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
This is the 2nd print that I have found of this "selected scenes" film but this one is from Iver Film Services
MURPHY'S WAR
Iver Film Services (Abridged - Selected Scenes version)
Starring Peter O'Toole
Title: MURPHY'S WAR (1971)
Catalogue # Not Indicated
400 Feet Blue Unbranded (but stamped as Made in USA) reel
The original two part plastic case with coloured graphic artwork at the front only
Leader film is fitted
Colour
Sound (Mono)
Suspense war time (WWII) action drama. Murphy (played by Peter O'Toole) is the sole Irish survivor of a British merchant ship sunk and its crew were machine-gunned by a German U-boat in the Orinoco River, Venezuela, during the final days of WWI - the killing of attack survivors hanging onto the debris by the evil Nazi's. Instantly reminded me of the US Administration being accused of the same behaviour towards Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean in current times. Murphy is consumed by hatred and sets out to get his revenge. WWII may be coming to a close but Murphy's War has only just begun ...
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
The original two part hinged plastic case is in good condition with no extra labels or personal writing added and the hinge is sound.
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.
I was hoping for a good colour representation but alas, am disappointed. I thought that just perhaps because the film seem to be through a different source (Iver Film Services) than the normal Universal/MGM/Waltons releases that the colour may be better.
This film has definitely lost the Blues and quite a bit of the Greens as well. The overall picture is quite Pink although I noticed while playing the film that the Green's appear to become "stronger" as the film progresses. I also noticed that the Greens seem to dominate over on the right side of the film/screen, as though the dye degradation is happening specific to certain areas on the film.
While the Pinkish-Red's are a bit disappointing (this movie was NOT set in the Red Sea!) I felt that the picture was an improvement over the other copy that I have found of this film (previously listed).
So in summary, watchable but the colour is way out of wack!
Good news on the sound though, the audio is crisp, clear and of a good level ...
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 a couple of the frames are quite blurred because I didn't stop the film just at the right time for those photographs. In any case, these photographs are only a very rough guide for what to expect.
This film is now stored in a cool, low humidity environment while it awaits a new owner to consider bringing to their home ...
