Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Exodus (1960)

This is topic Exodus (1960) in forum The Afterlife at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 03-13-2005, 08:03 AM:

Just purchased this one. Had never seen the film at all, but have heard the theme music countless times done by the likes of Lawrence Welk, Mantovani, etc. The original version of the theme used in the movie is the best, imho.

The print quality is top-notch. Very few distractions except at a reel-change or two. The titles tell me that it was filmed on location in Panavision 70. If I am not mistaken, this film looks like 70mm. Can anybody tell me the history of this transfer?

The 5.1 stereo is awesome. The sound follows the action all around the room. There are only a couple of places, like when Paul Newman is addressing the people of the ship. The center channel all but disappears, and it is difficult to understand. I believe that this is all in one reel of the film.

Looking at the film, the only place that I notice any negative fade is in dark scenes toward the middle of the film. The black backgrounds shift slightly, but is not a big distraction.

We used to run this film in 16mm on TV back in the day. I'm glad I never tried to watch it that way.

I won't critique the action, or the acting. Its a handsome production, and is something to be proud of.

Only real DVD gripe: WHY the LOUD MGM logo? Its louder than any part of the film!!!

Posted by Will Kutler (Member # 770) on 03-13-2005, 05:14 PM:

Premminger's film SUCKS! He basically butchered Uris's book and totally ruined much of the meaning behind the origonal story! I would suggest that you read the book to see just what I mean.

In a histrical sense, Uris attempted to narrorate the birth of Isreal, from the 1880's through approximately the early/mid mid-1950's. And he also tried to explain the roots of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and England's role in aggravating the situation.

Le Affair Exodus 1947 DID NOT occur as Uris described in his book. Over the years, those Israelis who were actually involved with the actual affair have had no problem publically stating that they despse Uris's book for it's complete lack of historical accuracy regarding this event.

While I have always enjoyed Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint, their acting, probably a result of Premminger's direction, seems to be a bit "sappy".

Posted by Tao Yue (Member # 836) on 03-13-2005, 08:46 PM:

What kind of information are you looking for about the transfer that isn't available from viewing the film? The fact that the distractions come "at a reel-change or two" seems to indicate a projection print of some sort. It's suboptimal but not surprising for a bare-bones bargain DVD. The changeover cues (oval or round) would indicate whether the transfer was made from a 35 reduction or a 70 element.

The slapped-on MGM logo is common to all their DVDs. Unfortunately it's optimized for today's drown-out-your-ears mixes, and will be overly loud when compared to an older mix that has some dynamic range.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 03-14-2005, 12:31 AM:

The DVD of EXODUS is from a 35mm source. The sound is only 2.0 stereo.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 03-14-2005, 07:02 AM:

I've never read the book. I will.

There are no cues on the print used for the transfer. Would I miss them?

The principal actors make me think of the word 'sappy.'

The stereo on this print often starts in the back speakers, comes around to the left or right, and action appears on the screen with it. The disc is marked Dolby surround 5.1.

Damn loud MGM logo.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 03-14-2005, 09:08 AM:

My DVD copy of EXODUS is marked (on the back of the box) as only being "Stereo Surround." While mislabeling sometimes occurs, I confirmed it in my DVD player and amplifier. There is only one soundtrack, and my Pioneer DVD player identifies it as 2/1 and my Denon receiver is using Dolby Pro-Logic to decode it.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 03-15-2005, 06:29 AM:

How embarassing!

I aquired some reading glasses last night. I've gotten away with wearing no glasses since 1982, and this is an event.

My DVD is also like Paul says. I honestly thought it was 5.1. My DVD player confirmed the 2.0 sound.

I still like the surround with this film.

Egg on my face. [Embarrassed]

Posted by Robert Harris (Member # 1712) on 04-19-2005, 08:22 AM:

Exodus was more typical garbage from M-G-M home video. The 1960 Oneg should be totally faded, which leaves them with 35mm dupes and print sources only.

IMHO, not a product of the quality one might expect from the talents involved. One of the most distressing points appears to be virtually every actor working in his or her own "style."