Will "Threads" Ever Come To the U.S. On DVD Or Blu-Ray? - Blu-ray Forum

Blu-Moon · 11-28-2013, 04:04 AM

The BBC production of "Threads" was Great Britain's answer to our made-for-television movie "The Day After," back in the mid-1980s. All these years later "Threads" is still not available in the Region 1 format (DVD or Blu-Ray), despite being offered for sale on DVD via Amazon in the PAL Format. Does anybody know if this memorable production will ever be offered for sale over here as well?

MacEachaidh · 04-01-2016, 10:12 AM

Still no word on this ...

Or was there, and I've missed it? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Dean learner · 04-01-2016, 10:41 AM

Strangley, even here in the UK I'm shocked that it's never made it's way on to blu. I would have thought that the BFI would have done a version by now. It was on a region 2 DVD if that's any help.

If your wanting some depressing nuclear holocaust viewing, Peter Watkins' remarkable The War Game is just been released by the BFI on a double feature with his film Culloden. They are only 45 mins long, but The War Game is amazing.

Killer Meteor · 04-01-2016, 10:46 AM

The UK discs look awful, especially in the smoky scenes - mega compression problems. The latest release is literally from a tape - it opens with the mid-80s BBC video logo!

MacEachaidh · 04-01-2016, 11:04 AM

Thanks for your thoughts, Dean.

Yes, I have the DVD, but I've been hoping it might get a bit of refurbishment and release as at least semi-HD. (I have the Watkins on DVD too, so am eagerly awaiting the BD!) BFI seems the logical group to do it, though I'm pleased with the BD of Punishment Park that MoC released.

I agree with you, Killer Meteor, that the DVD doesn't look the best. According to IMDb, it was shot on film (I wondered if it might have been direct-to-tape), though only 16mm. So it's never going to be brilliant, but hopefully there's some early-generation copy, if not the negative, that might be worth restoring from.

While we're talking about this:
Can anyone identify a film along similar lines that I vaguely remember seeing in my childhood, but can't remember much of? I'm pretty sure it was British, and a docudrama, and a similar scenario to The War Game, but I'm also pretty certain it's not that, nor Threads, nor The Day After (though that's American). All I remember is a scene where kids playing on a dump (I think) realise there are incoming bombs, and climb inside an abandoned fridge. Not much to go on!

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

oddbox83 · 04-01-2016, 11:07 AM

I don't even know if the original film material survives - I hope so!

The Great Owl · 04-01-2016, 11:45 AM

If a good high definition restoration of Threads ever comes down the pipes, then I will jump at the chance to buy it. This movie scared me so much when I was a kid.

Gerby · 04-01-2016, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Thanks for your thoughts, Dean.

Yes, I have the DVD, but I've been hoping it might get a bit of refurbishment and release as at least semi-HD. (I have the Watkins on DVD too, so am eagerly awaiting the BD!) BFI seems the logical group to do it, though I'm pleased with the BD of Punishment Park that MoC released.

I agree with you, Killer Meteor, that the DVD doesn't look the best. According to IMDb, it was shot on film (I wondered if it might have been direct-to-tape), though only 16mm. So it's never going to be brilliant, but hopefully there's some early-generation copy, if not the negative, that might be worth restoring from.

While we're talking about this:
Can anyone identify a film along similar lines that I vaguely remember seeing in my childhood, but can't remember much of? I'm pretty sure it was British, and a docudrama, and a similar scenario to The War Game, but I'm also pretty certain it's not that, nor Threads, nor The Day After (though that's American). All I remember is a scene where kids playing on a dump (I think) realise there are incoming bombs, and climb inside an abandoned fridge. Not much to go on!

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Ladybug, Ladybug (1963) - you're right it is British & very good it is too!

Killer Meteor · 04-01-2016, 04:25 PM

The BFI uploaded a terrifying nuclear war animated short -

It's not yet on BD or DVD. Would have been perfect for The Day The Earth Caught Fire.

emmet otter · 04-01-2016, 11:17 PM

I myself would love to see this on BR. Amazing yet disturbing film.

AnamorphicWidescreen · 04-06-2016, 06:12 PM

I saw the BBC TV movie Threads (1984) for the first time last summer. This is an amazing documentary-style film about a how nuclear war affects a city in England. This is an extremely intense, disturbing, and horrific film. I had a tough time watching this, even 30+ years after if was released. It's especially disturbing because it doesn't end with the nuclear war, but instead shows the after effects. Especially difficult to watch are the deaths from radiation, nuclear fire, etc.

However, even though this film is an extreme downer, I wouldn't mind seeing it on Blu. There may not be that much of an improvement in the PQ (since it's an '80's movie, and may have been filmed on video) but there will probably be some improvement...

11-28-2013, 04:04 AM	#1
Blu-Moon Active Member Member since:Mar 2009	Will "Threads" Ever Come To the U.S. On DVD Or Blu-Ray? The BBC production of "Threads" was Great Britain's answer to our made-for-television movie "The Day After," back in the mid-1980s. All these years later "Threads" is still not available in the Region 1 format (DVD or Blu-Ray), despite being offered for sale on DVD via Amazon in the PAL Format. Does anybody know if this memorable production will ever be offered for sale over here as well?

04-01-2016, 10:12 AM	#2
MacEachaidh Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2011 Location:Edge of the Accretion Disc Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:4	Still no word on this ... Or was there, and I've missed it? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

04-01-2016, 10:41 AM	#3
Dean learner Active Member Member since:Feb 2014 Location:Glasgow, Scotland 4K collection:60 Blu-ray collection:1101 iTunes collection:110	Strangley, even here in the UK I'm shocked that it's never made it's way on to blu. I would have thought that the BFI would have done a version by now. It was on a region 2 DVD if that's any help. If your wanting some depressing nuclear holocaust viewing, Peter Watkins' remarkable The War Game is just been released by the BFI on a double feature with his film Culloden. They are only 45 mins long, but The War Game is amazing.

04-01-2016, 10:46 AM	#4
Killer Meteor Banned Member since:Jan 2013 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:-	The UK discs look awful, especially in the smoky scenes - mega compression problems. The latest release is literally from a tape - it opens with the mid-80s BBC video logo!

04-01-2016, 11:04 AM	#5
MacEachaidh Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2011 Location:Edge of the Accretion Disc Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:4	Thanks for your thoughts, Dean. Yes, I have the DVD, but I've been hoping it might get a bit of refurbishment and release as at least semi-HD. (I have the Watkins on DVD too, so am eagerly awaiting the BD!) BFI seems the logical group to do it, though I'm pleased with the BD of Punishment Park that MoC released. I agree with you, Killer Meteor, that the DVD doesn't look the best. According to IMDb, it was shot on film (I wondered if it might have been direct-to-tape), though only 16mm. So it's never going to be brilliant, but hopefully there's some early-generation copy, if not the negative, that might be worth restoring from. While we're talking about this: Can anyone identify a film along similar lines that I vaguely remember seeing in my childhood, but can't remember much of? I'm pretty sure it was British, and a docudrama, and a similar scenario to The War Game, but I'm also pretty certain it's not that, nor Threads, nor The Day After (though that's American). All I remember is a scene where kids playing on a dump (I think) realise there are incoming bombs, and climb inside an abandoned fridge. Not much to go on! Any ideas would be gratefully received.

04-01-2016, 11:07 AM	#6
oddbox83 Blu-ray Champion Member since:Sep 2013 Location:UK	I don't even know if the original film material survives - I hope so!

04-01-2016, 11:45 AM	#7
The Great Owl Blu-ray Archduke Member since:Dec 2012 Location:Georgia 4K collection:921 Blu-ray collection:6031 DVD collection:28 Blu-ray reviews: 255 Trading Score:6	If a good high definition restoration of Threads ever comes down the pipes, then I will jump at the chance to buy it. This movie scared me so much when I was a kid.

04-01-2016, 11:17 PM	#10
emmet otter Special Member Member since:Mar 2016 Location:Frogtown Hollow, NJ	I myself would love to see this on BR. Amazing yet disturbing film.

04-06-2016, 06:12 PM	#11
AnamorphicWidescreen Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2014	I saw the BBC TV movie Threads (1984) for the first time last summer. This is an amazing documentary-style film about a how nuclear war affects a city in England. This is an extremely intense, disturbing, and horrific film. I had a tough time watching this, even 30+ years after if was released. It's especially disturbing because it doesn't end with the nuclear war, but instead shows the after effects. Especially difficult to watch are the deaths from radiation, nuclear fire, etc. However, even though this film is an extreme downer, I wouldn't mind seeing it on Blu. There may not be that much of an improvement in the PQ (since it's an '80's movie, and may have been filmed on video) but there will probably be some improvement...

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