xage

May I have the honor of one of the first creating a thread in this new sub thread called DVD STALK!



This is probably the most celebrated horror series in DVD Format, spawning more than 20 variations and produced by three DVD manufacturer/distributor for the past 8 years.

It may sound stupid but somehow this marketing approach done by Anchorbay/Elite/Universal for Evil Dead trilogy DVD

1. Pave way to DVD multiple version releases.
2. Evil Dead R1 as I see it pioneered the world of "Double Dipping".
3. Book of Dead lead the dvd packaging innovation

Jray

I have all 3 on DVD but, amazingly, I don't have any of the latest gimmicky releases. I passed on the Book of the Dead editions since they changed the aspect ratios.

But there were "packaging innovations" before those came around. The Wicker Man limited edition set comes to mind. There were movies in tins, etc. Of course, the books were a cool idea since they were featured in the actual movies.

I think these were definitely some of the first (if not the first) movies to double dip. Gee, thanks for that AB and Sam Raimi! The world loves you for that.

brainee

Me too. I have the original Elite DVDs (which were pretty good) and had no trouble passing over these BotD versions. The AR thing is a killer for me. Despite AB's claims that this was a Raimi-approved transfer, I've seen comparison screencaps and it looks terrible. Lots of cut-off chins, foreheads, gore effects. The composition of some shots is so far off it ruins the point of the scene. I can believe that Raimi shot in 1:1.33 with a WS picture in mind, but it's like they framed the WS in the wrong place. For example, you'd have someones lower face cut-off but with a big empty space at the top of the frame.

Cinemaddiction

The Elite menu for "Evil Dead" is aesthetically better, too. I did own the AB version, until I learned of the fake WS they used.

Zodiac_Speaking

I hope they don't millionth-dip these. Anchor Bay (or Blue Underground) needs to revamp certain titles of any of Lucio Fulci's (not Zombie cuz BU did, but what about the OOP's of Beyond, New York Ripper, Manhattan Baby) or Argento's Tenebre, Four flies on Velvet, Phenomena, or get the rights to newer titles.

alfonsosoriano

Aren't there new versions of EDI and EDII coming out in a cabin box or something? At least that's the last I heard. I only own the Book of the Dead Evil Dead (bought it used for $7-$8) and the barebones Universal release of Army of Darkness.

VHS?

Of all the copies, what ones are best?
I assume there will be personal opinions on this, but just wondering.
I have AB releases of all 3

Rypro 525

i have a question for julie walker, he mentions that a version of evil dead 1 is too bright and makes the gore effects look fake. but is he refering to the original full frame version (the one i have) or one of the anamorphic widescreen versions.

xage

Well, they are basically the same (if we talk about Anchorbay R1 Releases of Evil Dead Trilogy)


I got all the versions released in R1 format.. from Elite/Anchorbay/Universal

Tenacious D

Wow. You sir are a maniac. That's quite a collection you've got there.

alfonsosoriano

God damn!

jake_spade

I saw this guy's finding on another thread. I doubt if there are others who could beat his collection.

Hey xage, how much you spent with all of those?

Dead By Dawn

Jeez, and I thought my Evil Dead collection was big !!!

Peep

My Blockbuster (on Overland at National in Los Angeles) has this available to buy on the rental shelf/used for $10. I passed because I like the original cover better.

Dead By Dawn

Sorry, I have been out of the loop for a while.

Is this the same disc with different packaging?

Peep

I believe that the contents are exactly the same. I'm not sure if the disc artwork is. The cover artwork isn't.

I'd be interested in hearing more about why this exclusive was every offered. Xage would probably know.

Cameron

hey peep, i'll give you 20 for it, if you can get your hands on it

kevkev

i own the 1999 2 disc AOD. it's the canadian one which is numbered to 5000 rather than 30000 or whatever it was for the usa one. content is of course the same.

glasschicken

Which are considered the versions to get if you want the films in their original glory? We have the 2 book of the dead versions, mainly for the cases, but I was unaware of the AR difference.

Lastdaysofrain

I just picked up the R2 Anchor Bay release as part of the "Box of the Banned" set I got on Amazon Uk for 6 pounds (less than $12.00 for 8 movies) and it has some cool exlusive to the UK edition featurettes (including an episode of The Incredibly Strange Film Show. Well worth picking up.

TNAJason

Go to Fangoria.com for news on ANOTHER release if Evil Dead coming Spring 2007 and will have a Ladies of Evil Dead Documentary.

marcellusk

There are so many evil dead post and it was hard to choose which one to bump so I'll pick the most recent. i have the army of darkness bootleg edition. Someone i know is selling me Army of darkness broomstick edition. Is it worth my wild to buy this version? Didn't see any reviews but since it's oop i figure why not?

Julie Walker

So if/when this new Evil Dead release comes out. Will Anchorbay finally include both the unmatted 1.33:1 and matted widescreen version?

I would love to be able to sell my old Elite dvd finally,but it remains to be seen if they will do that.

mzupeman2

The bootleg is not of good quality, and is only an extended cut of the film in this 'less than' quality.

The 'Boomstick' edition (not broomstick), contains two discs... one for the theatrical cut in the better quality we have in R1, and then the second disc which is the bootleg version of the film. So yes, I'd say it's worth it. You'll have both versions available of the film.

kevkev

cant you guys run region 2 dvds? the uk evil dead box has always had both versions of ed.