Da Vinci Code / Angels & Demons / Inferno boxset Feb 2017

[malcy30]

This post relates to the recently released boxset of the Dan Brown (starring Tom Hanks) films Da Vinci Code / Angels & Demons / Inferno.



Unfortunately this is yet another release where Sony UK have screwed UK customers. So the saga continues after their recent similar issues with Bad Boys and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.


The first two films Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons were re-released last autumn in new remastered in 4K BDs to tie to the theatrical release of the 3rd film Inferno. We even saw this released here in the UK !

So we should get these in boxset
, I can't find the Angels & Demons remastered in the database here but it's listed on Amazon.co.uk

With the BD release of Inferno, Sony have also released a BD boxset of all 3 films. I carefully checked and in the US and Australia the new remastered 4K BDs of the first two films were included in their boxsets.

Now we come to here in the UK and of course I should have expected based upon their prior past record but Sony UK have NOT included the new remastered 4K BDs for the first two films instead including the many years old original BDs.

So they included the old BDs

(this is the cut down 1 disk version missing the 2nd BD of extras) and (UK only ever got the 1 disk version unlike US and some other countries)

I have been in correspondence with Sony UK using the email address in the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon thread and they have finally washed their hands of my complaint, telling me to deal with Zoom as they won't supply me with the newer disks.

So have now asked Zoom how I arrange a refund, which I am hoping they don't say is timed out as it's now almost a month since it was released and shipped to me. Have sent them copy of Sony's email telling me to go back to Zoom.

Will if I get a refund look to buy overseas.

About the only positive with this debacle is that includes the 2nd disk of extras by default where this is a retailer exclusive I believe in US and Australia.

[mikey 6]

Not great not getting the remaster but the extended cuts of Da Vinci Code and AaD are only on the old blu rays I believe.

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by mikey 6

Not great not getting the remaster but the extended cuts of Da Vinci Code and AaD are only on the old blu rays I believe.

Yes that's correct the 4K remaster by Sony was only of the theatrical version of both films. The extended scenes are in the deleted scenes section of the extras in 1080p on the new remastered BDs.

[chip75]

malcy30, can you tell which BDs are included with this set?



Edit: They should be the newer releases of Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code. As the audio matches up. Does the back of the BD set have the newer audio options?

Update: They look like the old specs for The Da Vinci Code, with the newer Angels & Demons.

[malcy30]

The BDs included in the BD boxset are the the ones I posted above and linked to their database entries. Don't have the 4K UHD boxset as not upgraded to that yet.

Am pissed off as already have the 2 disk version of Da Vinci Code Extended Cut (this has 1 disk version) whereas for Angels & Demons have original US 2 disk release which never came out in UK.

Wanted the 4K remastered versions hence got the boxset. My stupidity given Sony UK's track record.

Edit:
Once you see the back cover of the BD boxset you posted above you can tell it's the old Angels & Demons release as well as it gives both a theatrical and extended cut run time. That BD has both via seamless branching.

The new 4K remastered BDs as I said are theatrical cut only. The extended scenes are only included as deleted scenes in the extras.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by malcy30

The new 4K remastered BDs as I said are theatrical cut only. The extended scenes are only included as deleted scenes in the extras.

It's ridiculous that the UHD BD set gets the new BDs.

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by chip75

It's ridiculous that the UHD BD set gets the new BDs.

Exactly. The new BDs in the UHD BD but the old tat that's been kicking around for years in the BD boxset.

[malcy30]

Got another reply from Sony UK saying they don't recognise there is a problem. So have linked them to this thread. Let's see if that get's any action.

If you are reading it Sony to repeat my emails and comments from chip75 above our complaint is that

UHD BD boxset and standalone releases used the new remastered 4K BDs in each of the double packs.

BD boxset just reuses the now very old and obsoleted BDs for Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons which were superseded by the new remastered in 4K BDs last year. Obviously a cost saving measure to clear out old stock of these BDs.

Edit : Have requested a return and refund to Zoom.co.uk but they haven't replied yet to my email.
At least that is something Sony do better as much faster response to emails.

[chip75]

I'm worried Universal might do the same with The Mummy trilogy UHD BD release, especially as they just released a BD trilogy with the old masters.

[malcy30]

An update. Returned the boxset to Zoom and they have processed a refund.
So buying the films individually to ensure I get the new 4K masters.

Never heard any more from Sony UK. About the only think they have done right is the UK BD release of Inferno includes the bonus BD as standard. It's a retailer exclusive elsewhere.

[malcy30]

Finally received a detailed reply from Sony UK.

In summary the comment was if you want the master in 4K on both BD and UHD then for the UK at least you must buy the UHD boxset. As noted above this includes the new master on both formats.

The excuse for not including in the BD boxset seems rather lame, as they comment that the standalone mastered in 4K BD (10th Anniversary edition) was a limited edition in the UK market to tie to the theatrical release of Inferno. Is not noted that it is a limited edition on the packaging and not heard the equivalent US and Australian releases are limited. So the suggestion was if I only want BD then I should buy the standalone Da Vinci Code (10th Anniversary, so they say although limited edition it is not OOP), Angels & Demons and Inferno ! So at UK prices a much more expensive option.

As I said have imported first two films from US via WoWHD.

Sony UK said they consider the old BDs as in the BD boxset as their default BDs for the UK market going forward. So much for using the new master here !

Anyway Zoom refunded me, so can safely ignore UK.
But if anyone looking for these titles steer clear of UK versions.

[chip75]

Sony can be numpties sometimes, I wonder if some of their film division castoffs have made it to the home video branch.