Brent L

I did a search on a topic like this, and I did not really find anything exactly like this, so here we go. I'm looking for opinions on what you feel are the "must have" international DVDs. I'm looking for films based on two things.

1) Films that are in the US but better versions are elsewhere around the world.

2) Films from other countries that will more than likely never make it to the US.

Yes, I see the topic about DVDs that are available only in other places except for the US, but it's more of a jumble to me, just for reference. I want opinions on specific films/DVDs that I should really seek out. I'm really interested in foreign films which I might never see unless I get the DVD from another country, that's the main reason that I'm doing this.

Fandango

If you are a fan of Hong Kong martial arts films then you definitely need to know about Hong Kong Legends, they can be considered almost the Criterion Collection for this genre, nearly every disc they put out is the best available version of the film. If it is not then it will be close. Here is their website: www.hongkonglegends.co.uk

Brent L

Hmmm, this one interests me very much. Do any of you have this DVD?

Iron Monkey:

R2 SE United Kingdom - (Hong Kong Legends - Platinum Edition)

benedict

For recommendations, maybe first have a quick look through the following:

• The one and only NON-R1 DVD personal recommendations thread
• The one-&-only NON-R1 DVD personal recommendations thread [Part II]
• OFFICIAL Newbie Help: HK DVD & Discussion

Njål

According to reviews, the original one disc HKL-release of Iron Monkey looks better than the Platinum Edition. I haven't bothered doing an A-B on them myself, though.
Found some of the extras on the PE interesting, though.

Bill Geiger

Brent,

I would have to say Ronin Ultimate Edition (Japan) for starters. It really is a great film that DTS does justice. Another I would s ay is Heat. Although a 2 disc set is set to be released here in R1, the R2 Japanese release has a killer DTS track.

DVD Smurf

, , , , ,

Too mention a few...

pat00139

Okay, way too many to name, but here are a few:
the three Taxi movies (R2 France or R3 Korea)
8 Femmes (R2 France or R3 Korea) (better DVD)
Azumi (R2 Japan) (Media Blaster bought the rights but I doubt the DVD'll be better)
Definitely Memories of Murder.

Great movies that will probably never make it to R1 DVD: Old Boy, Taegugki, A Tale of Two Sisters, and so many others...

Brent L

Smurf, what is the name of that thrid one?

flashburn

Here are a few more dvds (ones that have R1 releases, but the others are far superior):

Hulk DTS R3 Korean(3 disc set)

http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/16536.html

Avalon DTS ES R3 Korean (2 Disc set)

http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/14131.html

And some others...
Wonderful Days R3 Korean (3 Disc set)

http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/17235.html

The Hitcher R2 (2 Disc set)

http://www.sendit.com/scp/id/dvdtalk.../7000000079960

My Sassy Girl R3 (2 Disc set)

http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvdasian/12362.html

Those should get you started, enjoy!

DVD Smurf

Memories of Murder

UKingdom

is korea such a huge market? i'm surprised at how often they have such kick-ass boxsets or special editions that surpass US and even japanese editions

Njål

Absolutely brilliant film. About the first known serial killer in South Korea, or rather the cops set to catch him.
Possibly the best film I saw last year.

bdots48

For a US film don't miss the UK R2 The Deer Hunter (2 discs with an excellent director commentary) can be had cheap at Amazon(uk)

flashburn

After I made my list, I realized that was another I would have to suggest. The Deer Hunter 2 Disc is a great set. The second disc is a little light, but the UK exclusive commentary makes up for that.

Brent L

Do all of the DVDs listed so far have English subtitles (if the DVD isn't in English)?

DrGerbil

Just taking a cursory glance, yes. However, the korean disks will not have subtitles on the extras, as most DVDs from that region won't.

DonnachaOne

It's one way to outdo the bootleggers.

Brent L

Hmmmm.

Is there some sort of site that is considered the best of the best when it comes to reviews, so that I can read and find out for myself which DVDs to and do not have English subtitles for the extras?

I don't want to ask too many simple questions here.

DrGerbil

Of course, there is dvdbasen. But to save you time, the vast majority of the DVDs that have SE's lack subs on the second disk of extras and/or the commentary track. Sassy Girl and Memories of Murder I know for a fact lack subs on the extras, including the commentary track(s). There is a 1-disk edition of Sassy Girl from Edko, if you want to save some dough...

Brent L

Thanks.

Let me see if I've got this straight. Most DVDs released in Asia, most but not all, do not have English subs for the special features. Most, if not all, DVDs released as R2 (such as the Iron Monkey DVD that I posted a picture of before) do have English subs for the special features, even if it's an Asian film.


Thanks for DVDBasen, that is one heck of a site. I've also been using DVDCompare and it's been helping me out a lot.

DrGerbil

Not necessarily, when it comes to HKL (Hong Kong Legends) DVDs, that is usually true. But generally, it's a case by case basis....

matome

The R2 Japanese disc of Kill Bill Vol. 1

Horizon1

this is great info, please keep the recommendations coming! =)

slop101

One of Fellini's best, and a great 2-disc set with an awesome transfer:


Much better than Criterion's currrent release with a very clean transfer and an ass-load of extras:


Beautiful P&P film in glorious technicolour - uncut, and not even on the slate for an R1 release:


All three films in one great set. Good extras - blows the R1s away by light years:


This one's kind of a silly movie, but it's over the top fun and has plenty of gratuitous Bellucci (even the extras have english subs):


A beautiful existential film and an incredible 2-disc set - great extras, all with english sub-titles: