Dark City - best version

[ereiamjh]

I'm sure this has been covered countless times before but I'm having to ask again since the search feature doesn't work.

I've ruled out the UK R2 version for obvious reasons. The R1 version isn't an option because I *HATE* snappers.
Is the fancy French DTS version any good? And how do he other Euro R2 versions compare. This seems to be one of those titles that has significantly differing DVD releases in every country.

[toot]

region 4 should be perfect for you then ;) it has slightly less extras than R1, but it's anamorphic and probably isn't a snapper

[Shingster]

The r1 is the best version by far. I'm pretty sure the R4 is practically the same as the R2.

Personally, i question the sanity of anyone who refuses to buy a DVD because of the bleedin case!

[Richie]

The R1 is by far the best version available! 'Hating' snappers is a dumb reason not to get it imho.
Richie

[ereiamjh]

Originally posted by Richie
'Hating' snappers is a dumb reason not to get it imho.


You are wrong! Wrong! WRONG!
Snappers are evil and are slowly TAKING OVER THE WORLD. If more people were like me then the manufacturers would realise that snappers didn't sell well and it would force them to release all discs in amarays. It worked for Super Jewel Cases and it'd work for snappers.

You've no idea of how much I completely hate snappers. It's a shame because I REALLY want The Great Waldo Pepper.

[Michael Brooke]

<B>The R1 is by far the best version available! </B>

Since you sound so certain, can I assume this is based on a rigorous comparison between it and the other versions?

In which case, can you tell me why it's so much better than the French R2, which matches all the extras and throws in a DTS track? :D :p

[Neil_Marsh]

Originally posted by ereiamjh


You are wrong! Wrong! WRONG!
No, you are wrong. (I won't say IMHO, since you didn't.) Content is king, packaging is fluff (or cheesy wotsits :p ).

Snappers are evil and are slowly TAKING OVER THE WORLD.
:rolleyes: Now you're being silly. :nuts: Only a very few companies use them, mostly those affiliated with Warner.

If more people were like me then the manufacturers would realise that snappers didn't sell well and it would force them to release all discs in amarays. It worked for Super Jewel Cases and it'd work for snappers.
I don't think did work for Super Jewel Cases. Among those who cared, I read as many quotes from people who liked them for their classy feel, as from butter-fingered people, who kept dropping and breaking them. Amarays survived at the expense of SJCs because they are cheaper to manufacture. Snappers survive, in spite of almost universal hatred, because Warner owns the company. That said, they might dump them if sales dropped enough and they were convinced that snappers were to blame. Was it ever explained why they changed in Australia (even going so far as to replace those already bought) and nowhere else?:confused:

You've no idea of how much I completely hate snappers. It's a shame because I REALLY want The Great Waldo Pepper.
If you want it that much, buy it, scan the case and print an Amaray insert.

[Accident Man]

Originally posted by Michael Brooke
<B>The R1 is by far the best version available! </B>

Since you sound so certain, can I assume this is based on a rigorous comparison between it and the other versions?

In which case, can you tell me why it's so much better than the French R2, which matches all the extras and throws in a DTS track? :D :p

I recall waiting for details on the French release on the strength that it had a DTS track before finally settling for the Danish Region 2. A quick look on Amazon.fr reminded me why. Indeed it does have both an English and French DTS track but fell out of contention due to it being full screen. I know this concerns you less Michael as I believe you have a very large 4:3 setup but I am getting by on a dinky Widescreen telly making fullscreen stuff a no-no.

As for my final choice, UK R2 had Dolby Prologic, Region 1 was possibly non-anamorphic (can't recall) and in a snapper, Region 4 was unavailable at the time and due for re-release later that year albeit with no significant improvement. I wasn't fussed about extras so the Anamorphic, DD 5.1, no probs. with subtitles, good value, Danish Region 2 was the way to go.

[Edge]

Originally posted by Accident Man


I recall waiting for details on the French release on the strength that it had a DTS track before finally settling for the Danish Region 2. A quick look on Amazon.fr reminded me why. Indeed it does have both an English and French DTS track but fell out of contention due to it being full screen. I know this concerns you less Michael as I believe you have a very large 4:3 setup but I am getting by on a dinky Widescreen telly making fullscreen stuff a no-no.

As for my final choice, UK R2 had Dolby Prologic, Region 1 was possibly non-anamorphic (can't recall) and in a snapper, Region 4 was unavailable at the time and due for re-release later that year albeit with no significant improvement. I wasn't fussed about extras so the Anamorphic, DD 5.1, no probs. with subtitles, good value, Danish Region 2 was the way to go.


What's that old expression...

never believe what you read on Amazon :)

The French R2 is happily anamorphic 2:35:1 as it states here (http://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/fiche.php3?id=403)

[Accident Man]

Originally posted by Edge



What's that old expression...

never believe what you read on Amazon :)

The French R2 is happily anamorphic 2:35:1 as it states here (http://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/fiche.php3?id=403)

Where were you back in March!!!! In my defence, I tend not to leave my decision down to one source only, be it Amazon, Rewind, the DVD sleeve etc. they are all prone to error from time to time. Is there perhaps an issue with subtitles or some such like, because I certainly waited and carefully considered before finally going for that which I did. I'm not looking to say I stand by my decision here, I just don't want to rush out and get the French one only to remember why I didn't !!!

[ereiamjh]

Originally posted by Neil_Marsh

No, you are wrong
No I'm not, I'm right. And going by the obviously nonsensical logic that fewer posts means fewer brain cells then you clearly don't know what you're talking about:p


Now you're being silly.
I am rubber you are glue.


I don't think did work for Super Jewel Cases.
It did because I saw the special evidence that proved the fact.


If you want it that much, buy it, scan the case and print an Amaray insert.
I'd hate that even more than the snapper.

<IMG SRC="http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~tal/smilies/cwm28.gif">

[Edge]

Originally posted by Accident Man


Where were you back in March!!!! In my defence, I tend not to leave my decision down to one source only, be it Amazon, Rewind, the DVD sleeve etc. they are all prone to error from time to time. Is there perhaps an issue with subtitles or some such like, because I certainly waited and carefully considered before finally going for that which I did. I'm not looking to say I stand by my decision here, I just don't want to rush out and get the French one only to remember why I didn't !!!

Sorry, me only just joined in March :)

As for specifics, Mr Brooke is probably the man who would know as I gather from his post above that he owns the French version (I could be wrong).

However, I have found the site I pointed you to superb and is the only place I now check to see whether the French version is better, subtitled etc.

Edge

[Accident Man]

Did I say March??? My memory isn't so good nowadays. I didn't even join the forums until May. Must have been June when I bought Dark City. So where were you in June!!!!!

[Edge]

Originally posted by Accident Man
Did I say March??? My memory isn't so good nowadays. I didn't even join the forums until May. Must have been June when I bought Dark City. So where were you in June!!!!!

Holiday :D

Edge

[Michael Brooke]

<B>I recall waiting for details on the French release on the strength that it had a DTS track before finally settling for the Danish Region 2. A quick look on Amazon.fr reminded me why. Indeed it does have both an English and French DTS track but fell out of contention due to it being full screen. </B>

:confused: .:confused: .:confused:

<B>I know this concerns you less Michael as I believe you have a very large 4:3 setup but I am getting by on a dinky Widescreen telly making fullscreen stuff a no-no. </B>

A 4:3 version would concern me greatly, since that's not the original aspect ratio - but fortunately, the French version is anamorphic and looks gorgeous. I'm not 100% certain on this, not having done a direct firsthand comparison, but it seems to me that the French disc is comfortably the winner in the presentation and extras stakes - which is why I challenged the claim about the R1!

For future reference, Amazon is a <U>lousy</U> source of technical info, whether we're talking about their US, UK, French or German incarnations.

[Accident Man]

Michael, Edge pointed me straight on this - and between your comments and his link, I would agree that the French version would definitely be the disc of choice. My initial comments were taking the Amazon info as a given, something I would not have done when purchasing the film as even reliable sources are not always completely accurate and as such I would not have ruled it out soley on that basis. The only thing I can think is that at the time when I was buying Dark City, there was either a lack of information about the French release or there was some issue with subs - my machine doesn't seem to respond to the various workarounds for locked subtitles. Obviously if there is no issue, then this is most likely to be on my New Year acquisitions list.

[ereiamjh]

Does anyone have any info on the version available in the Netherlands? It is released by Universal and is also DTS and appears (without having researched in any detail) to have the same extras as the French version. Aswell as being a bit cheaper than the French version, it is probably less likely to have problems with subs. I've got quite a few Dutch discs and they all have English menus - something that none of my French discs have. Unless someone can tell me otherwise, I think this looks like the version to go for.

[KeyserSoze]

so is R1 anamorphic ?

[toot]

R1 has two sides. one is 4:3, the other is 2.35:1 anamorphic

[P1]

R1 is anamorphic and a great transfer from New Line, unlike the cheap hack jobs by EIV for R2 here.