Canada / US Blu-ray Differences and Comparisons

[spawningblue]

I couldn’t seem to find any sites or threads that have a list of all the US/ Canada Blu Rays that are different, making one inferior over the other, so I decided to start this one. It all started after buying a few Blu Ray discs only to find out that the Canadian (Or is some cases US) disc is missing a lossless audio track like their counterpart, or is in a different/ wrong aspect ratio, or is missing some extras, ect. I hope this thread can help others from making the same mistakes I have and wasting their money on inferior discs.

I have left off discs that are country specific exclusive discs as this is more of a comparison list. I have made a few exceptions to this rule though if the other country has a DVD out that has extra or different bonus material, as I know that is important to some people. I also left off packaging details like one country getting an exclusive slipcover or steelbook, as they are already covered on many other great threads.

PS If any of this info is inaccurate or you have some extra info that I am missing, please let me know! I have put this list together from my own discs/ experiences, back of cases (Which aren’t always that accurate!), reviews, ect. Because of this there may be a few mishaps.




Superior Canadian Releases


6 Souls (aka. Shelter) - US release is missing extras found on Canadian release (Cast and Crew Soundbites, B-Roll Selects).

13 - Canadian aspect ratio (2:40:1) is slightly closer to theatrical (2:39:1) then the US version (2:41:1). The Canadian release comes with some extras though (Interviews, Behind the Scenes, and Making Of) where as the US version is barebones.

Antiviral - The US release includes "Behind the Scenes" (12:46) missing from the Canadian release, in turn the Canadian release includes several featurettes missing from the US release (Manufacturing Celebrity, The Design of Antiviral, She's Perfect Somehow, Brandon Cronenberg on Antiviral, Thermal Camera Test Footage)

Arbitrage - US release has OAR slightly opened up to 1:78:1 instead of its proper 1:85:1 like the Canadian Blu.

Autopsy of Jane Doe, The - US release is missing the following extras: The Tunnel Short film, TIFF Midnight Madness Q&A, LA Premier Q&A festival Q&A, a short film, an interview with Emile Hirsch. The US release does include a few extra Trailers and TV Spots though.

The Avengers: Season 1 - Since there is no US Blu-ray for this set, the Canadian version is obviously the one to buy. That being said, the extras are a little different from the US DVD sets. The Canadian set loses previews of Season 2 and some trivia tracks. In its place it receives 12 min. of interviews with various cast and crew.

B itch Slap - US disc is only 1 disc as opposed to 2. It is missing the Deleted Scenes, B itch Slap 101 featurette, Promos, A Conversation with Mother Superior & Sister Batril, and Kinki's Guide to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.

The Collection - American release has 2:34:1 while Canadian release has the theatrical aspect ratio 2:39:1.

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope - Since there is no US release the Canadian Blu is the one to go with. It includes the same extras as the US DVD.

Dark Tide - Canadian release includes Deleted Scenes missing from the US release.

Downfall - Since the US doesn't even have a Bluray release, the Canadian version comes out on top. That being said, they differ in extras. The US DVD has a commentary by Director Oliver Hirschbiegel (In English) missing from the Canadian Blu, while the Canadian Blu includes an extra "Behind the Scenes Look with Director Oliver Hirschbiegel".

Dream House - The Canadian disc is missing the 2 min. EPK "A Look Inside" as well as the theatrical trailer. In return, it includes 12 min. of Interviews (Daniel Craig, Rachel Weiz, Naomi Watts, Jim Sheridan).

Fido – There still is no US Blu released, so in that regards Canada wins here. There are some minor differences in the extras though between the Canadian Blu and the US DVD. The Canadian Blu has an exclusive Art Gallery and a “Night of the Living” short. Unfortunately it is missing the 5 min. “The Making of Fido” featurette and the 2 min. Blooper Reel.

Fubar 2 – Canadian Blu features an extra 40 mins. of deleted scenes, an extra commentary with Terry and Deaner in character, and a Terry and Deaner Featurette.

It also includes the first movie on Blu as a bonus, which isn’t even out in the US yet. This disc includes a Filmmaker Commentary, Terry & Dean Commentary, 3 Music Videos [3:06] [3:56] [2:45], Deleted Scenes with Introductions [20:16] (7 Scenes in all, including 'The Package' short film), Trailers: Short [0:43] & Long [2:24], and an Unadvertised Soundtrack Spot [0:31].

The Ghost Writer - Canadian Blu includes the uncut International edit of the film, while the US release is the cut PG 13 version. I believe the length of the film is the same, but in the US version the swear words are dubbed over.

The Grey - Canadian Blu has a bunch of extra features. These include: 3 featurettes (Man vs. Nature, The Extremes, Once More Into Fray - 7.5 min.) 8 interviews with various cast and crew (14 min.), and 12 clips (Which are just scenes from the movie).

A Haunted House - Canadian release has a English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track, while the US version has DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The extras are also slightly different. The US release has a short 2 min. EPK "How to Survive a Paranormal Presence", while the Canadian release includes a Featurette as well as Behind the Scenes.

Intruders - Canadian Blu has better extras. US version has a 8 min. Featurette and a 20 min. Behind the Scenes. Canadian Blu includes Intruders - An Inside Look, The Making of Intruders, an Interview with Clive Owen, and Deleted Scenes.

The Killer Elite - The US release has an aspect ratio of 2:41:1, while the Canadian release comes in at 2:40:1. The original aspect ratio is in between at 2:39:1, so I would say it's really a preference here. The Canadian Blu includes some Interviews though so it's the better version to grab.

Lawless - US disc has been edited by a few seconds, compared to the Canadian versions which is uncut. The US release has a closer aspect ratio (2:39:1) to the theatrical presentation (2:40:1), where as the Canadian release is 2:35:1. This is a very minor difference though.

Love and Mercy - Canadian Blu has a 7.1 DTS-HD track as opposed to the 5.1 track found on the US release.

Mama - Canadian release includes a few eclusive extras. These include; Behind The Scenes (2:29), Interviews: Jessica Chastain - Annabel (4:56), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau - Lucas (4:36), Megan Charpentier & Isabelle Nelisse - Victoria & Lilly (1:44), Andy Muschietti - Writer/ Director (2:17), Barbara Muschietti - Writer/ Producer (1:14), J. Miles Dale - Producer (1:23), Guillermo Del Toro - Executive Producer (3:53).

Maps to the Stars - The US release is barebones, while the Canadian release includes a Commentary with Screenwriter Bruce Wagner, Interviews with Cast and Crew, Additional Cast and Crew Interviews, and On the Red Carpet.

Oldboy (2003) - The Oldboy found in the Canadian Vengeance trilogy has a lossless Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, where as the US Vengeance trilogy only contains a lossy Korean Dolby Digital 5.1 EX track. You CAN get the lossless track in the US though, if you buy the original stand alone release of Oldboy that includes most of the extras on a seperate DVD.

The Possession - The US release has an aspect ratio of 2:41:1, while the Canadian release comes in at 2:40:1. The original aspect ratio is in between at 2:39:1, so I would say it's really a preference here. Where the Canadian edition comes out on top is it is the uncut version of the film, where as the US disc only includes the R-rated theatrical cut.

The Punisher (2004) - There is a Canadian exclusive double feature with Punisher: War Zone, that includes a lossless audio track as opposed to the 2004 movie only edition in Canada and the US that only includes lossy tracks. Unfortunately all versions are missing the extras found on the DVDs, these includes: the Extended Cut of the film, Audio commentary by director Jonathan Hensleigh, "Keepin' It Real: The Punisher Stunts" - featurette (27:15), "War Journal: On The Set Of The Punisher" - featurette (29:30), "Army Of One: Punisher Origins" - featurette (12:55), "Drawing Blood Bradstreet Style" - featurette (6:10), Deleted Scenes: (2:52 / Optional commentary by director Jonathan Hensleigh), "Step Up" by 'Drowning Pool' - music video, "The Punisher" - video game trailer, "Kuwait" animated introduction (4:28), "Tour Of Duty: Making the Extended Cut" featurette (9:10), and "The Punisher comic book" Gallery (73 pages).

Rec/ Rec 2 – These films haven’t received a US Blu release, so if you want to watch them in hi def the Canadian Blus are the way to go. Comparing the extras to the US DVD releases though it looks as if the US Blus, shall they ever come, may include different extras.

The Rec 2 US DVD includes three featurettes not present on the Canadian Blu as well as a different and slightly longer behind the scenes featurette, while the Canadian Blu includes an extra interview gallery and deleted scenes for part 1 and an almost 2 hour making of for part 2 not found on the US DVDs.

Rec 3 - Not only did the US not get a Bluray release, but the DVD is also missing the "Making of Rec Genesis - Preparing a Bloody Wedding".

Red Hill – Canadian Blu has 10 min. of deleted scenes including a longer ending, 10 min. of storyboard comparisons, and a 30 min. documentary. US Blu is barebones.

Safe - Canadian Blu includes extra featurette, "Making of Safe".

Saint (Saint Nick) - Not only does US not have this movie on Blu Ray, but the DVD released by IFC is also missing the 22 min. documentary found on this disc. The US DVD does include its trailer though which isn't on the Canadian Blu.

The Samaritan - The US release has an aspect ratio of 2:40:1, while the Canadian release comes in at 2:35:1. The original aspect ratio is in between at 2:39:1, so I would say it's really a preference here. Where as the US release includes no extras though the Canadian release includes Interviews, Behind the Scenes, and a Featurette.

Screamers: The Hunting - This Blu-ray is a Canada exclusive. It is in its proper aspect ratio, has a 5.1 DTS HD audio track, and includes all of the extras the US DVD has, namely a Behind the Scenes featurette.

Splice - Canadian Blu includes a few extra features. These include: Behind the Scenes, Interview with Vincenzo Natali for Fangoria, and Teaser and Trailer.

Spring Breakers - Canadian release includes a few extra featurettes (Girls - 2:33, Boys - 1:48, Director Featurette 1 - 4:43, Director Featurette 2 - 4:33, Spring Breakdown 1 - 4:06, Spring Breakdown 2 - 4:25), but is missing the Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots found on the US Blu.

Step Up 4: Revolution - The Canadian Blu comes as a 3 disc set, 3D/2D/DVD, while the US set is only one disc with the 3D/2D together.

Sweet Hereafter - This Blu-ray is a Canada exclusive. It has an aspect ratio of 2:40:1 (Theatrical is 2:39:1), has a 5.1 DTS HD audio track, and includes all of the extras from the US DVD.

A Town Called Panic - Since there is no Blu Ray in the US for this film, Canada is the way to go. Should be noted though that the Blu Ray and U.S. DVD each include their own batch of extras, and its debatable who's are better. The Canadian Blu includes pre-production animatics, 18 deleted scenes, 5 line tests, and the original "A Town Called Panic" short film from 1991. The US DVD includes the 54 min. "La Fabrique De Panique" documentary, a shorter reel of deleted scenes, test shot comparisons, video interview clips with Aubier and Patar, "Obsessive Compulsive" short film, and the U.S. theatrical trailer.

Trespass - The US release has an aspect ratio of 2:41:1, while the Canadian release comes in at 2:35:1. The original aspect ratio is in between at 2:39:1, so I would say it's really a preference here. That being said, where as the US release only has one extra, Trespass: Inside the Thriller (5 min.), the Canadian release includes "The Making of Trespass", "Interviews with Cast and Crew", and "Behind the Scenes".

Twilight: Eclipse - US disc is a flipper disc, where as Canadian is single sided.

Valhalla Rising - The US only has a DVD release of this film which includes its' trailer which is missing from the Canadian release. The Canadian release instead includes a 23 min. documentary.

Vehicle 19 - Canadian release has closer aspect ratio (2:40:1) to theatrical presentation (2:39:1), where as the US aspect ratio is cropped to 1:78:1. Although, the Canadian release is missing theatrical trailer found on the US disc.