There is a MK2 DVD (non anamorphic, PAL video) of Mysterious Object at Noon that does not contain engrained english subtitles (only removable french subtitles). Therefore there was a potential source for a better restoration. The DVd is quite watchable.

Not if the MK2 was sourced from the now-lost 16mm reversal element. That release came out in 2004, so it's not like it's a recent transfer.

Emphasis on the word "was". And not only is this DVD a dozen years old, but the fact that it's non-anamorphic suggests that the master wasn't created by MK2 themselves (French labels jumped on the 16:9 bandwagon very early) and was most likely sourced from the SD video master that would have been created back in 2000 as part of the film's original package of distributor deliverables.

And "quite watchable" isn't good enough as the basis for a touring DCP and Blu-ray release. Even assuming the non-anamorphic SD video master survives (in other words, eliminating the problem that a DVD would be heavily compressed), the resolution would only be around 720x400 at best - and the telecine itself would be well below contemporary standards. By definition (literally), a 35mm blow-up struck from the 16mm camera reversal print is going to look much, much better, regardless of whether it has burned-in subtitles.

Full details of this release now up at our website

Further to the discussion of the restoration process, it's worth noting that there's an unusually informative featurette on the subject on the disc itself, presented by Matteo Lepore, who supervised it, and illustrated with numerous examples of the challenges they were faced with (including ungraded scans, split-screen comarisons, etc.).

I've only dipped into the main feature, but it's already glaringly obvious why they sourced it from the 35mm dupe negative instead of an SD video master.

Does anyone know why this title has been pushed back to an April 25th release date on Amazon and Arrow's store and yet some people have already received it from HMV where they still have the release date as today and it's available to order "usually dispatched within 24 hours".

The delay is simply because the stock arrived late at the Sony distribution warehouse, and missed the ship-out deadlines that week.
The stock is now there and moving out.
Those that have received copies already were sent personally by us (mainly journos and friends).

Apologies to all for the slight delay.

Thanks for the info!

The Arts Desk review Apichatpong's MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT NOON

Just got my shipping confirmation from Arrow

Beaver - with a useful comparison with the old DVD, which looks decidedly bleached-out now.

DVD Beaver

Well, there go some of my Arrow points.

OUT TODAY!

Graham Williamson at The Geek Show

Mondo Digital

CineVue on MYSTERIOUS OBJECT

so with the pictureboxing, particularly the sides, is it effectively 1.66:1 in a 1.78: frame?

This full-frame grab makes it clear - thin black borders at the sides, a single thick one at the bottom, with the top of the image aligning with the top of the screen.

By eye, I'd say it's actually a 1.78:1 (16:9) frame within a 16:9 frame, but since this framing dates from the creation of the 35mm dupe negative, it should precisely match all 35mm presentations.

DVD Compare on MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT NOON

Digital Fix on MYSTERIOUS OBJECT

I am not sure this is up my alley but just ordered it! Been on a bit of a Second Run dvd mini-binge and the quality of some of the films that is being put out is amazing (despite some of the weak transfers).

James Oliver at MovieMail

Slarek reviews at CineOutsider