"The Harder They Come" (R2)

[MJ Ryan]

Apparently this was issued in the UK last month. Play247 have it for £15. I cannot, however, turn up a single review.

Anybody seen it? How's the transfer? Anybody in a position to compare it to Criterion's edition? Is the documentary any good? "Alternative ending"...? You know the sort of question...!

Any insight would be much appreciated. :)

[MJ Ryan]

Anyone...? :)

[Andy_C]

Saw this disc in Virgin at the weekend. I was very surprised - I've been trying to justify the cost of the Criterion version for a while (still don't have it...).

I <i>think</i> there is a documentary on the disc too, which <i>I think</i> puts it ahead of the Criterion for features.

I would buy it and let you know, but I have a huge backlog of unwatched DVDs....

[desmondc]

Hey MJ, I've got both of these (plus the laserdisc) but I have not even open the R2 version as yet (had it nearly a month). I bought the R2 version because it has an alternative ending, as you know, but I have not heard the commentary on the Criterion version either ( I'm not a big fan of commentries) I will try and watch it at the weekend if you can wait that long.

Suspiria still waiting:(

Desmondhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/person/fro.gif

[MJ Ryan]

:)

Andy -

There is - reportedly - a documentary on the disc. Play247 refer to it as "50 minute Documentary and Interview with Perry Henzell" (who contributed a commentary with Jimmy Cliff to the Criterion edition). The film may be fascinating (and a most worth documentary subject), but you never know with these "documentaries"...

Lucky you on that backlog!


Desmond -

Nice to run into you again!

Still waiting the other way around here: "Suspiria" has arrived (as per other thread), but still no "Opera". As you say, :( !! (Nevertheless, delighted to have "Suspiria" safe and sound, given that it sold out like a shot in this edition. Have yet to get a chance to have a decent look at it, though...)

The inclusion of a commentary would not be an overwhelming selling point for me either. I do like to dip in and out of them, but I have yet to sit through one in its entirity. A well made documentary holds more appeal.

Would be delighted if you could indeed cast a critical eye (and ear) over your disc(s) at the weekend. I can certainly wait that long. Of course, with a little luck, you may be preoccupied by "Suspiria" come the weekend... :)

[Narshty]

Ah, but you all forgot one thing - the transfer on Criterion's is almost certain to be superior. It was not only director-approved but was taken directly from the 16mm A/B negative, and then digitally restored, so, despite being non-anamorphic, it is unlikely to be surpassed.

I have the Criterion disc and love it to bits. That doesn't mean the R2 version might not find it's way onto my shelf, though. :)

[MJ Ryan]

Originally posted by desmondc
I will try and watch it at the weekend if you can wait that long.

Hi, Desmond. Did you get a chance? :)

(Or did "Suspiria" turn up??? Still no "Opera" here....:( )

[desmondc]

Hello MJ Ryan, sorry I did not get round to watching it, Sisters birthday on friday gone and massive hangover most of the weekend. I'll try and watch sometime this week, fingers cross.

Just got and email from Deepdiscount and they are sending me another copy Suspiria so hopefully I should get this one.

Desmondhttp://www.smilies.nl/person/fro.gif

[MJ Ryan]

Hi, Desmond.

Not to worry. No real hurry. I know how it is: my toungue was hanging out for "Suspiria" for months, and I've now had it for a couple of weeks without getting to sit down and feast on it!

Glad to hear that "Suspiria" is on the way to you...again. I'm still waiting for a response on my latest "Opera" chaser. Deep Discount do seem to have got significantly slower in replying to e-mail...

:)

[desmondc]

Hi Mj Ryan,

This is the first time I am writing a review for a film. Let me start by saying what a impressive DVD the R2/3/4/5/6 BMG release is of ‘The Harder They Come’. The documentary ‘A Hard Road to Travel’ by Chris Browne, makes this an essential purchase alone, it’s that good. With this documentary you get it in two versions First version lets you watch the doco all the way through, the Second shows a symbol of a gun at certain points and if you click select you go to that scene in the film, great. There is also a still’s gallery of 21 pic’s of the film and posters. The alternative ending is also good let’s you see what the director wanted to show originally. The Menus them self’s are much better than the Criterion R0 release, being animated with bits of dialogue thrown in at the beginning and all the other pages as well, the Criterion is static.

Comparing the two, the Criterion has a slightly better picture compared to the BMG release, also it comes with an excellent commentary by Perry Henzell the director and Jimmy Cliff the star of the film, this is not included on the BMG release. On the Criterion you get 10 minute video interview with Chris Blackwell (Island record producer at the time) and also an illustrated bio-discography on the films contributing musicians. Both include English subs, which can be remove, and the films are not anamorphic but are both framed at 1.66:1.

Is the BMG release worth getting, I have to say yes, for the alternative ending and the 50 minute documentary. Enjoy.

Desmondhttp://www.plauder-smilies.de/person/fro.gif

[Narshty]

Good to hear that. That brings it up to four discs that I have to get the UK version of for all the supplements - This is Spinal Tap, Sid and Nancy, The Silence of the Lambs and now this. Not forgetting Robocop of course.

[MJ Ryan]

Hey, Desmond -

Many thanks for coming back on this one. (And thanks for the e-mail copy, too.) Much appreciated. :)

Nice review - I'm definitely going to get my hands on the UK release after that. The Criterion edition will just have to wait until I am old and rich.... Looking forward to the documentary greatly now.

As a matter of interest, does anyone know why there are no trailers to be found on either of these discs? Surely there were trailers made for this classic, and they seem to be an obiligatory inclusion on (almost) every other DVD under the sun...

Thanks again, Desmond. I'm off shopping.