I have only seen some screen grabs but the colors looked faded compared to the Cinemax copy I recorded in the 90's. As expected, Ms. Court's modeling scene does not include the brief topless shot filmed for continental peepers.
These Legend titles are a mxed bag. Glad to have them but I was hoping for a little more love for this Hammer rarity.

Well, we knew they were bare-bones going in, and the source elements are provided by Paramount, so aside from probable differences in transfer and mastering practices, we'd be getting much the same end product if they came from the major. Think, say, LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH.

I do think MAN looks pale based on screengrabs, but wanna see it in motion before I make too much of it. The common denominator for the Legend titles I've seen is that they don't tend to over-process the image in the name of grain removal, contrast boosting, or color (over) correction. I appreciate that, and if it means they're presenting an uninflected look at Paramount's best-surviving element for MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH, so be it.

There is a review up at DVD Drive In now, with additional ( slightly faded ) screen captures.

The same site also has a review of THE DEADLY BEES on Legend. The review claims that the BEES DVD is in 1:78-1. However, most research sources I have seen state that the film should be in Techniscope (2:35-1). Does anyone here know the true aspect ratio of THE DEADLY BEES?

I have a copy of The Deadly Bees taped off BBC TV in the UK. Its fullscreen but the film is clearly not in the Scope 2.35:1 ratio. There's very little side info missing and I would say that it is probably 1:1.66 being a UK film.

None of my reference books say its in Scope.

THE SKULL looked about right to me, but based on the grabs I've seen, THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH does look faded. Christopher Lee once called this the most beautifully photographed of all Hammer films, and I well remember how the colors popped in older TV broadcasts I've seen -- inside the safe where Diffring keeps his rejuvenation fluid, there was a luminous neon-like green that I didn't see in a movie again until RE-ANIMATOR.

I just ordered MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH, THE DEADLY BEES and PHASE IV from Best Buy.

Since my local Best Buy B&M isn't carrying the discs, and doesn't offer the option to pick 'em up (like some Best Buys), I had to pay $1.99 shipping per disc, plus tax, so it's costing $38.96 for three DVDs that list at $9.99 each. :angry:

Oh well, at least I'll have'em. :)

It looks like THE SENDER is also a Best Buy exclusive.

Anyone know if there are any other Legend DVDs that only Best Buy is carrying?

Some colors may be faded, but the inside of that safe still looks pretty green!

I saw the Legend DVD last night - via netflix - and it may have been a tad muted, but The royal blue of Hazel Court's dress and the purple feathers in her hat still leapt off the screen. Print was also very clean. Gorgeous film! :)

. . . thanks for bringing this up - I have been waiting for Best Buy to get around to showing these on their site . . . the other Legend/Paramount title you would probably like is Phil Karlson's FRAMED (1975) . . .

You're wlecome.

Yep! I like Phil Karlson. Thanks! :)