BTW, presently at amazon.fr, it's 25% cheaper (33 uros for combo as opposed to 22 euros for each) when you buy Sholay KHNH combo. Plus, no shipping within france.

DEI version is DD 5.1.
I haven't seen any fake 5.1s from DEI. So, DEI DVD must have extracted audio from multi audio tracks.

There's a small booklet inside the case... one of the photos in the booklet shows Sippy with long hair, Amitabh, Dharam, Hangal, Hema, Jaya, and a very decent-looking Amjad standing together for a group photo...

The booklet in in French though...

The DVD has the usual Amaray case inserted inside a cardboard cover.

DEI sholay, does indeed decode in 5.1 DD, there is good channel seperation in fron 3 Channels, but surround mix is as for old film..not like a new film. Sound is pretty clean though!

I remember reading somewhere that the reason to produce a widescreen version of the film only occured after Sholay was running successfully in cinema. This version I believe was the 70mm Cinemascope release. Since Cinemascope was the most desired format for a 'western' to be shot in, Ramesh Sippy must have relised that later. Subsequently the 35mm was released. Back in 1996, the 35mm Cinemascope version of Sholay was rereleased and it played in the theaters here in Singapore. But I missed cos I came late to the cinema.

It depends on what you read and believe, the myths and stories surrounding this movie is as legendary as the movie itself. I recently watched this widescreen version from the Carlotta DVD and all I can say is that if this is the famous 70mm widescreen version then its pants! It’s so painfully obvious that this version is not meant to seen in a widescreen format – they are heads chopped off, shots badly framed and others that are just plain wrong. Seeing this version you realise Sholay was shot for a full frame format and that is the way it should be seen.

Then I did a google search the for name “Dwarka Divecha” the man who did the cinematography on Sholay and the search returns certain articles which say that Sholay took an extraordinary long time to shoot because (if you can believe this) that each shot was done twice – one a full frame scope other on widescreen scope (I read that Dwarka Divecha was such a perfectionist of framing of shots that he got special plates made for the cameras that would show the wide scope when filming). It is said that to save on costs 35mm film was used and then later blown-up to 70mm but it was always the attention of director to have a wide scope for the movie. They are many problems cited for 70mm prints from the costs to theatres that didn’t have equipment to show 70mm prints and certain legal problem surrounding the rights/licence of the 70mm prints. Then more you read the more you realise how much potential bullshit you could be reading. Half the information is contradicting itself ie pieces say that shooting was expensive and slow because the cameras needed to film on 70mm were bulky and slow to move around – yet other places you read saying that all filming was on 35mm then later transferred to 70mm.

There’s also a book ‘Sholay: The Making of a Classic’ by Anapama Chopra (Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s wife) – anyone read this? I don’t see it shedding any light on this matter as Dwarka Divecha passed away 3 years after the release of Sholay – I think he would be only person for definitely saying how the movie was shot and how it was meant to seen.

From what I’ve seen – Sholay is so badly framed in certain shots on this Carlotta DVD I don’t for a minute believe this bull about its meant to for widescreen format. On the other hand, as Newdeep says, they isn’t a frame on the full screen Eros DVD that looks out of place. Judge with your own eyes I say.

Ali

Ali, I agree with your overall point: When it comes to Indian films, there's often just no "definite source" to which to turn. I think Ramesh Sippy, certainly, could shed some light on matters, and I hear the the book, Sholay: The Making of A Classic shares some interesting information, but the latter seems really to be more of a "fan"/"behind-the-scenes" thing, than an in-depth study of the actual making of the movie. Well, I guess the only thing that's for sure is that the movie is one of the most enjoyable, well-received Indian films of all time.

Thanks I didn't know about the book, have just bought it off Amazon!

Seeing this ongoing discussion about versions and endings and scenes and widescreen vs. fullscreen etc. etc. i found this link about a new show and on this show they happened to show the 'original' ending and another scene. so check it out here: http://indiafm.com/features/2006/02/01/990/index.html

yes, but hasn't this already been seen on EROS/B4U dvd?
why is this scene making headlines on indiafm? they should have shown another clip not seen/available.

Thanks for the links the clips were awesum I'd never seen them before, I have the Eros DVD and theres not extras on it definately not the alternate ending.

[SPOLIER ]

The alternate ending (gabbar is killed) is part of the main feature on the Eros/B4U DVD which replaces the original ending (gabbar arrested) on the Eros/DEI DVD - there's no such extras on either DVD.

Ali

I guys this the letter I emailed to Eros regarding Sholay:

Dear Eros,

I like many others is huge fan of the film Sholay. When the DVD was released I purchased the Eros-DEI version which is the theatrical cut and then I also purchased the Eros-B4U version which is the directors cut. However I am still disappointed that full justice and quality treatment has not been given to a film of this calibre. And Sholay is meant to be the biggest and best film of Bollywood? The DVD is just not up to it, whether its in terms of quality or features. I mean you could release a double disc set which has the remastered version, which allows access to extra scenes, and gives u an option to watch the DVD with or without the directors cut. When I was doing my research on the Sholay DVD releases I came across a new version which has been released in France. Below is the link of this product.

http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B ... 25-7659629

After looking at the product I was impressed, as it it double disc and offers special features like interviews and so on. The film is spilt over to discs to maintain the quality. Sholay was shot in 70mm and 30mm, so you could also provide more options. I feel Eros has not made an effort to revitalise this classic on DVD, look at Hollywood films, they don't leave a single stone untouched when revitalising a classic. The menu of the DVD is awful, I am a part time designer. If you cant find no one with original and creative ideas I am free to offer help. I would do it voluntary, just to make sure the film has been given fair treatment on DVD. I mean look at the french guys they have at least tried to revitalise the film, and the french market is a niche market for Bollywood films. By releasing a new special edition of Sholay, you would be attracting a larger market U.S, U.K., Australia and India. I personally think a new edition of Sholay should consist of the following:
Double/Triple Disc Set (Possibly spilt film to maintain quality)
Special Feature Disc, which includes Sholay trailers, interviews, picture gallery (I am sure you can get hold of interviews, as the French DVD does have some interviews)
Special Box Set (Like Devdas, LOC, these films are no way bigger than Sholay)
I am speaking on behalf of millions who have been disappointed by the unfair treatment by Eros to a grand film like Sholay.

Please do not ignore this email, and I would be grateful if you could reply back.

Many Thanks

Letter to BLACKS(BLINDS AND DEAF MUTES)

Dr. Alinaeem,

I can appreciate your sentiments, but Eros is too shitty a company to give a flying f*** about what you (the consumer) has to say. Sorry, but that's the truth. This is like writing to Universal, saying that one of their Rocky discs won't work, and getting back an apologetic letter, and the willingness to send you a replacement disc. This is writing to people who make it their life's mission to churn out utter bullshit, so to do the least amount of work and spend the least amount of money. Hell, some of their DVDs are so bad, that you wonder if they actually paid a little extra to make them suck so much (just a little "f*** you," to the consumer, you know). Sorry, but it just pisses me off thinking how Eros will NOT give a damn about what you say (or, for that matter, about what any of us says). Let us know if you get a response. Take care.

— Commando303