Robert A. Harris

Robert A. Harris is a film historian and preservationist, and owner of The Film Preserve Ltd, a New York-based company which specializes in the restoration and reconstruction of classic films.^[1][2] In collaboration with James C. Katz, he has restored several films, including Lawrence of Arabia (1989), Spartacus (1991), My Fair Lady (1994), Vertigo (1996), and Rear Window (1998).

In 2006, he was involved in the restoration of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.^[3]

In 2010, Harris was honored by the International Press Academy with its Nikola Tesla Award for Visionary Achievement in Filmmaking Technology.^[4]

In 2013, Harris completed restoration work on the roadshow version of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

In 2014 and 2015, Harris oversaw digital restorations of Spartacus and My Fair Lady, and supervised digital restoration of Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda masterpiece Triumph of the Will.

Harris also produced The Grifters with Martin Scorsese (1990), and developed screenplays including Endurance and Airship Empire with producer Wendy Winks. Both were not produced.

Harris is a regular contributor on a dedicated insider forum with Home Theater Forum.

References

1. Getting It Right: Robert Harris on Colour Restoration
2. “Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot” restored
3. American Cinematographer: Post Focus: Paramount Restores "The Godfather"
4. "International Press Academy to Honor Motion Picture Preservationist".

Further reading

• The A.V. Club interview, March 2000
• Remastering a Masterwork: Restoration of The Patriot
• Robert A. Harris' statement at the Film Preservation Study: Washington, D.C. Public Hearing, February 1993
• eFilmCritic: Robert A. Harris on restoring The Godfather

External links

• Robert A. Harris at the Internet Movie Database
• Yellow Layer Failure, Vinegar Syndrome and Miscellaneous Musings: Harris' column at The Digital Bits (2002-2009) (NOTE: site archive; hyperlinks have to be manually modified to view them)
• Harris on Home Theater Forum