I wanted to pick up the Tears of the Sun Superbit from R3 and I had read somewhere that they were region free (which I guess would explain all the different subtitles on the discs). I just need confirmation that it would indeed work in my R1 player.

Check the International Forum, which specializes in issues like this. Do a search for "superbit" over there and you're bound to find a few discussions of the R3 Superbits.

DJ

Most of the region 3 Superbits will also play in Region 1, but they're not Region free. The exception to this is Men In Black, which for some reason won't play in Region 1.
I have the region 3 Tears of the Sun and it works fine in my region 1 player.

I've also heard that the bonus disc with the Region 3 Hollow man doesn't work in Region 1 players, but haven't yet tested that.

You heard it from me.

DVDHeaven.com seems to have the best price on this disc as of right now. Shipping isn't free but it is a good deal. Also, check out CDwow (search DVDTalk for coupons to use ---especially a $2 off coupon.)

NTSC Superbits are generally R1, R3, and R2 encoded. Some titles though may be set for one region though if another distributor shares rights with it.

I.E. Tears of the Sun is R1, R3, and R2. Air Force One is R1 only due to Touchstone Pictures having the distribution rights to it outside of the US and Canada.