| | “SONG OF NORWAY” – Blu Ray Release – Kino Lorber | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter
| Written by: Mark Lees. Ex Cinema Projectionist. Wallasey UK | Date: 19.03.2021 | I have just received my copy of the 1970 film “SONG OF NORWAY” Directed by Andrew L Stone on BluRay HD this is a New 2K Master! From Kino Lorber.
The film was originally photographed In Super Panavision 70mm Colour by DeLuxe and 6 Track Stereo Sound Released by ABC Pictures Corp From CINERAMA Releasing. This was one of the last Big Road Show Films of the '70s it played at our local Cinerama Cinema which was The ABBEY CINERAMA THEATRE in Wavertree Liverpool UK. The film looked and sounded magnificent on the Giant 60ft Wide Screen this film along with the likes of "GRAND PRIX", "2OO1: A Space Odyssey", "THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD", "ITs A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD" were often referred to as single strip Cinerama.
As the original poster for the film said said – A song for the heart to sing... for the world to love! was based on the life and music of the composer Edvard Grieg. The stars were Toralv Maurstad & Florence Henderson, with the Soundtrack Music superbly performed by The London Symphony Orchestra musical supervisor Roland Shaw. The sumptuous Panavision 70mm photography was by Davis Boulton and it certainly shows on the screen the location shots in Norway are breath taking I have to say, and the Main Title sequence very much reminded me of the pre credit sequence to "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" which of course was shot in Todd-AO. The print on the BluRay has a 5.1 DTS MASTER AUDIO Track and sounds great also included is a very entertaining and interesting Audio Commentary from two film historians Lee Gambin & John Harrison who give a great insight into the making of the film and the history of the great Road Show films of the past. | More in 70mm reading:
Motion pictures photographed in Super Panavision 70 & Panavision System 65
Panavison Large Format Motion Picture Systems
"What's On" with Udo Heimansberg
Mission Report Widescreen Weekend 1999
Introduction, Todd-AO Festival, 2008
| Re-colourised Super Panavision 70mm frame from from "Song Of Norway" Frame: Schauburg Cinerama
The original release of this film has been only available for many years on DVD only in an awful Pan and Scan 4.3 Print so this new release on BluRay High Definition is very welcome and highly recommended having said that how wonderful would it be to see "SONG OF NORWAY" on the GIANT Screen once again in all its Super Panavision 70mm glory one can only dream!
Guys, Keep up the good work in 70mm.com a treasure trove of information for the Wide Screen enthusiast’s and keeping film alive. Well Done!
Many Thanks Mark Lees, - Ex Cinema Projectionist. Wallasey UK | | | | | | Go: back - top - back issues - news index Updated 19-03-21 | |
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