View Full Version : Taxi Driver
unlucky alf
05-07-2002, 14:25
Brougt this film on DVD its excellent but does any one know if there is a version is avialible where the colour is not messed up in the shoot out.?
From IMDB;
Due to the bloody content of the brothel shootout scene, cinematographer Chapman, Michael agreed to desaturate the colors in post-production. This explains why the blood appears to be pink instead of red in that scene.
unlucky alf
05-07-2002, 15:36
Thanks quey.
TimJBart
05-07-2002, 19:40
yeh it was done at the time of the film and so i bet they threw all other copies away... :(
oh well
bertieblueshirt
05-05-2006, 12:44
Just noticed Taxi Driver has gone through the BBFC on film. Anyone know if it's aurally and visually uncut now?
Gary Couzens
05-05-2006, 18:18
It depends what you mean by "visually uncut". The film was cut by the MPAA to avoid a X rating in 1976 - mainly by desaturating the bright red blood in the final sequence. I think the scene of the shopkeeper beating the (dead) hold-up man was trimmed, and possibly the shots of the porno film might have been too. But that R-rated cut is the only version that has played commercially worldwide as far as I know. (Another example of MPAA quibbling - the film isn't remotely suitable for kids in any shape or form, and to take one to see the film, as the R rating allows, would be insane.)
The BBFC cut the film on release and on its first video submission (the late James Ferman used to claim that the Board had never cut a Scorsese film, but he'd obviously forgotten this). That was just one shot - of Iris kneeling down to undo Travis's zip, before he pushes her away. That was cut under the Child Protection Act. It since came to light that Jodie Foster's older sister doubled for her in that shot, so the scene has since been reinstated by the BBFC. So this new certification is the first time the R-rated version has been released uncut in British cinemas.
By all accounts, the colour desaturation makes the finale more powerful and disturbing than it would be with bright red blood spraying everywhere. To the best of my knowledge, Scorsese has expressed no interest in restoring his original cut, so I guess the R-rated version will be the only one available.
Esteban - CotS
06-05-2006, 15:58
don't know about the cuts, but judging by the website of the company who submitted it for classification, it's getting a 30th anniversary (cinema) re-release this summer.
http://www.parkcircus.com/TaxiDriver/TaxiDriverMain.html
Moving to classic forum :)
John Hodson
18-04-2007, 14:48
Zeta Minor is reporting that a Taxi Driver: Special Edition is coming to R2 in August - '2 disc set, 2 Feature Length Commentaries, Brand New Documentary and Featurettes'.
At long last.
animatedude
18-04-2007, 14:59
Zeta Minor is reporting that at Taxi Driver: Special Edition is coming to R2 in August - '2 disc set, 2 Feature Length Commentaries, Brand New Documentary and Featurettes'.
At long last.
finally! and hopfully in a collectable packaging.
Zeta Minor is reporting that a Taxi Driver: Special Edition is coming to R2 in August - '2 disc set, 2 Feature Length Commentaries, Brand New Documentary and Featurettes'.
At long last.
Best thing Ive heard all day!:clap: :clap:
Current release isnt too bad, nice documentary but added features and commentaries are more than welcome, fully deserved for a film of this quality.
Cant wait for some detailed specs and artwork:)
SIMON ADEBISI
18-04-2007, 15:50
Great news? I want a Harvey Keital in character as Sport doing a commentary.
Taxi Driver: Best. Film. Ever.
Great news? I want a Harvey Keital in character as Sport doing a commentary.
"...no rough stuff, though ! "
Maybe Criterion have finally agreed to license their commentary track.
I have the Japanese R2 superbit of this DVD and the pic quality on it is far better than any of the other releases IMO - colours are just stronger and not as much distortion to the pic as is on the R2 UK release.
horseflesh
18-04-2007, 19:35
Who else wants a HD-DVD release??? :thumbs:
To the best of my knowledge, Scorsese has expressed no interest in restoring his original cut, so I guess the R-rated version will be the only one available.I believe around the time they were preparing the Criterion Laserdisc they were planning to reinstated the unsaturated final reel, however when then got their hands on all the original elements they were unable to find an untampered one.
The-Colonel
19-04-2007, 13:01
Brilliant movie. The doc on the R2 version is excellent.Only thing missing is a commentary really.
DanWilde1966
22-04-2007, 11:11
I believe around the time they were preparing the Criterion Laserdisc they were planning to reinstated the unsaturated final reel, however when then got their hands on all the original elements they were unable to find an untampered one.My understanding is that none of the "untampered" original elements exist anymore. We're stuck with the film's ending as it is, which - for my money - remains extremely effective.
My understanding is that none of the "untampered" original elements exist anymore. We're stuck with the film's ending as it is, which - for my money - remains extremely effective.
It's not beyond the bounds of current technology to digitally recolour the existing footage, is it? If Scorsese wanted to do it, it would surely be done. It's interesting, given the time and money that he and the Rome film festival are spending restoring Once Upon a Time in the West that he doesn't want to revisit his own films.
Still, as you say, the ending to Taxi Driver is good enough. A director's cut of Gangs of New York is further up my wish list.
John Hodson
03-05-2007, 13:50
Up for pre-order Taxi Driver: Special Edition (2 Discs) (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://playcom.at/thedvdforums?DURL=http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/3350003/Taxi_Driver_Special_Edition/Product.html); the film and extras are being cleared at the BBFC now.
Thanks, John ! I hope this is a digitally remastered version of the 1999 DVD. The earlier release is still a very watchable edition (on my LCD screen anyway) but it would be good to have a version with an improved picture. Two commentaries as well - let one of the participants please be Paul Schrader. However, it makes you wonder how often the "digital remastering" can improve the picture quality - I still have the late-90s VHS release which was also digitally remastered and which was presumably the master for the 1999 DVD release: what have they had to digitally scrub this time around ?
horseflesh
03-05-2007, 17:47
No word on a HD release?? :(
John Hodson
03-05-2007, 18:20
None; can't be too far behind.
Believe it or not, I've held off buying this and stuff like Five Easy Pieces, The King of Marvin Gardens, The Last Detail et al in the hope that that they'd be given decent treatment on DVD. I may still crack on those titles, but at least the Taxi Driver SE appears to be good news.
Niceguygeoff
03-05-2007, 21:01
I've got the UK DVD, the Japanese Superbit and the Criterion CAV laserdisc, but I'd definitely go for a proper DVD special edition. Good news indeed.
John Hodson
09-05-2007, 13:27
And the BBFC reveals..."...audio commentary featuring screenwriter Paul Schrader"
broadwayrock
09-05-2007, 13:57
I wonder if they will re use the Scorsese/Schrader audio commentary from the Criterion laserdisc?
If they are both newly recorded i will be forced to buy Taxi Driver again.
John Hodson
03-06-2007, 14:54
From the HTF, the R1 Collectors Edition is coming August 14 with the following extras, which will no doubt be replicated on the R2:
Video Introduction by Martin Scorsese
Feature Length Commentary by Writer Paul Schrader
Feature Length Commentary by Professor Robert Kolker
Featurettes: Producing Taxi Driver, Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver, Influence and Appreciation: Martin Scorsese Tribute
Documentaries: Making Taxi Driver, God’s Lonely Man
DVD Active have the artwork and specs for the R1 release (http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/taxi-driver.html)
LOVE that artwork.
That sleeve art looks awful - let's hope it's not the one foisted on us !
John Hodson
18-06-2007, 18:42
DVD Times on Taxi Driver R1 CE in August (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=65136).
Something screwy here; this Sony press releases mentions 'a newly recorded feature-length commentary by director Martin Scorsese' in the body of the text (first time I've seen it mentioned), but only lists Paul Schrader and Professor Robert Kolker's commentaries in the extras.
I'd be very surprised if there are three commentary tracks on the disc. If Scorsese has recorded an introduction to Taxi Driver, then it's unlikely (sadly) that he's also completed a commentary.
John Hodson
20-06-2007, 10:47
DVD Times (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=65136) has updated it's specs and has deleted the Sony press release reference to the Scorsese 'commentary'.
Nosferatu
05-08-2007, 14:10
Looking forward to this movie, haven't seen it before.
Which version should I get? I see 2 new versions coming this month:
Collector's Edition (R1) (http://dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=65136)
Special Edition (R2) (http://dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=65483)
They're the same (though the R2 has better artwork in my opinion).
AKPiggott
05-08-2007, 18:17
I'm eager to hear if the colour has been restored in the shoot-out. That would make it a must buy in my eyes.
I'm eager to hear if the colour has been restored in the shoot-out. That would make it a must buy in my eyes.
It hasn't been restored because there are no existing prints which contain that version. Criterion tried to restore it for the laser disc but the quality had deteriorated and it wasn't viable. The improved transfer alone makes the new release a must for me, let alone the etxras on the second disc.
It hasn't been restored because there are no existing prints which contain that version. Criterion tried to restore it for the laser disc but the quality had deteriorated and it wasn't viable. The improved transfer alone makes the new release a must for me, let alone the etxras on the second disc.
Review here (http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=29454)
"The ever-important reds look quite good here, you'll notice during the finale that the blood looks more realistic than in the past."
How long before there's a final word on this new transfer because looking at those dvdtalk screen grabs it looks completely different and dare I say it, not in a good way.
Ricky Roma
06-08-2007, 11:51
Taxi Driver is showing at the Prince Charles in case anyone's interested. Damn, last time I went to see a Scorsese film there I got through a triple bill of Goodfellas, Mean Streets and Raging Bull. I couldn't bring myself to watch The Age of Innocence, though. My bum was dead and I had a splitting headache. But still, a good day...
How long before there's a final word on this new transfer because looking at those dvdtalk screen grabs it looks completely different and dare I say it, not in a good way.
Here's another review to further muddy the water :thinking: (http://uk.dvd.ign.com/articles/810/810411p1.html)
I can still recall what Taxi Driver looked like when it was released in 1976 (because it was that good). It had a washed-out, rough-documentary look even then, presumably what Scorsese and Michael Chapman were looking for. So I can see what the IGN reviewer above is getting at, but tbh - even though a crystal clear transfer would be great - Taxi Driver would grab a viewer's attention even in a b&w snowstorm of interference on a tiny 6" screen. Can't think of many other films which can do that (can't think of any !).
Well I received my Region 1 new Special Edition yesterday. Not impressed with that packaging at all. Why do all these companies go to lengths to try design new packing designs. What is wrong with a plain simple Amary/Double Amaray design. This new Taxi Driver has a "cover" for the spine that slips over, but comes off way too easily as it only reaches a about 1.5" across the front. Really rubbish.
Dam, I wish I had more important things to worry about!
animatedude
08-08-2007, 11:05
lol...pix please!
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Well I received my Region 1 new Special Edition yesterday. Not impressed with that packaging at all. Why do all these companies go to lengths to try design new packing designs. What is wrong with a plain simple Amary/Double Amaray design. This new Taxi Driver has a "cover" for the spine that slips over, but comes off way too easily as it only reaches a about 1.5" across the front. Really rubbish.
My Region 2 copy arrived this morning, don't know why I still bother getting Region 2 versions because as usual it looks like they stiff you on the packaging compared to Region 1. I'm sure I remember seeing captures on the net of how the R1 package opens out impressively whereas it turns out the R2 is just a flimsy slip-tray thing. Still, the new transfer for Taxi Driver looks very nice :)
I have the R1 and its an improvement over the original R2 which I own.
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