Blu About The Slow Release of Classic Titles On Blu-ray? Take Heart!

An interview with George Feldstein from Warner Home Video about the current restoration some classic films are getting for their Blu-ray debuts.

Oftentimes, 1080p remastering shines a beacon on basic rudimentary production techniques used in classic films. Mattes, backdrops, and rear projection work are more noticeable, and special effects can lose their mystique. When upgrading ‘Top Hat’ (1935), Feltenstein was shocked to see how dirty the floor was on which Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced. That dirty floor will be clearly visible when the Astaire-Rogers films make their Blu-ray debut in 2010, as will the wires that support the Scarecrow in certain scenes of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Age-related specks, scratches, and grit, however, will be erased.

It’s amazing to hear that some restorations that were done just a couple of years ago arent good enough for HD. It’s even more amazing to hear that Warner Brothers are going to restore the films from scratch… again.