We are now in the 70th anniversary year of Cinerama, and the 60th anniversary of the two Cinerama/MGM co-produced films that tell a narrative story.  We appreciated the Warner disc release of HOW THE WEST WAS WON, and all the other original 3-strip Cinerama features now available on video. That left THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM as the only 3-Strip Cinerama film not on video... Until now.

After WBHV's George Feltenstein reported "extensive damage" to the original 3 strip Cinerama WWotBG negatives in 2009, we learned that the negative damage (caused by a flood in an MGM facility before Warner received the elements) was not quite extensive.  We also learned there was an undamaged 65mm composite negative (containing all 3 panels) of WWotBG that might be a viable source to master from.

The Cinerama travelogues were all mastered by a company called Image Trends.  This company worked with both 65mm composite and 3 strip Cinerama elements, with results good enough to sell on disc and broadcast on TCM.

We were aware that the version of the film regularly broadcast on Turner Classic Movies (dating back to the 90s) was updated to include parts previously missing from the home video versions, and revealed more of the picture than was visible on the laserdisc. It turned out that a subsequent Laserdisc from Japan had the missing bits and has been the version broadcast ever since.

With their sponsoring involvement in the Hollywood Cinerama festival, twice-yearly broadcasts, and having discussed the possibility of showing WWotBG at their own festival in Spring 2013, we imagined folks at TCM had a keen interest in this film. Once Grimm has a new HD remaster, TCM would have a much better version to broadcast.

As Mr. Feltenstein mentioned years ago that he felt the market for this film was not as large as that for How The West Was Won, we all signed this petition to indicate OUR interest. With the popularity of TV shows and movies based on Grimm stories and other fairy tales, we hoped it was time to re-evaluate the marketability of this title.

We asked that Warner Home Video confer with Turner Classic Movies and review all possible options for a new digital transfer and disc release of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM, so that the film's fans, plus more who have gained interest from recent TV shows, may be able to buy a good copy of this film... So we could live happily ever after.

We learned that Warner was not willing to consider such a project unless it were done under their own supervision and up to their famously high standards.

Finally, technology and opportunity have converged, and the outstanding work done on this film gives it a great future on screens large and small.

Thanks to Warner Archive Collection, David Strohmaier, Tom March, Carin-Anne Strohmaier and Cinerama inc. for this incredible new BluRay.

FRIENDS OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM -
TJ EDWARDS