Tonight we viewed our full feature print of the controversial 1974 movie Death Wish starring the one and only Charles Bronson.
We have kept this movie on its original 5 x 400ft reels so its as supplied. Very unusual for me, but i just never got around to joining it up.

Unfortunatly, as with most of the marketing features, this one has some fade, using a blue filter makes an unbelievable difference, on the night scenes it takes away the red hue by 90% plus.
The day scenes are still very good with all the colours still well in there. The focus is pin sharp as most of the marketing films were. I didn't have to touch the focus knob once during the showing. One thing you have to say about marketing is that is was rare for them to do a poor quality product. Just crappy editors on some of the releases.
If i am not mistaken, this title was originally only available as a full feature and also ,(as stated in there catalouges), only for sale in the US. Correct me if i am wrong on this please.
The sound is very good although i did pick up a little rumble on some of the quieter parts of reels 2 and 5 but i do put it through a stereo amp with a bit of bass. When i took the bass out it's hardly noticed at all.
In brief,
Death Wish is a 1974 American vigilante action film, loosely based on the 1972 novel of the same title by Brian Garfield. The film was directed by Michael Winner and stars Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey, an architect who becomes a vigilante after his wife is murdered and his daughter sexually assaulted during a home invasion. It was the first AND BEST of the Death Wish film franchise.
At the time of release, the film was attacked by many film critics due to its support of vigilantism and advocating unlimited punishment of criminals. The novel denounced vigilantism, whereas the film embraced the notion. The film was a commercial success and resonated with the public in the United States, which was facing increasing crime rates during the 1970s.

Just as a bit of self satisfaction, that last piece which reads, "At the time of release, the film was attacked by many film critics due to its support of vigilantism and advocating unlimited punishment of criminals".
I say so what, if i had my way and we had the purge, i'd love nothing more than to see someone out there taking down all the scum and s*** from our streets. Especially in London at the present time. Get in there and take out all the useless pieces of trash that do no good for anyone. I for one like this movie very much and Mr Bronson gets our 100% support.

I got this too, but mine is likely Fuji, it is magenta tinted

Tom,
Another first-class review and nice pics....thanks for sharing!

Ive also got a copy of this and its a cracker - the quality is good too. I recently saw the Bruce Willis remake - one or two good scenes but Bruce is no Charles Bronson.

It is a good film, great pin sharp image but this one may be going soon, just waiting for Brother to decide. Another fading copy sadly.

Looks great with the filter Tom, but know exactly what your saying regarding fading prints.

To be honest, with a filter the red hue vanishes altogether and the nigjt scenes do actuslly look really good. This one only requires the light blue filter so u dont get the blue tint that vidars print has.
Im just waiting for ebays one pound max fees weekend again

Mine is without filters and much more magenta, like Fuji, I think it is that gives off that colour tint. Same as my Ben Hur 3x400’

Thats weird.ive not seen fuji stock do that before. Thats a pity.
As sharp the image is and how good the sound is i just couldnt sit through it. I take my hat off to you boys that do though.

Can’t complain though, 16 GBP

That was a good price.

Yes, I want to check the film again, as I just saw my Highlander pics, taken with the same camera ...
This is Nikon D3200 pic


This is same film, but with iPad camera

stick with the iPad Vidar
I only ever use my little canon AS80 sureshot.
I thought it was a bit odd as i have yet to see any agfa print turn at all. Unless ive been very lucky, it seems to be the best film stock next to LPP.

Not Agfa, did I write that? I meant Fuji

apologies Vidar, my mistake, you did say Fuji,

I think you'd be very lucky to find a good colour print of this nowadays, lots of night scenes will show up a red haze anyway, it's a great film though and Charles Bronson is superb in it. I recently saw the new Bruce Willis one and for me it just wasn't as good, today's technology and CCTV everywhere it just wouldn't work which makes the original a more believable film,Mark

Mark thats exactly what my Brother said when we were watching it, "good old days, no CCTV" as he put it.
Your right also about the colour, we'v been lucky with this one as when you pop up a light blue filter the night scenes are fine with no red hue, hence why it's going soon, Theres quite few years left in this one.
Just think, if Marketing used decent LPP stock sooner, many more of there titles would be very sought after. As you all know, they released a full feature of all there releases, although, as pointed out by Barry on another thread, True Grit is a feature i have never come across anywhere.

I have the 3x400 True Grit and the colour is still good,also have the Godfather 3x400 with excellent colour,the features seem to fade more on certain titles but I guess fewer were sold possibly so no late prints that may have been on better stocks are out there, if only as you said LPP came out sooner,Mark

Yes the 3 x 400ft True grits a good one. I'm not sure what stock it's on but ours doesn't have any fade so far, along with War of worlds and The hunter. I know some of there last prints were on LPP, Martin managed to get an LPP star trek the motion picture. I reckon that one must be well good.

Here's links to the ones we have with no fade,
True Grit. 1 x 800ft Marketing Colour Sound

The Hunter 3 x 400ft (on 10 x 800ft) colour sound

War of the Worlds 3 x 400ft colour sound

All the other marketing films we have are all still very good but with the early signs of fade now.

My True Grit is faded a bit, but titles seem okay. Brownish feel otherwise I feel

Looks pretty good me Vidar, years left in it yet.
The only film we ever owned that seemed to turn red overnight was the 400ft French Connection. Bought new years ago via Mountain films, had many years of enjoyment. Then one day after years of not viewing it, we put it on and it was red as red could be. Couldn't believe it.

On the subject of Death Wish, i wonder why this one was only released as a feature, along with a couple of others? I Think Emmanuel was another and also Murder on the Orient Express. I only have a of there first batch catalouge, i cant find there last one.

Death Wish was also a 3x400 Tom,Mark

I never knew that. Bet he ones around have better colour. Never seen one for sale.

I've only seen one 3x400 for sale, it was actually showing quite a bit of fade at the time so I didn't buy it. You mention also The Hunter Tom,my print has a red caste to it which is a shame,I do have a 16mm feature of it with lovely colour so all's not bad,Mark