Is there a way to get netflix to send you the newly released edition of a specific dvd? I want to rent "The Truman Show" but am pretty sure they'll send the old non-anamorphic version, which would look like crap on my HDTV. They did the same thing with Willy Wonka, sent me the original full-screen release, not the WS version released later. Is it just luck of the draw?

They just don't get most of the special editions.

= J

They do get special editions, but it seems to be somewhat random whether they choose to get them or not.

http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70036372

http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70005379

I've done both BB and Netflix now and here is the lowdown...

Netflix has better service, quicker shipping, but BB has all the double-dips, Superbits etc. So if you want a specific release of a movie, you gotta go with BB online. What I did was the BB month trial (for free of course) and got all the rare, hard to get DVDs they had and Netflix didn't. Worked out well, and now I'm with Netflix for good....at least until I need to get more double-dips (which will happen sometime in the future).

I've noticed you can usually count on NetFlix to get any Warner Bros. special editions that come out (Shawshank, GoodFellas, Unforgiven etc.).

With other studios its more of a crapshoot.

I never seen Netflix double dip on anything I wanted. The basic rule is whatever version that came out first is only one they have.

I was suprised when I rented The Funhouse I got the newer Universal version which is 16x9. The cover picture at the NETFLIX sight is the older Goodtimes version.

i recently rented heathers se and mean streets se and they sent the correct ones. They did however mess up on Norn on the 4th of July SE. They sent the non anamorphic DTS version.

Anything from Netflix you should assume will be the original, bare-bones edition, even if it says it's the special edition. When I rented Malcolm X, which is listed as a 2-disc Special Edition, Disc Two was the SE version with the last half of the movie, a documentary, commentaries & everything...and Disc One was the original, bare bones version with the whole 3 1/2 movie on it!

What's really annoying is that they'll carry the 2nd disc of a 2-disc SE, but not replace the original movie disc!

On the other hand, sometimes they do sent the SE version even if it's not listed -- Nightmare Before Christmas, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, etc. It seems like if the original version is out of print, they are more likely to carry the SE version. (Not a good thing to rely on, though.)

And while Blockbuster does offer the double dips, they don't always send 'em -- about 20% of the time, I'll get the crappy original disc instead.

Have to give Netflix credit for carrying the b&w Bewitched but not the color.

The Patriot Games I got from Netflix was the version with DTS, not the 4:3 letterbox previous release.