Back in 2010 (or late 2009, can't remember for sure) Warner Brothers released the first 2 Harry Potter films as an Ultimate Edition, with both films extended. I love the first 2 HP films and was really annoyed WB hadn't released them in the UK - after all, the UK is the birth place of HP!
Thanks to B-R.com I discovered that they were region free, so I bit the bullet that was the postage (which was about £20!) and ordered them from amazon.com and thus my obsession with imports began.
Since then I have bought BDs us brits have been denied from all over the world, some have since made their way to us but getting it first still gives me satisfaction!
Here is my list;
The Shining
You may be thinking 'but we already have this BD in the UK', well, go check the running times on the UK vs US version: 144 minutes (US cut)
119 minutes (International cut). I just had to have the extended edition of one the greatest horror films of all time! The pacing is a bit slower, but its worth it alone for the beginning scene as it sets the story up better.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Three-Disc Ultimate Edition)
Out now in the UK.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Three-Disc Ultimate Edition)
Out now in the UK.
The Fifth Element (Remastered)
Out now in the UK.
Home Alone
Out now in the UK.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Home Alone is my favourite Christmas film of all time and I've always seen it as an extension of the first film so I had to have No.2 on BD.
Zathura
Another great Christmasy film and really under rated imo, great director and the kids are good little actors.
Sleepy Hollow
I've always been really unhappy with the Sleepy Hollow BD, mainly because its full screen, so when I found out the US version was in wide screen, I just had to own it. I only ordered it the other day, so it'll be interesting to see the changes to as its a directors cut.
Das Parfum - Die Geschichte eines Mörders (Perfume - The Story Of A Murderer)
A truly beautiful film and great on this German BD, all you have to do is change the language in the options.
Jeepers Creepers
Another German BD. Its a great transfer to. I guess the studio is waiting for JC 3 before they release on BD in the UK and US?
Peter Pan - Extended Version
Out now in the UK.
Legend
Although its coming out in the UK next march, I couldn't wait!
The Others
A French BD, out now in the UK.
Misery
Another French BD, due out in the UK next October.
Sleepy Hollow
I've always been really unhappy with the Sleepy Hollow BD, mainly because its full screen, so when I found out the US version was in wide screen, I just had to own it.
This doesn't make sense to me. The film has a native aspect ratio of 1.85:1.
I dont see how the postage was £20, I order shed loads and even on my latest 4 film order the postage was only $13 (£8odd). Unless you were paying for the 5 day shipping or whatever it is, which is silly really as standard international shipping normally takes around 14 days from despatch date.
I agree with your sentiments on importing though, I aint bought a UK BR in ages, last one was Tron Legacy just to use my DMR points, and prior to that the Red Cliff 2 discer from Play as it was £5. Other than that its US discs all the way for me.
Legend
Although its coming out in the UK next march, I couldn't wait!
Though I'm right in saying that the UK version will likely feature the UK cut which is different from either the US theatrical or Director's cut on the US BD? I think I might grab both so I have every version!
How is The Shining different - 25 minutes as well?
The beginning I have has Jack being interviewed and taking the job at the hotel. Then its the family packing up and traveling to the hotel.
What am I missing... Oooh, Love this movie and would be interested to pick up a better longer version.
"When released theatrically in the United States, the film ran approx. 146 minutes. However, as explained above, three weeks into its release, Kubrick cut the 2 minute coda from the end of the film, reducing its length to 144 minutes. After meeting with poor reviews and erratic box office, Kubrick decided to further edit the film for its theatrical release outside the US. He cut approximately 31 minutes of footage, reducing the length to 113 minutes. The 144 minute 'US version' is often erroneously called the Director's Cut when in fact director Kubrick regarded the 113 minute version as the superior cut of the film. When the film was released on home video in the US, Kubrick endorsed the shorter version of the film as the 'official' version. Nevertheless, the longer version is the version now most commonly available. The following is a list of all the scenes or parts of scenes not present in the shorter 'European version':
After the first scene with Wendy ('Shelley Duvall' ) and Danny (Danny Lloyd), the film cuts back to Jack (Jack Nicholson) at the Overlook, where his interview with Stuart Ullman (Barry Nelson) continues. Jack is introduced to Bill Watson (Barry Dennen), and Ullman tells Watson that Jack used to work as a schoolteacher. Jack says he became a writer because he needed a change in his life. Ullman then explains that the Overlook is closed every winter from the end of October to the following May, because it would be too expensive to keep the roads open, and he points out that the site was chosen specifically for its seclusion.
When Danny first 'sees' the Grady twins in his bathroom at home, he blacks out. When he awakes, he is being examined by a doctor ('Anne Jackson' ). This entire examination scene, and the subsequent conversations were all cut. Danny says that before his black-out he was talking to Tony, "the little boy who lives inside my mouth". Wendy and the Doctor then talk in private, and Wendy mentions an incident in which Jack dislocated Danny's shoulder in a drunken fit of temper, at which time he swore never to touch alcohol again. That was five months ago, and since then, he has kept his word.
During their tour of the Overlook, Jack and Wendy are brought into the Colorado Lounge, and Wendy asks if the Indian designs are authentic. Ullman explains that they are based on ancient Navajo and Apache motifs. He then mentions the prestigious history of the hotel, saying it was a stopping place for the jet set, for four presidents, movie stars and "all the best people".
The beginning of the scene where Ullman shows Jack and Wendy the hotel grounds has been cut. He points out "our famous hedge maze" and warns them not to go in unless they have an hour or so to spare.
Prior to the introduction of Dick Hallorann (Scatman Crothers), Ullman shows off The Gold Room and explains that all liquor is removed during the winter so as to reduce insurance costs. Hallorann is then introduced, and the secretary Susie (Alison Coleridge) appears, having found Danny outside the games room. Ullman then leaves with Jack, and Hallorann takes Wendy around the kitchen.
Some of Danny's conversation with Hallorann has been cut. Danny asks Hallorann if he is scared of the Overlook, and Hallorann replies that he isn't, but that "some places are like people, some shine and some don't. I guess you could say the Overlook Hotel here has something about it that's like shining."
The first few shots of Wendy wheeling the breakfast tray through the corridors have been cut.
The end of the scene where Wendy brings Jack his breakfast has been cut. He comments that he has never been as happy or as comfortable anywhere as he is in the Overlook and Wendy reveals that she thought the place was scary when they first arrived. Jack replies that he fell in love with it straight away and he felt as if he had been there before.
The scene of Jack throwing the ball against the wall is shorter.
After Wendy and Danny explore the maze, a sequence has been cut showing Wendy working in the kitchen while a TV announcer talks of a search in the mountains for a missing woman, and a snow-storm that is predicted to be moving in on Colorado.
Following the scene in which Jack loses his temper with Wendy for interrupting him, the title THURSDAY was deleted.
After the scene in which Danny is confronted by the Grady twins in the corridor, and they invite him to play with them, a scene has been cut in which Wendy and Danny are watching TV. Danny asks if he can go to his room to get his toy fire-engine and Wendy tells him to be quiet because Jack is sleeping.
Some dialogue has been cut from the first conversation between Jack and Lloyd (Joe Turkel). Jack toasts, "Here's to five miserable months on the wagon and all the irreparable harm that it's caused me". Lloyd then asks him how things are, and Jack comments that they could be a whole lot better, that he is having trouble with his wife. Lloyd comments, "Women! Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em", and Jack wholeheartedly agrees.
After he has returned from examining Room 237, Jack's conversation with Wendy is slightly shorter.
After the scene between Jack and Grady ('Philip Stone' ), a sequence has been cut in which Wendy is seen crying and talking to herself, musing about the possibility of getting down the mountain in the Sno-cat, and of calling the Forest Rangers. She then hears Danny calling out "red rum" over and over, but when she tries to talk to him, she is only 'answered' by Tony, who tells her that Danny can't hear her.
A scene has been cut in which Hallorann tries to get through to the Overlook by calling the Ranger station. They tell him that they've tried to get through several times but there has been no answer, and they offer to try again later.
Prior to the shot of Hallorann's plane, the title 8AM has been deleted.
On the plane, Hallorann asks a stewardess what time they are due to land in Denver and she tells him at 8.20. Jack is then seen typing in the lounge of the Overlook. Hallorann's plane lands at the airport and he calls Larry Durkin (Tony Burton), a garage owner, to rent a Sno-cat so as to get up to the Overlook. Durkin says the mountain roads are completely blocked off, and Hallorann explains that the people looking after the hotel turned out to be "completely unreliable *******s". Hallorann estimates that it will take him five hours to drive from the airport to collect the cat, and Larry says the Sno-cat will be waiting for him when he arrives.
The beginning of the scene in which Wendy finds Jack's type-written pages has been cut. She and Danny are watching television and she looks at her watch, telling Danny that she is going to talk to his father for a few minutes and that he should stay there. She picks up the baseball bat before leaving.
In the final scene, when Jack is pursuing Danny through the maze and Wendy is being confronted by some of the Overlook spooks, a short scene where she encounters a group of skeletons sitting at a table with a champagne bottle and glasses has been cut."
I must admit that having seen both versions of The Shining, I do think the European cut is the better version. Not just pacing-wise but the constant cutting to Halloran's voyage to the hotel breaks the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere of being trapped in the hotel.
I kinda remember some of this that is cut? Wonder where I've seen that or maybe it was in the book??
Anyway, will import this. Knowing the film quite well, I'd say bits you've mentioned should have stayed in, as they become relevant later in the movie.
I hadn't imported in over a year till two weeks ago when I put in a pretty big order on Amazon Us. So far of the ten I ordered two have arrive, El Topo and the Gamera trilogy. The other 8 were sent together and I'm starting to worry.
Waiting on Boondock Saints Truth and Justice Edition, Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day, A Serbian Film, The Holy Mountain, The Last Circus, Enter the Void Directors Cut, Dark Night of the Scarecrow and Red Riding Trilogy.
I kinda remember some of this that is cut? Wonder where I've seen that or maybe it was in the book??
Anyway, will import this. Knowing the film quite well, I'd say bits you've mentioned should have stayed in, as they become relevant later in the movie.
You probably saw it on British TV, they showed the longer US cut on UK TV for years although the last few times it has been shown it has been the European cut.
I've only imported two Blu-ray titles. Terminator TSCC season 2 and Transformers 3, because there was no way I was going to wait 2 months for the UK releases. Fortunatly I didn't even pay much more. Transformers only cost me £22, and I sold the DVD on Ebay for £8 and recovered some of the cost.
I import a load of Blus, mainly from Amazon.com, either due to it not being released in the UK or it being a superior edition (extras or packaging wise).
I dont see how the postage was £20, I order shed loads and even on my latest 4 film order the postage was only $13 (£8odd). Unless you were paying for the 5 day shipping or whatever it is, which is silly really as standard international shipping normally takes around 14 days from despatch date.
I agree with your sentiments on importing though, I aint bought a UK BR in ages, last one was Tron Legacy just to use my DMR points, and prior to that the Red Cliff 2 discer from Play as it was £5. Other than that its US discs all the way for me.
That was approx, it may have been £16ish and prob for the weight and size of the boxed sets. They are much bigger than the uk versions. Legend on its own cost me £4.29 to import and we are talking over a year ago for the HP sets so there may be been things going on with currency stuff.
Though I'm right in saying that the UK version will likely feature the UK cut which is different from either the US theatrical or Director's cut on the US BD? I think I might grab both so I have every version!
Exactly, Legend aint the same for me with out Robert Picardo's witch!
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Imports - my obsession
I'll be getting a refund then!
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