RichDB10

Was just wondering how the French R2 'Ran' from Studio Canal bears up to the Wellspring release in terms of picture quality?
Is it the same transfer by any chance? I know the Wellspring edition improves significantly on the old Fox Lorber one but understand there are still a few issues with regard to the picture quality, so was wondering whether the French R2 may be the best option?

Hendrik

...you realise, dont you - but of course you do! - that the French release, destined for the French(-language) market, sports a French ('stéréo') soundtrack, as well as a Japanese ('stéréo') soundtrack, with (probably - in fact, most likely - 'forced') French subtitles only...!?!... ...he asked, not entirely innocently...

. . . . . .

pro-bassoonist

there is a brand new edition which comes out next week in the US...WHICH I STRONGLY RECOMMEND....

http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_ite...d=474376&tab=5

RichDB10

Yes..that is the release from Wellspring that was first only available as part of the Amazon Ltd Edition set....from what i understand it was an improvement in terms of PQ over the Fox Lorber version but was far from being perfect.

pro-bassoonist

Rich...you are correct HOWEVER....when talking about Kurosawa and the use of the term "perfect" things tend to be a bit complicated.

About the only "perfect" treatment of his movies (in the real sense of the word..with a few Criterion exceptions) is if you get something similar to the Japanese box....I dont see RAN there though!!
http://www.dvdasian.com/cgi-bin/dvda...l?mv_arg=15186
which implies that you have to be fluent in Japanese (no English subs are provided)!

or for example.....
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=TDBD-2007
(though Ran is not included)

In fact this topic was already discussed a bit here:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=280260

So, by no means this is the "perfect" release...however I'd say way better than average. Hope this helps!!!

snowchasse

The only 'perfect' version out right now is:
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=TDV-2693D

The transfer is flawless, light years ahead of the Winstar release. Only drawback is no english subtitles, so if you're not fluent in Japanese, I recommend downloading the script, or ripping it from the English DVD.

It also has a neat making of documentary and drool-worthy packaging.

Butch Coolidge

For those still interested by the R2FR (without English subtitles) here is a review

http://www.hkmania.com/from.php?from...m/dvd/ran.html

In French...