Colorizing B&W Films on Blu-ray, Okay or Blasphemy?
I've been an avid movie fan for most my life. I own a collection of over 500 DVD's and Blu-ray movies dating from the late 1890's to about the mid-60's. There was a push in the late 80's early 90's to "colorize" B&W films. I saw many of these movies to base a judgement and EVERY movie I ever saw was absolute trash. No taste in selecting movies, badly done and I vowed never to own a colorized movie again. There have been a few exceptions like Kirk Douglas' "Champion," that was only released w/ color and B&W versions, so I sucked it up and bought it.
Fast forward to 2009 and I found myself making the switch from DVD to Blu-ray. Blu-ray for the most part has been fantastic on some of the older classics bringing new life to films, some EXCEPTIONAl (African Queen, I don't believe it was EVER seen as it is on BR). Recently I was faced with the problem of once again having to buy a couple movies (20 million miles to Earth and It's a Wonderful LIfe) that came out, only with a colorized version with them. I considered boycotting and just not owning these in my collection. There are some films like Citizen Kane, Third Man, Casablanca, etc. that you just don't colorize, can you imagine Schindler's list in color? Well I purchased 20 Million Miles and watched it, great print, and of course curiosity got the better of me so I watched it in color, there is a teaser on the main screen showing before and after shots, so grab your chair, here it is, they didn't look bad!
I found myself watching the entire movie thinking this is just wrong! But, this isn't the same 20 year old colorized movies of the the 80's. I swear to you that if you did not know the film was shot in B&W, you would never be able to pick up on it. Even on sound stage shots, the color was amazing, still obviously sound stage scenes, but done with incredible attention to detail that BLEW MY MIND! I was now beyond curious as to what It's a wonderful life might look like, but was slightly afraid the movie gods would come and crush me for even considering a viewing. After much debate, I did not buy the film, but an even more critical friend of mine called me to tell me that he bit the bullet and asked me to forgive his sin in purchasing "It's a Wonderful Life."
I could not resist the temptation as wrong as it was to go watch this movie in color to see if they matched what they had done on 20 Million Miles. I watched the first 15 minutes and was BLOWN AWAY, I don't think there is a person in the US that doesn't know that this film was made in B&W, but if one exists, they would be completely fooled with this AMAZING technology! I look forward to showing my son these films one day and let him watch both and decide what he likes.
There is no doubt that this could catch on if people would forget the garbage put out 20 years ago and give this a chance. They may actually be able to reach a whole new audience that would never watch anything but a color film. I tip my hat to the Colorizing Wizards and cannot wait to see Harryhausen's next two films coming out in color as well. You have to watch the extras on these two movies and see what they're doing. So, erase your memory of what you think colorized movies look like, sit back and prepare to be completely impressed.
Again, there are obviously films that should never be colorized, some would argue none, but open your mind/eyes and give it one more chance, and you can thank me afterwards!
ENJOY!
Justin H., NCRead full review
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 1 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/WhwAAOSwXntmRRf1/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 2 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9IsAAOSwvf1mRRf2/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 3 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SaYAAOSwZTBmRRf3/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 4 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/d6YAAOSwCO1mRRf5/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 5 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UsQAAOSwDudmRRf9/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 6 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NAAAAOSwYOZmRRf~/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 7 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KvoAAOSwI7JmRRgG/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]- New👍 - Picture 8 of 8](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/IlIAAOSwevVmRRgH/s-l500.jpg)
![It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]](https://ir.ebaystatic.com/rs/c/prpweb-src-images-space-98af7172.gif)