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denti alligator wrote: Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:06 pm Can you double-check whether subs on the Blu-ray are fixed? That would really be unfortunate.

That's already been confirmed to be the case, though they're mechanically forced, not burned in, if that makes a difference.

swo17 wrote: Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:11 pm

denti alligator wrote: Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:06 pm Can you double-check whether subs on the Blu-ray are fixed? That would really be unfortunate.

That's already been confirmed to be the case, though they're mechanically forced, not burned in, if that makes a difference.

Well, does that mean they can be removed or made optional in ripping them?

There may be some kind of workaround though I'm afraid that's beyond my technical expertise

denti alligator wrote: Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:16 pmWell, does that mean they can be removed or made optional in ripping them?

Yes. With DVD there are also players (hardware and software) that ignore such restrictions by default, but I don't know if a similar thing exists for Blu-ray.

Are there any rumours of a US release?

ari101 wrote: Sat Dec 08, 2018 5:47 pm Are there any rumours of a US release?

If there is it's doubtful to be as good as the UK release and won't be at the correct speed.

The Fanciful Norwegian wrote: Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:45 pm

denti alligator wrote: Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:16 pmWell, does that mean they can be removed or made optional in ripping them?

Yes. With DVD there are also players (hardware and software) that ignore such restrictions by default, but I don't know if a similar thing exists for Blu-ray.

Easy to do on a HTPC with AnyDVD or DVDFab Passkey, so I might get this after all.

Can anyone give any insight into how similar are the different Blu-ray releases? I don't mean in terms of the extras.

Is the encoding the same? How does the Lumiere one compare to the Second Sight, for example.

Has anyone heard anything about a Bluray release of Heimat 2?

ari101 wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2020 4:04 pm Has anyone heard anything about a Bluray release of Heimat 2?

I think it's currently being restored so it might be awhile. I'm sure once it's done someone like Second Sight will release (if they still have it).

Glowingwabbit wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2020 5:01 pm I think it's currently being restored so it might be awhile.

Do you have a source for that?

It was mentioned in the Recent Restorations thread awhile back

Stefan Andersson wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2019 4:07 pm Die Zweite Heimat is being restored in 4K.
Soundtrack will receive a 5.1 remix. A 2021 release is planned.

Source:
https://heimat-fanpage.de/index.php/f/2 ... voran.html

Detailed info in German about the differences between the 1984 version of Heimat and the restoration:
https://heimat-fanpage.de/index.php/filmanalyse.html

Some of the changes are really surprising

I'm not going to read much further than the first few blips (as I haven't seen it yet) but yeah looks like it. I'm curious what zedz thinks, who I believe adores and has been a vocal champion of this film (?), or anyone who has seen it based on what's outlined here. [I have a copy, but have been waiting for this to come out, so if there's a benefit to seeing the old version I'll just jump on it sooner]

The video quality of the old version is so poor that I'm not sure it's worth it. These simply look amazing. Reitz approved the changes, after all. Still.

denti alligator wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 1:42 am Some of the changes are really surprising

But the 16:9 cropping is horrible.

That’s one thing. But changing color to b&w is another.

therewillbeblus wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 2:47 am I'm not going to read much further than the first few blips (as I haven't seen it yet) but yeah looks like it. I'm curious what zedz thinks, who I believe adores and has been a vocal champion of this film (?), or anyone who has seen it based on what's outlined here. [I have a copy, but have been waiting for this to come out, so if there's a benefit to seeing the old version I'll just jump on it sooner]

The benefit to watching the old version is watching the old version. Heimat and Heimat 2 are two of the best movies I've ever seen in my life and I honestly believe they can't be improved on. The video quality for both is not good, as denti noted, but it stops being noticeable after awhile as the story is so engrossing. I'd be interested in seeing whatever changes Reitz made because I'd watch anything new that deals with these characters but I can't imagine any kind of upgrade from the original.

accatone wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 5:36 pm

denti alligator wrote: Mon Mar 02, 2020 1:42 am Some of the changes are really surprising

But the 16:9 cropping is horrible.

It's actually 1.66:1, and having seen it (my three previous viewings - once on TV, twice on DVD - were in 4:3) I was satisfied that 1.66:1 was an intended ratio, given that it was going to be shown in the cinema as well as on television. So I disagree. The shot which convinced me is right at the start of "Soldiers and Love" (the original eighth episode, the first half of Episode FIve in the restored version) where Glasisch's narration refers to the Moon and the camera tilts up to take in the whole of it. That wouldn't be necessary if 4:3 was the composed-for ratio, as the Moon in that ratio is fully in shot throughout. I agree that Heimat is quite tightly framed in 1.66:1 in places, though.

I've been meaning to rewatch Heimat 2 for some time, which will be my third viewing (following UK TV and then DVD), and great to hear it's on its way for next year, or whenever a UK distributor releases it.

Unnecessary to point out that Cinema ≠ Widescreen. I (only) have a soft spot for the first Heimat (Eine deutsche Chronik, 1919-1982) for personal reasons i.e. parents/grandparents generation, neighbors and the (relativly close) location/setting. What is so special for me, are the interior shots of the first half of the last century. They perfectly capture the small houses and rooms that not only represent anxiety or oppression (Paul leaving the village), but also a feeling of warmth and familiy, i.e. Heimat in a positive sense. The latter is to my knowledge unique and convincing (also in its square 4:3 framing, matching the mise en scène). Even the nature shots (and add Munich of Heimat II if you want) breath the small town (4:3) feeling for me, in all its contradictoriness (oppression/warmth).
The comparison-clip of above link starts with the interior shots of the old Simon house. As i have not seen the new restoration, my thoughts here are rather random, naturally.

Looking at the screenshots on the DVDBeaver review, it's hard to see that it wasn't intended as 4:3 viewing. The cropping is quite shocking.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview ... lu-ray.htm

ari101 wrote: Tue Mar 03, 2020 6:12 pm The cropping is quite shocking.

It's not, though. I watched the blu-ray set last year and at no point is there a single frame that feels choked out by this framing. I did some reading around the film after watching and I have a vague memory of finding an interview (in ASC magazine? I can't remember and I didn't save it on my hard drives) that talks about shooting it for both 1:66 theatrical framing and a 4:3 TV open matte. Doing so was a common practice, at any rate.

That said, I wish both the 4:3 and 16:9 were on Blu, and I find accatone's points in favor of the 4:3 ratio better suiting the material and the interiors quite compelling. I love the way wide angle lenses conform space to 4:3-- I watched Fruits of Paradise over the weekend, and it uses an ultrawide (9.8mm Kinoptik?) to great effect in the format.

For the record -- detailed info about the Heimat restoration:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150810212 ... remastered

Just did my periodic google for "Die Zweite Heimat" and this trailer appeared today. I can't find any other info beyond what it says in the trailer "back in cinemas after 30 years" but it looks better than I've ever seen it so hoping for a blu-ray release soon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7on57no2QU

So exciting! Can't wait.