'Ran' and 'Army of Shadows' Criterion releases

[bruceames]

I just got these two classic HD DVD movies today from Amazon.fr and since they probably have high repeat value I was thinking about picking up the Criterion releases since they have English subs, a second disc full of exclusive extras and just that it's a Criterion release it will probably hold it's value fairly well. I'm not a Criterion collector by any means, but I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about buyin these 'companion' sets to watch first and then again on HD DVD. The downside though is the Amazon price ($35, BTW are there any cheaper sources). I guess I'd wait to buy it until I want to watch the movie, or I could just resign my Netflix account and rent it if they have it.

[Arkadin]

that's exactly what I have done with ALL my HD DVDs that had Criterion versions including "The 400 Blows" and "The Tin Drum."
I already owned the Criterion versions though.
made sense to me to get all the HD DVD versions to see how they came out.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

that's exactly what I have done with ALL my HD DVDs that had Criterion versions including "The 400 Blows" and "The Tin Drum."
I already owned the Criterion versions though.
made sense to me to get all the HD DVD versions to see how they came out.

Sounds good. It all works out the same in the end. Are there any other non-English HD DVDs that have Criterion releases?

[Arkadin]

"The 400 Blows"
"Ran"
"La Haine"
"Army of Shadows"
"The Tin Drum"
"The Seventh Seal" (Blu-Ray)

I think that is all the non-English releases that have a corresponding Criterion version.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

"The 400 Blows"
"Ran"
"La Haine"
"Army of Shadows"
"The Tin Drum"
"The Seventh Seal" (Blu-Ray)

I think that is all for non-English releases that have a corresponding Criterion version.

I'll have to get The Tin Drum and 400 Blows Criterion versions. That'll give me an excuse to buy the HD DVDs. Where would I find 'The Tin Drum'?

[tormond]

Originally Posted by bruceames

I'll have to get The Tin Drum and 400 Blows Criterion versions. That'll give me an excuse to buy the HD DVDs. Where would I find 'The Tin Drum'?

Hehe good luck finding the HD DVD of it as well I know I have been looking

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by tormond

Hehe good luck finding the HD DVD of it as well I know I have been looking

Under which country and name was it released?

[tormond]

Originally Posted by bruceames

Under which country and name was it released?

The Tin Drum is a Japanese release.. But one of those "only certain versions for a limited time had the HD DVD version with it" discs

Disc name is Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Drum) according to Kannisto on the Imports List

[bruceames]

Is this it?

[tormond]

Originally Posted by bruceames

Is this it?

Maybe? That is the movie in question but since only the 1st issue of it also included the HD DVD I am not willing to place the $40 gamble in getting a DVD only....HMV is listed as it being only a 1 disc release (as is Amazon.jp) so I just don't know. Best guess is to see if Kannisto can round us up a few copies and have me send him another wad of cash

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by tormond

Maybe? That is the movie in question but since only the 1st issue of it also included the HD DVD I am not willing to place the $40 gamble in getting a DVD only....HMV is listed as it being only a 1 disc release (as is Amazon.jp) so I just don't know. Best guess is to see if Kannisto can round us up a few copies and have me send him another wad of cash

I'd be surprised if the HD DVD wasn't included as it was just released 3 1/2 months ago. Besides, the Magic Flute was released even earlier and it still had the HD DVD when I got it a few weeks ago.

Also, it does say 'HD' in the title.

[tormond]

Originally Posted by bruceames

I'd be surprised if the HD DVD wasn't included as it was just released 3 1/2 months ago. Besides, the Magic Flute was released even earlier and it still had the HD DVD when I got it a few weeks ago.

Damnit will you please let me stop spending money These Japanese releases are killing me (although I did just get a deal on Killing Me Softly). I need to make Kannisto another list and Paypal him another wad of cash and see what he can find. I have to say however that while shipping from Japan may be expensive EMS sure is fast

[kannisto]

Originally Posted by bruceames

Is this it?

That's the right one. I have rarely seen this in B&M stores and since it's classified as a DVD it's not been part of any HD DVD price reductions. The best place to get it is online but it's difficult to know for sure that it's the HD DVD inclusive version when the site doesn't mention it. This only came out in late January and I think it hasn't sold too many copies so they are still probably selling the first edition which includes the HD DVD.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by kannisto

That's the right one. I have rarely seen this in B&M stores and since it's classified as a DVD it's not been part of any HD DVD price reductions. The best place to get it is online but it's difficult to know for sure that it's the HD DVD inclusive version when the site doesn't mention it. This only came out in late January and I think it hasn't sold too many copies so they are still probably selling the first edition which includes the HD DVD.

Thanks for the info. I got it ordered and to justify shipping I also picked up The Hidden Blade and Shinobi in order to advance my progress on Shochiku releases (Are there 10 in all?). I didn't know it existed as it's one of those HD DVDs hidden under a DVD release.

[kannisto]

Originally Posted by bruceames

Thanks for the info. I got it ordered and to justify shipping I also picked up The Hidden Blade and Shinobi in order to advance my progress on Shochiku releases (Are there 10 in all?). I didn't know it existed as it's one of those HD DVDs hidden under a DVD release.

These are all the Shochiku Home Video releases on HD DVD, you are right about the number as there are 10 in all:

Ashura
Castle of Sand (The)
Fall Guy
Fragile
Godsend (classified as DVD, includes HD DVD as "extra")
Hidden Blade (The)
Love and Honor
Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
Twilight Samurai (The)
Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness (The)

I have all of them but I haven't watched many of them yet. All of them are Japanese movies (mostly highly rated ones) without English subs except Fragile and Godsend (those have original English audio).

SHV used to have a nice page in their homepage listing all their HD DVDs (except Godsend which is classified as DVD) but it seems the page doesn't exist anymore. I have an old link to it but it's a dead link now and I can't find the page through their main homepage anymore.

This is their main homepage anyway:
http://www.shochiku.co.jp/

They have every collector's dream set coming out on DVD, HD-remastered Tora-san collection, check out this page:

http://www.shochiku.co.jp/video/camp...san/index.html

That's one huge set 48 DVDs and a red case. English subs included! They advertise it as "barrier free". The price is only 199500 yen. This might have been interesting as HD DVD for us serious collectors Maybe they could do a first edition where all cases include a bonus HD DVD!