Posts from Robert Harris in thread „The Restoration of John Wayne's THE ALAMO- Movie“

  • The Restoration of John Wayne's THE ALAMO- Movie

    Quote from Juniormike

    I know someone who has a German 70mm print. I don't know whether it has a longer running time than the 'general' German 35mm version that was released at the same time.
    Are you still looking for better picture elements or is this just all about restoring the print you already have?


    The film was released in Germany after the negative was re-cut, which means that the chances of a print being the longer version are very slim. The print that we have serves our purposes.

  • The Restoration of John Wayne's THE ALAMO- Movie

    Quote from Colorado Bob


    I hope you don't mind what is probably a stupid question, but can you tell me the difference between the different versions of The Alamo that are out there now? I bought the DVD several years ago, and it is shorter than the VHS tape that I have. The VHS set is two tapes and has the Overture, the Entr'acte, Intermission, and Exit music in it, plus the birthday scene with Lisa Dickinson (Aissa Wayne). But I always thought that there was more to it. That even the VHS tapes had something missing. Maybe I'm wrong. I had always thought that the original film had been cut down to make a roadshow version and that the roadshow version was made into the VHS double tape set, and then cut down again for the DVD version. I thought that the original was completely lost. I read the article that you wrote, but sometimes I'm a little dense and need things explained a little more before I understand them.


    Thanks again for undertaking this not only monumental, but historically important task. I know that all of us here at the JWMB truely appreciate it.
    -Colorado Bob


    Not a "stupid question" at all, with a bit of a complex answer, but here goes.


    The Alamo ran for a limited period in a version running approximately 192 minutes PLUS Overture, Entr'acte, Intermission tag and Exit music, which added about an extra 10, bringing the total to about 202 minutes.


    Shortly after the release the film was cut reducing the length to about 162 minutes. 70mm screenings still had the music intact, while most 35mm prints were without.


    When the 70mm Roadshow print was discovered in the exchange in Toronto around 1992 it was used toward the creation of the laser disc boxed set, which was released as the Roadshow. However, because of print damage during transfer, the laser and all other variants packaged as Roadshow were not. There were no major changes, but a bit of re-cutting with loss of footage did occur. Our new version will be the actual Roadshow, with frame losses, still within a second of the original.


    I'm unfamiliar with the cut on VHS. You mention the birthday party, which was reel 9B, and this is where it gets confusing. As reels were re-cut the original 65mm negative elements as well as 65mm protective masters were destroyed. Since reel 9B was removed in its entirety, it was simply set aside, and still survives today. So when you mention VHS and birthday party, it is possible that just that reel was somehow added back, which would have created other problems, as bits and pieces of connective tissue in 9A would have been missing.


    If your VHS tape runs over 200 minutes, then it is simply another release on VHS of the laserdisc boxed set. If not, then it is something entirely different and somehow between the two.


    In reality, there have been three versions: The Roadshow, The General Release and the home video version called "The Roadshow."


    The DVD is the General Release version, as the Roadshow footage was not of high enough quality to work on DVD without complaints.


    Our final versions would be available in both General Release as well as the ACTUAL Roadshow in both Blu-ray as well as standard definition DVD.


    I hope this is helpful!


    RAH

  • The Restoration of John Wayne's THE ALAMO- Movie

    As of today, the fundraising has officially begun.


    While it will be a few days before we have links for credit cards and Paypal,
    our charitable sponsor can now accept checks toward the restoration of the film. Their website, where prime links for cc and pp will reside is: http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/


    Contributions via check should be made out payable to:


    Jacob Burns Film Center, Inc.


    with the information: "f/b/o Alamo Restoration" in the memo field, normally lower left. It is very important that Alamo be noted on the checks.


    The mailing address is:


    Jacob Burns Film Center
    405 Manville Road
    Pleasantville, NY 10570
    Att: Dominick Balletta


    All contributions are tax deductible.


    It goes without saying that any aid is appreciated.


    RAH

  • The Restoration of John Wayne's THE ALAMO- Movie

    Just a quick note to acknowledge the thread. Our non-profit links will be announced next week, and the support of dukewayne.com is appreciated. Through the support of Batjac, we now have proper color reference for reel 9B, which contains the missing birthday party sequence. We will attempt to keep you in the loop as to progress.


    RAH