Audiences will be able to see a film shot in 1953 in 3-D for the first time October 14, when the 3-D Film Archive releases “Dragonfly Squadron,” the company’s first 3-D Blu-Ray, distributed through Olive Films.
“Dragonfly Squadron” tells the story of Air Force Major Matthew Brady (John Hodiak), assigned to train a squadron of South Korean pilots, and attempting to have them combat-ready in half the usual time allowed. At the air base at Kongju, Brady comes face to face with a former love (Barbara Britton), the wife of an army medical officer (Bruce Bennett). When enemy forces invade, most of the American personnel are evacuated, but Brady remains behind with the barely-trained South Korean troops.
Completed in late 1953, just as the production output of 3-D movies in that period was in decline, “Dragonfly Squadron” was only released in a 2-D version. The 3-D Film Archive has located and preserved the film from the original negative elements. Utilizing state-of-the-art stereoscopic restoration techniques, the film has been aligned shot-by-shot for an optimum 3-D presentation. “We faced many unique challenges in restoring this lost stereoscopic feature, including the deterioration of important 35mm elements. We rescued it just in time” says 3-D Film Archive founder and director Bob Furmanek. “The original stereoscopic alignment issues have now been corrected and the 3-D presentation is flawless. Sixty years later, we can see finally see it as the filmmakers originally intended.”
Bonus features include:
- 2-D Version for non-3-D-capable Blu-Ray players
- Original theatrical trailer
DETAILS:
- “DRAGONFLY SQUADRON” in 3-D
- Previously lost 3-D Korean War Film to be released on Blu-ray for the first time.
- Street Date: October 14, 2014
- Suggested Retail Price: $34.95
- Length: Approx. 83 minutes + bonus material/1-disc (3-D Blu-Ray)
ABOUT THE 3-D FILM ARCHIVE
The 3-D Film Archive is an organization dedicated to preserving and restoring historic stereoscopic films. Founded in 1990, the 3-D Film Archive controls the distribution of more than two dozen 3-D films made from 1922 to 1970. Their website is www.3dfilmarchive.com.
ABOUT OLIVE FILMS
Olive Films was founded in 2003 as a boutique theatrical and distribution label. Currently located in Chicago, Illinois, its catalog boasts over 500 titles cultivated from the libraries of Paramount, Republic, Warner and HBO. Their website is www.olivefilms.com.
