Of respect and restoration.

One of the happiest by-products of the overwhelming popularity of DVDs is the current abundance of “restored” films. This by itself is a logical progression of nostalgia for days gone by, for the art and artistry of those times; and the innocence they recall.

The first examples of such nostalgia were undoubtedly books --- large, luxuriously-produced tomes that made coffee-tables groan while eyes feasted on the “romance” of the images portrayed.

Then there was digital-audio and the Compact Disc; and large collections released of favourite artistes from the past. Each “anniversary” of these talents (and recordings) brought with it yet another re-mastered edition, using the very latest technology, which was said to be the non plus ultra in purity and faithfulness to the original performance etc….but sometimes offered negligible improvement; or opened the window too wide, over-exposing the blemishes; or (at worst) souped-up the original to make it “sound good”.

And then came DVD. It was now possible to enjoy digitally-recorded movies in the living-room; with a quality of image and sound hitherto experienced only in the cinema. And the major Hollywood and European studios responded by bringing out more and more titles in the new medium, lovingly restored and with extensive “extras” like interviews, commentaries, deleted scenes and such. Music companies too followed suit, releasing video recordings and broadcasts of their artistes in a treasure-trove of concerts, music-videos, opera and ballet.

In India, musicians have been well-served on CD. But it is in the realm of cinema on DVD that we have failed….miserably. Let me give you three examples of iconic films from three different genres:

“Sholay” was initially released on DVD in a version copied from the VHS master, with a widescreen image embedded in a standard TV-size frame; and dreadful sound. And with the distributor’s name plastered in a huge lurid logo, constantly on view. Its second avatar was scarcely better, restoring the film’s original ending but with its vivid colours blanched and the 6-track stereo reduced to pseudo Dolby Digital, with a MONO track blaring from all 5 channels!

A classic from another time was also short-changed….literally. “Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam” was initially released here on DVD with about 10 to 15 crucial minutes missing. On obtaining another (complete) copy from the USA, I found the film’s sound to be recorded out-of-phase, with dialogue emanating from the REAR instead of front speakers! And in the first couple of reels, barely intelligible. This abomination was surely the work of an NRI.

Finally, that elegiac tribute to a bygone culture and the artistry of Meena Kumari --- “Pakeezah”. Lavishly packaged in a “special edition” which promises much, we find instead a copy from a scratchy negative, with the distributor’s watermark floating on the screen, and a gentle, headache-inducing “shake” throughout the film. Pakeezah with Parkinson’s? How pathetic. And infuriating.

Compare any of the above to the care and attention given to “Ben Hur” in a magnificent restoration on DVD, which makes the film look (and sound) like it were made yesterday. With an extra disc filled with documentaries and other incidentals; AND another containing the earlier silent version, for comparison.

Or any of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, each released in special anniversary editions, preserving the visual and sonic “glow” of the originals.

Or the invaluable contribution of The Criterion Collection, showcasing the masterpieces of Bergman, Fellini and Kurosawa (among others) in faithful, technically-perfect presentations.

Which brings me to say that restoration is driven by respect. Not money, of which more can be made in the mass-market. And certainly not by cutting corners, which we in this country are so adept at!

Respect for an artiste’s work, respect for cultural heritage and, above all, respect for art itself is the bedrock on which restoration is based. For it is a labour of love; painstaking, perfectionist and, ultimately, joyful.

Film-people in the West have realised this. Isnt it time we honour our own?