Buying DVDs in Madrid & Malaga?

[Gypo66]

I'm planning to be in Madrid and possibly Malaga for a short time over the Christmas holiday. Anyone know of a good place (decent prices, good selection) to pick up some DVDs like Nameless? For that matter, any suggestions of other Spanish DVDs (w/English subtitles, please) I might want to be on the look out for?

[Noel M]

There are two large department stores in Madrid that have a huge selection of books, CDs and DVDs. Both are on the street that runs between Gran Via and the Puerta Del Sol - FNAC at the top near Gran Via and El Corte Ingles at the Puerta Del Sol end.

Prices will be similar to high-street stores in the UK.

[Roy Batty]

Yeah, living in Madrid, I can confirm that information. Those two are the best places to go for the broadest selection, though prices are usually high (a little bit cheaper at FNAC than at EL CORTE INGLES).

Anyway, if you happen to be in Madrid on sunday, you should try the local flea market called "El Rastro"; there are a lot of stands selling both new and used DVDs at prices way below SRP. Just for example, last sunday I bought the PLANET OF THE APES spanish boxset, brand new, wrap-sealed, stickers and all, for 10.000 pts. (some £38) when it's going for 15.000 (around £56) at standard retailers.

The "El Rastro" flea market is pretty big, spreading through many streets, but the DVDs stands are located in a square called "Plaza del Campillo", at the southest end of the "El Rastro".

Besides that, beware of films released by Filmax company, since most of them (not all, but quite) are transferred from old VHS masters, so many of them don't come in the original aspect ratio, and those that do comply to OAR are not anamorphic. Can you imagine, for example, a grainy SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION in 4:3 pan & scan? That's what we've got thanks to them!

Good hunt and good stay in Spain!

P.s. Feel free to e-mail me if you've got further questions.

[Purpledump]

I can vouch for El Corte Ingles at the Puerta Del Sol. I bought Abre Los Ojo and "Operacion Trueno" (or Jackie Chan's Thunderbolt :) ) there. Both english subtitles but I noticed that most the spanish movies had english subtitles. El Corte Ingles is just a big department store with a CD/DVD section. Just ask one of the people working there about your tastes. They were really helpful and friendly.