Can anyone tell me why there was never a US theatrical release of the movie, or of a dvd? I've seen the UK dvd, with English subtitles. There is certainly a market for a dvd in the US, so I'm assuming there must be some legal or other problem. Has anyone got the inside story?
share[deleted]
I would have to agree with PALADIN-TINE... for the most part... but there are fans of Asterix and Obelix in the US. I grew up in the late 70's early 80's reading these books in Oregon and California. The "local" non-chain bookstores tended to carry these comics/trade paperbacks along with the Tin Tin comics. Most mom & pop book stores still do. They were spendy, and they were translated to English. I did get a French one for Christmas from my Aunt one year that I looked through, but was never able to read.
There should at least be a "French" Canadian DVD release of the Asterix films (which would be region 1).
There should at least be a "French" Canadian DVD release of the Asterix films (which would be region 1).
Unfortunately, even though there are Asterix fans here in the US, the fan base isn't as large as those in Europe. Considering this has been the status quo for the last 50 years in Asterix's case, I'm a bit surprised more Americans haven't taken notice of this series. Even the latest animated film had an American voice cast yet Asterix and the Vikings didn't get a theatrical release and I'm not entirely sure how big the DVD release was.
shareThere are tons of countries who are being cheated out of a release of the Asterix & Obelix movies.
They have even been released on Blu-ray, which started to happen in 2009, but once again even with those lots of countries in the world shall be cheated of these releases.
Heck in my country we have to settle for some fracking 4:3 letterbox DVD releases of the Asterix & Obelix movies. The distribution compagny has no plan to release them on Blu-ray in propper 1080p 16:9 with the DTS HD-Master that the Blu-ray's has been released with in other countries.
No fracking wonder piracy is alive and living well. The distribution compagnies them selves keep addinging fuel to the burning fire the way they cheat people in surten parts of the world of movie releases.
not true! Asterix is immensely popular to readers in the US. In fact in the latter 70's - early 80's there was a US cult appreciation of the series that led to a few US interpretations of albums (Getafix = Magicgimmix; Cacofonix = Malacoustix) and a daily newspaper strip. Problem: Asterix, being a european comic having to do with French characters confronting people of other countries, tend to draw non-French, particularly Nubians, Iberians, and Asiatics, in over-cartoony "darky" fashion. Blacks are presented as per WB's Coal Black and the Sebbin' Dwarfs. Iberians shown a sharp faced Mexicans with slit eyes and big tooth smiles. Scilians carry knives, have an evil stare and start feuds at the drop of an airy word.
In short, distribute at your own risk...you may be held responsible for spreading malicious images that will make you and your company seem like hate mongers.