God & Generals Directors Cut 150th Anniversary Digibook

[jee]

Hey folks, Just purchased this on amazon.ca

What I received was a little disheartening, I am curious if my case is isolated or if this is a common case of Warner Bros cost cutting even on collectors edition releases.

I have seen this on low cost catalogue versions of films. But to see this done on a collectors edition which I paid over $30 dollars for (the low cost version is $10) really bothers me.

Please let me know what you guys think and if you have seen this before on this release or other premium releases like it.

I have contact warner bros through the form on their website to request a replacement disc. The Retailer is not at fault because the packaging was obviously not tampered with, furthermore if I were to request a replacement from the retailer they would not be able to verify correction without opening the product ahead of time.

[Bates_Motel]

You're all up in arms over disc art? Seriously, you think that's an issue? (I assume it's over disc art because you didn't specify what your actual problem was and I see nothing else.)

What do you expect to get form a replacement? It will be the exact same thing.

[MifuneFan]

That's what they do to their discs after a while. Plenty of releases are like that. My Looney Tunes Platinum Digibook is the same.

[jee]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

You're all up in arms over disc art? Seriously, you think that's an issue? (I assume it's over disc art because you didn't specify what your actual problem was and I see nothing else.)

What do you expect to get form a replacement? It will be the exact same thing.

Yes disc art, you do realize that people pay the high price ($30 CDN in this case) of collectors sets/etc often entirely for aesthetic reasons right? I simply expect the extra $20 (CDN) I spent over the much lower priced $10 (CDN) non collectors release to be what it is advertised to be.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by jee

Yes disc art, you do realize that people pay the high price ($30 CDN in this case) of collectors sets/etc often entirely for aesthetic reasons right? I simply expect the extra $20 (CDN) I spent over the much lower priced $10 (CDN) non collectors release to be what it is advertised to be.

As one of the few members of this forum who cares about disc art, I can understand why you're upset, because those discs on the back cover with the American and Confederate flags look really nice.

Warner does this all the time. Only their first pressings seem to have the advertised disc art and then they go into budget mode. If you order a replacement, you will almost certainly get the same disc art again. The safest way to get the original disc art is to go on eBay and look at the live pics of the items. That's how I had to buy my Full Metal Jacket digibook original disc art.

[cynatnite]

I understand why you're not happy with this, but Amazon is really not the best place if you want specific artwork with your purchase. As was suggested, ebay is your best bet.

[El_Fez]

Wow, the 150th anniversary? I had no idea the movie was that old!

[jee]

Originally Posted by El_Fez

Wow, the 150th anniversary? I had no idea the movie was that old!

Lol

In case that wasn't sarcasm (Which I definitely assume is). The Bluray Digibook releases of Gettysburg & Gods & Generals Directors Cuts were released in the year which marked the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War.

I know it was a comment made in jest, though I cannot help but clarify things that lack clarity just in case doing so happens to slightly enlighten even a single person.

[jee]

I would also like to clarify that yes I am unhappy over something as simple as disc art. For me it is not something that simple though. We all have things we value. One of my most valued things is my Blu-Ray collection, of which I have spent many thousands of dollars extra to acquire higher tier releases than that of the basic.

Considering that the 150th Anniversary Digibook of this release is more than double the price of the exact same film in standard packaging, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect the discs to have the advertised disc art. Particularly in this case where the disc art is not just some generic image. It is the confederate battle flag in contrast to the second disc which has the union flag.

Side Note: I do not subscribe or support the Cult of the Lost cause or The Daughters of the Confederacy, and yes I am aware these films (Gettysburg & Gods & Generals) largely buy into that Charade, that being said they are still excellent films when taken with a grain of salt.

[profholt82]

I have the same set, but mine has the discs with the flag art. Bought it around a year ago from FYE at the local mall.

[jee]

Originally Posted by profholt82

I have the same set, but mine has the discs with the flag art. Bought it around a year ago from FYE at the local mall.

Mine did not come with any of those inserts you have either

[thatguamguy]

Originally Posted by jee

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect the discs to have the advertised disc art.

I agree with you that that should be true, but it seems like several people have already explained to you why it isn't.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by jee

Yes disc art, you do realize that people pay the high price ($30 CDN in this case) of collectors sets/etc often entirely for aesthetic reasons right? I simply expect the extra $20 (CDN) I spent over the much lower priced $10 (CDN) non collectors release to be what it is advertised to be.

Well, that's one reason "collector's sets" aren't worth much and never will be. If all you wanted out of a collector's set was disc art, then you are looking at the wrong thing, sorry.

I have never put the disc on a table and watched it for an hour, because its usually spinning inside my player and I can't even see the disc art.

[CADD_Guy]

If you collect higher tier stuff, should have gone with this version

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

You're all up in arms over disc art? Seriously, you think that's an issue? (I assume it's over disc art because you didn't specify what your actual problem was and I see nothing else.)

What do you expect to get form a replacement? It will be the exact same thing.

I don't know that he's "up in arms". People complain about artwork all the time, even though it's a relatively frivolous thing. I don't see why the actual disc artwork would be any different. People have an expectation, and if something is not met, it can be a disappointment. I'd rate Slipcovers about a 1/10 on my care-o-meter, this is maybe a 3/10 where it would bother me a little more (slipcovers are disposable, the disc is permanent, dammit if they can do a 1st pressing with art then all pressing should be the same). As he's talking about a special digibook edition that even pictures the discs, i can sympathize.

I've seen a few of these budget Warner discs and I thought they were bootlegs or something the discs looked so cheap. I didn't even know this was a standard practice of Warner to switch from having art to not having art even on subsequent pressings of the same SKU. I just figured they went cheap on certain releases in a totally random fashion. Now I'm actually wondering how many of my Warner discs were like this LOL. I wouldn't get so worked up I'd try to replace any of them or anything, but it does irk me slightly.

Another reason to appreciate Warner's own "Warner Archive" line and boutique labels. They don't cut corners like this.

[Jameron4eva]

Originally Posted by CADD_Guy

If you collect higher tier stuff, should have gone with this version

$60 (US)

[jee]

Originally Posted by Jameron4eva

$60 (US)

If Warner Bros. denies my replacement request I'll likely double dip and grab that. Though on Canadian Amazon it is listed at CDN$ 105.67 + Shipping fees (No Amazon Prime free shipping on it).

I would perfer to avoid that, and had I known of this version of the films ahead of time I would have purchased them to begin with.

I do appreciate you folks pointing it out to me. It seems they are numbered of 100,000 units. I am hoping then they produced the 100,000 units before they started producing the discs sans art.