So, does anyone know if there was indeed a true stereo version of the film, and if so, why was the mono version used for the restoration?
The original film was released widely in mono. In a few special theatres there was an ersatz 'stereo' which mostly involved additional speakers in the theatre, but it wasn't true stereo.
Presumably the vudu is the same as the itunes version which came out in 2018 - ie the Paramount restoration used for the Imprint and Criterion blu-ray releases. While the blu-ray isn't "UHD," the color and clarity should still look as good. The audio choices are mono and 5.1, not stereo. The 5.1 is a "re-creation": the same or complimentary sound effects, and even music, were added to separate channels to create a more dynamic experience.
Thank you for posting this. In the 1998 version, you can hear the percussion come in at 0:03 seconds, and it plays in syncopated rhythm against the meter of the main melody. In the Criterion Blu-ray version, the percussion starts late and does not play against the the main melody, nor, really, in time with the orchestral track in any way.
Thank you for posting this. In the 1998 version, you can hear the percussion come in at 0:03 seconds, and it plays in syncopated rhythm against the meter of the main melody. In the Criterion Blu-ray version, the percussion starts late and does not play against the the main melody, nor, really, in time with the orchestral track in any way.
But both (in youtube comparison) are missing a swirl of music that's heard in the 2005 dvd mono. That might be the "film version" at the end of the Intrada cd. The 2005 dvd stereo is also missing the swirl, but I cannot tell if it's missing the percussion. Someone posted it on youtube:
Thank you for posting this. In the 1998 version, you can hear the percussion come in at 0:03 seconds, and it plays in syncopated rhythm against the meter of the main melody. In the Criterion Blu-ray version, the percussion starts late and does not play against the the main melody, nor, really, in time with the orchestral track in any way.
But both (in youtube comparison) are missing a swirl of music that's heard in the 2005 dvd mono. That might be the "film version" at the end of the Intrada cd. The 2005 dvd stereo is also missing the swirl, but I cannot tell if it's missing the percussion. Someone posted it on youtube:
That youtube video is missing the percussion but it is not the same as the stereo track on the 2005 DVD.
To confirm, the 2005 DVD stereo track is missing the brass overlay but includes the opening percussion (same as the mono track).
Sorry, I guess I'm just fully embracing my "Old Fart-ness" having recently turned 73.
Well let's hope Bruce is big enough to not say something like "There's No Fool Like An Old Fool." Besides, he's the same age (according to imdb). You guys should be saying things like "Live Long and Prosper."
I'm the same age as WHAT? I am Younger than Springtime and older than the Internet. 71 to be exact, NOT 73.
