Gladiator (2000)

[cobravenomous]

First of all, some paid full price for this disk and did not get it for ten bucks as many have alluded to. Furthermore many others would have purchased this disc without the benefit of reading a forum review let alone even know that they exist. Manufacturer's have responsibilities to consumers, and smart manufacturers are well aware of the effects of negative practices such as the release of a less than perfect copy of a movie (Gladiator), charge a handsome price and then release a repaired copy a few short months later. Have any of the negative posters in this thread ever been dissatified with a purchase? Have you never returned a product because it didn't perform as claimed by the manufacturer? I think that there are many hipocrits in this room!

Read the box carefully and you'll see that it states, "Sapphire Series", "this Blu-ray disc is manufactured to the highest quality available" and "featuring both the........in the perfect picture and sound, Gladiator now sparkles like never before". The manufacturer is not re-releasing this disk to provide extras, but is re-releasing it due to it's own recognition of the first release having less than acceptible (perfect) video.

Disney recognized a defective "POTC" Curse of the Black Pearl disk and offered a free replacement. At the very least I expect some sort of compensation as the product that I purchased was not what the manufacturer claimed it to be. So it needs to be determined what is fair? Maybe an exchange is not warranted, but certainly a "rebate" in my opinion is in order!

Cobra

[BMM]

Originally Posted by cobravenomous

Disney recognized a defective "POTC" Curse of the Black Pearl disk and offered a free replacement. At the very least I expect some sort of compensation as the product that I purchased was not what the manufacturer claimed it to be. So it needs to be determined what is fair? Maybe an exchange is not warranted, but certainly a "rebate" in my opinion is in order!

Exactly. It amazes me when I see people with the "no rebate or exchange necessary" mentality.

[RedIsNotBlue]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Um, extremely doubtful. Gladiator might be getting a re-release because it was an extremely high-profile release (launch of the new "Sapphire Series," and a Best Picture winner), and there was much talk about the BD's defects (both on the internet, and behind closed doors according to things Penton has posted). And even then, an exchange program is not a sure thing.

None of the early Lionsgate discs had even a quarter of the exposure as Gladiator, and there was much less of an expectation for them considering how early in Blu-ray's lifetime they were released. The chance of any exchange program on these is about zero in my opinion. Some will get re-released years down the road in anniversary editions or as tie-ins to new movies, and some will probably never be re-released. And there really aren't many that are terrible - just obviously not up to the standards we expect today.

As happy as I am that Gangs of New York and Gladiator are getting fixed, I dread having people expect a re-release and exchange program for every stupid disc they have a problem with... These are the EXCEPTIONS, they will NEVER be the rule.

Well I was making a joke...haha. I agree with you. So if Paramount decided to release this a few years later would people be fine paying for it then or would people still expect a free copy?

[BStecke]

Great news if true. While not the worst quality BD I've seen, it's probably one of the most disappointing. Hopefully they'll have some sort of exchange program, but if not, I'll eat it at some point and pick it up when it's 12 bucks or so. Good to see they're at least recognizing the first one sucked big ones.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by RedIsNotBlue

Well I was making a joke...haha. I agree with you. So if Paramount decided to release this a few years later would people be fine paying for it then or would people still expect a free copy?

from the article:

just completed "a couple of months ago." Bill Hunt says this was done "after Paramount and Universal realized how bad the first one was, naturally.

since they apparently admit there was a lack of quality there, it really shouldnt matter. besides, i doubt they would finish the new transfer just to hold onto it for a few years

[Buddy Christ]

Originally Posted by Rhygar

Please let this be so (from thedigitialbits.com):

WOW Holy IT!! I was just thinking of this thread the other day and how I missed it. And now to hear this!! Please go back to the many many pages of people cryin vs people saying they are not listening and it will be a long time until they re do this. "Yeah like they are going to listen to a bunch of forums"

Well they did and I am surprised.

[SteelPen]

You know, I still haven't seen this movie! I guess, I'll have to wait for the re-release!

[Downhere]

Originally Posted by Redliner17k

You know, I still haven't seen this movie! I guess, I'll have to wait for the re-release!

It's a great movie, so definitely check it out when the re-release is finally released. lol.

[Dubstar]

I hope for this edition, the film's goofs are digitally erased [i.e, the crew member in blue jeans, the hydraulic tank in the chariot]

[gettodamoofies]

Originally Posted by BMM

Exactly. It amazes me when I see people with the "no rebate or exchange necessary" mentality.

Well the example of POTC is due to a transfer error where the framing was incorrect. It was a clear error and required correction. What people are saying here though is that this transfer was faulty, and if that's the case then they're saying the use of DNR and EE is a fault. It's not. It might result in an average transfer, but it's not like someone accidentally hit the DNR button and the studio is now saying "whoops, my bad".

Next it'll be that Patton and Dark City are "errors" and that's not necessarily the case. They aren't great transfers but they aren't mistakes just because of that. If DNR and EE are a sign of an error or a fault, then a large percentage of discs on the market will have to be demanded to be fixed.

Seriously, they probably used the same master from the DVD release which would have had DNR all over it. That's not a mistake, that's a deliberate budgetary choice. Now because people got burned they aren't happy, but it doesn't mean it's the studios fault. The box doesn't say "NOT ONE IOTA OF DNR OR EE USED IN THIS TRANSFER EDITION".

I made a deliberate budgetary choice - I didn't buy it. And I'm sure a lot of others didn't too based on the information available. With word of mouth plenty can be achieved. If a large portion of people flat out didn't buy a title because of PQ, you can bet that pretty soon the studio would make efforts to resolve it. If their titles sell poorly then there will be no choice but to improve the quality. If people blindly go out and buy it even though there's information available that says it might not be a great idea, well, to be blunt all you've done is spent money on an inferior (not faulty) product and encouraged studios to continue the practice.

[42041]

If someone is naive enough to think a shiny blue logo and marketing buzzwords on a box is a guarantee of quality, then I hope this will be a $20 lesson for them Seriously, if someone makes purchases without making any effort to verify their quality, especially with the impossible-to-miss negative buzz surrounding it for weeks (on every forum and review outlet) before street date, I can't feel any sympathy. If you don't consult the internet on such things, then you probably won't know about the remaster either, no big deal. This sense of entitlement some people have is bizarre. Most electronics are guaranteed against defects, but I've never heard of any electronic media guaranteed against low quality.

[loco]

u know i just saw gladiator on blu for the first time...and I was happy with it. i'm sure it can be improved upon...but it wasnt such a big deal...seriously.

[recS-12]

All this talk about Paramount. REMEMBER, the same studio who released on BOTH FORMATS then halfway through decided to go HD exclusive, going so far as to even pull all blu titles off shelves (Disturbia) ANYTHING is possible from this studio. They may have monkeys with crystal balls making their decisions far as I can tell.

[blue23dragon4]

Sweet....I already own Gladiator now but quality is very poor..

[cobravenomous]

Originally Posted by 42041

"If someone is naive enough to think a shiny blue logo and marketing buzzwords on a box is a guarantee of quality"

Funny you should say this as Ford has a shinny blue logo ("Blue Oval") and many marketing buzzwords and not only do consumers, but government agency's also hold Ford legally accountable for advsertised product claims! Shame, shame 42041!

I'm surprised a senior member would state such dribble and I question why there seems to be so much animosity towards those who purchased this disk, which is noted to have a sub acceptible video transfer, requesting some form of compensation from the manufacturer..

I ask you why then is the studio/manufacturer re-releasing this disc? Is it not to address the poor quality video of the first Blu-ray release? If it is, then compensation for those having purchased the first disc is in order. If the release is for any other reason other than to improve on the video, then I would agree that no compensation is due.

Regarding POTC (Curse of the Black Pearl), having listened to other's definitions regarding the use of the word "defect" or "defective" it needs to be acknowledged that that disk was not defective either as it played absolutely fine. Sure it had "framing" issues and I for one who viewed that first copy did not even recognize any problems or shortcomings. Disney took it upon themselves as a measure of good faith to provide replacement copies to customers, to either restrore or maintain consumer confidence. Many would agree that Paramount needs to do this as well!

From High Def Digest, 'Gladiator' has been hands down one of the most hotly anticipated high-def releases since the dawn of the Blu-ray format. The wait has been long, but when Paramount announced Ridley Scott's masterwork would be one of the inaugural titles in the studio's new top-of-the-line Sapphire Series, fans hoped their Job-like patience would be well rewarded. Expectations for a super-deluxe transfer rose to stratospheric heights, and then, like a bolt from the blue, came the screenshots-heard-'round-the-world, and enthusiasm plummeted.

Enough said, Paramount do the right thing!!!!!

Cobra

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

A replacement program in this instance is the equivalent of a pardon for a poor, illogical decision. If someone has to pay to learn from their mistake(s), then so be it.

I'll ask it once again:

What about the majority of people who bought the BD who do not visit internet movie sites and had no idea there was something wrong with the disc? They did not make "a poor, illogical decision." They should not have "to pay to learn from their mistak(s)..."

THAT is illogical.

[SleeperAgent]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

I'll ask it once again:

What about the majority of people who bought the BD who do not visit internet movie sites and had no idea there was something wrong with the disc? They did not make "a poor, illogical decision." They should not have "to pay to learn from their mistak(s)..."

THAT is illogical.

+1

Just because we are here does not mean the "General Masses" are. You know thew type, the ones that still go to Wal-Mart on release day to buy new movies thinking 29.99 is such a steal.

The forum goes here are the real minority.

[Q?]

But do you guys think "regular people" noticed the DNR and EE?

Would they care???
If they did they'd probably start an account here or elsewhere...

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by 42041

If someone is naive enough to think a shiny blue logo and marketing buzzwords on a box is a guarantee of quality, then I hope this will be a $20 lesson for them Seriously, if someone makes purchases without making any effort to verify their quality, especially with the impossible-to-miss negative buzz surrounding it for weeks (on every forum and review outlet) before street date, I can't feel any sympathy. If you don't consult the internet on such things, then you probably won't know about the remaster either, no big deal. This sense of entitlement some people have is bizarre. Most electronics are guaranteed against defects, but I've never heard of any electronic media guaranteed against low quality.

I dunno about this comment. I see what you're saying as far as due-diligence is concerned and buyer-beware and all that stuff. But, blu-ray is supposed to be a signal of quality. It says beyond high definition right on many of the packages. I know that marketing slogans are the way of the world and not all of them live up to the hype. I feel that buying a blu-ray should pretty much assure me that I just bought a film with a great transfer and great audio.

For the record - I definitely see the issues that the Galdiator release has. But, Im not as worked up over it as some people. If they release another version I might grab it if they gimme something for my "bad" copy.

[SleeperAgent]

Originally Posted by Q!

But do you guys think "regular people" noticed the DNR and EE?

Would they care???
If they did they'd probably start an account here or elsewhere...

I've shown it to non-HD people and they didn't know it was DNR/EE but they could tell the difference between regular and extended scenes. It's blatantly obvious.