Looking for a 70mm print of "Frankenstein's Bloody Terror" |
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| Written by: Helge Bernhardt | Date: 10.03.2020 |
 Hello,I am writing to you in hope that you might be able to help me with a project i have been working on for a few years now. A few years back i scanned the 35mm over/under 3-D negative of 'Frankenstein's Boody Terror' a.k.a. 'La Marca Del Hombre Lobo', a.k.a. ' Die Vampire des Dr. Dracula' for Independent International Pictures for a proper 3-D release. This Spanish-German co-production was originally filmed in 'HiFi-Stereo 70' 3-D, domestically rebranded as 'Super 70mm Chill-O-Rama'. You have featured the format back in 2010: 3D in the mid 60s in Europe with Hi-Fi Stereo 70 The 35mm negative was optically reduced from an already fading anamorphic side-by-side 70mm print in the early 1970s and there are several issues with the reduction, such as color correction timing which introduced errors, there are problems with sharpness and exposure from one 'eye' to the other and so on. Not to mention that U.S. lab work back then was probably not the best and it seems, that the conversion was a new and possibly flawed process then, although I'm sure they did what they could back then. Back in the early 1970s, hardly any U.S. theater (if any at all) had the capacity to present HiFi-Stereo 70mm, as it was a German process and I believe only a handful of features were ever made using it, thus the need for a compatible over/under 35mm element, which harked back to the over/under format first employed by Arch Oboler's 'The Bubble' in 1966, was necessary for the domestic 3-D release. The release was thwarted by cheap acrylic projection lenses, which produced a less than mediocre image and the film died tight away. Until now, the U.S. cut hasn't been seen since then. a new print was struck recently, which was the first time, the film could actually be seen in 3-D. However the flaws of the 35mm negative carried through to the print. the U.S. cut also features a unique opening sequence, made by Independent International Pictures, which will be featured on the 3-D film archive's upcoming '3-D rarities vol. 2'. I did recently come across a mid 1980s 65mm element, which was shot in the same, or at least a similar anamorphic side-by side process such as HiFi-Stereo 70. the image quality was very impressive, which led me to try and locate the original 70mm print, that was used to make the 35mm negative for it's planned domestic 3-D release, however so far i have come up empty handed. I'm not even sure if that particular 70mm print still exists. While researching the title, i learned that 70mm 3-D prints were struck and presented in Germany and Spain and I wonder if any of the prints might still exist and could possibly be accessed for a proper restoration of the U.S. cut. The original 65mm elements exist, but the holder refuses access despite the fact, that Independent International Pictures still hold the domestic rights. Since 70mm prints were usually wet gate contact prints, the quality of any 70mm release print should be about on par with a interpositive, only the color will have faded, but this can be adressed these days using digital color correction tools. May I ask for your help to possibly spread the word and perhaps locate any print available? The soundtrack does not matter, as it will be replaced with the U.S. track negative, but would be nice to transfer at the same time. The plan is to reconstruct the U.S. cut, so not all of the film will be used. most of the first reel was deleted and replaced with the new introduction, which will mostly be sourced from the 35mm reduction negative. I'd like to thank you in advance for any lead you might have or could turn up. The film is quite unique. The film's photography is really a shining example showcasing how good a 3-D film can look. It also made Paul Nashy a household name for horror fans across the globe. I am linking a few discussions and some background information below. Keeping my fingers crossed with best wishes across the pond! Helge Bernhardt • 3dfilmarchive.com • hometheaterforum.com • theoakdrivein.blogspot.com • amazon.com • hispanoscope.blogspot.com • naschy.com |
More in 70mm reading: DP70s back at work at the Paramount Theatre in Peekskill, NY 3D in the mid 60s in Europe with Hi-Fi Stereo 70 MCS 70 - Superpanorama Internet link: |
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