When Worlds Collide (1951) (Paramount Presents) - September 27, 2022

[MifuneFan]

Update: There's a new solo release of When Worlds Collide coming out on June 25th, 2024. Unfortunately it's going to be a MOD BD-R from the looks of it

https://www.moviezyng.com/when-world...r/840418305362

For those that don't visit the 4K sub-forum, Paramount will be releasing War of the Worlds (1953) on 4K UHD as part of the Paramount Presents line on September 27th. Also included with the Limited Edition release is a remastered Blu-ray for When Worlds Collide (1951). This will be the US debut of the film on Blu-ray!

The War of the Worlds 4K / When Worlds Collide Blu-ray Double-Feature

Two of the most iconic Science Fiction epics come to Paramount Presents in this out-of-this-world limited-edition double feature from producer George Pal. Making its 4K UHD debut, WAR OF THE WORLDS is an Oscar winning adaptation of the chilling H.G. Wells novel. Then, get ready for impending disaster, when a runaway star signals the destruction of Earth in WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, included on Blu-ray remastered from the original film elements. Both are essential Technicolor masterpieces from the Golden Age of Hollywood, delivering eye-popping visual effects and unmatched sound design.

Synopsis

After Dr. Bronson (Hayden Rorke) discovers Zyra, a new planet, fellow astronomer Dr. Hendron (Larry Keating) checks Bronson's data and reaches the horrifying conclusion that Bellus, a star in Zyra's orbit, is doomed to crash into the earth within a matter of months. Meanwhile, Hendron's daughter, Joyce (Barbara Rush), has grown fond of pilot David Randall (Richard Derr), and pleads to have him brought along as a small group is relocated to Zyra to avoid the impending mass destruction.

[Ned Brainard]

I'm going to be the contrarian here for two reasons:

1. I have the Criterion blu-ray of The War of the Worlds and am quite happy with it.

2. I have no interest in 4K UHD. Blu-ray is good enough for me.

So, while I very much would like to purchase a blu-ray of When Worlds Collide, I have no option that allows me to do so without overpaying due to the presence of items of negligible value to me - domestically at least.

What options do I have then:
1. Wait for a sale. If this product dips to or below the price I would be willing to pay for the blu of When Worlds Collide by itself (which would be twenty dollars or less inclusive of sales tax), I might be willing to purchase this set. That is the strategy I used for the Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary set. It took me about eight months, but I finally got it for a price that financially negated the stupid funko.

2. Wait for Paramount to release When Worlds Collide by itself. Of course with my luck, the stand-alone would probably be a BD-r release.

3. Look into importing the Australian Imprint release. I would wait several months or longer before considering this option.

I wish Kino could have gotten this title. Then I could have pre-ordered it for around fifteen dollars or purchased it for around ten dollars on the inevitable sale.

[cakefactory]

Yeah, this is a bit stupid how they're holding it as an extra to a re-release of a different movie. I would never have upgraded War of the Worlds, either. I'd sorta like to see this movie, but I guess I'll just digitally rent it sometime.

[Dragon78]

Cool.

[Zillamon51]

When Worlds Collide won't be on 4K UHD? What absolute ass.

[El Sleezo]

Yeah I thought both films on 4K was too good to be true, but still excited.

[JMDiaz718]

I own the Criterion WotW and it looks great. I also bought the imported blu of WWC, on Amazon, it looks great too. Not double dipping again.

[gpn]

The restoration on When Worlds Collide is not as good as what War of the Worlds received. It's a definite upgrade from the DVD, but blu-ray is probably good enough for the current restoration (The Naked Jungle and Conquest of Space are in the same boat).

One other thing to keep in mind with the Paramount release is that it will probably be barebones like the DVD. The Imprint blu-ray includes a Kim Newman & Barry Forshaw commentary and a 90 minute compilation of vintage interviews with industry people about George Pal.

[Mark E. Desade]

I suppose there are no specs yet. No mono on WOTW would be a dealbreaker. Why does Paramount hate mono and stereo? Still, cautiously excited.

[DukeTogo84]

I'd rather have a solo When Worlds Collide release, but I'll be buying this either way.

[donidarko]

The rate at which Paramount re-releases and repackages Blu-ray titles (Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful etc.) leads me to suspect that a single Blu-ray release of When Worlds Collide will follow shortly after the initial War of the Worlds combo package.

[whiteberry]

Originally Posted by donidarko

The rate at which Paramount re-releases and repackages Blu-ray titles (Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful etc.) leads me to suspect that a single Blu-ray release of When Worlds Collide will follow shortly after the initial War of the Worlds combo package.

I think so too. Paris When It Sizzles is another one that was exclusive to a set (Audrey Hepburn 7-Movie Collection) and then later released individually.

[MifuneFan]

And we have cover art!

[Ned Brainard]

While I guess it's nice to see When Worlds Collide treated better than a throw-away extra, this is still one of dumbest releases I have ever seen in how it screws over blu-ray only people which, as far as I can tell, there are more of than people who have "upgraded" to 4K UHD. So, if you are blu-ray only and want both films, you have to purchase the Criterion release of The War of the Worlds and then purchase this combo pack. Currently, you can't simply purchase the blu-rays only without also have to buy the unnecessary 4K disc (unless you want to go the expense of importing the Austrailian Imprint disc which I might look into).

Again, I'm willing to spend up to twenty dollars for When Worlds Collide. I would prefer to buy it as a stand-alone edition, but if Paramount insists on this package then I'll wait for this set to go on steep discount to my twenty dollar or less price. I'm not paying any extra for the 4K drink coaster.

[Maximux]

Pre-ordered the set

[Partyslammer]

What a bizarre, stupid idea to package these two films together in different formats like this.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by El Sleezo

Yeah I thought both films on 4K was too good to be true, but still excited.

My thoughts as well. Too bad they didn't give us a 4k twofer. Don't get me wrong I'm still picking it up but it could/should have been better.

[Ned Brainard]

Originally Posted by Partyslammer

What a bizarre, stupid idea to package these two films together in different formats like this.

It would have made some sense if this set would have included a standard blu-ray of The War of the Worlds (perhaps the license with Criterion precludes Paramount releasing the film on blu). Theoretically then if someone only wants the blu-rays of the two movies, you could get them for an ok price if you haven't already purchased that one Criterion disc. I would still grouse some of course. However, to make the one domestic blu-ray release of When Worlds Collide hostage to a 4K UHD provides a poor value for blu-ray only people. The 4K disc provides as much value to me as a Beta tape, a Selectavision disc, or a Castle 8mm highlights reel. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that When Worlds Collide will follow the same trajectory as Paris When It Sizzles - its initial release in a package which was a poor value for some, but later released by itself. That said, if Amazon or Deep Discount drops it to my twenty dollar or less mark, I'll play ball. Until then, I'll make due with the old DVD.

[Ned Brainard]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

My thoughts as well. Too bad they didn't give us a 4k twofer. Don't get me wrong I'm still picking it up but it could/should have been better.

This set seemingly wasn't thought out well. The 4K people understandably want both films in 4K, and many blu-ray only people want When Worlds Collide without the added expense of the 4K disc.

[Zillamon51]

Are all Paramount Presents releases limited? Or just this one?

I imagine stand-alone releases of the WotW UHD, and the WWC Blu, will come eventually.