Yes. I have it and it is indeed non-anamorphic.

According to Ventura's website it is still in print

http://www.venturadistribution.com/b.../4442/Audition

We listed it as OOP 03/14/2004.

Since they combine their VHS/DVD info on the same page, I think this is because 1 version of the VHS (UPC 634991122238 - the R-Rated Version) is still available. The DVD & the Un-Rated VHS are both listed as Out-Of-Print via other sources.

my order for the uncut dvd from fye.com just went from "Backorder" to "Sent to warehouse".

As far as I know, the best current transfer of "Audition" is the new Tartan CE disc (released in June/July 2004).

It's anamorphic and the color timing looks better to my eyes than the R1 (more natural, less blue). The main thing you'd be giving up is the Miike commentary that covers only the final sequence on the R1 disc.

My setup doesn't include a good scaler or zooming function, so the non-anamorphic R1 disc may compare better on your system than mine. It's not bad for a non-anamorphic transfer, but the Tartan CE is clearly better on my system.

Well would the blueishness of the R1 transfer be the intended look over 'natural'?

I found this on amazon.ca

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASI...202929-5596362

Would it be worth placing an order,despite it stating 2-5 weeks?

Im sure the wait is worth it if you want the movie desperetly.

As I posted earlier, this is going to be the purchase I make.

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASI...487880-2180037

For about double the price, you also get 2 more flix. Im getting this more for the fact that I love Miike's work, and would welcome more of his titles into my collection.

In the end It's your choice what you want to spend your money on.

The thing is,I was told amazon.ca has the same stock as amazon.com. So if amazon.com does not have it at all in stock. Then neither will the canadian outlet.

But I find it strange that it's not listed at all for sale on amazon.com(expect used for insane prices). While .ca,states 2-5 weeks. So they must know where to find some copies for order I suspect?

I don't know,but may give it a shot anyway and see what happens.

I have not seen any of Miikes other films yet(been tough finding his work uncensored in stores...so I will resort to the web to check out of a few sometime).

Heart,let me know what happens with your amazon.ca order! I am not going to order it yet,since I am tight on cash again. But if it works out,then I will order it in and instant.

Although it doesn't hurt to try to throw in an order, I seriously doubt you will see Audition or The Takashi Miike Collection from Amazon.ca. Both titles are out of print. That 3-5 weeks means they don't carry stock of the title, but will order it from a distributor, who will order it from the manufacturer. In this case the manufacturer is fresh out, and Amazon.ca will realize that at some point. Unless they have a distributor with a warehouse full of Audition DVDs in the Arctic Circle, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

As Richard indicated, the best option at this point is the Tartan Collector's Edition.

I'd suggest cd-wow. With free shipping to the US and vouchers, it's certainly the best deal I could find...

its a crappy movie anyways. And yes the R1 is not anamorphic.

To each his own... but this thread is not about the merits of the film.

Do I smell an anamorphic re-release on the horizon or am I overly optimistic?

Or, one of the best movies of the last ten years. Depends who you ask.

Well shit, I guess I will have to order it from a local distributor who have a couple in stock, but more highly priced than Amazon.

Why is it so expensive in the US? It's £9.99 over in the UK which is about $19.00, it was like one of Miike's first releases over here too.

It wasn't expensive in the US, you could find it commonly at Borders for $20.

But now it's out of print, Miike's semi-famous, and Audition was on The Bravo Channel's Scariest Movie Moments list at#11. Put that all together and it's causing a Criterion-like feeding frenzy, driving up the prices.

Wish I'd bought R1 for a few more bucks when I had the chance, but I'm happy with my R2 Tartan.

...if you have a copy a recommend selling it on eBay, and then buying yourself a region-free player plus the R2 Audition with the proceeds.

I bought this movie ever since Marilyn Manson recommend it and told me that it was one of his favorites. Seriously the guy knows alot and I mean ALOT about movies. I got the version that opens like a little book not the amaray version. Also there's no OOP for this title is just Ebay sellers saying that, I've seen this movie on sale on several places now and then.

It really is out of print. You might see the disc for sale, but there aren't new copies being pressed to replace them.

This is the best idea I've heard yet in this thread. I'll only add that the R2 "Audition" (the latest from Tartan, released in June/July 2004) is not only anamorphically-enhanced, but it has better color timing and compression. The audio tracks are also superior.

The only reason to own the R1 version is the Miike commentary over the final sequence.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to get it from Amazon.ca since they tend to this with OOP or hard to find items.

Early this year, they had the OOP copies of the Criterion Robocop, Dead Ringers and The Unbearable Lightness of Being for sale with the estimated 3-5 weeks for delivery. After ordering it and waiting for almost close to 7 months, they finally cancelled my order saying that they were not able to get it from the manufacturer.

It is indeed OOP. If it weren't scarce it wouldn't be selling for $100 on eBay. However, if you do find a place selling it on-line, please post the link here and see how fast they disappear!

Exactly what I did, except I already have a region-free player so I went for the Oldboy UE instead...