Hostel: Part II

[BladeRunner2007]

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hoste...-Blu-ray/8244/

Is this so-called "Unseen Edition" the unrated director's cut?

[Prim]

Yes, it would seem so. http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparison....php?fid=11924

[BladeRunner2007]

Thanks. They should have called it Unrated Version and not Unseen Edition. Can be very confusing. They also did that with Mirrors. They called the unrated version "tormented cut" lol.

[ScarfaceJoker]

You can't call something "unrated" in the UK since it needs to be rated by the BBFC.

It may be confusing for us who import and are familiar with stuff from the US - but the word "unrated" has no traction for normal UK buyers whatsoever.

So that's why we're stuck with increasingly bizarre subtitles for unrated cuts!

[BladeRunner2007]

I see. Makes sense. Still confusing from time to time

Btw, I just found out that Hostel 2 has only been released in its unrated version on Blu-ray/DVD. The R-rated theatrical cut is not avaible.

[Prim]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

I see. Makes sense. Still confusing from time to time

Btw, I just found out that Hostel 2 has only been released in its unrated version on Blu-ray/DVD. The R-rated theatrical cut is not avaible.

The closest you'll get is apparently the German Blu-Ray, although that is cut further than the R-rated. It also has different color timing, with more relaxed contrast and colors.

I can do a comparison if you want.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by Prim

The closest you'll get is apparently the German Blu-Ray, although that is cut further than the R-rated. It also has different color timing, with more relaxed contrast and colors.

I can do a comparison if you want.

Yes, they released a cut version based on the theatrical cut. Oh, and the color timing is only different because the German release is the only one with the original color timing. Every other release worldwide has a botched transfer! Too dark, too much contrast, off-looking skintones, etc.

But I'd love to see a comparison!

[Prim]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Yes, they released a cut version based on the theatrical cut. Oh, and the color timing is only different because the German release is the only one with the original color timing. Every other release worldwide has a botched transfer! Too dark, too much contrast, off-looking skintones, etc.

But I'd love to see a comparison!

That's why I bought the German Blu-Ray, even though it's cut. I was thinking about doing a fan cut of it, using as much as the German Blu-Ray as possible. Right now, I'm swamped in projects (original soundtrack for Dirty Harry), but I can do a comparison. Coming up.

EDIT -> Here you go.
http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/85890
http://screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/85892

Both of these shots are at 3:32 and 10:32, repectively. As you can see, the Unrated has black crush, and is very saturated. I can understand if it's supposed to be like this, but I remember reading somewhere that Roth wasn't happy with the transfer. Everyone can decide for themselves.

The Unrated disc in these comparisons was released here in Scandinavia, but the disc itself is identical to the UK one. Mine has the BBFC logo on it, it just has a cover with the Nordic languages.

[BladeRunner2007]

Thanks. Overall the botched transfer doesn't look too bad imo. Somehow I like the darker image. Makes this grim movie even darker. And the over saturared colors look very nice in most outdoor scenes (during daylight).

Eli has corrected the transfer already (years ago) and it was shown on Showtime. But Sony has no plans to release the corrected disc

Hostel II tonight on Showtime - with new corrected transfer!

Hey Everyone,
Tonight on Showtime at 7:00 (PST, check local listings), at long last, is Hostel Part II. I have kept quiet about this, but I was heartbroken about the DVD transfer. Something happened somewhere down the technical chain of command that made the film look much darker and contrasty than the film was ever supposed to look. The skin tones are off, and the blood looks too black. It somehow got "double lutted" or something, it's the only way to explain it technically, and this happened while I was overseas, so it never got caught. It's not how it looked in cinemas, and it's been torturing me that this is the only version out there. It was just a technical error and Sony was very apologetic and and let me re-transfer the film so that you can see the background, with corrected skin color and most importantly, corrected blood color.
As of right now there's no plans to re-issue the DVD or Blu Ray, perhaps at some point in the future, but right now this is the best way to see the film. Sony Home Video did reassure me that if they do reissue the film that fans will be able to swap out their DVDs and Blu Rays for a new one. I was adamant about that, and they agreed fans should not have to buy the film twice. It was just human error in the manufacturing. But as I said, right now there are no plans for a new one. Hopefully that will change, and I will certainly keep you posted if it does.
Now, since I'm in Berlin still working on "Inglorious Basterds," I can't actually be there in the U.S. to watch it and make sure that the corrected version is the one that made it to cable,( although everyone assured me it was.) So if you guys see it please let me know if there's a difference between what runs on cable and the version you have on DVD.
I'm having a blast working Quentin's film, and detailed my latest exploits in a blog the other day if you're interested in hearing about me and a bunch of naked Germans. "Inglourious Basterds" hits cinemas in the U.S.
August 21st!
Happy New Year!!
Eli

[Prim]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Thanks. Overall the botched transfer doesn't look too bad imo. Somehow I like the darker image. Makes this grim movie even darker. And the over saturared colors look very nice in most outdoor scenes (during daylight).

Eli has corrected the transfer already (years ago) and it was shown on Showtime. But Sony has no plans to release the corrected disc

No problem

Well, at least now you know the difference, right? Better than wondering. I was too curious to pass up the German disc, so I just had to have it. Too bad about not releasing the corrected one though, maybe in a few years?

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by Prim

No problem

Well, at least now you know the difference, right? Better than wondering. I was too curious to pass up the German disc, so I just had to have it. Too bad about not releasing the corrected one though, maybe in a few years?

I hope they put the corrected one out there someday. Maybe on its 10th or 15th anniversary, when it gets a remaster?

For now I can live with it, since there is no other option (if you want the uncut version) and the difference is not that big. It's just knowing about it is really annoying lol.