HISTORY:
My "world" is 'the arts' and more specifically, music, artwork and hand crafted/decorated chinaware's.
I am not a film enthusiast but an associate has asked me to find new owners for THEIR large collection of photographic and film items ... this is one of those items.
While the world of 8mm/Super 8mm is not my area of expertise, I am doing my best to establish the condition of each item that I am listing.
I tend to be quite detailed in my item descriptions, please READ all the details to decide if this item may interest you.
Now, on with the description ...
SPECIAL NOTE:
I have discovered TWO copies of this release (catalogue F48) one of which has no special markings and uses a Grey reel, whereas the other print has a dynatape label on the spine which says "BETTER PRINT" and is on a Blue reel.
You can select which reel you wish to have or take them both (and receive a discount for doing so)
20TH CENTURY FOX - Super 8 Film
Home Movie with selected scenes
Produced in USA
Colour
Sound
Title: STAR WARS (Selected scenes)
Catalogue # F48
Released 1977
Two copies
1: 7" dark Grey PLiO MAGIC (USA)
2: 7" Blue PLiO MAGIC (USA)
Content description
Where it all began ... the Star Wars saga
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Most of the following condition report is common to both copies
USED
CLEAN
Film stock and reel are undamaged, leader is fitted and undamaged.
Outer case is a formed styrofoam with a hinge on one side.
There is no damage to the case or it's hinge nor the outer clear plastic cover.
Very slight vinegar odour from the film, I am told this is normal after almost 50 years!
I have given the case (inside and out) a "sterilisation spray", I always do this with "old" items but NEVER the reel or film itself.
NO personal names or other writing on the case or label
One copy has a label on the spine (dynatape) which says BETTER PRINT, inside the case is a Blue PLiO MAGIC reel (unmarked)
The other copy has no markings on the case at all but on the rear of the case are two paper stickers from the distributor (AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR Box M200 Sydney 2012), inside the case is a dark Grey PLiO MAGIC reel (also unmarked)
TESTING:
BOTH COPIES ARE VERY SIMILAR IN REALITY, ANY VISIBLE OR AUDIO DIFFERENCES NOTED BELOW
Test projector is the ELMO 1200 that I have on hand at the moment.
Both films look to be clean and in good condition, sprocket holes are not damaged.
I ran each film through the projector for the first 5 minutes or so, to observe the colour and sound.
"BETTER PRINT"
The colour is only degraded due to the dreaded Red shift, but with some Yellows and Greens showing in some scenes. Actually I felt the Yellows in some scenes really "jumped out" however at all times the Blues are quite muted though.
"UNMARKED PRINT"
Personally I liked this print more, it seemed "brighter" if that makes sense. Sure it still has the obvious Red shift (or more specifically loss of Blues) but I just found this copy easier on my eyes!
Both prints have good clean pictures
SPECIAL NOTE:
I always include a couple of "off screen" snapshots ... now my digital camera is antiquated and it's limitations are definitely showing up in these sample photographs.
I take the screen shot in very low light levels, the camera flash is turned off (otherwise the picture is flooded with White) and the camera shutter speed is very slow.
This means I have trouble getting sharp photographs, especially when there is movement on the screen and I have noticed that after viewing quite a few films now, that my poor OLD digital camera is tending to emphasise the Red's in the photographs anyway - in real life the on-screen picture is not as Red as recorded in the photographs.
In either case, the audio sound (English dialogue) is very good, clean and full range so following the dialogue is easy. If I was to make any comment about the sound, I felt the audio levels were higher off the unmarked print.
In my opinion, after this very brief test, I am happy that these films are as stated on the case although I felt the "BETTER PRINT" comment was quite meaningless to be truthful, they both appeared very similar (see my comments above). Keep in mind though that my associate became unwell 20 years ago and this is when he would have attached the label, so I am guessing the "better print" degraded over the last 20 years to end up being very similar to the other print.
I am very fastidious and careful with these films and I have now packed them back into the original styrofoam cases and sealed each within a clear plastic packet - waiting for a Super 8 film enthusiast to give it a new home
