Blackmail (Blu-ray) (1929) UPDATED

[Brent_Reid]

The Kino Lorber listing notes about the sound version's botched aspect ratios should be mentioned in the footnotes as discs to avoid.

Also, they have a transfer of a preserved, unrestored print whereas the two Studio Canal box sets have a 4k restoration from 2024.

The silent versions are different too: the Kino has the BFI's 2012, 2k restoration whereas the Studio Canal sets have a 2024, 4k restoration.

Lastly, the Studio Canal sets' ARs are listed as 1.33:1/1.12:1 but it looks like a copy/paste error from the Kinos and should say 1.33:1/1.19:1.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Updated

[Brent_Reid]

Thanks, James, but the footnote would be clearer amended to:

Note that the silent version was restored in 2012 in 2K as part of the "Hitchcock 9" restoration project.
Both versions were restored in 4K resolution in 2024.

Also, the UK/German booklet is 64 pages.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Do you have the boxset to confirm this?
If so, could you provide the runtimes for the films?

[Christian_Bütikofer]

If needed: I have the German SC boxset. Let me know if I can help.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

If needed: I have the German SC boxset. Let me know if I can help.

Yes, please. If you could let us know the runtimes for the films.

[Brent_Reid]

Of course: the silent is 77:03 and the sound 85:52, including idents and restoration credits.

You can also add that the box sets include a 51 x 54 cm poster of the cover art.

The exact same content is coming from Carlotta but in a 7-BD set: Hitchcock en 10 Films.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

If either of you could provide the runtimes of all the other films as well, they can also be uploaded. Thank you.

[Christian_Bütikofer]

The Ring (105:40)
The Farmer's Wife (112:03)
Champagne (105:27)
The Manxman (100:26)
Juno and the Paycock (95:24)
Murder! (102:02)
The Skin Game (82:23)
Rich and Strange (83:08)
Number Seventeen (63:33)

Becoming Hitchcock (71:41)

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Updated notes and runtimes

[Christian_Bütikofer]

The winner note for "Murder!" seems to need an update (it still reads "OVERALL: Blu-ray A Only version so far."): https://dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film ... 91#overall

[Brent_Reid]

I've just noticed: the Studiocanal sets' aspect ratios were previously listed in reverse order and my correction followed it. They should be 1.19:1/1.33:1.

Also, they each say "Sound VersionS" twice, instead of the singular.

You haven't added the poster or an "Also released in: France by Carlotta" footnote.

I have minor additional updates for some other films in the sets; do you want me to carry on here or list them separately?

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

It's not out in France yet so it hasn't been noted.
Please let us know what else needs to be fixed.

[Brent_Reid]

The aspect ratios are still in reverse order and the poster hasn't been added.

Again, shall I start new threads for the other films or list their corrections here?

Incidentally, I've updated all my articles to explain the specs of the sets' 12 new transfers in great detail.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

No need to change the aspect ratio. There is no correct "order".
I will add about the poster when we get the information about the other things to updated.

[Brent_Reid]

The Ring, Farmer's Wife, Champagne, Manxman and Skin Game BDs are on Beaver: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film6/blu-ray_ ... lu-ray.htm

Kino's Murder! is in the wrong aspect ratio, revealing set edges, studio equipment and crew.
Also, its audio is remixed and has added sound effects. Copy over the audio footnote from the DVD listing.

Kino's Skin Game is in the wrong aspect ratio, as above.

Kino's Rich and Strange also has remixed audio with added sound effects, and it's mistakenly repeated and overlaid for one section. Another, longer section has a continuous hum.
There's already an audio footnote on the DVD listing but the hum needs adding to it, then it can be copied over.
The BD's on Beaver but the AR's wrong: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film10/blu-ray ... lu-ray.htm

Add this note to the DVD listings for Juno and the Paycock, Elstree Calling, Murder!, Skin Game, Rich and Strange, and Number Seventeen:
The original theatrical aspect ratio is 1.19:1 but all DVDs have been transferred incorrectly at 1.33:1, occasionally revealing set edges, studio equipment, crew, etc.

There's a lot more detail on all the above in my articles but as ever, if linking to any of the multi-parters, please link to part 1 only, as they're often updated and info gets shifted around but is always indexed in the lead section.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Kino's Murder! is in the wrong aspect ratio, revealing set edges, studio equipment and crew.
Also, its audio is remixed and has added sound effects. Copy over the audio footnote from the DVD listing.

Do the Studio Canal releases have the original audio or the remixed audio?

Kino's Rich and Strange also has remixed audio with added sound effects, and it's mistakenly repeated and overlaid for one section. Another, longer section has a continuous hum.
There's already an audio footnote on the DVD listing but the hum needs adding to it, then it can be copied over.
The BD's on Beaver but the AR's wrong: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film10/blu-ray ... lu-ray.htm

Same question for Rich and Strange.

[Brent_Reid]

All the Studiocanal transfers are spot on, re their ARs and audio. I advised them on the necessary corrections!

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Updated

[Brent_Reid]

Great job; I know myself how much work it is updating all those films, so well done! A few minor points remain:

Mary's Studiocanal set run time is: 82.02.

For the Juno DVDs, I'd leave the notes as "The transfer is matted incorrectly at 1.33:1 rather than 1.19:1."
That's because I haven't gone through the Film First DVD lately, scrutinising it for unintended objects in the frame, though they may well be there.
Secondly, as Universal's bootleg print is so heavily zoomed-in, there definitely isn't anything untoward visible. The same applies to the 1.33:1, SD transfer of Mary, though it isn't so badly cropped.

Skin Game DVD footnote: "the Optimum UK and French releases have the introduction and a restored transfer..." All transfers on both formats are preserved, not restored, though the Studiocanal BDs have it in a HD remaster from 2024.

All Rich and Strange DVDs also have a preserved, not restored, transfer apart from Kino Lorber's disc, which isn't listed. Same with Number Seventeen.