MovieChat Forums > The Woman in White (1998) Discussion > dvd disappointment...

dvd disappointment...

posted 17 years ago by smailliwmik
5 replies | jump to latest

I personally enjoyed this story... the TV version of course... I must admit I havn't read the book and probably never will.

And as such I feel compelled to say that this should be released in the UK on a proper region 2 dvd, it'a a mystery to me why it isn't. Having, as I said, enjoyed the tv version very much, I duly purchased the US dvd release... currently the only one available, as far as I know.

But was dissapointed first to find the picture quality was less than pristine, The SHOW ITSELF IS CUT!! there's definately scenes missing from the version I saw on british TV!! e.g. when Tara Fitzgerald's character finds Andrew Lincoln's character working as a painter in the Pub we miss the bits where at the start of the scene He tells her to leave and that she shouldn't be in such a place... and I think there were other bits missing too.

But the worst bit for me, and I realise I probably run the risk of causing offence here, but I'll carry on anyway... Is the american bloke talking at the beginning and before the end credits... being a brit I'm not used to such things on the tv, let alone slapped on to the beginning and ends of dvd's I've bought to watch.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cookiela2001 13 years ago

This is pretty much a hallmark of the Masterpiece Theater series...there was always someone in a big velvet chair welcoming you at the beginning of the show, usually bringing you up to date as to what happened in the last episode.

I think this was originally aired in 2 parts, so they must have trimmed a bit of his footage, too.

[–] Hammerfanatic46 16 years ago

Gordon P. Clarkson

There are several small cuts I noticed too that the ending was slightly extended in the American version.

[–] GaelicLass 11 years ago

I watched the DVD rental from Netflix and find nothing wrong with the broadcast technically at all. May be you just got a bad copy. Things are always excised out for time constraints which I am used to at this point in my life and I doubt I will read the book.

The bloke at the beginning and end is a Masterpiece host by the name of Allistair Cooke and Russell Bsker preceded himfor many years. I adore him though he has since retired and Gillian Anderson followed by Laura Linney has now taken their place.

Also, Masterpiece has been divided in to three categories that play all year now. Masterpiece Classics (such as these) Masterpiece Mystery for Sherlock and Poiret, etc, and now Masterpiece Contemporary for the newer books turned out for filming. WGBH Boston co produces many of these along with the BBC now or even ITV and we are getting some excellent productions like Downton Abbey. I look forward to them because they are not made in Hollywood and controlled merely by financial gain.

Tim Roth hosts Masterpiece Mystery now after Diana Rigg and David Tennant has hosted Masterpiece Contemporary since 2009.

I really enjoy the commementary at the beginning and end which adds a personal touch to the story, much like a book jacket on a book would do.

IMDb; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...uncredited

[–] GaelicLass 11 years ago

I watched the DVD rental from Netflix and find nothing wrong with the broadcast technically at all. May be you just got a bad copy. Things are always excised out for time constraints which I am used to at this point in my life and I doubt I will read the book.

The bloke at the beginning and end is a Masterpiece host by the name of Allistair Cooke and Russell Bsker preceded himfor many years. I adore him though he has since retired and Gillian Anderson followed by Laura Linney has now taken their place.

Also, Masterpiece has been divided in to three categories that play all year now. Masterpiece Classics (such as these) Masterpiece Mystery for Sherlock and Poiret, etc, and now Masterpiece Contemporary for the newer books turned out for filming. WGBH Boston co produces many of these along with the BBC now or even ITV and we are getting some excellent productions like Downton Abbey. I look forward to them because they are not made in Hollywood and controlled merely by financial gain.

Tim Roth hosts Masterpiece Mystery now after Diana Rigg and David Tennant has hosted Masterpiece Contemporary since 2009.

I really enjoy the commentary at the beginning and end which adds a personal touch to the story, much like a book jacket on a book would do.

IMDb; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...uncredited