#1
toddly6666 , 01-25-08 07:15 PM
DVD Talk Limited Edition
10 Years later after its release in 1997, this DOBERMANN DVD situation is still driving me up the wall. I know it's just a good action movie, nothing too spectacular, but I want to own it on DVD and I just don't know what to do and it has nothing to do with spending money on many different versions or on none. Can someone please clarify the quality on the following DVDs?
Taiwan/HK Full-Screen Versions:
1. Are the English subtitles sucky-sucky grammatically incorrect mish-mosh? (aka Was I better off getting the better French version, because it's better to watch a movie with no subtitles than watch a movie with sucky-sucky subtitles?)
2. Is the video quality of these Full-Screen versions like a good quality Full-Screen DVD, a Full-Screen VHS tape, or equivalent to the same video quality as the UK Tartan DVD which is even worse than a VHS tape?
3. Since the audio sucks on the UK Tartan DVD, is the DD 5.1 really active and really worth it on these versions?
French Anamorphic, DD 5.1, DTS Versions:
1. I know some French, do the French subtitles give enough hint/gist to understand what is going on in the dialogue?
2. Does the audio really work the home theater surrounds/subwoofer? Does the DTS really rock or is it a subtle mix?
Any news from any random country carrying this DVD as anamorphic, good audio, and English subtitles? Estonia? Brazil? Singapore? Australia? Israel? Egypt?
Taiwan/HK Full-Screen Versions:
1. Are the English subtitles sucky-sucky grammatically incorrect mish-mosh? (aka Was I better off getting the better French version, because it's better to watch a movie with no subtitles than watch a movie with sucky-sucky subtitles?)
2. Is the video quality of these Full-Screen versions like a good quality Full-Screen DVD, a Full-Screen VHS tape, or equivalent to the same video quality as the UK Tartan DVD which is even worse than a VHS tape?
3. Since the audio sucks on the UK Tartan DVD, is the DD 5.1 really active and really worth it on these versions?
French Anamorphic, DD 5.1, DTS Versions:
1. I know some French, do the French subtitles give enough hint/gist to understand what is going on in the dialogue?
2. Does the audio really work the home theater surrounds/subwoofer? Does the DTS really rock or is it a subtle mix?
Any news from any random country carrying this DVD as anamorphic, good audio, and English subtitles? Estonia? Brazil? Singapore? Australia? Israel? Egypt?
#2
pro-bassoonist , 01-26-08 12:48 AM
DVD Talk Reviewer
What I wrote about 4 years ago still stands:
1. The full-screen Asian releases are horrible (and frankly this film is action...and more action, so, why would you even think about getting a chopped disc). The English translation is also about as good as my Urdu.
2. The Tartan version, the only English-friendly release that isn't chopped, is terrible! Hazy, blurry, with a tremendous amount of flickering(s) and edge enhancement. The final scene in the club where the major shootout is is practically a big mess of black images moving up and down...you won't make anything out of it.
3. The French black box is the best version, and presentation, money can buy. Dobermann comes in a lovely and very stylish digipack which even the Koreans copied. English subtitles aren't present but with basic skills in French one should get by just fine. Even if you don't understand French the story is rather straightforward. The DTS is bombastic. Bellucci is beautiful.
4. Avoid the similarly looking, also black box, Korean disc. It is a straight PAL-NTSC port without English subs and with a ton of 'ghosting".
4. Universal recently released a budget version in France but I still recommend that you look around on the net and get the SE.
5. The German, Scandinavian, and Spanish versions are all proper PAL-prints but some of them miss on the DTS and of course none offer English subs.
6. A US release was never approved because of the excessive violence.
Ciao,
Pro-B
1. The full-screen Asian releases are horrible (and frankly this film is action...and more action, so, why would you even think about getting a chopped disc). The English translation is also about as good as my Urdu.
2. The Tartan version, the only English-friendly release that isn't chopped, is terrible! Hazy, blurry, with a tremendous amount of flickering(s) and edge enhancement. The final scene in the club where the major shootout is is practically a big mess of black images moving up and down...you won't make anything out of it.
3. The French black box is the best version, and presentation, money can buy. Dobermann comes in a lovely and very stylish digipack which even the Koreans copied. English subtitles aren't present but with basic skills in French one should get by just fine. Even if you don't understand French the story is rather straightforward. The DTS is bombastic. Bellucci is beautiful.
4. Avoid the similarly looking, also black box, Korean disc. It is a straight PAL-NTSC port without English subs and with a ton of 'ghosting".
4. Universal recently released a budget version in France but I still recommend that you look around on the net and get the SE.
5. The German, Scandinavian, and Spanish versions are all proper PAL-prints but some of them miss on the DTS and of course none offer English subs.
6. A US release was never approved because of the excessive violence.
Ciao,
Pro-B
#3
toddly6666 , 03-25-09 08:43 PM
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I think the dilemma has ended - about time!!