MovieChat Forums > Drowning by Numbers Discussion > Japanese DVD

Japanese DVD

posted 17 years ago by redgreen5589
19 replies | jump to latest

There is a Japanese DVD available (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=KKDS-215). Here are its specs:

DVD-9 (movie: 7.16 GB), NTSC, Region 2
Runtime: 118 min 48 sec (118 min 31 sec without the end table by the Japanese distributor)
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: Japanese (removable: both, while viewing or by going to the main menu)
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1, anamorphic (pillar boxed on a 16:9 TV, letterboxed on a 4:3 TV)
Extras: Theatrical trailer (runtime: 2 min 38 sec, audio: English, no subtitles); scene selection; booklet (in Japanese)
Note: Movie starts immediately upon inserting the DVD in the player, with the Japanese subtitles on by default.

Bottom line: The DVD is a bit pricey (as most Japanese DVDs are), but when it comes to film alone (i.e. not the extras) all I was looking for for a long time.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] redgreen5589 17 years ago

On the cover there is the following link http://www.kinokuniya.co.jp. I guess this is the Japanese distributor/studio. Unfortunately, I have no idea what else it says, its' all in Japanese (except for: "COPYRIGHT 1988 Allarts/Drowning by Numbers BV" and "Licensed by Channel Four International Limited, through T.M. International, Inc., Tokyo"). Hope this helps !

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] NateManD 17 years ago

Is it uncensored? Many DVD's from Japan, have optical censorship of male frontal nudity. Sometimes they pixel out more graphic nude scenes.

[–] redgreen5589 17 years ago

My impression is that it's uncensored. There is quite a few female nudity, sometimes full frontal. Male frontal nudity there is none (well there's a unblurred hint of Cissie Colpitts 3's husband's willy while he's drowning). Can't remember if there was more while it played in the cinemas, it's almost twenty years since I've seen it there. So to my best guess it's uncensored.

[–] NateManD 17 years ago

If it's uncensored, I think I might buy it. You have to be careful with some Japanese DVD's, some are censored!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] cymboline 17 years ago

Whoever gets it, please post your opinion. I've been wanting to see a quality release of this for ages. I skipped the Shock DVD after feeling burned by that company's Baby of Macon release.

[–] redgreen5589 17 years ago

The quality of the DVD is very good in my opinion. Sometimes it's very dark but I think this has also been so in the original. Whenever there is a scene in the sunshine colours are bright and vibrant. Even though the DVD was a bit pricey, it was definitively worth it. Also I think it has not been cut as the runtime of the DVD corresponds to the one the BBFC has approved for the cinema release (as this is a NTSC DVD, no 4% PAL video speed-up): http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/C4C5891357D02D5F802566C800403EF0?OpenDocument

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] redgreen5589 17 years ago

I'm having it since the end of July when I started this thread. Just yesterday I realized that this film has been available in Japan since 2005 (but only in a box together with "A Walk Through H", "Vertical Features Remake", and "The Falls": http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/B0007VEZ2G/ref=dp_change_lang/503-7210494-0203115?ie=UTF8&language=en%5FJP).

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] NateManD 17 years ago

I just ordered the Japanese DVD off ebay. I'll give details on this board when I get it. I'm sure it will be an improvement over the region 4 DVD I have.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] NateManD 17 years ago

Awesome! Yeah I was mad about the trailer audio on the region 4 DVD. I mean that was the only extras and "Raining Stones" was such a cool movie. It at least deserved a trailer that worked right. I can't wait to get the Japanese DVD. Is there any optical censoring of male frontal nudity? On some Japanese DVD's they pixalate frontal nudity. At least 2 Japanese DVD's I own have this (only male). I heard they stopped censoring things in Japan. So I hope the DVD doesn't have those annoying blur spots. I hear that somewhere there's a region 2 DVD of Prospero's Books. I hope "The Baby of Macon" gets a better release in the future.

[–] NateManD 16 years ago

I'm shocked. The Japanese DVD is so beautiful; it's like watching a new film. There's so many things that I have never noticed before; it's now in it's correct ratio. There is more image on the right and left. The Region 4 DVD was cropped on the sides. The DVD is completely uncensored. I guess they stopped censoring frontal male nude shots in Japan. Every scene of the movie is like a painting. If you have a chance, get the Japanese DVD!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] NateManD 16 years ago

I haven't found a DVD for "Prospero's Books", but I read on threads there's a Dutch DVD and a Spanish. I looked all around the internet, and haven't had any luck finding it. I'd love to find it on DVD and in its proper ratio.

[–] mkleypas 16 years ago

There's also a Russian dvd that's been showing up on ebay. Anyone have any experience with it?