I really want to add this title to my collection, but am having a really hard time deciding which version to get. I read the reviews and all, but wanted other viewers opinions.

I like adding Criterion DVD's to my collection, but I also like great sound and picture and I know the latter has the audio and visual. I am not a huge extras guy, but it doesn't hurt to have the best if you know what I mean.

So you can see I am torn and would like some/a lot/any comments..

Anyone have both and can definitively say either version? Thanks for any and all help with this pressing matter (sarcasm on the last part)

I think PQ and audio has to be first priority so i personally would go for the Divimax edition if i had to choose between them.
I think if you want to own any kind of 'definitive' edition you are going to have to 'double-dip' for the time being at least.

Personally, I have both (Criterion for the excellent commentary, Anchor Bay for the improved picture quality).

Based on your description of what you're looking for, I think you probably want the Anchor Bay.

Another vote the AB for video quality, since that's your bag.

And believe me, the CC looks like butt compared to the Divimax.

I double-dipped on this one, having decided to keep the Criterion for the commentary track. I don't often double-dip (Lawrence of Arabia, Angel Heart R1 and R2), but in this case it was worth it to me.

If you're most interested in picture and audio quality and can only buy one, go with the Divimax (which by the way has a nice set of extras, to boot).

Since you don't care at all about the extras, it makes absolutely no sense to get the Criterion version. Are you seriously that hung up on the Criterion label that you would prefer a sub-par a/v presentation just to have another spine number in your collection?

If you don't care about extras, you don't need the Criterion.

And if you do care about extras, the Region 2 (UK) version has all the same extras as the Criterion plus more (a deleted scene not on either R1 release), so I don't see why Criterion would be brought up at all. Unless you like swearing in your commentary tracks.

It's a bummer the commentary track wasn't included on the Divimax version, but I'll take a better A/V presentation anyday. So Divimax for me (already own it).

I lik Criterion in this case because Gilliam's sommentary is always fun to listen to. Plus I have no HDTV so picture quality is good enough for me.

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!

Did anyone read the HTF chat with Lee Kline from Monday night? Lee is the Technical Director at Criterion. Here's what he had to say on the issue:

Make of that what you will.

You don't need HDTV to notice the improvement in quality. It is plainly obvious even on a 19" standard television.

I would go with the Divimax. The video quality is much better, much to the chagrin of a friend who owns the Criterion.

As to Lee Kline's comments, they seem rather self serving. He does work for Criterion, after all. What would one expect him to say?

Kline also doesn't know for sure whether Gilliam was involved in Anchor Bay's re-release. Regardless, Gilliam's involvement on the Criterion DVD doesn't change the fact that it's not anamorphic and that the image quality of DVDs has made tremendous strides since that version came out.

I'm going with the Divimax copy myself.

I own the Criterion. Anxious to see the transfer on the Divimax (AB) release.

What's the point of the poll? There's no real question with it.

-AC

read the post..it's fairly obvious.

Divimax all the way.

I voted Divimax, but I haven't seen the Criterion transfer. I passed on the Criterion multiple times mainly because of the price. I am glad I did now because I prefer improved picture over commentary, although I am interested to hear what Gilliam has to say...

http://dvdbeaver.com/

Try this website, it does some extensive comparisons and the "Time Bandits" in question is one of them.

Skip

Question: Just bought the Divimax Time Bandits and there was a flicker at the 76 minute mark (layer change).

Has anyone else noticed this?