More UK Ghibli to follow after Mononoke DVD?

[Purpledump]

For anyone who didn't go to the Gala Screening of Princess Mononke at the Barbican, apparently a Buena Vista rep announced that "My Neighbour Totoro" and "Kiki's Delivery Service" will get released on DVD in the UK. This was reported by Nausicaa.net. If anyone who was present, could they confirm that? I bought my tickets to the screening last mont, but even then the Mononoke premiere was sold out!!

This could potentionally be great news! After a Ghibli marathon, I can't wait for more!

[cirrus888]

The Ghibli season at the barbican has been a great success seeing that nearly every movie is almost sold out despite it being mainly dubbed. I could not get tickets for Laputa today but I manage to get some for saturday but only just.

[Purpledump]

The ones I've seen (Nausicaa, Porco Rosso, Whispers of the Heart, Pom Poko and Laputa) were all subbed, and although I'm no expert, I don't think all were literal subs, which is a big no no for die hard fans. For instance, early in the beginning of Whispers, the girl was saying a long phrase in japanese, and all it was translated to was "Hi!". As far as I'm aware, only Kiki and some Mononoke screenings were dubbed, but I didn't go to those!

It still didn't ruin our enjoyment, and Porco Rosso brought the house down, it was so hilarious. I'd definitely recommend that! It was the first time I saw all of these movies. Shame I can't make it to Yamda's and Only Yesterday, and some other favourites I want to re-watch on the big-screen, because I'll be away.

That's all going OT, really. It's just really exciting to see so much support for Ghibli movies, and hopfully, that'll convince Miramax and Disney to get their act together. I haven't bought the UK Mononoke DVD yet. I was checking out HMV today, and I was a little discouraged when the specs at the back only listed English DD5.1, althogh on the front it advertises original japanese language. I'm sure the track must be on, though, and with the book on Miyazaki, it looks like an essential re-purchase for me (I already sold my R1). Now hopefully, Kiki and Totoro WILL get released, which will pave the way for more to follow. Can't help but feel very enthusiastic about this!

Edit: Spelling.

[kanedaa]

This is indeed great news, both the success of the Ghibli Season and the DVD release news....although at the various Laputa screenings in the US (of the new dub) Disney also announced Kiki and Laputa would see a US release (but again, no dates)...

God I wish I could go and see a few of these screenings, if only the 3 I've not seen were all on the same day :( if only i lived in London!!

hopefully they'll travel down to me at some point....

anway, what did you think of the other films then Purpledump?

Porco Rosso is another masterpiece, Nausicaa is quite possibly the best film I have ever seen (although that accolade regularly switches between the Ghibli output!) while Laputa is again another work of art....sadly i've not seen Whispers of the Heart or Pom Poko....can't wait for those Japanese releases :D

dave.

[ali]

Does anyone know whether the prints are available via the normal sources? I would quite like to get Mononoke for my uni's film society....

Also - did they havbe subbed prints of all the films?

[Purpledump]

I know there is already a thread in the Genral forum about the screenings, so I'll keep it short. With the exception of Pom Poko, the films were breathtaking. It's hard to imagine children having the attention span for 2 hour "cartoon" movies, but the few that were there, were so quiet drawn in by the beauty of the movies. We left the screenings with a great feeling. Can't comment on Only Yesterday or yamada, because they're the only ones I haven't seen or couldn't catch. Personally, I didn't find Pom Poko as good as the others.

From conversaitions, only Kiki was shown dubbed for the two screenings so far. Otherwise, Sub prints for all films were shown. The new Laputa dub wasn't shown yesterday. I know they'll be showing dubs of Mononoke, but I'm positive, they won't screen the dubs for the others, if they exist.

Quickly back to the DVD releases on why this news could be so important. The western Mononoke DVD release was considerd to be pretty much perfect, with literal subtitles, seamless branching for the complete japanese or english versions of the film, good sound an transfer. Although lacking in the extras department, the presentation of the actual film more than made up for it. Excellent japanese R2 editions of Kiki and Totoro are available. However, since these do not use literal translations for the subtitles, but instead use the dub subtitles, the fans got disappointed. If Miramax puts the same effort into the next two DVDs, we're in for a treat PLUS let's face it, the UK DVDs are going to be a hell of a lot cheaper, even if you buy them from a store (except Tower Records, who were selling Mononoke DVDs for £27.99 :eek: ).

[niz]

just to confirm that, yes, the woman from buena vista did announce forthcoming UK DVD releases of Totoro and Kiki.

[Purpledump]

Thanks for that Niz. Although now I have mixed feelings about this. Apparently the UK Mononoke DVD does not have literal subs, which kind of cancels my previous argument of why the UK Ghibli releases may be something to look forward to. I hope this was just a mistake and not intentionally done so by Buena Vista. I can't check out the copy I got from the airport (I'm in germany now, wishing I was back at Barbican :( ).