Seventh Seal Blu-ray IS indeed Region ABC - Tartan

[vdc530]

It is being reported that Seventh Seal BD is infact region coded can anyone confirm this? If this is true, then what the hell is wrong with Tartan saying it will be region free and getting numerous orders from around the world and then it turning out to be region locked?!

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/


mod: see pro-bassonist's post (#5) below for correct info

[Seretur]

This is quite unfortunate. If anything, they should've announced the Region A release by now. Otherwise they'll start complaining about returns and small sales volumes, when all they did was mislead the customer.

[fronn]

Originally Posted by Seretur

This is quite unfortunate. If anything, they should've announced the Region A release by now. Otherwise they'll start complaining about returns and small sales volumes, when all they did was mislead the customer.

Tartan doesn't have the rights to the movie in the states, only in some EU countries (at least the UK).

Criterion has the rights to it in the states.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by fronn

Criterion has the rights to it in the states.

No they don't! They only licensed it for their release.

Pro-B

[Seretur]

Well then, that's a happy outcome!

DVD Times has just reviewed the DVD version of this release, and the image quality seems to be a marked improvement over the old Tartan release. And we already know it looks better than the Criterion.

Just wish it weren't so pricey -- almost fifty bucks on Amazon.co.uk...

[fronn]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

No they don't! They only licensed it for their release.

Pro-B

I guess I figured they had the release rights because nobody else has released a version of it in the states that I'm aware of.

Who has the original rights then? Janus? SF? Does criterion have the rights for a certain amount of time or is it just a license for a particular release and anyone else could do the same?

[Frumious Boojum]

Originally Posted by fronn

I guess I figured they had the release rights because nobody else has released a version of it in the states that I'm aware of.

Who has the original rights then? Janus? SF? Does criterion have the rights for a certain amount of time or is it just a license for a particular release and anyone else could do the same?

From IMDB:

* Janus Films (1958) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
* Tartan Video Ltd. (1993) (UK) (video) (laserdisc)
* Criterion Collection, The (1999) (USA) (DVD)
* Manga Films (2003) (Spain) (DVD)
* Criterion Collection, The (2004) (USA) (DVD)
* Image Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
* Arthaus Filmverleih (????) (Germany) (theatrical)
* Cinetel (????) (Hungary) (DVD)
* Continental Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (DVD)
* Continental Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
* Criterion Collection, The (????) (USA) (VHS) (laserdisc)
* Cult Filmes (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
* Embassy Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
* Gutek Film (2007) (Poland) (all media)
* Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1976) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)

Looks like Janus & Criterion basically has a rather permanent relationship with the film (which is why they use imagery from it in other Criterion products).

As you notice, though, it is occasionally licensed to other distributors every now and then.

[Zyclone]

Originally Posted by vdc530

It is being reported that Seventh Seal BD is infact region coded can anyone confirm this? If this is true, then what the hell is wrong with Tartan saying it will be region free and getting numerous orders from around the world and then it turning out to be region locked?!

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/

there is Tartan US and Tartan UK , im sure between the two studios they will release a copy for your region.

[Maxx2029]

Originally Posted by vdc530

It is being reported that Seventh Seal BD is infact region coded can anyone confirm this? If this is true, then what the hell is wrong with Tartan saying it will be region free and getting numerous orders from around the world and then it turning out to be region locked?!

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/

They seem to have backtrack already and are saying that their info was wrong.

I just wish they would have posted the source of their info, when they were claiming it to be region locked. Rather than just announcing it.

[pro-bassoonist]

The Seventh Seal released by Taratan UK is indeed NOT REGION CODED. Anyone or any site that claims it is, is simply not good enough of a source!

Period!

Dr. A

[Beta-guy]

"APOLOGIES OUR MISTAKE: Tartan's Blu-ray DVD of Bergman's The Seventh Seal (sold HERE) is NOT region-coded (just as advertised). It will play on North American Blu-ray players. The cover on Amazon.UK is inaccurate - the DVD appears as it does in the left image and our review is coming shortly."

[Rustmonsteru]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Seventh Seal released by Taratan UK is indeed NOT REGION CODED. Anyone or any site that claims it is, is simply not good enough of a source!

Period!

Dr. A

Right on. I confirmed through people here that it was region free before I sent away for mine . It should be here any day now.

[Frumious Boojum]

Speaking of Criterion... I've always been a big fan of their releases. They were an early adopter of DVD, invented the special edition Laserdisc, and they were among the first (if not the first) to release films in OAR only. So where's our fabulous Criterion Blu-Rays?!

I personally can't wait until Passion of Joan of Arc is released on Blu-Ray. That was one of the most beautiful transfers I ever saw on DVD...

Edit:

Oy... found the reason on their website:

Will Criterion be releasing its catalog in Blu-Ray or HD DVD?

We know this is a concern for many of our customers, but we honestly don’t think consumers should have to take a stand in a format war. That said, we know how good our films can look in high definition because we’ve been doing all our mastering and restoration in HD for years. But the format war has as much to do with patent licenses and pressing plants as it does with putting gorgeous images on your screen. At this point, any solution that would let consumers upgrade with confidence would be a step in the right direction, and as soon as that solution emerges, we’ll be there.

So, let's hope the format war ends VERY soon.

[Merlins]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The Seventh Seal released by Taratan UK is indeed NOT REGION CODED. Anyone or any site that claims it is, is simply not good enough of a source!

Period!

Dr. A

Correct! Even the DVD in the case is region free. So far has all titles from Tartan (US and UK) been region free. My guess is that ALL will be region free even in the future.

Have tested the discs myself.