The Devil Rides Out (1968)

[Daemonia]

Originally Posted by hallo37

I don't know what the fuss is all about - I think this new version is amazing, it enhances the film in my opinion, and I'm a Hammer fan.

The fuss is, that going forward from this point on, this is possibly the only version that's likely to be made available. So the film, as it was, hasn't been preserved for an historical record. That's what all the fuss is about. It's rewriting cinematic history, which is wholly unnecessary. The ropey FX were all part of its charm - doesn't anyone get this?? I despair. Why is altering old films deemed acceptable? And, mark my words, if everyone eats this up, this won't be end of it. You might be horrified at what they do next...

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by Daemonia

The fuss is, that going forward from this point on, this is possibly the only version that's likely to be made available. So the film, as it was, hasn't been preserved for an historical record. That's what all the fuss is about. It's rewriting cinematic history, which is wholly unnecessary. The ropey FX were all part of its charm - doesn't anyone get this?? I despair. Why is altering old films deemed acceptable? And, mark my words, if everyone eats this up, this won't be end of it. You might be horrified at what they do next...

I remain unconvinced by this argument, the new release of Devil rides out is how the film was ALWAY meant to look, the film was essentially released unfinished. I agree that the uncorrected version should have been included, but this is far removed from film colorisation as you can get. The whole rationale for what hammer has done is on the disc and explained and the uncorrected version is widely available on dvd.

[bgart13]

Ah! I knew it! Fisher had access to a time machine so that he could use CGI effects in his movie in 1967! Wow, he and Hammer were indeed really ahead of everyone else! It must've broke down though, and that's why the effects went unfinished... until now.

[keirarts]

Originally Posted by bgart13

Ah! I knew it! Fisher had access to a time machine so that he could use CGI effects in his movie in 1968! Wow, he and Hammer were indeed really ahead of everyone else! It must've broke down though, and that's why the effects went unfinished... until now.

Or he would have used effects technology available at the time to achieve the results as best as he was able to do... the fact remains the film was released unfinished, and hammer, rather than forking out a load of cash to try and finish the effects sequences properly, used digital to achieve the results more efficiently.

Though if cgi had been availaible i'm sure fisher would have used them, it would have made a lot more possible on the low budgets he often had to work with.

[Rik]

Either way, this new version looks fantastic in HD and I'm happy to have this and the original as part of my collection, those that have seen it will probably agree with me

[Daemonia]

Originally Posted by keirarts

I remain unconvinced by this argument, the new release of Devil rides out is how the film was ALWAY meant to look, the film was essentially released unfinished. I agree that the uncorrected version should have been included, but this is far removed from film colorisation as you can get. The whole rationale for what hammer has done is on the disc and explained and the uncorrected version is widely available on dvd.

But, my argument is that is how the film went out on its initial release. It's how the film has always looked. By your rationale, any director can go back and alter their historical body of work with CGI alterations because that's how they really wanted it to look! Or let's drag out all the master tapes of old bands and add synths and electric beats. Y'know, because the Stones would have used synths if they'd had them back then! Let's add some Roland Synth to Satisfaction, because Keith says he would've used it if he'd had it. And then block any further releases of the song as it was once, because it was unfinished!

Your logic is flawed and gives carte blanche to go back and alter historical works of art, regardless of their intrinsic value in their original state. This is why I wholeheartedly disagree with you.

[the blob]

Originally Posted by Daemonia

But, my argument is that is how the film went out on its initial release. It's how the film has always looked. By your rationale, any director can go back and alter their historical body of work with CGI alterations because that's how they really wanted it to look!

Actually, by that rationale it means ANYBODY can go back and alter someone else's work, which is considerably worse

[keirarts]

Except the 'alterations' are not as drastic as colourising a b+w film, adding synth beats to a classic song (which dj's do all the time) or altering the tone or intent of the film. I agree they should have included the origional, even if it meant sticking the origional dvd release in the package so people can see how it looked. Its silly to look at this in blanket terms, every restoration should be looked at based on its individual merits rather than making sweeping generalisations about altering history based on a couple of minutes or less in a feature length film. This COULD have been a disaster, but it wasn't and i'm certain hammer knows it was a mistake to not include the unaltered version in the release, but I doubt very much that we'll be seeing this with other releases in the future.

I could be wrong however, as its just my opinion at the end of the day.

[Hawkmonger]

'sigh' Well MY copy turned up yesterday and a flick through the editted scenex and, ill be honest here chaps, looked stunning. People should see the product before they complain.

[mark meakin]

Originally Posted by gasteropod

Perhaps all black and white films should be watched in colour then, since they would have been filmed in colour if they had the technology...

I wouldn't go that far.I don't recall one really successful example of colourization.It looks awful & robs films like the 1951 version of THE THING of their atmosphere.Same goes for the 1933 King Kong.The additions to the The Devils Rides Out are tweaks to a few effects shots not a complete overhaul of the film.