Shadowlands (1993) - print sourced transfer

[NeonBible]

Caught this on TV today, and noticed the transfer was taken from a print. Specks, scratches and cigarette burns, as well as that typical look and colour.

I wondered if the Blu-ray is like that and after looking up caps it is not!

Here are some comparisons (BD caps are first):

Code:

https://imgur.com/a/gmzKgWt

Its available on BBC iPlayer to stream. Unfortunately they only offer 720p (in 2021 going on 2022 lol), 50fps and has a logo (but thankfully sits in the black border).

[spoRv]

It's a bit too greenish for my taste, but I'd take it any day instead of the BD... maybe a 75% print/25% BD colors...

By the way, Raiplay still streams at 928x522... nice resolution, huh?

[NeonBible]

It does look a bit sickly in those caps. Although I thought it wasn't so bad watching it live, quite pleasing and filmic actually. My picture setting must have been set to standard for TV channels, which has a cooler colour temperature.

By the way, Raiplay still streams at 928x522... nice resolution, huh?

And then I remember that DVDs are still king of physical media

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Universal owns US distribution rights (through the catalog of distributor Savoy Pictures which was purchased by USA Films/Focus Features) while Paramount controls international (they own the catalog of overseas distributor Spelling Films). Universal's HD master on Blu/US digital is based on an InterPos with mild EE and processing, while the BBC iPlayer version sounds like it's using the battered, print based master that was on the Paramount PAL DVDs.

On the other hand, a JustWatch search came up with a HD version available on Sky Store https://www.skystore.com/product/shadowl...nwodmH4LGA and Amazon Video UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail...just016-21.

I can't check 'em both as I'm based in the US, but these might be based on ether the Universal HD master (with Paramount logos attached), an HD version/upscale of the print based master, or perhaps Paramount did an entirely new master (they've been on fire with remastering their back catalog for streaming and Paramount Presents)

[maksnew]

The amazon version is a 35mm scan that you have for comparison.

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[NeonBible]

The Amazon appears to be the exact same master as the BBC iPlayer one. But is true 1080p and 24000/1001; very nice!

Ok so the different distibution rights explains why there isn't a UK BD release. I did see one in Spain, so I wonder which master that's based on.

Good info, thanks.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Ok so the different distribution rights explains why there isn't a UK BD release. I did see one in Spain, so I wonder which master that's based on.

Got a link or cover image to the Spanish Blu? If it lacks proper distributor logos on the cover, it's most probably a shameless bootleg like that True Lies release is.

[NeonBible]

Got a link or cover image to the Spanish Blu? If it lacks proper distributor logos on the cover, it's most probably a shameless bootleg like that True Lies release is.

Code:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadowlands-Region-Winger-Anthony-Hopkins/dp/B07YLGDYHW

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Definitely a boot as it lacks any distributor logos or that of the video releasing company. It probably uses a crappy rip of the Universal BD compressed down to a BD25.