Far From the Madding Crowd

[ronukdvd]

Does anyone know if the new OPTIMUM release is definately the cinema aspect of 2.35:1 as desribed on the back cover or is it the same aspect as the previous WB Studio Canal version which is 1.88:1 widescreen with just the opening and closing credits in the original aspect.? Thanks in anticipation.

[AdrianTurner]

I have it on excellent authority that Optimum's newest release of Far From the Madding Crowd has brand-new packaging, boasts 2.35:1 on the cover and, guess what, is actually 1.85:1. Can't we sue these idiots for breaking the Trades Description Act?

[asiamiles]

If anyone needs a 2.35:1 copy of this film I have the MGM laserdisc, and could make a DVD-R copy from that. Feel free to PM me.

[ronukdvd]

Many thanks to asiamiles and AdrianTurner their input; it seems that the latest release is just a repackage of the previous Studio Canal print .

[AdrianTurner]

Great news! Far From the Madding Crowd is to be released in R1 by Warners in January 2009 in the full original, theatrical version which means 2.35:1 AR and no cuts, such as the cock fight.

[rskershaw]

name='AdrianTurner']Great news! Far From the Madding Crowd is to be released in R1 by Warners in January 2009 in the full original, theatrical version which means 2.35:1 AR and no cuts, such as the cock fight.

I recently bought the recent Optimum Classic/Studio Canal version, and as you say it is not in the ratio it advertises on the box. However, the cock fight scene is there.



What are the other cuts?

[AdrianTurner]

Just released in the States, a brand-new Warner Bros transfer which, according to first reviews, is fairly pristine, in the correct ratio and complete with overture, intermission and entr'acte. Just what the doctor ordered.

[John Hodson]

name='rskershaw']I recently bought the recent Optimum Classic/Studio Canal version, and as you say it is not in the ratio it advertises on the box.

Optimum has corrected the transfer (if you have it, complain and they will send you new version), and according to MovieMail: "This is a cropped 4:3 version of a film that is 2.35:1 in its original widescreen aspect ratio - a proper widescreen version should be available in early 2009"

[rskershaw]

name='John Hodson']Optimum has corrected the transfer (if you have it, complain and they will send you new version), and according to MovieMail: "This is a cropped 4:3 version of a film that is 2.35:1 in its original widescreen aspect ratio - a proper widescreen version should be available in early 2009"

Thanks, I will

[m35541]

I believe there is a new Optimum release which corrects the defects in the old release and runs a couple of minutes longer (per the times on the BBFC website) presumably because of the restoration of the intermission etc. However, the cockfight is still cut by the BBFC - the R1 version, coming out at the same time, is uncut.