Not sure if anyone would know this, but does anyone know if this fabulous film will be out on region 2 dvd anytime soon? I adore this movie, it's one of my all-time favourites but have to get lucky and catch it occassionally at 3am on BBC 2!!!
Thanks!
aliela xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgement.
As noted in the review that's currently on the main page, the VHS is actually superior to the R1 dvd in terms of colour. Especially in the scenes filmed on the island.
You could probably locate an almost pristine VHS copy from your local video rental store's bargain bin. It's unlikely to have been worn out by constant rentals.
Ex-rental copies also surface on Ebay for a couple of pounds.
My dirt cheap ex-rental copy is "as new". No grain, no jitters, no lines.
A dvd will cost a fair bit more, and simply be a direct transfer from vhs or vcd.
Fine if you don't own a vcr, but a waste of money if you do.
This movie came out ten years ago, and probably hasn't done enough business in Europe to warrant the full region 2 digital remastering treatment.
And because there's no flying gunfights or grunty kung-fu orgies every five minutes, it's unlikely that it will ever be popular enough to get the full makeover.
Don't own a vcr unfortunately, but its almost worth buying one just to watch this movie on it!
xxxx
Only available on Region 1 as far as I can make out, the transfer faring better than described here
http://www.DVDBeaver.com/film/DVDReview/shanghaitriad.htm IMHO.
Gong Li on Region 1 is better than no Gong Li at all
It has just become available in region 2. It is released in scandinavia but with english subs as well.
See here:
http://axelmusic.dk/productDetails/5050582468175
A comparison will be posted on DVD Beaver soon.
/Mikkel