THE MAGIC BOX (1951) - Optimum DVD uncut ?

[c.n.-tonfilm]

THE MAGIC BOX had been restored by the BFI not only to its original colours but also to its original length of 118 minutes a couple of years ago. The old Studio Canal+/Warner Home Video only had a running time of 103 minutes. The restoration seems to have been completed in late 2001, but only recently the movie was released on DVD by Optimum.

I didn't find any proper DVD review, just a comment on amazon which indicates that the DVD may only have VHS quality:

Amazon.co.uk: The Magic Box [1951]: DVD: Robert Donat,Kathleen Harrison,Maria Schell,Margaret Johnston,Richard Attenborough,Robert Beatty,Leo Genn,Joyce Grenfell,Marius Goring,Robertson Hare,John Boulting

Does anybody know why the BFI restoration obviously seems not to have been used for the DVD ?

At the time of its initial release, the film was cut down to 107 minutes http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/58F4EE9B31960C57802566C8005452D0?OpenDocument
and the old video master also only carried the cut version. The Optimum Release states that it's the long 118 minutes version - but I'm suspicious if this is really true. Strange to say that the BBFC does not list the Optimum DVD at all so far.

Does anybody have the DVD and further informations about the quality and the exact running time ? Thanks best for your help.

[JamesM]

According to Optimum's site, it runs for approximately 115 minutes.

I have just made an enquiry with the BBFC and the film was certainly not resubmitted so it must contain the original theatrical release. What the extra 12 minutes are I can not say.

[susanduic]

Perhaps there would be a better section for my question but it is a (bit) relevant to this. Could someone explain 'remastering' to me in layman's terms? Why? well I'm assuming it must be expensive/long-winded or why else would companies release to/on DVD scratchy old prints, as they so frequently do.
(I understand its capitalism....pushing out anything that the desperate will buy....but?)

[Chris B]

Hi there,
my understanding of the remastering process is that all the elements of the film, image, colour, alignment, sound, are very time consumingly given a complete restoration treatment, even down to the point of all dirt, scratches and sound plops and hiss being removed and then by a computer process realigning the 3 strip techniclor, and repairing any damaged imagery, frame by frame, a good example of this process is shown on the box set of Gone With The Wind.

With regard to THE MAGIC BOX I have got the optimum copy and to be quite fair although it's not the best of the best transfer I found it to be satisfactory in colour and clarity and the sound was fine, I project my films onto a 5 foot screen in my 12 seat mini cine and the audience enjoyed it. If you want to rate the DVD allowing Singing In The Rain (2nd issue) to rate 10/10 then I would give The Magic Box 7.5 to 8 /10, I have certainly seen a lot worse thats for sure. For me its just nice to have a decent copy of such a briliant British film with all those actors of the day in the cameo roles
Regards ChrisB

[JamesM]

I contacted Optimum Releasing and they confessed that the running time for the DVD is 103 minutes, as the Warner VHS was. The incorrect running time mistakenly given to retailers and their own marketing department was, by coincidence, close to the length of the ideal restored version of the film, which does exist but is not contained on the DVD.

[Chris B]

just forgot to say the running time of my optimum disc is 103 minutes but I enjoyed every minute of it.
Regards Chris B