BACKGROUND INFO:
I am not a 'film enthusiast' and my past working life has revolved around electronics (many fields including communications, industrial and audio) and "The Arts", more specifically, creative arts such as handcrafted fine china, ceramics and landscape artworks.
An associate has asked me to help find new owners for HIS large collection of photographic and film items ... this is yet another one of those items. I am frequently asked "THE QUESTION"
So how many films do you have, Russ?
My response is ... boxes and boxes of them, perhaps 300+ films are now left for me to look through ... plus a few projectors
Another question I am often asked "Can I come and have a browse through the films?" Sorry, but the answer has to be a flat NO!
ALL film stock is safely away in my storage units, nice n cool and out of harms way, each day (or so) I will retrieve a few films, take a look (and smell!) at each film ... absolutely NO ONE can just casually "browse" the collection. My associate wouldn't like that and neither do I.
There is a lot of detail on this page plus even more HERE ... I strongly suggest anyone who is interested in this film to read everything carefully, including looking at the link. To not do so is at your own peril!
Vinegar Syndrome "smell test" ☑= Negative
ASSAULT ON EVEREST
Universal 8
Home Movie
Title: To The Top Of The World ASSAULT ON EVEREST (1976 ish)
Catalogue # 4801
400 Feet Blue PLiO MAGiC (Made in USA) reel
Original two part library case (with front graphics insert)
Leader film is fitted
Colour
Sound (Mono)
Records the adventure of an American group of "ordinary" young folk (20's ~ 30's) attempting to conquer Mount Everest in 1976. This could be a documentary of the 1976 American Bicentennial Everest Expedition but I am not sure about this.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
The original two part case has some light top side handling/scratch marks but no cracks. While the front graphics insert is fitted, the owner also used Green dynatape to place a film title on the side of the case.
The reel is not cracked or damaged
NO personal writing on the film reel or the library case, in fact there is no identification on the reel at all.
NO film clip is fitted
TESTING:
Test machine: ELMO 1200ST
The projector film path has been completely cleaned prior to running this film through the machine. I now have a "running sheet", my maintenance schedule if you like - I record when each maintenance is performed because I am running a lot of films through the machine.
Film stock on the reel, including the sprocket holes, appears to be physically undamaged - at least on the first section that I examined and ran through the projector for testing (about 5 minutes duration of the film).
I ran the film through the projector for approximately the first five minutes, to observe the picture and check that the sound quality.
The colour representation is acceptable, although Blues seems to be lacking. Overall tone is a Brownish~Red but I can see quite a bit of Greens as well (which help those Browns along) Sky scenes range from a White~Green to Pinks but not Blues. Still very watchable (and interesting if Mountain ascents is your thing) but the colours are definitely not quite right.
On the audio front, all is fine here ... clear, concise description of the climb attempt participants and the dangers they are facing ahead.
SPECIAL NOTE: I felt I needed to add this little note ... whilst viewing the film on the screen, it actually looks "less Red" than the photographs would indicate. My antiquated digital camera (very old, one of the very first 'point n shoot' models!) just isn't up to the task in regard to colour representation nor the ability to portray contrast properly. The screen shots I take are now taken with the film on pause which gives an improved image but the light is dimmer and sometimes quite blurry as it is difficult to stop the film at "just the right spot" These photographs are only a very rough guide for what to expect in any case.
This film is now stored in a cool, low humidity environment while it awaits a new owner to consider bringing to their home ...
