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Topic: PT 109 Released on DVD |
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: May 11, 2011 - 8:42am
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When I've asked the "why so long" question over the years of those supposedly in the know, the answer was always "rights problems."
Usually someone, or someone representing the estate or the heirs of someone connected with the film, holds things up legally. Even though "PT 109" was commercially released years ago on Beta and VHS video tape, something was apparently holding up the release of the film in the DVD format.
I recently learned the Turner Classic Movies cable channel has a seperate department to research and clear the legal rights of all the films they broadcast. Although TCM "owns" the entire MGM film library, they presumably still have to do this. Similar rights problems could holding up the release of my other favorite film not released commercially onto DVD -- "Northwest Passage" (1940).
As I told my wife, now both Hollywood theatrical films on PT boats -- "They Were Expendable" and "PT 109" -- are finally on DVD.
Now all I need is a good (color) DVD copy of "Devil Boats!"
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Dick
Moderator
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 Posted on: May 13, 2011 - 6:18pm
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DVD Case photo from Drew . . .
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Hadly
New Member
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Posted on: May 14, 2011 - 8:49am
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Hi all, have any of you received your DVD copy. If so can you comment on quality and where you bought it. I see amazon has it listed Not In Stock, but they want $24.95. But WB has it at 19.95. thanks.
SH
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Jerry Gilmartin |
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Posted on: May 14, 2011 - 3:55pm
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I just got my copy today. I am watching it now. I received one of the nice "Keeper" style cases. The quality of the picture is fine as far as I can see. I ordered mine online from WBarchive collection for 19.95 plus 2.50 shipping. I am one satisfied customer. Thanks to you all for letting me know it was available. Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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PeterTareBuilder
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Posted on: May 14, 2011 - 7:13pm
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Okay. I see my new post showed up so I'll try replying one last time to this thread.
My concern with this DVD release isd that it's in Letterbox format which often gives an image that isn't very high even on a 27" television set. How high is the image in this DVD on the sets you people are using? Is there a "This film has been formatted to fit your televsion screen" version also on the DVD?
Thanks and cheers from Peter
"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!" |
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: May 15, 2011 - 5:35pm
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Hi Peter Tare Builder and all,
I got my long-awaited DVD copy of "PT 109" the other day, and the quality of the DVD is sharp and clear, as sharp and clear as the broadcasts of the film on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel were over the last year or so. I'm sure that the higher-quality the screen of the particular TV the DVD is shown on, the better the picture will look.
I have a 27" screen Panasonic TV, and the widescreen, or "letterboxed" DVD picture area of "PT 109" is approximately 9 & 1/2" from top to bottom -- plenty of picture, if you ask me. Of course, the entire picture, as presented in the theater, is present.
To specifically answer Peter Tare Builder's question -- no, there is no "Standard," or "This version has been formatted to fit your television screen" version on the disc -- only the widescreen, or "letterboxed" version. Standard TV formatting, as I'm sure you're aware, chops off both ends of the picture to focus on the center of the frame.
The "PT 109" DVD disc contains the film and the theatrical trailer, or coming attractions "preview" of the film that was shown in theaters (also in widescreen format), introduced by Cliff Robertson in costume as JFK.
It would have been nice if a commentary track of some kind or a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the film were included, but -- no such luck.
Unlike most DVDs, there isn't a "chapter" or "scene selection" option on this disc, so you'll have to either fast-forward or reverse to get to a particular scene, if so desired.
Overall, I'd give my new DVD copy of "PT 109" a picture-quality grade of "A." I'm sure on a newer, higher-definition TV screen it would probably be an "A+."
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PeterTareBuilder
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Posted on: May 15, 2011 - 9:20pm
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Thanks Drew.
Cheers from Peter
"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!" |
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