So I finally received my "Casablanca" Blu-ray from Warner today.

How is everyone else planning to display this monstrosity? It is almost the width of seven regular BD cases and as tall as a DVD box set. It also has a pretty but somewhat unwieldy slipcase that fits over a rather nice light blue box that swings open at the top. My major beef with this set is that almost a third of the width is devoted to a totally unnecessary inner box containing only the commemorative passport stuff.

I figure I have three options:

1) display the complete packaging, including the slip cover (I'm assuming the separate wraparound is meant to be discarded as it was only glued to the box), which has no markings indicating the discs are Blu-ray;

2) display just the light blue box, which means I'd have to turn the box around in order to see the title, thus taking up even more shelf space (and still no Blu indicator); or

3) display only the digipack itself, which is actually quite nice and bears the Blu-ray logo, save considerable shelf space, and store all the other stuff.

My head is spinning with this set. Seriously. Thoughts?

#1 would work for me.

Yeah, I'm just going to wait for a regular edition to come out.

Same here.

I haven't been following this. Is there a regular edition coming out or is that speculation?

well there is a good possibility that the regular edition will be coming sooner or later. It might be just a speculation, but for me, it make perfect sense.

After Warner see the sales results for the overpriced special edition, a standard edition (same disc with rational packaging) is sure to follow.

Internationally only a standard edition was released.

I have this on HD DVD but I might get this. I found an interest in some novelty packages and sets after Blade Runner. I sorta dig this one for some reason.

A standard edition is, technically, still only speculation, but if they don't release one, I'll eat a Buick.

Ditto. A friend of mine got it and it didn't fit his shelves.

I actually want to take a look at the actual packaging and make a decision based on that. Basically need to get to a store to check out as this is one of my top 10 of all time. As for box sets, I like to display them myself so I can revel in the glory of them and not think about how much extra I paid for the packaging. Basically, I paid extra for it and I want to see it.

Same here. I'm kind of surprised that anyone who has such an amazing set would be worried about a) fitting it into regular shelves, or b) the visibility of the Blu-ray logo. This set kind of screams for a place of prominence in a collection, not to be hidden away. Otherwise, why not just wait for the regular edition?

Actually I would have bought a less cluttered edition if one were available, but I wanted the film on Blu-ray and this was the only thing going... plus I got a decent price.

I have gone with option #1 for now. It is indeed a nice-looking set, but someone checked their sense of proportion at the door when they designed it.

I have three other box sets on the same shelf as Casablanca: the Rohmer and Cassavetes Criterion sets as well as the 10th anniversary Rialto set. Those boxes house six, five, and ten movies respectively, and I am proud to have those elegantly designed boxes take up a bit of extra space. The (one movie, two-disc) Casablanca BD set is bigger than each of those and just seems to scream "look at me".

Oh well, I suppose my energy would be better spent actually watching the movie!

I have it on HD DVD. If they produce a sane release, I'll buy that instead.

This film will probably qualify for a WB coffee book release in the future. They are behind on releasing some of them.

The only reason I didn't buy Casablanca the day it was released was because I just couldn't justify spending that much for some stuff that is very cool but ultimately unnecessary to me. I do think the package looks great, but I would prefer just the movie.

Now if someone were to give it to me for Christmas ... I wouldn't turn it down.

I'm the opposite. I own the HD DVD and the only thing that would get me to re-buy it on Blu-ray is a bells & whistles package like the current release. I'm hoping to get it for Christmas.

This was on my "to get" list, until I found out it was only available in this version. I am waiting until the "regular" Blu-ray edition comes out.

I was really excited when I saw that Casablanca was coming to Blu-Ray, but then I saw the price and the packaging and I had a big case of, "WTF???"

I'll wait for the "regular" Blu-Ray release for this one. My standard DVD is pretty darned nice. I'd prefer Blu-Ray quality, but until they release a NON ridiculous Blu version (price and packaging) I'll stick with the DVD.

So, I was about to send in the coupon for the Casablanca poster offered up in the DVD and Blu-Ray when I noticed it said "must include upc label" and I realized "shit that was probably on that stupid backing that I tossed out." Does anyone still have the backing and possibly could scan it and email me it so I can print it out and fake it?

Agreed. Knowing Warner Brothers, it is only a matter of time.

Anyone know if any of the non-North American releases are region-free?

I'm not buying this expensive monstrosity and I'll be really ticked if the more 'standard' version that comes out later ends up in the 'book'-style packaging.

I'd actually be happy with digibook packaging.

Yeah, to be honest, I'm kind of hoping for a digibook when they do a disc-only release.

Are there any pics of this?