Genevieve Special Edition - A Complete Write-Off

[Lik Mearse]

Fellow Vintages,

I settled down to watch the new Carlton R2 "Genevieve" Special Edition only to be greeted by a grainy picture and dull, muted and muddy colours. Either I got used to this or the picture improved, but by the end I'd decided to return it like the proverbial "Dead Parrot" to the shop from whence it came. Perhaps this was the best "Genevieve" could ever look and I was being unduly critical.
The accompanying documentary was quite a revelation though, for the clips within were sharp, clear and glistening with vibrant colour. I compared them with the film and there was no doubt about it. Some one is passing off an old banger as the main feature whilst the gleaming engine parts can only be viewed in bits and pieces within the documentary.

A red flag, methinks.

Yours Automotively,
Lik.

[Napoleon]

Thanks for the disappointing information.I was going to buy this version,but i guess i'll have to stay with my 'standard' edition.The fact that Carlton were involved was always bad news,they care nothing for the films,just screwing as much dosh as they can.

[jonathan.e]

It’s sad that Carlton treat their features in such a cavalier manner while they lavish so much time, money and attention on their TV work ie. Prisoner, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Space 1999 etc. However having said that, I just received their DVD of Without a Clue last week and it is a lovely, clear print, well transferred in the correct W/S ratio. Only negative is the lack of 16x9 enhancement.

[feverpitch96]

I have both the Genevieve SE and the original Carlton Silver Edition (i.e. the budget no-extras version they put out a while back), and I have to say I find the two transfers pretty much identical. Perhaps the brighter colours in the doco excerpts are taken from a video master, in which case the colours would not have faded over time as they would on a film print? (The same problem can be seen in BBC's Pride & Prejudice DVD set, where the film-sourced episodes look dull and faded compared with the episode excerpts taken from the Making Of featurette, sourced from a video master...and that's only the effects of half a decade!)

In any case, very possibly a missed opportunity. My parents will love it regardless when they get it on Christmas Day...it's "their" film, if you know what I mean.
:)