How The West Was Won

[jostenmeat]

Highly recommended! An epic western, and I believe there were three directors for this title. Off the top of my head, the cast includes Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Eli Wallach, James Stewart . . .

I've never seen it before, and I really enjoyed it! There is an Overture as well as Intermission/Entr'acte. TrueHD.

I first picked up this recommendation here. So far it appears this title has received the greatest improvements from any previous release, and its also proof that old movies can look as good as today's best.

I watched with the smiley-box version, which was pretty cool!! There's some distortion I find due to this, but I recommend it nonetheless.

What smilebox looks like:

 

[Adam]

Wow! I read through that AVS post (and part of the other site that was linked from it). The video difference between the DVD and Blu-ray releases is astounding! Just mind blowing.

To me, the DVD images look worse than most that I've seen. Perhaps the DVD release was just junk? Either way, the Blu-ray is impressive.

Thanks!

 

[Lightning Steve]

Well I went to BB for the Hulk on BD, but it was $35 for a single disk, which was to much as the DVD was only $16!
Then spotted "How the west was won" and remembered seeing this post and picked that up instead. I'm glad I did, really good movie with excellent picture, sound was okay for the time.
I started to watch the movie in "smiley" version but didn't think it was right, so switch to the standard wide screen and found that didn't look right either. There will be some scenes where two people will be talking to one another and it doesn't look like they are looking at each other. So switched back to the smiley version and once you get use to it does look better. You can see on some scenes where the three cameras brightness levels are slightly off, but really wasn't that big a deal. I felt it actually made for a better movie experience in the smiley form. Highly recommend for any western movie fan, and the picture can't be beat.
The BD comes on two disks in a "book" type holder with a attached book about the movie and how smiley movies are made.

 

[jostenmeat]

Steve,

if you like westerns, though not nearly as epic, Pale Rider looks phenomenal. The black detail is very, very excellent IMO, such as in scenes where the villains are watching thru their window...

thanks for the review...

 

[Adam]

Now that I finally have a high-def TV and a blu-ray player, I'm glad that I remembered reading this thread last year. I just added it to my Netflix queue, and I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Lordoftherings]

Great picture on your first post Josten.

Of course I own this title on Blu-ray. A must own in my book.

 

[jostenmeat]

Adam, I failed to mention some unique things about this film. Called Cinerama, they actually filmed with three cameras simultaneously, all mounted on the same tripod.

This allowed them to use a super wide screen. They have to stitch the three films together, and you can subtly make out the two seams in the movie. But, really only if you're looking for it.

On the very opening/intro scene with narrator do you get to enjoy a bug on the lens. Don't worry, it's the only time (due to airplane).

I must suspect that this movie must've been like LOTR or Star Wars for its respective time, but I am speculating. It must've been considered quite the epic.

 

[Adam]

I got this from Netflix yesterday and just starting watching it. I have two things to note.

First, the video quality is simply jaw-dropping. When I got to the opening scene, I just stared in amazement at how beautiful it was.

Second, the smiley version appears to be on the second disc that is labeled as "Bonus Material" on Netflix. I didn't realize that until I couldn't find that version on this disc. So, I'd recommend that people add both to their queue if they use Netflix and are interested in seeing the differences.

 

[Lordoftherings]

* How The West Was Won *

Oh Yeah, this Blu-ray title has been in my collection since it's release.

I must say, a must own.

 

[PeterWhite]

I ordered the disc on Friday from Amazon. Should be here on Tuesday. I'd heard of this movie years ago, but I had never seen it. This site is a great resource!

 

[mike171979]

I agree this truly is a must own.