I just bought a new shrink-wrapped copy of 3 x 400' of Where Eagles Dare, my favorite film.

This might seem trivial, but I don't know what to do with it! I originally thought I'd open it and play it, but then I thought it's quite cool to keep it like it is (I have two other copies). But I'm also keen to see if the colour holds up better than my other ones. And in which case I thought I might just open Part 1 and - if it's faded or about the same as my others - leave the other two parts wrapped. If the colour is excellent, then I'd open the other two. Dilemma...

What would you do?

For me, I use them, but if you intend on selling at a high price in years ahead, keep it on. For me, as I said, I use them for that is what it is for

Martin,

I'd suggest if you decide to open them I'd clean and lubricate them before showing them, as they are most certainly acetate prints, and they can dry out with no air getting to them, but in my experience if they have been tightly sealed the odds of a good print are quite good.

It's a very simple choice if I'd have bought them Martin.
They are there to be used, no point in having them if they just gather dust and never get used for their intended purpose.
Not to my mind anyhow.

There is only one advantage in buying a sealed print and that is there will be no scratches. But colour wise it's anybody's guess. My three parter is on Kodak SP and is now typical of this stock.
I would never buy a sealed print in this day and age. It could be a can of worms.
The price list in my copy says that "Where Eagles Dare" was available in a single version, or two or three parts. Each 400ft reel cost US $59.95. (No date on list).

If it's a Polyester Agfa or LPP sealed print, it will still be as good as the day it was made.
There would be no risk attachment in this case, only plenty of gain!

Yes.
But you don't know that until you remove the shrink-wrap.

Yes you do on 8 as you know the origins and the likely year(s) it was produced 9 times out of 10.

Like I say, any of the titles I just mentioned, would be as new if they were shrink wrapped.

The only thing that could possibly disappoint is if they were white box specials but of course then, they wouldn't be shrink wrapped, only never used.

As much as anything, I just wanted new-looking cases, so if the colour is good too that will just be a bonus.

Hope you didn't pay too much then Martin, just for the cases.
I'm sure they will be every bit as good as any of the others you've already got, unless they've been imported from Spain or the likes.

I paid £40. Cases are as-new, as you'd expect. My other cases are not in such a good state of repair. This exercise gives me an opportunity to sell one copy too, so there won't be any impact to the bottom line.

£40 is a very fair price for this film still sealed Martin, very fair.
You can't go wrong I'd say.

#7 by Maurice Leakey , Today 12:34 pm

Yes.
But you don't know that until you remove the shrink-wrap.



Ah, but what if its unfaded UNTIL THE POINT OF OPENING? Schrodinger's Film!

Martin,Here is what you need to do,

1/ Take off the seal & open the boxes,

2/have a good sniff, i love the smell of a brand new film,

3/give it clean ,

step 4
WATCH IT. enjoy it and report back here with screen shots, this is also one of my favourite super 8s and it is, as you all know, a really good edit, one of MGM's best super 8 releases, EVER.

It was made to be viewed and this one now has a good home.

Step 4 applies to each and every member here btw,.. mandatory from now on here!

We have Mavis Riley's aplenty here,... "Well I don't really like to say!"



Don't forget to bottle that freshly unwrapped smell of brand new film btw Martin. This years Christmas best seller as an aftershave fragrance for collectors.

Okay, I opened one so far. It's like the Blue Peter time capsule seeing an untouched MGM leaflet in there!

Print is beautiful too, easily the best of the now 4 copies I have. I don't think it's LPP as there's a tinge of scarlet in the shadows, but I'm happy to report that the snow is white and the sky above Schloss Adler is deep blue. What a find. I'll post some shots when I get a moment.

Oh...and...I savoured the sniff, Tom.

Crazy, isn't it? Opening a new package move forty bloody years later!

it isnt. nor could never be LPP from the era these were produced, but just like I said, you had a unique set of thrills from opening and projecting this print for the first time and it is no worse than expected as was predicted Martin!

No,.. Thank You!
I am so pleased you decided to open , use and enjoy the film Martin.
Otherwise, still left shrink wrapped for yet another twenty or so years, you nor anyone else may have ever had the opportunity to view this particular set of prints at anything like their very best!

I had the same dilemma but the film I decided to open I didn't care about. Its called 'The Professionals".
I tried to sell it as it was unopened but no bidders. So I opened it. Of course it was in very good condition but.. it had turned pink. Until about 3/4 of the way into it then some of the color came back.
The best part of the film? Was the numerous cuts of the actress, Claudia Cardinale riding a horse.

Nice!