BDs That Are Out of Print (OOP)

[Arawn]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Multiple posters above have posted things that are only tangentially related to reality. I hesitate to call them outright "lies," as I think they are posted in good faith - but they represent profound misunderstandings about what is going on.

You must be new here.

[ShellBeacher]

All I gotta say on this matter is...

20th CENTURY FOX is GONE.

Any title that is re-pressed, re-released, etc. from now on will not be released by 20th CENTURY FOX.

An era is over.

Personally, in my lifetime, I prefer to own whatever I can of FOX's storied catalogue as releases manufactured/distributed by 20th CENTURY FOX on the label. And that will very soon be no more...for every single title.

Even popular titles like the X-MEN series are indelibly tied up with FOX studio mechanics, history and "drama," so it's important to remember those associations; it only educates us more about the environments the films were made in. The moment we look at a studio logo, associations are made.

[whiteberry]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Disney bought Fox and has zero interest in re-issuing catalogue titles on physical media (or even streaming anything that isn't family-friendly). Thus, any Fox title on BD should be snapped up, because Disney ain't re-pressing ANY of it.

Yep. Just look at how many new (non-animated) catalog titles Disney has released in the last five years (excluding the Disney Movie Club stuff which isn't sold at retail) that are not related to a current reboot/remake/sequel.

The streaming situation is just as bad. Fox has a deep library of family friendly movies with HD masters...yet there are only a handful of Fox movies on the Disney+ streaming service. Remember when Fox used to regularly release 4K restorations digitally like Big, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, Edward Scissorhands, Home Alone, Say Anything, etc. There's been none since Disney took over. How many 4K UHD discs of Fox movies has Disney released, not counting the Star Wars movies? I can't think of a single one and yet Park Circus shows Fox has 213 movies with 4K DCPs.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I explicitly said I would NOT categorize it as lying, but as a misunderstanding of available information. And then I went on to explain exactly what they are misunderstanding and thus misrepresenting.

I'd say they are speculation based on track record, but you do raise good points too. Why do Disney's discs rarely go OOP (besides the vault thing)? Why do they never go on sale?

I'm definitely leaning towards the 'better safe than sorry' side of this debate. With a possibility of many of these titles disappearing forever, or coming back with alternate opening logos (thankfully this doesn't bug me as much as others), I think it's pretty safe to say that no existing Fox BD is going to come back with a new, better version from Disney. I would expect dropped extras and recycled scans at best.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by ShellBeacher

All I gotta say on this matter is...

20th CENTURY FOX is GONE.

Any title that is re-pressed, re-released, etc. from now on will not be released by 20th CENTURY FOX.

An era is over.

Personally, in my lifetime, I prefer to own whatever I can of FOX's storied catalogue as releases manufactured/distributed by 20th CENTURY FOX on the label. And that will very soon be no more...for every single title.

Even popular titles like the X-MEN series are indelibly tied up with FOX studio mechanics, history and "drama," so it's important to remember those associations; it only educates us more about the environments the films were made in. The moment we look at a studio logo, associations are made.

I like your respect for the past and how things originally unfolded, but at the end of the day, the name on the packaging is just the name on the packaging. United Artists no longer exists in the form it once did, but I'm glad those films are preserved, and the studio logo still appears at the beginning of the actual film. Same for RKO Pictures and Trimark and Cinerama and on and on.

[ShellBeacher]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I like your respect for the past and how things originally unfolded, but at the end of the day, the name on the packaging is just the name on the packaging. United Artists no longer exists in the form it once did, but I'm glad those films are preserved, and the studio logo still appears at the beginning of the actual film. Same for RKO Pictures and Trimark and Cinerama and on and on.

Yes, I know all this... I guess living through a change this big enlightens us further, hopefully. But would argue that this is a bigger studio change-up/takeover than any of those as for impact on film history (barring perhaps United Artists), but that can be debated.

And as far as Fox Home Entertainment hubs shutting down, etc., sure, the operations will all be absorbed by Disney. All of us know this. But it means that Fox Home Entertainment also disappears. And yes, there is quite a possibility that even if titles are re-released on discs (I'm cynical about that), they may very well lose extras as a different home video philosophy takes over.

We don't really know anything, yet. True.

But I'm just feeling better acting safe than sorry. It's semantics to many, but for me, it's important.

At the very least, Disney could consider establishing a new streaming channel/hub: "20th Century Classics" for all the FOX titles... but I have doubts they'll even do that.

[ParamountChris]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I like your respect for the past and how things originally unfolded, but at the end of the day, the name on the packaging is just the name on the packaging. United Artists no longer exists in the form it once did, but I'm glad those films are preserved, and the studio logo still appears at the beginning of the actual film. Same for RKO Pictures and Trimark and Cinerama and on and on.

I have to say, that I rarely see many UA logos on their films anymore, they’re either removed or replaced unreasonably, happy with Criterion restoring the UA logo on Midnight Cowboy at least because of MGM trying to erase UA from existence. No RKO logo gets replaced and I hope the same for Fox.

[Hellhound]

Looks like this is OOP

[AFFanAttic]

This one might be so old that it's probably been out of print for quite a while (database entry number 948!). So here is Felon:

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by ParamountChris

I have to say, that I rarely see many UA logos on their films anymore, they’re either removed or replaced unreasonably, happy with Criterion restoring the UA logo on Midnight Cowboy at least because of MGM trying to erase UA from existence. No RKO logo gets replaced and I hope the same for Fox.

When I got the German UHD of Rollerball and put it in for a spin, I was pleased to see (a) the lack of an MGM logo at the beginning, and (b) the original "Transamerica" UA logo instead of one of more recent vintage.

I'm not one to complain bitterly when the logos are not as they originally are, but given that I have the heart of an archivist, I prefer to see the original studio logos.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I explicitly said I would NOT categorize it as lying, but as a misunderstanding of available information. And then I went on to explain exactly what they are misunderstanding and thus misrepresenting.

Actually, you are speculating based on your interpretation of things Disney.

You expect Disney to treat Fox titles as they do Disney titles. Great. I do, too. Where we differ is how we see Disney's track record with catalog titles. They have been perfectly good with releasing their "new" movies within six months (or less) of their theatrical runs. Catalog titles? Not so much. Unless they are animated features. And even then, where's Fantasia at these days?

Their classic live-action films have been relegated to Disney Movie Club exclusives. But apparently only on Blu-ray if there hasn't already been a DMC DVD exclusive edition (there has only been one or two of the latter that have been upgraded to BD). And there haven't been any announcements for any DMC BD exclusives since The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh last October.

And, at the risk of stating the obvious, the DMC exclusive blu-rays can only be had from DMC. Well, there and maybe Amazon Marketplace or eBay sellers at inflated prices. You can't get them at Amazon proper, or Best Buy, or Target or Wal-Mart, or from any of the other Usual Suspects.

Unless it's classic Walt Disney Animation (which is no doubt their bread and butter), Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars, Disney does not seem overly interested in keeping their films in release on Blu-ray.

So, you're right, in that there's no reason to expect Disney to treat Fox titles any differently. Oh, I'm sure that they'll keep things like Miracle on 34th Street or The Sound of Music in print on DVD -- and maybe on BD -- and, of course, Avatar (once the sequels are on their way to theaters). But I see no reason to expect that the bulk of Fox catalog titles will see the light of day again on physical media.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Actually, you are speculating based on your interpretation of things Disney.

I did not say I expect Disney to do any particular thing. I said that three pieces of evidence (no more repertory screenings, Disney+, and Fox Home Entertainment closing in Germany) were being misused as evidence that Disney would stop releasing Fox Blu-rays. Not one of those three pieces of evidence actually indicates that, and thus those talking points are false.

[WBMakeVMarsMovieNOW]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Actually, you are speculating based on your interpretation of things Disney.

You expect Disney to treat Fox titles as they do Disney titles. Great. I do, too. Where we differ is how we see Disney's track record with catalog titles. They have been perfectly good with releasing their "new" movies within six months (or less) of their theatrical runs. Catalog titles? Not so much. Unless they are animated features. And even then, where's Fantasia at these days?

Their classic live-action films have been relegated to Disney Movie Club exclusives. But apparently only on Blu-ray if there hasn't already been a DMC DVD exclusive edition (there has only been one or two of the latter that have been upgraded to BD). And there haven't been any announcements for any DMC BD exclusives since The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh last October.

And, at the risk of stating the obvious, the DMC exclusive blu-rays can only be had from DMC. Well, there and maybe Amazon Marketplace or eBay sellers at inflated prices. You can't get them at Amazon proper, or Best Buy, or Target or Wal-Mart, or from any of the other Usual Suspects.

Unless it's classic Walt Disney Animation (which is no doubt their bread and butter), Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars, Disney does not seem overly interested in keeping their films in release on Blu-ray.

So, you're right, in that there's no reason to expect Disney to treat Fox titles any differently. Oh, I'm sure that they'll keep things like Miracle on 34th Street or The Sound of Music in print on DVD -- and maybe on BD -- and, of course, Avatar (once the sequels are on their way to theaters). But I see no reason to expect that the bulk of Fox catalog titles will see the light of day again on physical media.

It's be criminal to never get TSOM and the whole R&H stuff on UHD.
They certainly seemed to sell well. FOX put them out so many different times on blu-ray alone. Special sets and all.

[Jgap22]

Random but if anyone needs a copy of “the ringer” on blu ray there’s only two listings on amazon. I couldn’t find it anywhere else. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Torrente]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I explicitly said I would NOT categorize it as lying, but as a misunderstanding of available information. And then I went on to explain exactly what they are misunderstanding and thus misrepresenting.

I just like messing with you

[danny24]

I would grab any Fox titles you want on BD while they are still cheap. Most or all likely to go OOP. Anyone know if Disney has Point Break or is it still with Warner, I would love a UHD (not the remake, the Swayze/Reeves version). I have the OOP Fox BD and the UK Warner steelbook. It looks like the 2011 Warner BD is sold now on Amazon through marketplace sellers.

[ShellBeacher]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I did not say I expect Disney to do any particular thing. I said that three pieces of evidence (no more repertory screenings, Disney+, and Fox Home Entertainment closing in Germany) were being misused as evidence that Disney would stop releasing Fox Blu-rays. Not one of those three pieces of evidence actually indicates that, and thus those talking points are false.

Time will tell if my stated reasons for believing Disney's overall corporate/company philosophy will affect/change the way that FOX's catalogue is now distributed through them... And that's all I and many others are talking about here, the overall belief/gut feeling that...they have every intention of controlling these older titles with the typical Disney grasp.

They could have very easily uploaded numerous classic family-friendly FOX titles to Disney+ in the months since the takeover. They didn't, and there's no indication or announcement that they will.

They could have very easily continued to draw in profit from allowing independent theaters or distributors to multiplexes to screen classic FOX titles. They aren't, and there's currently no indication that will change.

Production changes at the project development level (beyond the usual absorptions and layoffs due to consolidating departments) have been squeezed down to the point where 20th Century's major studio head departed abruptly a few months back. That says something about how betrayed certain established FOX executives feel.

So I don't have much faith they'll be any more forthcoming with re-releasing an entire catalogue of classic FOX titles on disc.

They could entirely change their tune next month...but I doubt it.

It would just be nice to see even one small statement from Disney on the *entire studio catalogue* that they acquired and indicate that these titles will again be available...somewhere!

But I'd much prefer owning original 20th Century Fox releases, anyway...so that's why I'm picking them up.

[monwobbbo]

i wouldn't be surprised that all that we "think" we know goes out the window. all companies will be looking for ways to make money under the current circumstances. this may lead to more back catalog releases as new films are MIA and will be for a while. i don't think Disney will be any different and may decide to put at least some titles out. with no money coming in from new films or their theme parks they have to do something.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by Hellhound

Looks like this is OOP

I heard mixed things when it came out despite looking forward to it but I would still like to check it out, damn. Only Blu-ray worldwide either.

[Hellhound]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

I heard mixed things when it came out despite looking forward to it but I would still like to check it out, damn. Only Blu-ray worldwide either.

I thought it was pretty decent but maybe don't go in with your expectations too high. There are still a couple of reasonably priced copies floating around eBay.