©1975 Universal Pictures. All rights reserved.
| Catalog Number |
11-002 |
| Format |
Standard Play CAV |
| MPAA Rating |
 |
 |
| Running Time |
125 minutes |
| Mono |
| Pressing Location |
DiscoVision Carson |
| Label Color |
Blue |
| Retail Price |
$15.95 |
| Issued |
December 1980 |
|
| Side |
Frames |
Running Time |
|
| 1 |
35,202 |
24min 26sec |
| 2 |
37,069 |
25min 44sec |
| 3 |
35,252 |
24min 28sec |
| 4 |
35,205 |
24min 26sec |
| 5 |
40,820 |
28min 20sec |
|
|
183,548 |
127min 27sec |
|
| Dead Side |
Glue Spray |
|
| Ratings |
|
| Video Transfer |
   |
| Audio Transfer |
|
| Replication |
|
|
| Packaging |
|
| Large Open-Top | |
| Open-Top |
 |
| Side-Open Sticker |
|
| Printed | |
|
Pressing Notes
The film transfer to video for The Hindenburg was handled with MCA's usual standard of high quality on both
audio and video. This film was slated to be released much earlier in the life of DiscoVision, but for some reason,
the title was withheld. It's possible it was due to a mastering error on Side 1, or possibly because there were such
problems with side 5 running nearly 41,000 frames. The mastering error on side 1 is that the video completely vanishes
at frame 27,029 and returns at frame 27,056. Since some copies of side 3 are known to have 20 Frame Skip,
it is clear that the title was at least transferred to master tape at the early stages of the DiscoVision program.
Why the title was held up for two years remains a mystery.
The video transfer is sharp and detailed. Its only drawback is the excessive dirt which is present on the transfer
print and it litters all bright scenes annoyingly. The audio, while recorded at slightly too high a level, is rich
in range and clarity. It is no match, however, for the new Stereo transfer of the widescreen edition.
The fate awaiting The Hindenburg at the film's end very much parallels a collectors fate with a DiscoVision
copy as well: Crash and burn. Almost all copies of this disc all have a troublesome side 5, experiencing LaserLock
starting as early as 23 minutes into the side and continuing for the duration. Some speculate it is a by-product of
the Glue Spray deadside, but this cannot be confirmed. All copies ever examined have the Glue Spray dead sides.
I wonder how many viewers have caught the horrible continuity error during side 2. One passenger states "Next time,
let's take the Titanic." Pity the great luxury liner sank 25 years before the Hindenburg disaster.
Release History
The Hindenburg, missing from any catalog for several years, resurfaced in April 1991 on MCA/Universal Home
Video (Catalog # 11002) in a Widescreen (2.35:1) CLV/CAV edition. This new edition restored the original magnetic Stereo
soundtrack.
MCA DiscoVision Home Page
Updated: November 24, 2015
Copyright ©2004 Blam Entertainment Group