One Eyed Jacks DVD - Diamond Entertainment version, what sort of "widescreen" is it?

DVD Profiler has about 5 versions of OEJ, by no means all of them, as I
gather. A couple of the versions they have in their database indicate
widescreen, one being 1.85:1 and the other 2.35:1, that evidently being
the Diamond Entertainment version. Now, I've read a LOT of posts
concerning the various DVD versions of OEJ, and it appears that the
concensus is that the Diamond Entertainment version, while nothing to
brag about, is the closest to OK. Nobody has said anything about the
precise aspect ratio - they only indicate that it is widescreen. Is it
really 2.35:1? Seems unlikely, as it was Vistavision, and it's thought
that it was most likely intended to be viewed in 1.85:1. See second post
in this thread:

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...axd=9&as_maxm=7&as_maxy=1999&lr=lang_en&hl=en

 

I just watched this the other day, in a 1.85:1 transfer from Platinum Home
Entertainment. It's a decent enough copy, looks like it came off a
widescreen laserdisc. Looks about as good as a DVD I might make at home
off a laserdisc, anyway.

I've compared a few of these. The Platinum version (in a clear, hard
plastic case) is the best I've seen yet. Far better than the Front Row
Entertainment release, and assuming there *is* a Madacy copy, it's
probably better off avoided (if only for th epure pleasure of not giving
money to Madacy).

swac

 

I have the Platinum version and it is pretty good, much better then vhs quality
anyway, very few artifacts and easily watchable. It is widescreen but
non-anamorphic. I have not viewed the other version, but knowing that none of
them are exactly pristine, I am happy with this version and would recommend it
until something better comes along.

 

Definitely better than VHS, although it would make sense for Paramount to
get a decent transfer of this out there, now that Brando's been in the
news so much. While watching the Platinum copy, I kept thinking "Wow,
imagine how great this would look if someone actually did a professional
transfer of it..." VistaVision has the potential for a great looking
image, although considering the lacklustre job Paramount did on To Catch A
Thief, maybe I shouldn't hold my breath.

swac

 

:
:On 9 Jul 2004, User102154 wrote:
:
:> I have the Platinum version and it is pretty good, much better then vhs quality
:> anyway, very few artifacts and easily watchable. It is widescreen but
:> non-anamorphic. I have not viewed the other version, but knowing that none of
:> them are exactly pristine, I am happy with this version and would recommend it
:> until something better comes along.
:
efinitely better than VHS, although it would make sense for Paramount to
:get a decent transfer of this out there, now that Brando's been in the
:news so much. While watching the Platinum copy, I kept thinking "Wow,
:imagine how great this would look if someone actually did a professional
:transfer of it..." VistaVision has the potential for a great looking
:image, although considering the lacklustre job Paramount did on To Catch A
:Thief, maybe I shouldn't hold my breath.
:
:swac

I got my Diamond Entertainment version today and watched the first 20
minutes of it. I was disappointed (but not surprised) to find that it's
non-anamorphic. The quality is so so at best. Didn't notice any terrible
problems in those first 20 minutes. I'm not really sure that it's better
than an SVHS treatment would be, to be honest. Doubtful. It IS 1.85:1,
not the 2.35:1 that DVD Profiler said it was, and this is what I
expected.

Maybe the Platinum version is better quality, but I don't think I'd
consider buying another verion unless Paramount puts out an anamorphic
reproduction on DVD. That would probably be a real significant
improvement.

Dan

 

Basically, the Platinum version looks about as good as a DVD you'd make on
a home computer using the widescreen laserdisc. Lord knows how this became
public domain, but I'm hoping Paramount still has original
VistaVision elements on this and could do a spectacular anamorphic
transfer.

Then again, hearing Bob Harris talk about the horrible condition of To
Catch a Thief elements, which was made only a few years before, maybe I
shouldn't get my hopes up.

swac