MovieChat Forums > The Challenge (1982) Discussion > DVD Release?

DVD Release?

posted 17 years ago by diesockmonkey
14 replies | jump to latest

I take it this has never been released on DVD. I know these things come down to complicated rites issues and whatnot, but it does seem rediculous at times. Walgreens sells dvds that literally nobody in the world wants for 5 bucks a pop, and yet we can't get our hands on an actual quality movie like this one.

I'd be willing to pay the standard 22 bucks for a copy of this and I'm sure there are a thousand or so other people out there at least that would do the same. I think it would also do well on the rental market for DVD. Especially at places where you get a free old movie when renting a new one. Or somewhere like Hastings where library titles are cheap to begin with.

Where's that petition?

[–] arubaproductions 17 years ago

I want this on DVD also. Anyone know if there are any available in the different regions. Maybe even Asia?

[–] spawnie41 17 years ago

I just picked this up on vhs as an ex rental, i used to watch it when i was a kid, i only ever had half of the movie taped of the TV, and when i saw it at the video shop, i spewed, because i found that it had mifune in it, mifune is a legend man!!! WE NEED A DVD!!!!

[–] parkpunk 17 years ago

I also want a DVD of this. Preferably in widescreen. Who do we write to ask? I only saw this movie once on HBO as a kid. It has always stuck in my mind along with my martial arts/ninja faze.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rainbird131162 17 years ago

I have very fond memories of watching The Challenge, along with Lewis Teague's splendid Death Wish rip-off, Death Vengeance (aka Fighting Back), at my local cinema around '82-83. Especially the films climactic swordfight between Scott Glenn & Atsuo Nakamura. Staged in a sprawling Japanese business complex it was an absolute thrill to watch. What I find strange about The Challenge's non appearance on DVD is that its director is none other than John Frankenheimer. Okay, The Challenge might not be up to the standard of his earlier The Manchurian Candidate or The Train, but it's still a perfectly decent East meets West action movie. So what's holding up a release? I'm not fussy. A bare bones budget release with a decent transfer would do just fine. And, hey, if Death Vengeance could find its way out at the same time even better.

[–] arubaproductions 16 years ago

Been hoping to see this on DVD for an eternity. FFS, come on Paramount.

[–] colsnake 16 years ago

26 years and counting. It's astounding how how many trashy movies have been released on DVD while this one lingers in a black hole somewhere in Hollywood.

Maybe the people in charge out there are too young to remember this movie exists or they don't like Scott Glenn. Who knows.

[–] Robert R Jackson 16 years ago

This was a great film. I bought a VHS copy years ago, but I'd love to see a transfer that hasn't been panned-and-scanned. Toshiro Mifune and Scott Glenn have an almost Luke and Obi Wan thing going on in the film. The gradual respect Glenn's character develops for Mifune's character is very well-played. And of course the action is great. I check back here every few months to see if there's any news and there's never a peep. I'd really love to see this get a release sometime soon.

[–] benthicexplorer 15 years ago

this movie rocked. Where is it? Scott Glenn, do something about it!

**You haven't seen enough movies. All of life's riddles are answered in the movies.**

[–] parkpunk 15 years ago

Checking back again myself. No DVD yet huh? I'm going to set about searching for the VHS. What the heck.

[–] jmartz11 10 years ago

I only have it on vhs called sword of ninja !

[–] benthicexplorer 15 years ago

Reading a biography on Kurosowa and Mifune titled "The Emperor and the Wolf." In the flimography it mentions that this movie was retitled "Sword of the Ninja" for the US TV version.

**You haven't seen enough movies. All of life's riddles are answered in the movies.**

[–] Woodyanders 9 years ago

Kino Lorber have just announced on their Facebook page that they putting this film out in both formats.

I am the Duke of IMDb bio writers! I am A#1!

[–] Gandolph_Lundgren 8 years ago

A Swiss company called Explosive Media put it out on DVD with German & English audio tracks in 2014.