When MGM/UA began remastering their catalog several years ago 'Poltergeist' was one of their early letterboxed reissues. For it's day, this was a better than average analog transfer, but not what would be expected today. Typical for early MGM, the aspect ratio was off, about 2.05:1, there were no chapter markers and no trailer was included. A couple of weeks ago MGM has again reissued this title, this time in the CAV format and correcting most of the flaws with the previous issue.
'Poltergeist' is generally considered a Steven Spielberg film, though he is credited as the film's producer and co-screenwriter. Directorial chores were handled by Tobe Hooper.
MGM has done a fine job on this new edition. The J-D-C Scope aspect ratio is, though not perfect, much closer to accurate at about 2.25:1. As mentioned, the previous letterboxed transfer was pretty good but MGM has been able to coax a bit more out of the film elements, mostly in color accuracy and detail. Overall color balance is very good with accurate fleshtones and crisp bright reds. There is a bit of chroma noise in a few scenes containing the brightest colors but this is slight and probably not noticable on smaller screens. Brightness and contrast are excellent with very good shadow detail. The image is noticably sharper on this new transfer, this contributing to a bit more visible grain in a some scenes.
The audio on this new disc is very similar to the previous edition, that is quite good. The new transfer is, perhaps, a tiny bit cleaner with a little better detail though the differences are barely detectable. Generally speaking, this is typical movie sound having good range except for the lowest octave. Dialog is clear with no detectable distortion.
MGM has included some supplemental material consisting of the original theatrical trailer, 'boxed at 1.85:1, as well as a full-frame international trailer. Also included is a 'making of' documentary that looks to have been shot on 16mm. Following the documentary are several dozen production stills.
'Poltergeist' runs 114 minutes and is spread to 5 sides in CAV. I have a couple of problems with this set and this is one of them. 'Poltergeist' is the kind of film that relies heavily on pacing. The multiple side breaks hurt the pacing of this film and ultimately lessen the impact. My preference would have been for a simple remaster on a single CLV disc. The documentary and photos are a nice addition but don't warrant a full CAV presentation. This being a 3 disc set brings me to the other problem I have with this one. The price. $59.95 is a large chunk of change for this set. Had this been done in CLV on a single disc the price would have been $34.95 and we would have still gotten the improved transfer, the original trailer, chapter markers and no CAV interruptions. My guess is that MGM is trying to provide a product they preceive is wanted in the upscale collector's market. Well, maybe, maybe not. In my opinion, at $60 and CAV, only the hard-core need apply.
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