[versions] The Thing (1982) - differences

[spoRv]

Although in70mm.com is a reliable source, I'd like to read something official; me too I'm 99% sure it's a "baby boom", still I would love to hear that I was wrong!

[stwd4nder2]

Although in70mm.com is a reliable source, I'd like to read something official; me too I'm 99% sure it's a "baby boom", still I would love to hear that I was wrong!

I doubt you'd get any better confirmation. I think it's safe to assume none of the 70mm prints survived so can't verify it that way. Unless there's some bonus feature out there with sound designers specifically talking about the 70mm mix.

[spoRv]

I read somewhere, years ago, that there are dialogue and effects "inbetween" center and left or right channels... as Dolby "mandate" in a way to stick dialogue in the center channels, there are three scenarios:

1. the statement is false
   
2. the statement is true, 70mm is baby boom but they decide to mix inbetween to get phantom channels
   
3. the statement is true, 70mm is wide, so the inbetween dialogue and effects are into proper channels LC and RC
   

[zoidberg]

Again if you go through Stuart Cohen's blog it mentions the 70mm prints and the mixing.
http://theoriginalfan.blogspot.com/?m=1
Being a Dolby release it would have had the 4.1 configuration, although it was technically possible to have split surrounds many features stuck with mono surround.
There is definitely at least one 70mm print remaining, it has been screened recently and there are accounts on other forums of members attending screenings, take from that what you will.
Edit: link to blog added

[spoRv]

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look ASAP!

About Dolby and 70mm: there are six formats

41 Dolby 70mm Wide (6 Track, A-Type NR, all 6 Channels)
42 Dolby 70mm Baby Boom (6 Track, A-Type NR, Baby Boom Channels 2 & 4)
43 Dolby 70mm Stereo Surround (6 Track, A-Type NR, Baby Boom/Stereo Surround)
44 Dolby 70mm Wide (6 Track, SR NR, Widerange all 6 Channels)
45 Dolby 70mm Baby Boom (6 Track, SR NR, Baby Boom Channels 2 & 4)
46 Dolby 70mm Stereo Surround (6 Track, SR NR, Baby Boom/Stereo Surround)

They are basically three, SR or not; 41 and 44 wide (L-LC-C-RC-R-S), 42 and 45 baby boom (L-C-R-S + two LFE up to 250Hz), 43 and 46 baby boom split surround (L-C-R-SL-SR + one LFE up to 250Hz)

[spoRv]

Updated the first post, and wrote a long article, "Deconstructing “The Thing”!" about various editions

http://blog.sporv.com/deconstructing-the-thing

[LucasGodzilla]

There is definitely at least one 70mm print remaining, it has been screened recently and there are accounts on other forums of members attending screenings, take from that what you will.

Yeah, it seems to be similar to that Suspiria print situation where a rare print was found and started making rounds via special screenings since then.

https://twitter.com/musicboxtheatre/stat...44608?s=20

Even with the fade, I would love to see it one day as a huge John Carpenter nut. On the note of the sound though, these are some things I hear mentioned about it that I thought was rather interesting to note.

The first thing that really jumped out at me this time around was in the sound design. The 70mm print was accompanied by a six-track stereo mix, and I would swear that the wind had its own designated track. I’ve always admired the spare score and minimalist sound design of THE THING, but this time I could practically feel the arctic wind in my bones.

[resolution]

Notes:

- I read on some forum that Arrow BD has a gamma problem, solved with Turbine BD; according to caps-a-holic comparison, this is NOT true

You may have read it here on Fanres?  The gamma change was not across the entire running time, it was only on one shot near the end, plus possibly the opening titles. Caps-a-holic's selection of screencaps does not include these shots, so can't be used to conclude it's not true.

See Scavenger's posts from the audio thread:

Turbine version used the Arrow master “fixing” a gamma error – that was limited to one frame AFAIK – and also audio tracks sync issues.

It's a lot more than just one frame. Check 01:36:25.822 - 01:36:39.961 on Arrow BD.

The opening titles apparently also have a gamma correction, but I have not compared that scene.

Comparison screenshot (from Blu-ray.com post) showing the shot with the gamma fix:

https://i.imgur.com/jgwCadW.png

Full size screenshots: https://slow.pics/c/SOieps91

The slightly greener tint in Turbine BD could indicate a rounding error.