Colourisation of Black and White Films

In this video I look at the ethics of whether a film should colourised, focusing on 'It's a Wonderful Life' and '20 Million Miles to Earth'.
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#physicalmedia #colorization #blackandwhite

[@Larkinchance]

My feelings are mixed concerning original B+W vs computer colorization. Quality B+W is like a charcoal sketch. It can aid in the suspension of of dis-belief. In a B+W film your eyes are focused on the character, the drama and the idea. It is dream like and cerebral, in short, B+W has its place. Color is vivid and extravagant, it's about action, adventure and spectacle. I read the post-Apocalyptic “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy. I thought if they make a movie, it should be done in B+W and not color! When they finally did, they shot it in desaturated color which was perfect. Today, these are the paints and brushes that the film maker has at their disposal. The cheaply made high contrast shorts of the 30's (Laurel and Hardy) look great in color but the golden age of B+W (40's50's and 60's) should stay in black and white. Dr Strangelove was meant to be in B+W

[@CollectorCreations]

Well said

[@TXVETJEB]

It's subjective. Colorized vs black and white. What you like isn't of my concern. You chose. Don't judge.

[@Pssybart]

Colouring b&w films is usually disrespectful, because it is usually done to films from a different era. And the filmmakers are usually unable to give their consent. Sure, if Orson Welles wrote in his will that he really wanted to be cremated and that his ashes should be used as cat litter, go ahead and do it! But that would make him an exception. Now with the internet I do think it can be an interesting experiment to colourise old movies. Just as long as it is not done as a replacement of the original.

[@CollectorCreations]

I think that’s why I like the Harryhausen colourisations compared to Kapra’s film. Harryhausen had a hand in the colourisation, and though I don’t think it works for 20 Million Miles to Earth it’s still presented on a disc with the black and white version. It wasn’t done to eradicate the original version but to add something to it, whilst living alongside it.