mmguen

No it's not a Star Wars announcement... but I've anticipated this more than the aforementioned space adventure. Scarlet Pimpernel (the 1982 Clive Donner version) is finally coming to dvd 2/24!!!

Along with the Horatio Hornblower episodes this is one of the best period adventure films out there. The Scarlet Pimpernels currently on dvd have completely failed to capture the humor and excitement of this version. Features Ian McKellan (go Gandalf), Jane Seymour (wow!) and Anthony Andrews as an awesome Sir Percival Blakeney/the Pimpernel.

Doesn't seem to be much in the way of extras and is full-frame (OAR). I'm not complaiining- a rental copy of the vhs tape was running $50 and up on eBay. Only $13.99 at Amazon.com.

Amazon link

SamSpade

I would love to also see the 1934 version with Leslie Howard.

ckolchak

same here.
pioneer put out a fine LD of that film in the early/mid 90's. i wish Criterion or some reputable outfit would put it out again- even with the same master, i won't complain.

just as long as its not madacy.

i may check out 80's version, but the Howard/Oberon one is the one i really want.

majorjoe23

Is this better than Pimps Up, Hos Down and American Pimp?

Thanks for the good news.

anakinforce

The Howard version is still my favorite but I'd have to say I enjoy the '82 version just as much. The expanded timeframe allows us to see events only described in the novel and allow us to get to know the characters even more. In addition, this version adds a final sword duel between Percy and Ian McKellan that's one of the best sword fights I'd seen at the time. Check it out.

mmguen

Perhaps my opinion of the Leslie Howard version was tainted by the crummy Madacy dvd release. In keeping with the overall "low quality theme" I couldn't help noticing that the cover art is some of the worst ever. Looks like they used digital zoom on a 1 megapixel camera to enlarge an image originally found on the head of a pin. Even the pixelation has pixelation.

Dragonslayer

That should be coming to R1 finally. I've owned a R2 version for quite some time.

Kimiakane

Why is the release in Full frame? Was this a TV movie production?

Dragonslayer

Yes this film was a TV film originally.

Kimiakane

Good...thank you!

DVD Smurf

I agree...

Dragonslayer

I like the 1982 version much better & I would not buy the Leslie Howard version.

mmguen

Has anyone gotten their hands on a copy? I preordered on Amazon.com and have an estimated ship date of Mar 1st, but on the item page itself it says available in 3 to 4 weeks! I may cancel my order and place it somewhere like DDD where they seem to be in-stock.

bhauge

Yeah, I was pretty bummed too when I placed my Amazon order today and saw the 3-4 week availability. I'll probably keep my order in place since I'm using a GC, but I'd like to know if anyone finds this at a B&M. Borders online doesn't even list it, and I noticed that bestbuy.com lists it as backordered, so maybe there's been some delay.

mmguen

I was wondering about the delay possibility as well. Thanks for the info- think I'll keep my order at Amazon until someone sights it elsewhere.

Iron_Giant

I bought my R2 about 7 months ago, but the video quality was not that great - better than VHS, but not by much.

Does anyone know what the video quality will be like? If it is better than the R2, I would be more than happy to double dip.

rasalas

It definitely came out. I got my copy directly from Image--obviously not an option for everyone, but at least proof that it exists. DVD Planet shows it as being available to order, although as "low stock."

Dragonslayer

Maybe it should say "low production run".

Supermallet

There were several copies at Laser Blazer in Los Angeles on Tuesday when I went in. In fact, I picked one up for myself.

bhauge

Well, it turns out it IS available at our local Borders, even though it didn't show up online. Price is $14.99. If you can get a senior citizen to buy it for you, you can save another $3, using the 20% off sale posted here. Sales ends today though.

mmguen

I wrote an email to Amazon re: availability and they sent back the following response;
So the delivery date is potentially March 23rd- one month after the dvd was released. This stinks. I suppose I'll try my luck elsewhere and cancel this order if I'm successful. Is this typical for pre-orders at Amazon.com?

Iron_Giant

How is the video quality for those who have bought the DVD?

I will pick up the DVD only if it has a better video quality than the R2 disk.

Manzana

I have some questions for anyone who has watched this DVD.

First, on the Internet I only found 1 review at DVD Savant: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=9717

It basically says the picture is tolerable but weak. It says "there are terminators between contrasting areas of the screen and plenty of digital grain". It also says "The running time is six minutes short of a time listed in the IMDB, which may or may not be accurate."

Could anyone describe what these "terminators" are and if the digital grain is significant/distracting? (I'm sure by terminators the reviewer doesn't mean a bunch of robots from Cyberdyne Systems.)

Also, does anyone know if this version has been edited or is it uncut?

Thanks.