Battle Royale Question
#1
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Battle Royale Question
Which one's the best version for Battle Royale? I heard a lot of positive feedback on this Japanese flick so I'm gonna have me a copy. Is there a boxed set for BR 1 and 2? Many thanks!
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Link to that information...
i think most agree that's THE site for this stuff...
it's honestly hard to believe there hasn't been a first rate release of this in Region 1...
especially considering the many, many, huge profit releases on DVD of Asian films... and considering the massive 'cult' status of this film... i mean how many other films have such a well-known and comprehensive website JUST on a single movie...
just doesn't make sense...
i think most agree that's THE site for this stuff...
it's honestly hard to believe there hasn't been a first rate release of this in Region 1...
especially considering the many, many, huge profit releases on DVD of Asian films... and considering the massive 'cult' status of this film... i mean how many other films have such a well-known and comprehensive website JUST on a single movie...
just doesn't make sense...
#3
Originally Posted by Dr Mabuse
Link to that information...
i think most agree that's THE site for this stuff...
it's honestly hard to believe there hasn't been a first rate release of this in Region 1...
especially considering the many, many, huge profit releases on DVD of Asian films... and considering the massive 'cult' status of this film... i mean how many other films have such a well-known and comprehensive website JUST on a single movie...
just doesn't make sense...
i think most agree that's THE site for this stuff...
it's honestly hard to believe there hasn't been a first rate release of this in Region 1...
especially considering the many, many, huge profit releases on DVD of Asian films... and considering the massive 'cult' status of this film... i mean how many other films have such a well-known and comprehensive website JUST on a single movie...
just doesn't make sense...
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I don't know the truthfulness of this, and I don't feel like researching it, but from what I have heard many times in discussions like this, Kinji Fukasaku, the director, didn't want the movie released in America. America is the "other country" referred to in the film that the Japanese government follows and is afraid of at the same time. I have read articles/reviews that claim that Fukasaku hated America. I have also read ones that claim he hated Japan. Both of those seem unlikely considering his involvement with "Tora! Tora! Tora!," which treated both countries pretty respectfully. But there was a big time difference between that and Battle Royale. Who knows what the truth is, and now that he's gone, we'll never know.
I have also heard that the Japanese company that owns it is holding out for more money than American distributors think they can make from it, so it's just not profitable.
I don't think there's any truly reliable source of information on any of this.
I have also heard that the Japanese company that owns it is holding out for more money than American distributors think they can make from it, so it's just not profitable.
I don't think there's any truly reliable source of information on any of this.
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Originally Posted by mikelowry
Which one's the best version for Battle Royale? I heard a lot of positive feedback on this Japanese flick so I'm gonna have me a copy. Is there a boxed set for BR 1 and 2? Many thanks!
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread....68#post7858068
click on the link
Originally Posted by xage
Looks like similar to the one sold at Hot Topic a year ago.
And its by Wision Entertainment (import from Korea) .. its NTSC and Region Code free
And its by Wision Entertainment (import from Korea) .. its NTSC and Region Code free
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as far as i remember, considering when the film could have been released relatively freshly onto DVD (considering the formats age - about ten years now), the lack of a USA release is to do with the subject matter... all those highschool shootings, all the discussion of film versus reality and so on.
...it's nothing at all really to do with a current perception of a downturn in "cult films" on DVD (which is very much a "now" issue than can be connected, unnecessarily or inaccurately i think, to how it's always been a borderline / niche market by comparison to the dominant taste) or to do with "lack of insight or understanding" of the film, as some might like to describe it, in order to manipulate the value of the film to themselves or others as being "easy for me, difficult for you" as it were. it's a great film, not watched it in a long time, but it always seemed to me to be lauded by a very teen end of the market for japanese films in the west, despite the broad and powerful political impact that's contained within the film and how it was seen upon release in japan and how it's done by someone whom didn't quite seem to have the same recognition stateside then and he does now, post all those homevision releases of his stunning 70's work.
never mind, other countries have released it. the one frequently lusted after is the R2 UK tin, but another version may be preferred by now.
...it's nothing at all really to do with a current perception of a downturn in "cult films" on DVD (which is very much a "now" issue than can be connected, unnecessarily or inaccurately i think, to how it's always been a borderline / niche market by comparison to the dominant taste) or to do with "lack of insight or understanding" of the film, as some might like to describe it, in order to manipulate the value of the film to themselves or others as being "easy for me, difficult for you" as it were. it's a great film, not watched it in a long time, but it always seemed to me to be lauded by a very teen end of the market for japanese films in the west, despite the broad and powerful political impact that's contained within the film and how it was seen upon release in japan and how it's done by someone whom didn't quite seem to have the same recognition stateside then and he does now, post all those homevision releases of his stunning 70's work.
never mind, other countries have released it. the one frequently lusted after is the R2 UK tin, but another version may be preferred by now.
Last edited by logboy; 02-11-08 at 11:29 AM.
#10
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At the very least, try to watch the original theatrical version first. Not sure how many editions contain it, but it's a vastly more satisfying experience than the expanded director's cut issued months later, which adds in a ridiculous amount of "back story" sequences that stop the narrative cold.
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Another vote for the original UK/R2 "for NTSC players" version. Is this OOP? As far as I know, it's either the only release (or the best quality release) of the original director's cut. I also used to have the expanded version (by Starmax, I think), but sold it as soon as I watched it. Did not care for the additional scenes, and the very slight improvements in the transfer were negated by awful, large subtitles.
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I actually prefer the original cut to the director's extended version. The extra blood is a nice addition, CGI as it is, but I think the extra dream scenes and basketball sequences detract from the overall flow of the film. My vote for the best edition, if you can find it, is the R0 Tartan NTSC version. It has a great anamorphic picture and is 5.1, although there isn't much in the way of extras it's a great disc.
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Originally Posted by mikelowry
I've opted for the BR Special Edition Tartan R2 release. The collector's Tin Ed. woul've been cool but pretty hard to find.
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Originally Posted by hobbes4444
Honestly, don't even bother with BR2 Requiem. It's an absolute mess of a movie. . .
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The UK "NTSC, DD 5.1" version is the one I have - and it's pretty damn sweet. I think it's out of print..
Please, please, please, please for the love of god, DON'T BUY the sequel. It's a piece of crap. It would be the same as buying Son of Mask if you own The Mask. You may be a completist, but please, try and control yourself and don't buy this sequel.
Please, please, please, please for the love of god, DON'T BUY the sequel. It's a piece of crap. It would be the same as buying Son of Mask if you own The Mask. You may be a completist, but please, try and control yourself and don't buy this sequel.
#18
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Originally Posted by logboy
as far as i remember, considering when the film could have been released relatively freshly onto DVD (considering the formats age - about ten years now), the lack of a USA release is to do with the subject matter... all those highschool shootings, all the discussion of film versus reality and so on.
I'm sure it's just money issues being the main culprit. I've heard the rights holders wanted to much money for the film. And or demanded a major uncut theatrical release of the film. Which considering it may earn an NC-17,would be a huge waste of money on the studios part.
Either way, I think Tom Cruise or someone bought the U.S. remake rights to the film. And if it ever gets made. A R1 release of the film will see the light of day.
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The notion that this film doesn't have a R1 release because "it's too controversial" strikes me as total bunk. The film simply isn't particularly shocking. The novel, of course, was a huge controversy in Japan because of a number of violent youthful crimes that preceded and followed its release and which were highly unusual for the country.
Because of Columbine? Please. See "Elephant". See "River's Edge". See "Bully". Because of scary "reality TV" killing? See "Series 9: The Contenders". For graphic violence in general? Ahem... are you joking?
I like the film. I like my UK "for NTSC players" disc of the original cut, and recommend this disc (and only this disc). But the film is a bit of a goof. It's neither highly realistic, nor internally consistent. For anyone thinking that this is somehow the be-all/end-all of transgressive cinema, well you're bound to be letdown. It's so-so satire, occasionally humorous, often gory, and every now and again it hits on something sorta true about teenage emotions. But mostly it's rather obviously a few steps removed from reality and tries to be little more than a well-constructed thrill-ride... with a few nods in the direction of social commentary.
Because of Columbine? Please. See "Elephant". See "River's Edge". See "Bully". Because of scary "reality TV" killing? See "Series 9: The Contenders". For graphic violence in general? Ahem... are you joking?
I like the film. I like my UK "for NTSC players" disc of the original cut, and recommend this disc (and only this disc). But the film is a bit of a goof. It's neither highly realistic, nor internally consistent. For anyone thinking that this is somehow the be-all/end-all of transgressive cinema, well you're bound to be letdown. It's so-so satire, occasionally humorous, often gory, and every now and again it hits on something sorta true about teenage emotions. But mostly it's rather obviously a few steps removed from reality and tries to be little more than a well-constructed thrill-ride... with a few nods in the direction of social commentary.
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i wish i had that UK original cut release...
you guys that do are lucky...
maybe something will happen R1 with a 'both versions' release...
i can dream can't i?...
you guys that do are lucky...
maybe something will happen R1 with a 'both versions' release...
i can dream can't i?...
#21
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Pertinent information:
http://battleroyalefilm.net/movie/banned.html
Sounds like it just costs too damn much. Kind of?
http://battleroyalefilm.net/movie/banned.html
Sounds like it just costs too damn much. Kind of?
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Anchor Bay have been after the region 1 rights for many many years now, so its certainly NOT about no one here wanting it, thats never been the case.
#23
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Originally Posted by hobbes4444
Honestly, don't even bother with BR2 Requiem. It's an absolute mess of a movie. . .
Originally Posted by Giles
I second that.
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Originally Posted by Dr Mabuse
"...With much regret we inform you that we are withholding distribution,
in any formats, of the above mentioned picture for Northwest (sic) America
due to the picture's contents and theme..."
- Hideyuki Baba, Manager, International Sales and Purchasing, Toei
Originally Posted by Julie Walker
I doubt it's not released here because of Columbine and stuff. Just like i'm sure The Mist dvd poster was not 'changed'(removing the kid from the artwork) because of the 'controversial ending' as a certain website speculated.
Originally Posted by Richard Malloy
The notion that this film doesn't have a R1 release because "it's too controversial" strikes me as total bunk. The film simply isn't particularly shocking. The novel, of course, was a huge controversy in Japan because of a number of violent youthful crimes that preceded and followed its release and which were highly unusual for the country.
Because of Columbine? Please. See "Elephant". See "River's Edge". See "Bully". Because of scary "reality TV" killing? See "Series 9: The Contenders". For graphic violence in general? Ahem... are you joking?
Because of Columbine? Please. See "Elephant". See "River's Edge". See "Bully". Because of scary "reality TV" killing? See "Series 9: The Contenders". For graphic violence in general? Ahem... are you joking?