I was wondering if anyone knows or can find out whether the original print of this film exists anymore. Also I wonder which company owns the rights to it.
I think once this is realised, pressure can be put on the company for a dvd in its original aspect ratio.
Also, I hate the thought, but if the print does not exist, a dvd would not be possible.
Thoughts?
The first-generation elements would be the original camera negative. There was an unfortunate tendency to strike release prints directly from the camera negative - every print made wore out the negative somewhat. Nowadays an interpositive is made then an internegative which is used for release printing.
Some camera negatives are unusable or unrestorable so other elements may have to be used to create a new print or DVD.
This film was shot on Eastmancolor and processed by Rank at Denham - original release prints would have been on Eastman print stock which might be very faded by now.
The film was produced by Rank and the rights are probably owned by Granada. An earlier Rank 'scope Eastmancolor film was 'Northwest Frontier' aka 'Flame Over India' which tidied up very well for DVD release even though the 'scope format was not enhanced for widescreen TVs. The Rank library is presently being plundered for DVD releases, many finding releases through companies like Network DVD so there is hope.
I found a reference print at the library of congress film archive. Does this mean anything to anyone? I wonder if a good dvd could be made from this print alone, if others are in poor shape...The plot thickens...
Main Title
* The Trap
Language
* Undetermined
Origin Location
U.K
Date
* 1966
Holding Organization
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division
Media Profile
* CarrierType: 35 mm. ref print
* CarrierExtent: 6 reels
* PhysicalChar: sd., col
Note
* Copyright: PUB 23Sep66; REG 10Jan85; PA276-101
* Copyright notice on film: Parallel Productions, Limited ; 1966
* Story and screenplay by David Osborn
* Reference source used: copyright data sheet
Credit Note
* a George H. Brown production ; produced by George H. Brown ; directed by Sidney Hayers
Corporate
* Contributor: Copyright Collection (Library of Congress)
Copy Locator
* CGA 2289-2294 (ref print)
LocalBibID
* 91719703
EDIT: upon closer inspection, the print is listed in the british film archive...so with both a reference print and a british archived print, surely they could bang up a dvd nicely.
[deleted]
Awesome, buddy...thanks for the info.
I actually got a copy from your fan site some time ago, so thanks again for that too. Its a great movie huh.
Keep me posted on the dvd news, matey.
Jeremy.