I picked up the digibook when it was released in 2008. I did not watch it because I had already waited 35+ years for my first viewing of HTWWW to be on a Cinerama screen. This came true in 2012 when I saw it in 3-strip Cinerama at Pictureville, Bradford, England. This was at the Widescreen Weekend festival where they also showed The Wonderful World of the Brother's Grimm - first public screening in 3-strip Cinerama for more than 40 years. I watched the Grimm blu-ray last night and the PQ is fantastic - Dave Strohmaier and Tom March did an amazing job with it.
First saw this in a tent in the early 60s, and the last time at Pictureville in Bradford. My favourite film, and it ignited a passion for movies that ultimately led to the Minema in my home which is ... wondrous.
Thanks for the detailed review. I remember buying the digibook back in 2008 and being surprised that Warner chose to release this, a film that was largely forgotten about and requiring expensive restoration, while so many other films were languishing in their vaults at the time.
Excellent presentation and one of the most in-depth analysis of the technical and artistic elements of HTWWW to date. Wish it was longer. One of the greatest joys of my life was, when researching my John Ford bio in his papers at Lily Library in Bloomington, IN, holding two of Ford's Oscars and having access to his shooting script for HTWWW complete with marginal notes. Shout outs to Richard Thorpe, who directed most of the transitional scenes, stuntmen Loren Janes and Bob Morgan (who lost a leg and eye while doubling for George Peppard in the runaway train sequence) and legendary stunt director Richard Talmadge whose wildly stylized and intentionally exaggerated staging of the stunt set pieces still read so well on the big and small screen.
Wow, thank you!! I try to cram in as much analysis as I can with these videos and if I get going on film formats or Ford I can go for quite some time... I can't imagine being able to handle such incredible artifacts like that!
Hard to believe it took me this many years to finally watch this film. Utterly amazing! I was hooked within minutes. Try to put yourself into the film. Its incredible what our forefathers went through during the westward expansion. The bravery, the hardships, even the way people fell in love or just married because that was what you did back then. Ok, maybe not always so quickly but I can imagine maybe things were like that. All in all, a must see movie! Don't forget the popcorn. My wife hasn't seen it in decades so we will be watching it again on election eve (tonight) to calm our nerves and heres hoping we still have a democracy when all is said and done. Wishing all Americans could see what America is all about. Love this film. 5 stars for sure.
We didn't get the digibook release here in Australia - just the plain cover 2 disc release (standard wide-screen plus smilebox versions). I thought they did a great job with the restoration. The movie looks spectacular, 2008 release. I most definitely would purchase it again if a further upgrade was considered. Always one of my very favourite classic movies!
I am hoping that when the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood reopens in the Spring of 2025 that they once again show How The West Was Won in the original Cinerama process.
Hello- I'm dating myself but i remember quite well my parents taking me to see both TWWOTBG and HTWWW during their roadshow runs at the Loews Capitol in Manhattan. I still have the hardcover souvenir programs in mint condition.
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader at whatever age you saw it if you saw HTWWW on a huge curved Cinerama screen the buffalo stampede is something you will NEVER forget.
Greetings from Santiago de Chile. I got my copy of "How the West Was Won" on day one and is still until these day one of the highlights of my humble collection. Digibooks are great and how I wish that many 4K would be release in these format that could be the standard for classics. Fingers cross that movie fans not only give love to Blu-rays in social media and start buying these titles so that studios keep producing them.
It definitely would have been something and one wishes the true three panel process could have been used again in some fashion. It seems a waste to only be used on two narrative features-though the limitations, cost and technical hurdles were massive. I think a better defining and usage of the single projector 70mm films projected in Cinerama would have led to the format’s continuation. As it was they were done more like after the fact conversions much as today we have varying IMAX conversions.
Seeing these restored is a whole other experience. The first time I saw it growing up it was the single film version with all three panels shoved together. The Smilebox version is really impressive if you can find a copy of the digibook. Or the region free uk release is still in print with both discs.
This edition was one of the first 5 blu-rays I purchased when I got my first player back in 2010 ( the others were APOCALYPSE NOW, FANTASIA, AVATAR (yeah, I know...) and if memory serves (unfortunately) MGM's first crappy hi-def stab at the Leone Trilogy. I still find the HTWWW Smilebox transfer so eye-poppingly clear on my 55" 4K monitor that it almost takes me out of the film when I watch it. I suspect a UHD viewing would probably require a trained nurse on hand, like in the William Castle trailers.
It really does hold up and even if they didn’t do new work, Warner Archive could do a re-issue with a new encode that has a maxed out that rate like Brothers Grimm does. And in spite of that I’m astounded at how good the Blu-ray still looks. It’s very jarring going back to the old LD from the composite version. It’s funny how we remember our first format purchases. I know my first Blu-ray was Adventures of Robin Hood long before I had a player.
Thanks for always doing an excellent and informative job in covering films you talk about. Yours is among my favorite channels on UA-cam to watch and share our passion for film. I have a question for you. Which edition of Superman is sitting behind you on the top shelf in that metal-looking attache case?
Thank you! It’s the ultimate collectors edition tin made to tie into Superman Returns being released on disc. The standalone dvd sets released later had most of the same content. Unfortunately most of the discs in the tin have rot and it was notorious for having damaged discs due to the interior case but the tin is a wonderful display piece so I’ve kept it.
I had no idea this film had a curved presentation on Blu-ray, trying to replicate the Cinerama format. Makes me wonder why no one's done it for 2001: A Space Odyssey. I know Douglas Trumbull's gone on record saying that 2001's Cinerama was a botch job, but it's still a curiosity and part of 2001's Roadshow presentation.
Unfortunately they only released it in the digibook and afterwards only sold the letterbox disc by itself. There has been some talk about making smilebox versions of the 70mm films shown in Cinerama but it’s unknown whether it would really work or not. None were exactly designed for the curved screen and 2001 is known to have not exactly worked in all shots. Theoretically you could do a Smilebox version for these meaning new transfers of 2001, Ice Station Zebra, Grand Prix and others.
I'm angry that the 3-in-1 Edition Including The Searchers‚ the original directors cut of the Wild bunch‚ and of course How the West was won‚ did not include smilebox Disc 2
Yeah, I had to spend quite a while tracking down the original digibook to find both discs. It’s silly of warner to remove the smilebox disc from every re-issue.
The British standard edition includes both discs and is well cheap
I hadn’t realized there was an available UK two disc set! As it’s region free and likely identical disc content that’s definitely the way to go.
I picked up the digibook when it was released in 2008. I did not watch it because I had already waited 35+ years for my first viewing of HTWWW to be on a Cinerama screen. This came true in 2012 when I saw it in 3-strip Cinerama at Pictureville, Bradford, England. This was at the Widescreen Weekend festival where they also showed The Wonderful World of the Brother's Grimm - first public screening in 3-strip Cinerama for more than 40 years. I watched the Grimm blu-ray last night and the PQ is fantastic - Dave Strohmaier and Tom March did an amazing job with it.
First saw this in a tent in the early 60s, and the last time at Pictureville in Bradford. My favourite film, and it ignited a passion for movies that ultimately led to the Minema in my home which is ... wondrous.
Thanks for the detailed review. I remember buying the digibook back in 2008 and being surprised that Warner chose to release this, a film that was largely forgotten about and requiring expensive restoration, while so many other films were languishing in their vaults at the time.
@@richardfuchs3690 George Feltenstein has expressed desire to redo the film with the modern tools developed for the Brothers Grimm restoration.
Excellent presentation and one of the most in-depth analysis of the technical and artistic elements of HTWWW to date. Wish it was longer. One of the greatest joys of my life was, when researching my John Ford bio in his papers at Lily Library in Bloomington, IN, holding two of Ford's Oscars and having access to his shooting script for HTWWW complete with marginal notes. Shout outs to Richard Thorpe, who directed most of the transitional scenes, stuntmen Loren Janes and Bob Morgan (who lost a leg and eye while doubling for George Peppard in the runaway train sequence) and legendary stunt director Richard Talmadge whose wildly stylized and intentionally exaggerated staging of the stunt set pieces still read so well on the big and small screen.
Wow, thank you!! I try to cram in as much analysis as I can with these videos and if I get going on film formats or Ford I can go for quite some time...
I can't imagine being able to handle such incredible artifacts like that!
Hard to believe it took me this many years to finally watch this film. Utterly amazing! I was hooked within minutes. Try to put yourself into the film. Its incredible what our forefathers went through during the westward expansion. The bravery, the hardships, even the way people fell in love or just married because that was what you did back then. Ok, maybe not always so quickly but I can imagine maybe things were like that.
All in all, a must see movie! Don't forget the popcorn. My wife hasn't seen it in decades so we will be watching it again on election eve (tonight) to calm our nerves and heres hoping we still have a democracy when all is said and done. Wishing all Americans could see what America is all about. Love this film. 5 stars for sure.
We didn't get the digibook release here in Australia - just the plain cover 2 disc release (standard wide-screen plus smilebox versions).
I thought they did a great job with the restoration. The movie looks spectacular, 2008 release. I most definitely would purchase it again if a further upgrade was considered. Always one of my very favourite classic movies!
Got this 2008 Blu-ray Digibook when it was released!
I am hoping that when the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood reopens in the Spring of 2025 that they once again show How The West Was Won in the original Cinerama process.
Your mastery of the film technology is impressive! Thanks very much for this grand review.
:)
Thank you!! I try to be as accurate as possible when talking about specialty formats. I’m a complete geek for all the special film processes.
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader You're welcome!
Hello-
I'm dating myself but i remember quite well my parents taking me to see both TWWOTBG and HTWWW during their
roadshow runs at the Loews Capitol in Manhattan. I still have the hardcover souvenir programs in mint condition.
That must’ve been amazing!!
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader
at whatever age you saw it if you saw HTWWW on a huge curved Cinerama screen the buffalo
stampede is something you will NEVER forget.
Greetings from Santiago de Chile. I got my copy of "How the West Was Won" on day one and is still until these day one of the highlights of my humble collection. Digibooks are great and how I wish that many 4K would be release in these format that could be the standard for classics. Fingers cross that movie fans not only give love to Blu-rays in social media and start buying these titles so that studios keep producing them.
great review as always.i imagine what could have been.a star wars a james bond or an indiana jones in a 3 strip cinerama version.
It definitely would have been something and one wishes the true three panel process could have been used again in some fashion. It seems a waste to only be used on two narrative features-though the limitations, cost and technical hurdles were massive.
I think a better defining and usage of the single projector 70mm films projected in Cinerama would have led to the format’s continuation. As it was they were done more like after the fact conversions much as today we have varying IMAX conversions.
Great review and video. I love this movie and have it on blu-ray but the digibook looks great! Thanks for the comprehensive review.
Seeing these restored is a whole other experience. The first time I saw it growing up it was the single film version with all three panels shoved together.
The Smilebox version is really impressive if you can find a copy of the digibook. Or the region free uk release is still in print with both discs.
Hello-
interestingly Carroll Baker starred in 3 of the all time great westerns- Giant, The Big Country and HTWWW.
This edition was one of the first 5 blu-rays I purchased when I got my first player back in 2010 ( the others were APOCALYPSE NOW, FANTASIA,
AVATAR (yeah, I know...) and if memory serves (unfortunately) MGM's first crappy hi-def stab at the Leone Trilogy. I still find the HTWWW Smilebox transfer so eye-poppingly clear on my 55" 4K monitor that it almost takes me out of the film when I watch it. I suspect a UHD viewing would probably require a trained nurse on hand, like in the William Castle trailers.
It really does hold up and even if they didn’t do new work, Warner Archive could do a re-issue with a new encode that has a maxed out that rate like Brothers Grimm does. And in spite of that I’m astounded at how good the Blu-ray still looks. It’s very jarring going back to the old LD from the composite version.
It’s funny how we remember our first format purchases. I know my first Blu-ray was Adventures of Robin Hood long before I had a player.
@@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader I remember the first CDs I bought in 1984 - I still have them. Showing my age now lol.
Got the current release awhile back, had no idea about the smile box feature. Grimm arrives today so I plan to test it on the projector.
I bet it’ll be awesome projected!
If you keep an eye out the digibook pops up for cheap every once in a while.
Can we get a Smilebox blu of 2001 for those of us who want to imagine seeing it in Cinerama, PLEASE
Thanks for always doing an excellent and informative job in covering films you talk about. Yours is among my favorite channels on UA-cam to watch and share our passion for film. I have a question for you. Which edition of Superman is sitting behind you on the top shelf in that metal-looking attache case?
Thank you!
It’s the ultimate collectors edition tin made to tie into Superman Returns being released on disc. The standalone dvd sets released later had most of the same content. Unfortunately most of the discs in the tin have rot and it was notorious for having damaged discs due to the interior case but the tin is a wonderful display piece so I’ve kept it.
Amazon now has this set for $19.99.
I had no idea this film had a curved presentation on Blu-ray, trying to replicate the Cinerama format.
Makes me wonder why no one's done it for 2001: A Space Odyssey. I know Douglas Trumbull's gone on record saying that 2001's Cinerama was a botch job, but it's still a curiosity and part of 2001's Roadshow presentation.
Unfortunately they only released it in the digibook and afterwards only sold the letterbox disc by itself. There has been some talk about making smilebox versions of the 70mm films shown in Cinerama but it’s unknown whether it would really work or not. None were exactly designed for the curved screen and 2001 is known to have not exactly worked in all shots. Theoretically you could do a Smilebox version for these meaning new transfers of 2001, Ice Station Zebra, Grand Prix and others.
I meant to get the Blu-Ray Digibook of How the West Was Won but I never did. Hopefully the movie will get re-released soon.
I hope it does. Even if they didn’t do any new work a new encoding would be a reason for reissue.
Agreed.
I'm sure Warner Bros will perform a new restoration of the film in 4K. They might as well go all out for a movie like How The West Was Won.
I'm angry that the 3-in-1 Edition Including The Searchers‚ the original directors cut of the Wild bunch‚ and of course How the West was won‚ did not include smilebox Disc 2
Yeah, I had to spend quite a while tracking down the original digibook to find both discs. It’s silly of warner to remove the smilebox disc from every re-issue.
西部劇で、この作品の2年前に、アラモ、1年前に荒野の7人が上映され、日本でも高評価を受けましたが、この作品はドラマ性があり、オールスターキャスと言う事で、ハリウッドの西部劇では、素晴らしい映画と思います。