MovieChat Forums > The Heartbreak Kid (1972) Discussion > Needs a restoration

Needs a restoration

posted 10 years ago by Sober-Friend
6 replies | jump to latest

I have seen this film on DVD VHS and NOW TCM Film Channel and none of the prints/transfers I have seen are very good! Whoever owns this film needs to restore it fast! Because this is not a major blockbuster we are in danger of losing it.

Now I hate the fact that HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS making "RESTORED RESTORATION" part of a films marketing campaign. This year Universal is releasing "Apollo 13" on DVD saying its "Fully Restored". Well that film was never in any harm to begin with. THE FILM NEVER NEEDED RESTORATION! NOW it's"restoration" is having a World Premiere at the TURNER CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL.. This is just wrong!

Films that need to be restored are numerous. The "Heartbreak Kid", & "How Green Was My Valley" are 2 films that are in danger!

I think Universal is just catering to Ron Howard (and his Ego). Ron Howard is still making films today and most of his films are released through Universal. You have to Love Hollywood Politics,,,,

[–] balboa76 10 years ago

How the hell do you know if a certain film is in danger if it's not restored soon? Do you know who has the prints and negatives and under what conditions there stored? This losing it statement you make really doesn't make any since unless you're working on the national film preservation board at the library of congress.

[–] Sober-Friend 10 years ago

I know!

[–] balboa76 10 years ago

I was hoping that you could explain the moronic fact less post you made, but instead you come back with "I Know!"

It never surprises me, every single time I ask someone that posts some type of stupidity to please explain it to me so I can understand it and maybe learn something new the idiot who posted the stupidity always comes back with a two word answer which doesn't explain anything lol.

[–] Sober-Friend 10 years ago

I have seen many transfers of this film. The original VHS from the 1970's the film was in better shape. The colors are slightly more vibrant.

The Laserdisc looks bad. The TCM Channel transfer looks like it came from the same source
The DVD from Anchor Bay is also from the same source and for the WIDESCREEN version they just masked off the bottom and top. This is also from the same source materail.

I bought a PAL VHS years ago & the color was the best on that tape! Unfortunately I lost that tape in a hurricane!

I contacted a film preservationist about "THIS FILM" and I was told the film is on his radar and I wasn't the only person that brought this too his attention!

This film was an independent made film. The various film elements (negative outtakes etc) have been bought and sold over time to various studios.

The same thing was true (and I stated this as well) on "Cabaret". The film needed a restoration. That film and film elements the rights to that film had been owned by different companies as well. 2 years after I mentioned it "Cabaret" finally got its much needed restoration. Not that I had anything to do with that but I did get people to write in to Warner Brothers to get them involved with the restoration.

[–] balboa76 10 years ago

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain it to me.

Btw whats the cost and amount of time it usually takes to restore a 90 minute to 2 hour film? It most be very pricey.

[–] Sober-Friend 10 years ago

Truth is depends on the source material and how much restoration is truly needed. The film "The Alamo" directed by John Wayne will cost about $1 Million Dollars.

This film should cost below $1 million. Everything comes down to dollars and cents. I think in order for this film to get a restoration we have to see who owns the film now.