. Based on the scores I’ve given other films, I have to give this 6.5/10.

The following Universal/MCA motion ident appears at the end of the film while the music is still playing. I have been advised this is from 1983 when the film was re-released theatrically, and should have been an original Paramount logo instead.

3 notes
Posted on Saturday, 15 September
Tagged as: Hitchcock Blu-ray James Stewart