The Runaway Bus (1954) - Britmovie

Brief Encounter · 14-09-2006, 11:10 PM

Good news - it's released by Pickwick on October 11th.

JamesM · 14-09-2006, 11:55 PM

Have they started producing licensed titles now? We are talking about the Elstree Hill label that primarily releases public domain US titles.

Brief Encounter · 15-09-2006, 12:19 PM

That's what I thought when I first heard about it - I didn't think Pickwick actually licensed films. I've seen the Elstree Hill stuff, but this doesn't appear to be under that imprint, as their logo isn't on the cover I've seen. Also, they've apparently worked with Val Guest's estate to get the original film reel etc.

Runaway Bus was made by a small company originally wasn't it - so maybe it wasn't so difficult to license.

JamesM · 16-09-2006, 04:00 PM

Yes, it is owned by Renown films. Do you have a link to a picture of the cover?

Brief Encounter · 16-09-2006, 05:43 PM

It's the first news item here: PETULA CLARK - Latest News

DB7 · 16-09-2006, 06:19 PM

That's the cover from the VHS.

Brief Encounter · 16-09-2006, 06:30 PM

Same poster, yes, but it's not as if they've copied the cover straight from the VHS. There are differences.

Brief Encounter · 02-10-2006, 11:12 PM

It's now out October 16th. Only £3.99 delivered at hmv.co.uk!

foha80 · 03-10-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brief Encounter

It's now out October 16th. Only £3.99 delivered at hmv.co.uk!

Thank you for the information,what a great price.

Terry

DB7 · 04-10-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brief Encounter

It's now out October 16th. Only £3.99 delivered at hmv.co.uk!

Ordered that too at such a snip of a price. Think HMV are upping their game to compete with Play.

Biffer · 21-10-2006, 12:48 AM

Being both a fan of British films and Frankie Howerd, I ordered this DVD as soon as I heard it was available. I dare say many others did too, or are about to order it.

Having watched the film tonight, I have to say I was a little disappointed by it. The quality of the DVD transfer is no better than a poorly recorded video tape version. It appears that the company made no effort at all to digitally improve the picture quality. Overall, it is very contrasty, with every scratch and blemish of the original print left in place. This includes places where the image either freezes for several moments (an effect of the layering process???) or skips a beat, as if one or two frames are missing. At one point, what appears to be lead-in tape is visible for several seconds, as if a whole section of the original print is missing.

Having said all that, I suppose we should be grateful that any company sees fit to release our beloved Brit' films on DVD. But it rather begs the question, if it's commercially viable to do so, why not make the effort to make a good job of it?

If you're lucky enough to have this film on video tape, don't bother buying the DVD version. There's little to be gained (no 'extras' for instance). Better to copy your taped version on to DVD, if possible, and preserve it that way.

Biffer.

Brief Encounter · 21-10-2006, 01:24 AM

Thanks for that. My copy was ordered anyway, so I'm curious to see what it's like, but I do already have a DVD-R copy taken from a taped VHS.

I should have known Hallmark/Pickwick would do a rubbish job of this.

JamesM · 21-10-2006, 10:15 AM

Although the run time seems to match the 1953 version, I have heard that there are missing scenes (such as one of Frankie Howerd at the beginning talking to his aunt in a phone booth?).

DB7 · 26-10-2006, 11:58 AM

Still waiting for my HMV order which might explain why it was so cheap. Last email said:

Quote:

We're taking delivery of new stock from our suppliers all the time and hope to be receiving your items very shortly. A further delay may occur if the item is out of stock at the suppliers, but we will do our best to get the item to our warehouse. As soon as we do, we'll despatch them to you and let you know by e-mail when they're on their way.

ican · 28-10-2006, 02:25 PM

Have to agree with others. It looks as if its been copied via a video camera from a heavily used 16mm print projected on to a white sheet . Frankie deserves better.

14-09-2006, 11:10 PM	#1
Brief Encounter is wishing for the moon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 315 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	The Runaway Bus (1954) Good news - it's released by Pickwick on October 11th.

21-10-2006, 12:48 AM	#11
Biffer has no status. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lancaster Posts: 43 Country: iTrader: (0)	A Note of Caution Being both a fan of British films and Frankie Howerd, I ordered this DVD as soon as I heard it was available. I dare say many others did too, or are about to order it. Having watched the film tonight, I have to say I was a little disappointed by it. The quality of the DVD transfer is no better than a poorly recorded video tape version. It appears that the company made no effort at all to digitally improve the picture quality. Overall, it is very contrasty, with every scratch and blemish of the original print left in place. This includes places where the image either freezes for several moments (an effect of the layering process???) or skips a beat, as if one or two frames are missing. At one point, what appears to be lead-in tape is visible for several seconds, as if a whole section of the original print is missing. Having said all that, I suppose we should be grateful that any company sees fit to release our beloved Brit' films on DVD. But it rather begs the question, if it's commercially viable to do so, why not make the effort to make a good job of it? If you're lucky enough to have this film on video tape, don't bother buying the DVD version. There's little to be gained (no 'extras' for instance). Better to copy your taped version on to DVD, if possible, and preserve it that way. Biffer.

28-10-2006, 02:25 PM	#15
ican has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North West Posts: 94 Country: iTrader: (0)	Terrible Print Have to agree with others. It looks as if its been copied via a video camera from a heavily used 16mm print projected on to a white sheet . Frankie deserves better.

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14-09-2006, 11:55 PM	#2
JamesM has no status. Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,435 Country: iTrader: (0)	Have they started producing licensed titles now? We are talking about the Elstree Hill label that primarily releases public domain US titles.

15-09-2006, 12:19 PM	#3
Brief Encounter is wishing for the moon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 315 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	That's what I thought when I first heard about it - I didn't think Pickwick actually licensed films. I've seen the Elstree Hill stuff, but this doesn't appear to be under that imprint, as their logo isn't on the cover I've seen. Also, they've apparently worked with Val Guest's estate to get the original film reel etc. Runaway Bus was made by a small company originally wasn't it - so maybe it wasn't so difficult to license.

16-09-2006, 04:00 PM	#4
JamesM has no status. Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,435 Country: iTrader: (0)	Yes, it is owned by Renown films. Do you have a link to a picture of the cover?

16-09-2006, 05:43 PM	#5
Brief Encounter is wishing for the moon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 315 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	It's the first news item here: PETULA CLARK - Latest News

16-09-2006, 06:19 PM	#6
DB7 is scavenging through life's very constant lulls Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Shrops Posts: 6,212 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (10)	That's the cover from the VHS.

16-09-2006, 06:30 PM	#7
Brief Encounter is wishing for the moon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 315 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Same poster, yes, but it's not as if they've copied the cover straight from the VHS. There are differences.

02-10-2006, 11:12 PM	#8
Brief Encounter is wishing for the moon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 315 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	It's now out October 16th. Only £3.99 delivered at hmv.co.uk!

21-10-2006, 01:24 AM	#12
Brief Encounter is wishing for the moon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 315 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Thanks for that. My copy was ordered anyway, so I'm curious to see what it's like, but I do already have a DVD-R copy taken from a taped VHS. I should have known Hallmark/Pickwick would do a rubbish job of this.

21-10-2006, 10:15 AM	#13
JamesM has no status. Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,435 Country: iTrader: (0)	Although the run time seems to match the 1953 version, I have heard that there are missing scenes (such as one of Frankie Howerd at the beginning talking to his aunt in a phone booth?).