Touch of Evil on Blu-ray

[atcolomb]

On November 14th Masters of Cinema will release "Touch of Evil" on blu-ray. Since this is a British release and a region "B" disc you will need a all region player to watch it if you live in the USA. You can pre-order it on Amazon.com.uk right now. The extras on it as shown on Amazon are:

Six versions of Welles' film: the 1998 reconstruction (111 min); the 1958 preview version rediscovered in the mid-1970s (109 min); and the 1958 theatrical version (96 min) - each presented in both 1.85:1 and 1.37:1 aspect ratios
Original theatrical trailer for the film
A host of other extras to be announced nearer the release date
A lavish, illustrated, 80-page book containing the words of Orson Welles - and much more.

[etimh]

What is most crucial here for me is the inclusion of all three versions in both aspect ratios. Was disappointed in the 50th set in that regard and really hope that any US blu-ray set includes all six versions. Yet another upgrade will be necessary.

Tim

[Roger Ryan]

In all fairness, I don't think there would have been enough space to include the open matte versions on Universal's DVD release. Either the quality would have suffered through over-compression or there would have been a higher price point to include additional discs (which I'm sure Universal would have viewed as an obstacle to selling more copies).

With Blu-ray, there should be enough space to offer this option without compromising the image or sound quality, so I'm hoping that Universal will follow through with an identical Region 1 release.

[cinescot]

I'm glad I held off purchasing the region 1 50th Anniversary Edition. This sounds like it could be the release of the year. 3 versions in both aspect ratios and on Blu-Ray.

The Masters of Cinema site states "A host of extras presented for the first time in the UK" which sounds like the commentaries and featurettes from the region 1 release.

There is an exclusive steelbook edition of this release available for pre-order from HMV.

[RayKelly]

A good friend tipped me off to this informative review. I hope we see a U.S. release on Blu-ray

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Touch-of-Evil-Blu-ray/26694/#Review

Here is a small excerpt from bluray.com

I spent the last couple of days comparing the reconstructed 1.37:1 version of the film to the reconstructed 1.85:1 version of film, and at this point I lean towards the former as the more stylistically convincing one. It clearly has the Wellesian identity the director's previous films have (which, by the way, is also what is noted in the booklet) which is more appropriate here because the film simply "breathes" easier in 1.37:1. Obviously, this is strictly my personal opinion, and you could choose to watch the reconstructed 1.85:1 version instead if you happen to disagree. Since both versions of the film are included on this release, there shouldn't be any controversy.

The reconstructed 1.37:1 version looks very impressive. As I soon as I received the Blu-ray, I ran a few quick comparisons with my R1 SDVD release and can confirm that the upgrades in quality are indeed substantial. For example, during the close-ups there are various textures that are simply missing on the SDVD (some of the most impressive ones are with Janet Leigh in the motel). Also, the panoramic scenes look far crisper and clearer, and when the camera zooms blur is practically missing. The color-scheme is also far more convincing. The blacks are vibrant and well saturated, the variety of grays well balanced, and the whites gentle and natural (on the DVD, the whites are quite problematic). Furthermore, some careful noise corrections have been applied, but the film grain has been retained. Some of it isn't always well resolved, but strangely enough I was only able to tell while viewing the reconstructed 1.85:1 version (see screencapture #27). The most obvious examples were the ones where actually blocky noise would sneak in and overwhelm the grain. On the reconstructed 1.37:1 version, however, the effect was far less obvious. In fact, there are some truly impressive sequences there where the grain is very well resolved and the image quite striking (see screencapture #4). During the first half of the film, on the reconstructed 1.37:1 version there are some traces of mild sharpening. Some of them can be noticed when the film is projected on a large screen, but I personally doubt that the overwhelming majority of viewers will see them. These are minor issues and the overall integrity of the presentation is never jeopardized. Finally, the film has been thoroughly cleaned, but some extremely small negative wear/damage remains (see the tiny line in screencapture #12).

[LostOverThere]

For those interested, DVD Beaver have also put up a nice review of the Blu-Ray, in addition to their normal comparisons (both technical and visual) to the DVD editions.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare2/touchofevil.htm

A bit of information regarding the picture and sound quality:
The image is a darn-sight better than the SD versions - in just about every visual category. There is more detail visible as contrast, a function of sharpness, is crisper (far less muddy). The widescreen the 'scope' factor is far more defined and it's a pleasure to see the 1080P has infused some depth into the presentation. The static captures probably aren't doing the transfer justice as in-motion it is impressive. Touch of Evil has a lot of darkness and the HD handles it more adroitly with less noise and no undue digital artefacts. Black levels were strong on the 50th Anniversary DVD - but even here I can see a smidgeon of superiority via the Blu-ray rendering. We are talking over 3X the bitrate of the Anniversary SD edition(s) but, honestly, it seems like more. The 1:37 hi-def reconstruction may be even more detailed than the widescreen - we see this phenomenon frequently and I can't really tell if it is just an illusion. The Theatrical and Preview versions may be a small notch below the reconstructions in image quality but I wouldn't say it's significant enough to make issue. Overall we give an enthusiastic thumbs up for the new format editions and can't see any form of digital manipulation - we presume that any weakness would exist on the source. These transfers are clean and fans should be immensely pleased with the more film-like appearance.

Audio pushes through via a DTS-HD Master stereo 2.0 channel at 727 kbps and although not thunderously deep - it does support the film with the flaw-free lossless transfer, that we believe, is the most accurate version of the sound of the film for a home theater viewing. Masters of Cinema have graciously added optional English subtitles to all 5 HD presentations.

Well, this is it the complete package for the Touch of Evil - a digital Omnibus of appreciation. I really enjoyed revisiting the commentaries (especially Rosenbaum/Naremore) as they only help bolster my understanding of the complete story of the film's production. The included book by MoC is at their usual impressive high standard. This has taken the already-essential and complete DVD sets and improved it - making it one of the more important Blu-rays of the entire year. Very strongly recommended!

[mteal]

Sounds great. I may have to finally get a Blu-Ray player.

[LostOverThere]

My copy of Touch of Evil on Blu-Ray came the other day. Needless to say it looks absolutely marvellous. A very impressive transfer.

[atcolomb]

I would love to buy it but to buy a good all region blu-ray player is expensive...unless somebody knows where i can find a nice one under $150??

[A Sled in Flames]

Does anyone think that a U.S. Blu-Ray release will eventually occur? Judging by screencaps and videos online, the Blu-Ray set overseas is absolutely extraordinary. It would be a shame if us U.S, fans could not get an HD version off this great film.

[LostOverThere]

Does anyone think that a U.S. Blu-Ray release will eventually occur? Judging by screencaps and videos online, the Blu-Ray set overseas is absolutely extraordinary. It would be a shame if us U.S, fans could not get an HD version off this great film.

Masters of Cinema only do Region B releases, so there's pretty much zero chance that this exact set will come to the US. With that being said, it's not out of the question that Criterion could do a release of it. Universal are obviously happy with licensing their films out, and Masters of Cinema and Criterion have been known to work together in the past (Masters of Cinema's F for Fake release uses the restoration by Criterion).

[A Sled in Flames]

Masters of Cinema only do Region B releases, so there's pretty much zero chance that this exact set will come to the US. With that being said, it's not out of the question that Criterion could do a release of it. Universal are obviously happy with licensing their films out, and Masters of Cinema and Criterion have been known to work together in the past (Masters of Cinema's F for Fake release uses the restoration by Criterion).

The day that Criterion touches Touch of Evil or perhaps even another studio like Kino that does specialty movies, I will be a very happy man. I'd be intrigued to have all 6 versions of Touch of Evil at my disposal: full screen, widescreen, and all three different cuts.

[LostOverThere]

The day that Criterion touches Touch of Evil or perhaps even another studio like Kino that does specialty movies, I will be a very happy man. I'd be intrigued to have all 6 versions of Touch of Evil at my disposal: full screen, widescreen, and all three different cuts.

Just a slight correction, the Blu-Ray release has five versions. While both the 1998 Restoration and Theatrical Release are in both 1.85:1 and 1.37:1, the Preview Release is only in 1.85:1.

But yes, it's an absolutely wonderful release. I'd suggest it even looks nicer than the new Citizen Kane Blu-Ray release, it's that good. The supplements (especially the 4 different commentary tracks) are all very good as well.

[mteal]

So I guess those of us that have the preview version on LD or VHS at 1.33 full frame should hang on to it.

[A Sled in Flames]

Does anyone know the specifics of why a full screen transfer of the preview version couldn't be included? I'm vaguely curious since the old laserdiscs and VHSes showed that this version was definitely available in full screen. Is it possible that the master print for the preview version got damaged, or was it a cost issue?