Sony Blu-rays as a medium for preserving classic dubs?
Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:49 amOkay, obviously, any discussion involving Godzilla films on Blu-ray via Sony is speculative. That said, looking at how the Toho Collection on DVD is coming along, it seems to me there is a glimmer of hope for something great to come of any future Sony Blu-ray releases. And I'm not even talking special features.
As everyone here knows, three classic dubs were "lost" when Sony released their Godzilla titles on DVD. I think Blu-ray offers our only realistic chance of seeing them on an optical format in the next ten years. So here goes.
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
The DVD included what I believe was a modified international print, with both the Japanese and international English tracks. I have no gripes with this. What I'd like to see on a Blu-ray however, is an additional track with the original US dub. In an ideal situation, some people at Sony would use the best materials they have to cobble together a restoration that is faithful to the TV broadcast's order of scenes.
Son of Godzilla
Same as above, though I'm not even sure if an additional video track is necessity, since I think the original US dub could be laid on fairly easily.
Godzilla vs. Hedorah
Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster is probably the most missed of the US Godzilla edits. I recently came across what appears to be a fan-made restoration of the film, using widescreen elements of the AIP credits and what is probably Sony's material for the bulk of the film. It looks great, and that's what made me start this thread in the first place.
I don't see any reason, aside from legal issues, that this cannot happen. If Sony can shell out dough for a commentary for Mothra, then I don't see why we can't restore and preserve these classics.
If I had my way, I'd also make sure we restored and preserved the following:
Godzilla on Monster Island
Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster
My hunch is that most fans don't care about these two. After all, they utilize the same exact dubs. They are, however, the original theatrical releases of the films in the United States, with slight differences. In my opinion, they are important. Just not nearly as important as the above three films.
As everyone here knows, three classic dubs were "lost" when Sony released their Godzilla titles on DVD. I think Blu-ray offers our only realistic chance of seeing them on an optical format in the next ten years. So here goes.
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster
The DVD included what I believe was a modified international print, with both the Japanese and international English tracks. I have no gripes with this. What I'd like to see on a Blu-ray however, is an additional track with the original US dub. In an ideal situation, some people at Sony would use the best materials they have to cobble together a restoration that is faithful to the TV broadcast's order of scenes.
Son of Godzilla
Same as above, though I'm not even sure if an additional video track is necessity, since I think the original US dub could be laid on fairly easily.
Godzilla vs. Hedorah
Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster is probably the most missed of the US Godzilla edits. I recently came across what appears to be a fan-made restoration of the film, using widescreen elements of the AIP credits and what is probably Sony's material for the bulk of the film. It looks great, and that's what made me start this thread in the first place.
I don't see any reason, aside from legal issues, that this cannot happen. If Sony can shell out dough for a commentary for Mothra, then I don't see why we can't restore and preserve these classics.
If I had my way, I'd also make sure we restored and preserved the following:
Godzilla on Monster Island
Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster
My hunch is that most fans don't care about these two. After all, they utilize the same exact dubs. They are, however, the original theatrical releases of the films in the United States, with slight differences. In my opinion, they are important. Just not nearly as important as the above three films.