What version should I get?
I've wanted to see this film fpr quite a while now but keep getting put off reading reviews that the dvd quality isn't very good for the UK (region 2) does anyone know the best option to go for?
shareHi liamrulez_7. I'm on the other side of the pond in the United States, so I don't have firsthand experience with the release that will serve as my recommendation. But I trust the reviewer, so I have no reservations about posting this.
It really should go without saying that, if at all possible, you want to watch Fellini's masterpiece on Blu-ray, not only for the film itself, but for the extras that will come with the film. I watched the Criterion Blu-ray of 8 1/2 last night, and I thought it was simply gorgeous. Both the restorative work on the print, and the uncompressed monaural soundtrack, exceeded my already high expectations.
I'm a regular on the U.S. site Blu-ray.com, and one of the site's main reviewers, Dr. Svet Atanasov, reviewed both the Criterion release, and the Argent Films release in the UK that I am going to recommend to you. This release is not yet two years old, as it was released in the UK on November 11, 2013. Therefore, I would expect that this is currently the definitive release for region "B". Dr. Atanasov gave the picture and sound both 4/5 scores. He goes into detail comparing the Argent Film release to the one from Criterion.
Here's the review: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/8-Blu-ray/81240/#Review
I hope this helps you!
Never for the sake of peace and quiet deny your convictions-Dag Hammarskjold