Why are both MGM+Criterion versions on The Unbearable Lightness Of Being OOP?
 

I was checking around to see the differences in each version for a possible trade and noticed that they are both OOP and sell for around $50 (oddly the MGM sells for more) Is there any reason this film isn't In Print? Legal issues maybe?

That's weird... I'm looking for the CC, myself. I can't see why anyone would want the MGM version if they can get the CC for less (check this site out for a comparison of the two DVDs: http://207.136.67.23/film/dvdcompare...elightness.htm). The Criterion is obviously a better DVD.

I'm interested to know why these are both OOP, too. At one point I thought they were just reissuing the MGM version, but now I'm not sure.

Because God hates you*



*I'm not sure if god really hates you. but it's pretty clear you aint down wit teh big G dog since a film you want is gone.


I assume it might just be MGM pulling it since it's not a big seller? I would assume a re-issue is down the road. Unless they lost the rights to someone or something of that nature.

I think the MGM is going for more because it is 16x9 while the Criterion isn't.

It must be a rights issue as the other MGM titles released at the same time are still in print.

Did you look at the comparison? They are actually both listed as being 16x9 anamorphic ... but the MGM is cropped and not as well in focus in some frames... My suspicion is that, if there is any logic behind the MGM going for more, it would be because it is listed as having a few seconds longer runtime... plus the MGM version has a 5.1 track (though no original 2.0).

Oh, and FWIW... you can still get them both at dvdboxoffice...


Criterion

MGM

The MGM has a message indicating that it may not be available or may be low stock.

"The availability of this title is limited or unavailable. We do not know if or when we will be able to fill your order for this title. Sometimes we receive limited quantities of discontinued items in which case we are pleased to take your order. Orders will be filled on a first come first served basis. In a case of a title being out of print, we would be pleased to email you when the title is re-released. Please feel free to add your email address to our list."

Don't count on DVDBoxoffice.

You'll probably have the order opened for months before they finally wind up cancelling it.

Plus, as others have noticed with "3 Women", DVDBoxoffice can/will increase the price of DVD(s) on your ordrer without informing you.

Avoid at all costs.

The reason the Criterion version is out of print is because Criterion had licensed a bunch of titles that were originally released by Orion Pictures ("Unbearable," "Silence of the Lambs," "RoboCop," maybe "Spinal Tap," and a few others off the top of my head). The company that owned the rights to the Orion titles sold the rights to MGM, which did not renew Criterions licenses. As the licenses expired, the Criterions went out of print and MGM released its own versions.

Why MGM put "Unbearable" out of print is anyone's guess. It probably doesn't sell all that well, so they stopped producing it to burn off existing stock. It will probably come back in print, but who knows when that will be?

Well I just got a trade set up for it so if Teh Big G Dawg don't like me I guess Jive-Master J is hooking me UP. :)

The MGM disc went out of print only a few months after it was released, so I'm guessing it's a rights issue.

Saul Zaentz produced this film for Orion, as he did AMADEUS. That flick was just released on DVD by Warner Bros. My guess is, rights for these Orion titles are reverting back to Zaentz and he's got himself a new deal.

If anyone is still looking for the Criterion version and doesn't want to roll the dice on eBay, e-mail me.

I've got a sealed copy also. Drop me an email if you're interested.

well, I am interested if the price is reasonable....

[email protected]

Pro-B

after more than 2 years of seeing this sit on my shelf unopened, i finally cracked the shrinwrap off it a month ago.

glad i finally did too, i'd forgotten just how good a film it was.