Re-issues, special editions etc.

[Dark Raven]

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that I'm gonna forget buying the first release of any flick. It seems that a couple of weeks after release they announce a "special edition" with a whole bunch of additional extra's.

Frustrating baby :mad:

ps - hello everyone

[Bapapapa]

Loads of people moan about this. Frequently.

There is nobody forcing you to buy the SE.

ps - Welcome to the forums.

[garryi]

If you and most other people buy ONLY special editions, then studios would try to avoid releasing bare bones dvds. It's as simple as that. So don't buy bare bones dvds

[Michael Brooke]

A cynic would point out that if people don’t buy bare-bones DVDs, studios would conclude that it’s a waste of money making special editions!

By all means don’t buy bare-bones discs, but it might be a good idea to let the manufacturers know <U>why</U> - otherwise they’ll probably draw the wrong conclusions.

[Dark Raven]

Take the Long of the Rings for example. We know it's gonna be issued around July/August, with a directors cut in Nov/Dec. As I know this now I can wait for the DC.

BUT - what I object to is when you think you're buying a bare-bones disc because nothing else is available, then just after this issue they announce an SE.

I mean do I have to wait every time a new disc is issued to see if they announce an SE?

blatant profiteering if you ask me (still - I suppose this is what's it's about!)

oh well no point in trying to change something that ain't gonna change.

[Dark Raven]

Originally posted by Michael Brooke
A cynic would point out that if people don’t buy bare-bones DVDs, studios would conclude that it’s a waste of money making special editions!

By all means don’t buy bare-bones discs, but it might be a good idea to let the manufacturers know <U>why</U> - otherwise they’ll probably draw the wrong conclusions.

Yeah - but Mike is there any organised forum/user group that is doing this or are we all urinating into the wind. Any pressure group needs organisation.

[Michael Brooke]

The problem is, the decision to make a special edition may be taken after the original version has been released – if something does much better than expected, for instance. Or a different distributor – Criterion, for instance – may decide to licence the rights and do a special edition, which doesn’t give the original distributor any incentive to promote the alternative product.

The sad fact is that film distribution is a tortuously complex business, often involving numerous companies with competing interests. I can sympathise with your position, but I can also see how the situation comes about – which is why I doubt much will change.

[cervaro]

I only consolation with Lord of the Rings is that at least New Line have announced well in advance there will be an SE several months later. A similar thing happened with Almost Famous. You either waited or bought the first release. I chose to wait and will do the same with LOTR.

Unfortunately some studios are less than honest by comparison. :mad:

[Dark Raven]

Originally posted by Michael Brooke
The problem is, the decision to make a special edition may be taken after the original version has been released – if something does much better than expected, for instance. Or a different distributor – Criterion, for instance – may decide to licence the rights and do a special edition, which doesn’t give the original distributor any incentive to promote the alternative product.

The sad fact is that film distribution is a tortuously complex business, often involving numerous companies with competing interests. I can sympathise with your position, but I can also see how the situation comes about – which is why I doubt much will change.

I ain't got a problem with a re-issue of a bare-bones release by some-one like Criterion as this usually involves a lot of work and a lengthy period between bare-bones issue and re-release. What I do object to though is the obvious "strategy" by some production companies to "double-sell" some issues by re-issuing a title so soon after the first release.

Originally posted by cervaro

I only consolation with Lord of the Rings is that at least New Line have announced well in advance there will be an SE several months later. A similar thing happened with Almost Famous. You either waited or bought the first release. I chose to wait and will do the same with LOTR.

I agree 100%. Now people know that there's gonna be a DC release later they can decide beforehand whether to buy the first release or wait for the DC (or just buy both! - c'mon we know there's people out there who will).