View Full Version : Can Tartan be persuaded to put more effort into their DVDs?
Shingster
08-11-2001, 15:26
Sorry about starting a new thread about this, but the new release of ITMFL by Tartan is identical to the French version isn't it?
If so do you think it would be a good idea for the people thinking of getting the French version (Because of the better case & liner notes) to buy the Tartan version instead?
This way the 2-disc version should out-sell their crap original release & hopefully Tartan will take the hint & try to put a bit more effort into their releases.
I know some people hate Tartan, & don't buy their discs on principal if they can get the same product elsewhere, but this time you might be doing your bit for future releases.
(Of course if the new 2-disc isn't identical to the French one, ignore everything I've just said & continue to hate Tartan with a passion!!:D )
Jimmyboy
08-11-2001, 16:07
I think the Tartan disc is identical to the French one.
The only differnece is that Tartan managed to number the discs the wrong way round so that the disc that spose to be the main feature is infact the extras disc and vice versa.
Well, You can't expect Tartan to get things totally right. :D
I would guess a lack of money is the main problem with Tartan. Which is a shame considering the calibre of titles they have under their belts. I for one would like to see them go the Criterion route - anamorphic transfer (were appropiate) of a cleaned up print with intelligently thought out extras and charge a bit more for the disc.
sidebog7
08-11-2001, 17:18
The new Bergman titles (The Magician, Smiles of a Summer Night) are stunning compared to previous releases (not as good as CC Seventh Seal in the cleanup but not bad). I assume they licensed the transfers from elsewhere as I can't believe that they transferred the films themselves. The subtitles were removable and the blacks were blacker than normal for Tartan.
adamvbarker
08-11-2001, 17:27
Maybe the answer is to read the reviews, and buy their stuff when it's good and not touch it with a bargepole when it stinks (and tell other people not to touch it either). That way the good stuff will sell and the rubbish won't - and Tartan might get the message.
This, of course requires all of us to find out (and tell others) when they do a good job and when they do a bad job - and no sneeky "well I know its a crap transfer but I want the movie" buying either, people! (that's a note to myself mainly. ;) )
APPRIA40WR
08-11-2001, 17:42
Can Tartan be persuaded to put more effort into their DVDs?
I doubt it. I've emailed them 3-4 times (different names and very polite) and they've failed to respond.
Just don't give them your money -unless you really want to of course.
APPRIA40WR
08-11-2001, 17:52
What the hell is ITMFL BTW? :D
adamvbarker
08-11-2001, 18:15
In The Mood For Love?
Shingster
08-11-2001, 18:19
ITMFL = In The Mood For Love!! Sorry, but I changed the title of this thread after I'd written all that & forgot about it.
I'm not surprised that Tartan ignored your e-mails Gary, but I would have thought they'd take more notice if the sales of their ITMFL: SE tanks their normal version's sales.
If they make a good profit on this 2-disc set then they can't use the "lack of funds" excuse on their future titles if you ask me, as the extra costs of producing a SE will be swallowed up by the extra sales.
APPRIA40WR
08-11-2001, 19:00
D'oh :D -Had a small nap and hadn't fully awoken.
I had that Tartan disc (http://www2.r2-dvd.org/article.jsp?sectionId=4&articleId=2350) too. I have to say it seemed like a straight from (not very good) film transfer and I expected nowt more from Tartan.
Although I haven't seen the French disc it does look very impressive (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=249&story=2102).
I gave up on UK Region 2 over a year ago but I still dip in now and again.
charlie angel
08-11-2001, 19:08
Hard Boiled was the turd in my kettle - nothing but a missed opportunity; uncut, anamorphic etc, but crappy burned in subs & a poor scratching of extras. This was crying out for a funky release & was soooooooo disappointing :(
Tartans release of La Haine is appauling. They put unremovable subtitles on the film. What makes it worse is that the film is in black and white and they have just grey subtitles so in some scenes you can't even see them! Another gripe with the subtitles is that they are the ones for the american market using "dollars" and "bits" instead of francs? Why couldn't they use the same ones they used when BBC and filmfour showed it? This has prompted me to order the french version from amazon.fr seeing as it's my favourite film ever.
Are Tartan the guys behind the grisely edition of Hard Boiled R2?
Shingster
08-11-2001, 23:23
Oh yes! See Charlie Angel's post just above yours ^^.
Originally posted by Rooboy
Tartans release of La Haine is appauling. They put unremovable subtitles on the film. What makes it worse is that the film is in black and white and they have just grey subtitles so in some scenes you can't even see them! Another gripe with the subtitles is that they are the ones for the american market using "dollars" and "bits" instead of francs? Why couldn't they use the same ones they used when BBC and filmfour showed it? This has prompted me to order the french version from amazon.fr seeing as it's my favourite film ever.
I have the French R2 La Haine and it shiites on the Tartan version from a great height!
I bought Gary's disc off of him, but cant really comment on the quality as I watched it on a 24 inch Full frame TV, where it looked perfectly fine.
I did however part company with that disc and three British pounds on Monday to become the proud owner of the new 2 disc edition. I haven't watched it yet, but was pleased to see the first ever Tartan insert in the pack! A postcard no less, not a full booklet, but it does stretch from the bottom of the top clip to the top of the bottom one. :)
This could be the beginning of something for Tartan! Let's hope so. Anyway, I'm off to watch the new edition now.
Creamstick
08-11-2001, 23:59
I've just read on R2 Project that Tartan are releasing 'Chronos' this month...
Oh well... :(
My favourite vampire film...
*Sigh*
And Bergman's 'The Silence' too.
My favourite films are taking a tanking this year. Just please make the R1 M*A*S*H good... please?
The R2 Project (http://www.r2-dvd.org/Rumours.jsp) has some interesting news on Tartan future releases:
The launch of the Truffaut Collection (e.g. Jules and Jim), more items to The Bergman Collection and the launch of The Verhoeven Collection.
I always make a point of checking the distributor on foreign language films now when I see them at the cinema. Watched Amelie last night and was happy to discover it was a Momentum film and not Tartan in this country.
sidebog7
09-11-2001, 11:17
Originally posted by Creamstick
*Sigh*
And Bergman's 'The Silence' too.
My favourite films are taking a tanking this year. Just please make the R1 M*A*S*H good... please?
I would take heart in the fact that the first batch of Bergman title from Tartan are very high quality. They might be lacking in extras but getting extras for titles like these would be difficult and expensive. Anyway nobody buys a DVD for the extras... do they?;)
Creamstick
09-11-2001, 16:18
Originally posted by sidebog7
I would take heart in the fact that the first batch of Bergman title from Tartan are very high quality. They might be lacking in extras but getting extras for titles like these would be difficult and expensive. Anyway nobody buys a DVD for the extras... do they?;)
To be honest, I'm over the moon it's getting a release at all!
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