I often pick new releases as my fullfillment titles. I find it a good way to save money on new releases. But we're off track here. See the DVD Club forum if anybody out there is interested.

:lol:













:(

after digging out the old version, here's some quick screencaps I grabbed....

<center>

OLD version

http://members.aol.com/rogue588/DVDTalk/PR1a.jpg

NEW version

http://members.aol.com/rogue588/DVDTalk/PR1b.jpg

OLD version

http://members.aol.com/rogue588/DVDTalk/PR2a.jpg

NEW version

http://members.aol.com/rogue588/DVDTalk/PR2b.jpg

OLD version

http://members.aol.com/rogue588/DVDTalk/PR3a.jpg

NEW version

http://members.aol.com/rogue588/DVDTalk/PR3b.jpg </center>

I tried to cap it as close to the same time as possible, but the SE was a couple of seconds behind..

^ Holy fluck.

Why am I getting the feeling studios are slapping "special edition" and "anniversary edition" on DVDs just to pump up sales? I know it works. I've often bought DVDs just because they were so labeled, and have waited for these so-called "better" versions rather than buying what's already out - such as with the Trek movies, Lost Boys, Purple Rain... planning on getting the "special" Shawshank.

Damn it.

I mean, really, how are we supposed to know? Damn studios and their lies and tricks. I bought this new Purple Rain because I believed I'd be seeing the film in it's proper (read OAR) presentation. My gf had bought the old release - even though she doesn't have a DVD player - don't ask, I can't explain. And SHE felt like a chump for having bought it when she heard about this "new" version. In the end, I - and everyone else who put down money for this - may be the chump.

Rogue588, maybe I'm missing something here, but why aren't your screen captures from the old version the same aspect as a T.V. screen?

Wasn't the old version "formatted to fit your screen"? If so, then why do your screen captures from both versions appear to be widescreen?

If I'm overlooking something please let me know.

according to PowerDVD, the captured aspect ratio is the Original Video Source size..

either way, we could stretch 'em either which way 'til the end of time and we'd still be missing some of the picture..

So the new edition of PURPLE RAIN adds a sliver of picture information to the sides, while cutting off a good chunk of the top and bottom.

Maybe the new edition IS the correct OAR. I don't know. It's not the way I remember it from the movie theatre, but maybe Warner can respond to our inquiry.

By the way, the DVD is still absolutely worth buying. You can't get most of those videos on the disc anywhere else, and the documentaries are great fun.

By the way, thanks for the screencaps Rogue!

You remember every detail of how much picture information you saw in a theatre from 20 years ago? Enough to trust your memory?

It's also possible that even if you DO remember such a thing that the film could have been misframed in the theatre when you saw it.

So is there any way of knowing what the bottom line on this is? Is the SE/AE version right or not? If you're looking for a proper picture, which is best?

Neither version is right, IMO. The original release says "formatted to fit your television", which as we all know means left and right cut off. The new release says "matted", but the top and bottom have been cut off, and maybe still some of the side.

I don't understand this matting crap. What's the purpose? Either format it for people's 4:3 televisions or put it in widescreen in the original, correct aspect ratio, or just forget about it.

Well, I think it's been pointed out that ALL 1.85:1 WB releases say they've been "matted."

I bought the new SE release of Purple Rain and love it. I really enjoyed the extras on Disc 2. The best part for me was watching the MTV Premiere Party for Purple Rain. It reminded me of what MTV used to be about in its earlier years---the music! Now it's full of crap that has nothing to do with music.

The only thing that could have made this release any better would have been a commentary by Prince himself, or a current interview with him. It was great seeing Lisa and Wendy talk about the experience, but i missed Prince in the extras.

I still Highly Recommend this movie.

In response to Jough's comments, I don't necessarily trust my memory, but I DO recall comparing to what I had on VHS home video to what I saw displayed in the movie theatre where I used to work. (Back then I was a movie buff and a videophile, even though it was only VHS Hi-Fi, Beta, SuperBeta, ED-Beta, and Dolby Surround...we didn't even have Pro Logic at that time.)

Specifically, I recall watching the performance to "Baby I'm A Star" and seeing a bit more of the guitarist (Wendy) and the bassist (Brown Mark) on the right and left during a certain moment in the film. (For those truly interested, it's when the camera pulls out directly in front of Prince so we can see more of the stage as he sings. "U see what I'm all about...Baby I'll scream and shout....") When I watched the VHS tape at home, you saw Prince and only Prince and the effect of the camera pulling back was diminished because there wasn't more to the sides. This is the same composition we get on both DVDs. (PURPLE RAIN was released on video, but it was still playing in certain theatres, including the one I worked in.)

Now you could be correct in saying that the way we projected the movie was incorrect. But the theatre I worked in was owned by American Mulit-Cinema, a company (formerly?) meticulous in making sure all the technical details were right on. (No turning on the lights until the end credits were complete; meticulous testing of the Dolbly Surround system; absolutely clean theatres...I wish this kind of standard existed in today's movie houses.)

If I am wrong, then it will actually be a relief because I can enjoy PURPLE RAIN on DVD without being annoyed that someone screwed up. But if I am correct, then it looks like I will have to wait until the 50th anniversary to see the movie in its correct OAR.