Upcoming re-release of "Vertigo"

Web advert for a 70mm presentation at the Edge Cinema, Australia

Los Angeles Times recently reported about the upcoming re-release of "Vertigo", filmed in VistaVsion, in September 1996. The film is currently in the caring hands of Mr Robert A. Harris and he says about "Vertigo";

"What we are doing here is very unique. We are creating a new preservation negative in 65mm from the original large format elements. But instead of reduction printing in 35mm, we are transferring to 70mm. This has never been done before. We tested 15 months before we even approached Universal. Now we are half way through the restoration. We are calling it Super VistaVision 70. We have the color negative and the black and white separations, neither of which are just printable. The camera negative is faded, the opticals were not that great, the focus is soft and too contrasty and 1300 feet of rear projection process shots contributed to the deterioration. We discovered Bernard Herrmann’s original music tracks in a Paramount vault, and they had turned to vinegar.

Studios are doing preservation of their 35mm films on a daily basis, but they are not doing the large format films. Time is running out because the color on these films is fading and the safety stocks are turning to vinegar. It is just coming out now that in all probability - unless there is some minor miracle - "Around the World in 80 Days" will officially become the first Academy Award winning best picture to be lost this year. The original Todd-AO 30 frames per second version is gone".

"Vertigo" will open as early as in September 1996 at American Film Institute benefit screenings in New York and Los Angeles. Universal is also planning a limited theatrical release.