MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Colorized films

Colorized films

posted 6 years ago by Rockets (74)
34 replies | jump to latest

Half of the TV audience switches channel when they see a black & white movie so it makes sense to colorize old films for TV. This started in the 80s, I think, and many opposed the practice but now with DVD and bluray you get to choose which version to watch and still people complain about it.

Previous colorization techniques may have been bad but the new results are quite pretty, like The Last Man on Earth (1964). I prefer the color versions.

𝓘 𝓗 𝓐 𝓥 𝓔 𝓐 𝓡 𝓞 𝓒 𝓚 𝓔 𝓣 𝓘 𝓝 𝓜 𝓨 𝓟 𝓞 𝓒 𝓚 𝓔 𝓣

[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] CKid (3834) 6 years ago

I completely agree, MichiganJFrogg ("plunk your magic twanger, froggy").
I currently own seven B&W films on DVD or blu-ray and not for one second would I want them colorized.

Those films are ...
To Kill a Mockingbird
The List of Adrian Messenger
12 Angry Men
In Harm's Way
International House (a W.C. Fields film)
A Day at the Races (a Marx Brothers film)
A Night at the Opera (ditto)

I remember when Turner colorized To Kill a Mockingbird. It was awful.
Some might argue that In Harm's Way would be better in color, but my attitude is that if Otto Preminger wanted it to be filmed in color, he would have shot it that way.

[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] CKid (3834) 6 years ago

Yes, The List of Adrian Messenger is definitely worth watching -- an interesting plot, excellent performances and a nice little, somewhat hidden treat.

[–] sha (40) 6 years ago

Did you see Nebraska?

[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] sha (40) 6 years ago

It was OK. It's black and white.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

Yes. Excellent film!

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[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

Here's the Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuIBvmxIN4w

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[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

It's actually hilarious, and it earned six Academy Award nominations. June Squibb was nominated for best actress in a supporting role. She was hysterical, and should have won! This is her best scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHGcFBf2q1s

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[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

Oh no. That's very misleading. It's actually a hoot. Bruce Dern and Will Forte are also very good.
And there's a particularly funny scene about a borrowed generator.

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[–] somesunnyday (2078) 6 years ago

I agree. Imagine colorizing Nosferatu!

[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] ShogunofYonkers (73793) 6 years ago

Colorizing Nosferatu would be a crime against the art of film!!
I suggest a complete remake...
Michael Bay will direct, The Rock will play the monster and half of the $150 million dollar budget will be invested in green screens and CGI mayem...at the end The Transformers show up and blow the hell out of the castle!
Thats a movie right there;)

[–] somesunnyday (2078) 6 years ago

Lol!

[–] TalkinPikchorBox (2250) 6 years ago

Wizard of oz way better in color

[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] TalkinPikchorBox (2250) 6 years ago

No you’re absolutely right. I’m effing dee dee dee. Brain fart lol

[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] croft_alice (12180) 6 years ago

The black and white movies have a specific charm

[–] GlenEllyn (21261) 6 years ago

Early colorization efforts were horrible. They colorized skin, some clothing, a few trees and buildings, but everything else was still black & white. I don't think I've seen anything recently colorized so I have no idea if they're any better. I'll stick with the original version in black & white, thank you.

However, I will say that I find colorizing newsreel footage, such as film from WWI & II, if done well, brings those eras more "to life." When I was a young child I thought the world was actually black & white in the "olden" days. 🤭

[–] samoanjoes (53160) 6 years ago

Anyone who prefers colourized films should be sent my way so I can give them a stern talking to.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

Amen, Bro! Those are the same folks who would probably want to paint clothes on Man on the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

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[–] samoanjoes (53160) 6 years ago

It's like overdubbed films. I don't understand how anyone can watch an overdubbed film (unless you're dyslexic and can't read).

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

I agree completely. That's another one of my pet peeves. I can use subtitles, but overdubbing is an abomination.

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[–] PeteRose (2893) 6 years ago

New colorizations do look pretty good, and as long as I have the choice of which version, I have no problem with it. Occasionally the colorized is the only version you can find easily and that's a drag. I went looking for HD version of It Came From Beneath the Sea and the B&W high res version is elusive.

[–] Starduster (268) 6 years ago

There are certainly MANY B&W movies that should not be colorized.
HOWEVER, I dont have a problem of DVD's or Blurays that offer BOTH versions on the same disc. I will agree that techniques continue to improve as far as colorizing movies. But it takes a particular talent to pick out the appropriate color palate to harmonize with the theme and mood of the movie.
I DO understand that doing it wrong can ruin a movie completely. Many old horror films relied on a lack of color to create an ominous look and atmosphere.
What is needed is good judgement and talent as well as the inclusion of BOTH versions.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

I prefer the B&W.

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[–] MIchiganJFrogg (-35) 6 years ago

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[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 6 years ago

A purist like me. Amen, Bro!

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[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I will never watch any gangsters or horror films,Cagney’s films, 3 Stooges or little Rascals or any other films from that period in colour!