Aenima

Hi all,
Can someone explain to me why it is that certain films take so long to be released on DVD. And I'm not talking about the more "obscure/cult" films many of which probably don't get released because of business considerations i.e. limited market = little profit. I'm talking about things like The Beatles Help!. For god sake, if you can't this in region 2 then something is wrong somewhere.

I see on the Anchorbay site they ask people for suggestions for future releases. Do you think they take this info. seriously?
Cheers,
A

I'll 'av 'arf

smudge

There are LOADS of things that can stall a DVD in a particular territory. Artist's rights/contracts/residuals even as far as artists veto.

Another problem can be distributors ; a film company who distributed a title elsewhere may be quite happy to let that title go in that territory, whilst the company who owns the distribution rights here may be totally indifferent towards that same title.

In respect of deceased artists there can be problems with the estate - sadly all sorts of things can stop us from seeing our fave films.

As you say, HELP ! is a huge title, so it's difficult to see why such things don't move.

SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Aenima

Well, at long last, they are finally releasing the original Bedazzled on the 25th July 2005.

I'll 'av 'arf

Diane Blackwell

Fantastic film, Bedazzled. Can't believe they remade it - and so badly too!!

aaron

Definitely, one of my top ten!!!Ok, so £20 is a bit pricey (considering the dissapointing lack of extras - No Eleanor Bron interview.. etc) but still fantastic to finally get a dvd release of this masterpiece.
Sit back with a Frobesher & Gleeson iced lolly, rinse your eyes with Frooney green eyewash, make sure your not wearing nylon underwear (it disintegrates at high speed) and before you can say 'Julie Andrews', your back in the sixties!

Cook & Moore at the top of their game............

'He who is not one up...Is one down'

JamesM

I read somewhere that "Let It Be" is being restored for a DVD release.

A Stanley Donen commentary would have been nice for the "Bedazzled DVD but Fox do not entice people to record commentaries as much as some other studios.

Wetherby Pond

Another major problem is sourcing good enough materials - DVD has a much higher resolution than VHS (particularly anamorphic widescreen titles), and consequently the format is much more demanding in terms of high-quality source prints, especially if the negative no longer survives or is in an unacceptably poor state for printing. Digital restoration can overcome some problems (visual blemishes) but not others (splices) - and of course that adds to the budget.