Further info at:http://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=8410562&postcount=32
when I said "audio," I wasn't referring to mono vs. 5.1; I was actually referring to the music and dialogue, cuz as we've discussed extensively in the "DYS soundtrack comparison" thread, the different dvd's have different music and dialogue in certain spots
RE: the final flashback: if they do include the flashback, that is definitely the Leone-approved version. Leone wanted that flashback in, Frayling says the distributor (I think in Italy?) cut it cuz they believed people wouldn't stay through that whole flashback; they'd think the movie was ending and walk out. (Not sure why they would think that....) But Leone definitely wanted that in
Yes, but that's only happening in the 5.1 audio from MGM. I think the Original English mono audio got it right. Apart from altered noises (like gunshots etc) for a 5.1 sound, which should be forbidden, the other changes are minor stuff for me.
the different musical is minor stuff for you?? That's major stuff for me. Especially in the final flashback, where, as we discussed extensively in the soundtrack comparison thread, (in my opinion and the opinion of many others) the interpretation of that scene is very different depending on whether the music stops and then starts again once Nolan starts kissing the girl, or if it flows straight: if the former, Sean is not happy with the situation; if the latter, he is.
There's also some change in dialogue (eg. just before Sean lights the dynamite to save Juan from the firing squad, Sean says either "duck, you sucker" in one version and "short fuse" in another. Also, there's some cursing that is scrubbed in one version.
Also, I don't believe we ever resolved in that thread which version was correct.... so it's not like I can say, "I hope they do Version X and not Version Y," cuz I don't know which is correct. I just hope they use the correct music! I believe that post on blu-ray.com said they are using a 1971 positive to get the color right.... what about the audio? where are they getting that from?... My guess is that the reason for the differentiation in music of the final flashback is because that final flashback was cut on initial release, so when it was later put back for the dvd, maybe the original soundtrack for that scene didn't survive?.... Also, on initial theatrical release, was the final flashback cut in ALL countries, or did it play in some countries? I'm hoping there is still an original, full print of the movie from 1971 that has all the correct music...
The correct audio is the one from the Italian version. Wasn't that already clarified which is the correct one and which not? Ain't it only the 5.1 version which has some discrepancies?
A whole bunch of Leone movies are being released in Italy on Blu-ray on Dec 5, 2013, including Colossus of Rhodes. http://www.amazon.it/Il-colosso-di-Rodi...http://www.amazon.it/Per-qualche-dollaro-in-pi...http://www.amazon.it/Il-buono-brutto-cattivo...http://www.amazon.it/Cera-una-volta-il-west...http://www.amazon.it/Giu-la-testa...
""The restoration of GIU' LA TESTA was made from the original negative and magnetic soundtrack From Sergio Leone Foundation . This copy corresponds to the full version that Sergio Leone approved in 1971.The Techniscope negative was scanned at a resolution of 2K and digitally restored, the color correction was performed taking as reference a positive print of 1971.The English version sound was restored from the original magnetic materials used for mixing in mono.The film was restored by the Cinematheque of Bologna at L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratory in 2009, with the approval of the Sergio Leone Foundation .""