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Nosferatu (1922) Fan Restoration Proposal

posted 9 years ago by Jewis
20 replies | jump to latest

This is a passion project I have wanted to do for a long time, however I do not believe I have the skill nor the knowledge to attempt this feat on my own. I, like most, am most familiar with the 2005/2006 restoration of Nosferatu. However, while this restoration is impeccable, there is room for improvement. There is at least one editing mistake in this restoration as well as some scenes that are lengthier in other versions of the film (see here: http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=165648 and here: http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=4112494 ).

Also of note is the score. The 2005/2006 restoration contains a recreation of the original score. I say recreation as much of the original score is lost, so a lot had to be improvised. However this is not the first time a recreation of the original score had been attempted. In 1995 a CD (http://www.amazon.com/Nosferatu-Symphony-Horror-Hans-Erdmann/dp/B0000076II/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1448201295&sr=8-3&keywords=nosferatu+hans+erdmann) was released containing a recreation of the score. Some consider this score to be far suppressor to the score accompanying the 2005/2006 restoration. As such it may be worthwhile to add this score to the film.

What is needed:

1. Nosferatu 2005/2006 restoration (1080p BD rip, German intertitles [Obtained]
2. Nosferatu 1995 restoration (1080p BD rip) [obtained]
3. Nosferatu Public domain version (as high quality as possible) [Obtained, low quality]
4. Nosferatu Original score CD (Optional) [Obtained]

So that is my proposal. I shall attempt to make this a reality. If anyone has any questions, contributions or information, do let me know.

-123jewis

[–] Rick_Grimes_RG 9 years ago

Are you still going to do this? How will we be able to view it when all is said and done?

-Rick Grimes

[–] Jewis 9 years ago

After a few months of preparation I believe I am ready to begin work on the film. It may take some months yet but when it is finished I intend to upload the film either to YouTube or a file-sharing site.

[–] Rick_Grimes_RG 9 years ago

I wish you luck and also thank you for your dedication to this great film!

Did you ever hear of VeeHD? I find that site good for uploading video files.

-Rick Grimes

[–] Jewis 9 years ago

I have heard of VeeHD and may indeed use it. And thank you for your interest in this project.

[–] Rick_Grimes_RG 9 years ago

You're welcome. Please keep us updated on your progress!

-Rick Grimes

[–] GameraMothraGodzilla 9 years ago

How do you propose to do this? Please make an English version as well or at least a version with hard-coded English subtitles!

Thank you for this!

No one in their right mind would ride on a buggy driven by Klaus Kinski.

[–] Jewis 9 years ago

Now that I have gathered all the necessary materials, I must,
1. Tint the scenes in the 1995 restoration to match the 2005/2006 version as much as possible
2. Add them back into the film
3. Fix the two editing mistakes in the 2005/2006 version
4. Sync the 1995 score
5. Export an .mkv file with the option of both scores and optional English subtitles.
6. Upload.

As stated I intend for the finished file to have optional English subtitles. But not hard-coded subs. Sorry.

[–] GameraMothraGodzilla 9 years ago

Thanks for the reply! The only reason I requested hard-coded subtitles was that it seems I can never get them to appear when I watch something with subtitles on a PS3 or other console. I tried to hard-code some films with subtitles myself with the Freemake Video Converter, but it has never seemed to work. I would be completely willing to do this myself if you have any advice on a do-able way to do this.

P.S., I know you are probably extremely busy with this and I really appreciate all of the effort, so if you can't help or respond, I understand! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

No one in their right mind would ride on a buggy driven by Klaus Kinski.

[–] GameraMothraGodzilla 9 years ago

I finally did it with a video with Freemake! All I had to do was a Google search for subtitles in an .SRT file and add them to the video, convert, and then they were hardcoded. The problem must have been with .SUB files.

No one in their right mind would ride on a buggy driven by Klaus Kinski.

[–] Jewis 9 years ago

Glad to hear it. 😃

[–] jm-08407 9 years ago

Please do this. I have the Gillian Anderson CD and the parts that match the film exactly (or nearly match it) give the film the perfect atmosphere and sound really good. Unfortunately, that's only a taste of the full experience, because there are a lot of scenes where the CD's music runs too long or too short, especially with the 2005/2006 version.

I'd love to see the film with the CD synchronised properly.

[–] Jewis 9 years ago

I will certainly try my best.

[–] ArigatouNosferatu 9 years ago

Haven't you seen the Masters of Cinema Blu-Ray? Great restoration

[–] Jewis 9 years ago

I have. In fact it is the main basis for this restoration. However, as stated in my op, the 2006 restoration (which the MOC Blu-ray uses) still has some issues which I intend to fix.

[–] ArigatouNosferatu 9 years ago

Oh... Right haha

[–] Jewis 9 years ago

Haven't posted anything in a while so I think I owe everyone here an update.

Progress is slow but it is still progress. I'm still struggling with one important aspect. The tinting.

As noted in my original post, the 2005/2006 restoration has many scenes that exist in longer versions. Most of these scenes appear in full on the BFI Blu-ray (which I am using as my source for the missing scenes). However, the BFI Blu-ray sources from a restoration of the film made in 1995. This means two things. One, the materiel is of far lower quality then the 2005/2006 restoration and Two, the tinting is different between the two versions*. The quality of the footage is an issue I can't solve as the BFI Blu-ray is (as far as I can tell) the highest quality version of this footage available to the public. The tinting however, I can potentially fix.

By "fix" I mean correcting the 1995 tinting to match as close as possible the 2005/2006 restoration.The software I am currently using to try and fix the tinting is call 'Color Directer 4'**. The software, while powerful, does not seem to give me the desired effects***.

And so, I am at something of a crossroads. I am contemplating leaving the tinting as is and simply inserting the missing footage back into the film, but this is not final.

However, if anyone reading this wants a say in this matter or can provide me with any assistance or information as to, for example, better software for the job, then you can reply to this comment or email me at [email protected]. I will be incredibly grateful if anyone gets in touch.

-123Jewis

* http://i.imgur.com/71xFxP0.jpg
** http://www.cyberlink.com/products/colordirector/features_en_EU.html?&r=1
*** http://i.imgur.com/NKT3m4e.jpg

UPDATE 17-Mar-2016: My problem has been solved. originaltrilogy.com member 'jacksparrow900' has provided me with a method that seems to be able to correct the tinting*. However the method involves me editing the 1995 footage frame by frame so the restoration might take longer then initially anticipated. But the issue has been solved. Back to work I go.

-123Jewis

*http://s118.photobucket.com/user/jacksparrow900/media/71xFxP0_zps3swkibdo.jpg.html

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tales_from_iDEATH 8 years ago

If/when you get this project done you should set up a kickstarter or something to get a DVD/Bluray copy printed. I'd love a copy :)

Best of luck with the project.

[–] Jewis 8 years ago

Obligatory, "I haven't posted in a while" thread.

When I started this project, I assumed that this would take a few months at most. I'll be honest, I bit off a little more than I could chew.

The restoration has consisted mostly of trial and, mostly, error. I am evidently not fit for the job. My busy social life and the burden of school has made this restoration more or less an impossibility.

I am afraid I have to call it quits... for the time being. I may return to this project someday. For now, the best I can offer you if you want to see the most complete version possible is to get in contact with the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Stiftung and request a new restoration. They own the rights to Nosferatu and are responsible for the (mostly) marvelous 2005/2006 restoration.

And if anyone else should attempt this restoration, feel free to get in touch, and I'll help however I can.

I apologise greatly to anyone whom this news may be upsetting, but unfortunately, I need to move on. Thanks to everyone for all the support

-123Jewis, signing off.

[–] tavaresmd 8 years ago

That's a shame, but it's good you tried, and it is a daunting task.

The Hardest Thing In This World Is To Live In It