When are we getting a proper blu ray disc?
Just another example of an older classic not on BD, meanwhile all the junk of the day is on BD.
shareI was just about to write about this topic.
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MovieChat Forums > The Killing Fields (1985) Discussion > When are we getting a proper blu ray dis...
Of course, it may well be released locally in your region in the future anyway (whether or not it's the same transfer and package of extras, which include an outstanding and virtually non-stop commentary by Roland Joffe, a revealing interview with David Puttnam and a docu that I've not watched yet), but at any rate I shall give you a rundown of my particular Killing Fields BD experience...
The Oz version (released by Umbrella) is probably about as good as a Blu-Ray of this particular film could get, in terms of sharpness, grain, richness of colours (at times the blues seem almost TOO rich, particularly in an early shot of a military aircraft taxiing on the tarmac); I was able to compare it to the Roadshow DVD edition, which was certainly watchable but comparatively pale and brown in its colour palate. The BD, as you'd hope, is more satisfyingly dynamic and a definite improvement, though it's not a perfect transfer (one particular flaw lasts for a single brief shot during Pran's attempt to drink the blood in the camp, and is so blatantly obvious you wonder how it could have been missed - plus there is also an occasional annoying vertical line stuck on the screen for a few odd seconds) and the movie will never look sparkling in the manner of a modern production (or even a lot of old-style Hollywood B&W classics) but the generally gritty/grainy/grimy overtone of the visual style surely suits the subject matter.
I should also point out that I was particularly keen to update to the BD version not only for improved picture but because the Roadshow DVD was barebones (though to my slight disappointment, there are no English subtitles/captions included on the BD).
"In your eyes, the light, the heat; in your eyes, I am complete"- Peter Gabriel
January 7, 2014.
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Killing-Fields-Blu-ray/43498/
I purchased the movie on bluray a few weeks back. I was very satisfied with the picture and audio, both were quite excellent, but was a bit disappointed by the lack of features. In my mind, this is one of the most powerful, moving, and important films ever made. It's a shame Warner Brothers hasn't really given it the total prestige treatment it deserves. I would love to see a Criterion release at some point.
shareI agree that this would benefit from the Criterion treatment but I buy movies to watch the movie so even the best features & extras only offer minor improvement.
shareI am glad to finally own this film on bluray, as it's in my top 5 films of all time. But I can't help but feel that Warner Brothers' treatment of this film's various releases has led to its semi-obscurity. Back when the film was on DVD, it was in one of those annoying cardboard cases. I kept expecting an upgrade to a 2-disc special edition, much like Joffe's The Mission (which I didn't think was half as good as The Killing Fields), but it never happened. I'm not even sure if the DVD is even in circulation anymore (outside of buying it used, of course). Once bluray became the dominant HD disc format, I thought this film would get a pretty quick early release to make up for the lack of a special edition on DVD. No dice, it took about seven years for the film to get released on bluray.
shareThe Mission not half as good? Blasphemy! The Mission is an outstanding movie and every bit on par with The Killing Fields. I love them both. But you're right about The Killing Fields DVD. It wasn't on par with this movie's greatness. And the DVD was out of print, at least in the US.
I'm really happy to finally have this on Blu-ray. I just wish my fiance was as excited about it as I am so we could watch it. As it is, I'll have to wait a while before I'm able to see it.