King Kong (1976)

[Dickieduvet]

Just noticed this was available. Anyone know if the same as the French version, Same features etc... Can't seem to find any info on it other than basic specs.

Thanks.

[LordCrumb]

Buy it and let us know

[Dickieduvet]

You first

[Cookson]

Seriously, anyone know if this is region A playable?

Either way, I just ordered it from amazon for $25, so we'll find out.

[Shemp]

The Australian version has a Making Of, Deleted Scenes and a trailer. It's Studo Canal via Universal so I assume it's the same as the French version. It's marked Region A and B.

[Brett C]

Its a direct port of the French disc and it plays fine on Region A players.

[Cookson]

Yup, plays fine on Region A players.

Very underated King Kong film imo... it's a breath of fresh air, and DIFFERENT but with using the same concept etc.

[eddyw78]

Good transfer, ok sound. You get 1080p 2.35:1 widescreen, DTS-HD Master 5.1 sound, a making of, trailer and some deleted scenes which are worth a look.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by Cookson

Yup, plays fine on Region A players.

Very underated King Kong film imo... it's a breath of fresh air, and DIFFERENT but with using the same concept etc.

I liked the idea, not the execution. Though the end neaded to be changed more, as Kong wouldn't stand a chance against such technology.

[DMRI2006]

I imported the Umbrella release to the U.S. and was pleasantly surprised to see it had a new AVC encode -- it's not just a clone of the old Studio Canal Blu-Ray after all (which was VC-1 encoded). The menu is different, the language options are different and the encode is different (the extras are he same). Definitely a more impressive image from what looks like the same source material, but it's definitely an improvement IMO over the old Studio Canal disc. (I only bought it because JBhifi was having that 20% sale and I liked the cover art lol).

Is this the same disc that was available in 2010? Or is it a new edition altogether? JBhifi and EzyDVD seem to indicate it was new to 2013.

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

I imported the Umbrella release to the U.S. and was pleasantly surprised to see it had a new AVC encode -- it's not just a clone of the old Studio Canal Blu-Ray after all (which was VC-1 encoded). The menu is different, the language options are different and the encode is different (the extras are he same). Definitely a more impressive image from what looks like the same source material, but it's definitely an improvement IMO over the old Studio Canal disc. (I only bought it because JBhifi was having that 20% sale and I liked the cover art lol).

Is this the same disc that was available in 2010? Or is it a new edition altogether? JBhifi and EzyDVD seem to indicate it was new to 2013.

Personally I never saw the old version in stores. Is the release date correct? I did have it in my collection but only because the other version had not been added to the db at that stage.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

Personally I never saw the old version in stores. Is the release date correct? I did have it in my collection but only because the other version had not been added to the db at that stage.

I'm not sure. The old Studio Canal disc had a menu upon start up that asked what region you were in -- Australia was one of them.

This Umbrella release doesn't have that menu, and as I wrote, the encode is AVC instead of VC-1 and looks notably superior. It's also locked to Region B (the Studio Canal disc was region free or at least A/B encoded)

This is the cover art of the Umbrella version:

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Hmm interesting... I didn't own the studio canal version but does this new one actually look noticeably better than previously released ones?

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Hmm interesting... I didn't own the studio canal version but does this new one actually look noticeably better than previously released ones?

'

To my eyes it's definitely better -- not ideal but it's noticeably improved. Some of the same sharpness issues from the older Studio Canal transfer are still there but not as glaring, and the image overall looks less noisy. Kind of the difference between the VC-1 and AVC versions of, say, CADDYSHACK. Essentially the same transfer but with superior encoding.

[Boschy]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

I'm not sure. The old Studio Canal disc had a menu upon start up that asked what region you were in -- Australia was one of them.

This Umbrella release doesn't have that menu, and as I wrote, the encode is AVC instead of VC-1 and looks notably superior. It's also locked to Region B (the Studio Canal disc was region free or at least A/B encoded)

This is the cover art of the Umbrella version:

I much prefer that cover art as well. It came out as a poster in one of the local newspapers...maybe the COURIER MAIL or THE SUNDAY MAIL. I am debating whether to upgrade my R1 DVD but will probably get this disc...I have upgraded worse movies. I dare say, we all have?!?!

-Rod

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by Dickieduvet

I have the one with the art work on the left. I have always loved that particular poster.

[danton47]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

the language options are different

Does it have English subtitles?

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by danton47

Does it have English subtitles?

Sorry, no subs.

[PaulBerriman9]

i recently purchased the Umbrella release of this film. Love the cover art on it!

[Monroville]

So is this region free or not? We have 2 different accounts regarding region coding. Also, any chance to see a caps-a-holic link with screen cap comparisons between the French Studio Canal release and the Umbrella release?