How the West Was Won Remastered for Blu-ray

Warner Home Video has announced that they will bring a newly restored and remastered version of the 1962 film 'How the West Was Won' for Blu-ray on August 26th, day-and-date with the DVD release. The film is only one of only two narrative feature films produced in the original Cinerama three-panel widescreen process. The film will get the "Ultimate" treatment, featuring a 20-page theatrical press book reproduction, 10 behind-the-scenes photo cards and 10 postcards, and an exclusive movie poster offer. The Blu-ray wil be released as a "coffee book" edition which will include a 32-page book with rare press material and behind-the-scenes photos. Also exclusive to Blu-ray is the “SmileBox” version of the film which presents the image with a unique curvature that virtually recreates the true Cinerama experience in a home theater.
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Lucy Diamond  » Apr 28, 2008
Bring us PALE RIDER!!!

HighlightShow  » Apr 28, 2008
Great! Love this movie.

Seretur  » Apr 28, 2008
This will be the first & only time I get to see this film the way its directors intended, and for once, Blu-ray will be the essential part of the viewing experience. Bring on the preorder link!

wnicholas76  » Apr 28, 2008
John Wayne, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, and Gregory Peck. Those 4 acting legends alone seal the deal for a Blu-ray purchase right there!

frenchglen  » Apr 28, 2008
I thought another Led Zep blu-ray was coming! Not so excited now

ECWaenigma  » Apr 28, 2008

This is probably one of the oddest films I've ever seen that is considered a classic. It's not a bad movie (I mean, John Ford directed some of it), it's just very weird. Like that weird family of trappers that beats up on Jimmy Stewart toward the beginning of the film? What's up with that? They looked more at home in "The Hills Have Eyes" than a Western. Or the Duke's walk on "go p*ss and you'll miss it" cameo? Seriously. Doesn't mean I'm not going to buy it (I will)...but still, what an odd duck of a movie...

wallendo  » Apr 28, 2008
I hope they plan on releasing 2 discs. With two different versions (regular and "smilebox") on one disc, there may be a lot of compression (I remember this being a relatively long movie).

moverob  » Apr 28, 2008
Outstanding!!! As I've said on here before, I love the classics, including this one, so you know it's going into my collection. Thank you for bringin' on the classics, Warner!

that1guypictures  » Apr 29, 2008
Very excited about this release. It's aspect ratio is 2.85:1! And the "smilebox" version should be interesting to see for sure. I personally would love to see another cinerama classic, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm released....it's never even been put out on DVD, and the VHS & Laserdisc are way out of print...and fullscreen to boot.

mntwister  » Apr 29, 2008
Now this is fantastic news....Thanks Warner. How exciting this is to get this remastered, the soundtrack is great and the visuals are incredible. Now if someone would only do Brothers Grimm, and I would love to have "This is Cinerama."

ambientcafe  » Apr 29, 2008

Not a true classic, but I'd get it just for the 'Smilebox' feature that simulates the 'Cinerama' experience...I'm curious as to how that would look on my 2.40 scope setup. I was fortunate enough to see 2 'Cinerama' features back in the sixties when I was a youngin' - - 'Custer of the West' and 'Khartoum'. I remember the viewing experience on a deeply-curved 180 degree w-i-d-e screen was overwhelming to say the least, and truly gave 'epic' a whole new dimension!

Prog5000  » Apr 29, 2008
This sounds like a great Blu experience.

alphadec  » Apr 29, 2008
What I really like to see is the "how the west was won" tv series from 1976 with james arnes, ect. That had been fantastic to have that on bd.

Wolfie  » Apr 29, 2008
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITES! The train robbery ending is just amazing. BTW, that1guypictures, the listing says OAR is 2.20:1. Wolfie

Wolfie  » Apr 29, 2008

Quote from ECWaenigma: "This is probably one of the oddest films I've ever seen that is considered a classic. It's not a bad movie (I mean, John Ford directed some of it), it's just very weird. Like that weird family of trappers that beats up on Jimmy Stewart toward the beginning of the film? What's up with that? They looked more at home in "The Hills Have Eyes" than a Western. Or the Duke's walk on "go p*ss and you'll miss it" cameo? Seriously. Doesn't mean I'm not going to buy it (I will)...but still, what an odd duck of a movie..." It's called historical accuracy, dude.

Edo  » Apr 29, 2008
thank god 4 this =]

jbt419  » Apr 29, 2008
This could make for a LOT of fun!

that1guypictures  » Apr 29, 2008
Actually, Wolfie we are both wrong...the ratio is 2.89:1! Check out Warner's press release...it's available to read at the digital bits.

Kristin Simard  » Apr 30, 2008
It's an odd film because it is actually 5 stories or chapters directed by 3 directors. It is also a semi- musical film. It features some of Debbie Reynolds' most memorable musical and dance sequences on film.

Rabidhunter  » May 02, 2008
This is more proof that Blu-Ray isn't just for new movies, but Blu-Ray can improve older movies greatly too.

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