The Punisher 1989 April 01 2013 Pre-order

[Vito Cipriani]

Originally Posted by PuppetMasterBlu

That German disc does not have lossless sound. The UK version does but apparently they used mono tracks and the lossy German disc actually sounds better because at least it is real stereo. Apparently true lossless audio is impossible for reasons that were explained to me once but I don't remember.

So yeah get the German disc.

My mistake, sorry. I've checked my disc and it's a DD 2.0 track not a lossless one - the listings are incorrect. Either way, the German disc is the way to go, imo.

The steelbook release is the one I have. I'm not usually a sucker for packaging, but I love the design of this steelbook.

[Indiana Jonezzz...]

Hmm, the UK one is in HMV's 5 for £30, so £6. The German works out at about £14 to import. Are the few seconds of extra footage and sound quality worth the extra £8?

[Vito Cipriani]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jonezzz...

Hmm, the UK one is in HMV's 5 for £30, so £6. The German works out at about £14 to import. Are the few seconds of extra footage and sound quality worth the extra £8?

I'm a fan of the film, so I'd say yes; for me, the German release was worth the extra expense owing to the inclusion of the commentary by Goldblatt and the workprint too.

This link explores the cuts to the R-rated version: http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=4918

[Indiana Jonezzz...]

Originally Posted by Vito Cipriani

I'm a fan of the film, so I'd say yes; for me, the German release was worth the extra expense owing to the inclusion of the commentary by Goldblatt and the workprint too.

This link explores the cuts to the R-rated version: http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=4918

Thanks for that. Yeah, the German is obviously the best one, but it also depends on how big a fan of the film you are I suppose. Ideally I'd probably go for that one, but I don't even know how much I'll like the film itself! The cheaper UK one might suffice.

[Donut]

Was wondering which release is the one you guys recommend.

I saw that the Japanese release has four versions of the film in 1080p and lossless audio. That sounds like a good package but am not sure if there was a better release or one that was more worthwhile.

[agenda]

Originally Posted by Donut

Was wondering which release is the one you guys recommend.

Koch Media (2017) release

Read these:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=125

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=127

[Donut]

Originally Posted by agenda

Koch Media (2017) release

Read these:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=125

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=127

I had my eye on that one originally but wasn't sure if the Happinet release was the better option.

[WaverBoy]

Both the Koch Blu and Umbrella Blu are essential IMO — the Koch Blu for the unrated film in full HD and true stereo, and the Umbrella Blu for its anamorphic work print (the work print on the Koch Blu is non-anamorphic). I think the entire opening sequence showing Castle’s relationship with his partner and his family as well as the first battle with the gangsters is absolutely crucial to the film, so I always watch that sequence on the Umbrella and then switch to the Koch Blu for the unrated film proper. A fanedit of this film that includes the original opening sequence would be fantastic.

And finally, this film is just awesome, and I fail to understand why it gets no respect — it’s the first (and best IMO) live-action Marvel movie, with incredibly creative direction and editing on a low budget, super stylish and violent, so cool it even influenced John Woo’s HARD-BOILED I believe — the assault on the rival gang’s warehouse in that film is so similar to the dock scene in THE PUNISHER that it can’t be just a coincidence...

[Donut]

The Koch Media 2 Disc Uncut Special Edition shows the specs as:

Disc 1 (Bluray)
Unrated Version
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo

Disc 2 (DVD)
Workprint Cut (93:34)
English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo

Umbrella specs show as:

'R' rated theatrical cut (89:05, 1080p)
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English LPCM 2.0 Mono

unrated version (89:16, 480i)
English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo

Workprint cut (97:44, 720p)
English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo


The Happinet release shows having:

Unrated cut (89:22) 1080p AVC MPEG-4
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo

US R-rated (89:06)1080p AVC MPEG-4
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo

Workprint cut - Beta Tape master (97:32)1080p AVC MPEG-4
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo

Workprint cut - HD with Beta Tape inserts (97:32) 1080p AVC MPEG-4
English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo



Cant tell if its all the same stuff on each release or not.

I remember seeing the workprint version a great long time ago. I thought the opening was something that should never have been removed. As well as showing more of the relationship with Castle and his former friends.

I remember watching the movie in the early 90s and it wasnt very appealing because it just seemed like the typical action movie with lots of guns. Wasnt till many years later that I rewatched it and found myself really enjoying it. I liked it a lot more than the Thomas Jane film. Thats why I am looking to find the best release on blu that has both the unrated and the early cut in HD.

[WaverBoy]

Wow, it looks like the Happinet includes the full-length workprint version of the film in HD except for the workprint-only beta inserts. That sounds like just the ticket!

[Donut]

yea, thats the closest to having a good looking version of the movie but with the added footage inserted. The only thing is the price of that release being quite high. I wanted to be sure if any of you knew of the best version based on your own purchases.

[Surge92]

I wouldn't mind having this movie in my collection. I haven't seen it since it aired on pay cable back in the very early '90s. I remember liking the movie, but being disappointed that the skull shirt is nowhere to be seen. So the Japanese blu-ray is preferable to the Koch Media one? I know KM usually does top-notch work, whereas I'm suspicious of Japanese release transfers.

[Vanguard]

Originally Posted by Surge92

I wouldn't mind having this movie in my collection. I haven't seen it since it aired on pay cable back in the very early '90s. I remember liking the movie, but being disappointed that the skull shirt is nowhere to be seen. So the Japanese blu-ray is preferable to the Koch Media one? I know KM usually does top-notch work, whereas I'm suspicious of Japanese release transfers.

I do not own it, but it seems the only upside to the Happinet release is the workprint version in "HD". The Beta tape inserts spliced into the regular (assuming) unrated HD version.

I have the Steelbook Koch version, and I love it. The audio is only Dolby Digital 2.0, but it authentically replicates the original theatrical Dolby Stereo mix.

[Jerry_Dam]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

I do not own it, but it seems the only upside to the Happinet release is the workprint version in "HD". The Beta tape inserts spliced into the regular (assuming) unrated HD version.

- The workprint version is presented both in its 4/3 LETTERBOXED "Beta", cropped into a widescreen, and third as spliced together with the HD (I own this edition).

- 2 additional deleted scenes (Berkowitz quitting the force and emptying his desk, and him visiting Sam at the hospital are presented as extras but only dubbed in Japanese...

- Sound is in DTS-HD MA on the unrated version of the film (not the workprint that is)

- The image is as good as the Koch remastered release.

[WaverBoy]

Anyone know if the Happinet Blu can be had anywhere for less than $100? That’s the going rate for a used copy on Amazon Japan.

[Eibon]

While I like the notion of having a workprint composite, I really think the German release is the winner and cheap too. The uncut feature is peerless and the commentary makes it clear that the opening was deliberately jettisoned as it is redundant and better serving as flashback character development. Personally I think the movie doesnt need the extra scenes. Its a nifty little movie as it stands. I have the gorgeous steelbook which includes the dvd workprint so I get to have it every which way. There are fan edits out there that do the same composite work but I dont value them.

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by Eibon

While I like the notion of having a workprint composite, I really think the German release is the winner and cheap too. The uncut feature is peerless and the commentary makes it clear that the opening was deliberately jettisoned as it is redundant and better serving as flashback character development. Personally I think the movie doesnt need the extra scenes. Its a nifty little movie as it stands. I have the gorgeous steelbook which includes the dvd workprint so I get to have it every which way. There are fan edits out there that do the same composite work but I dont value them.

I disagree 100% — the opening sequence is vital in establishing the relationship with his family and partner, and makes everything that comes afterward more compelling. Not remotely redundant IMO. I think Goldblatt made a bad call.

[Donut]

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

Anyone know if the Happinet Blu can be had anywhere for less than $100? That’s the going rate for a used copy on Amazon Japan.

Couldnt find it elsewhere.Amazon Japan has it for what looks to be $55 but its showing as Temporarily Out of Stock.

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

I disagree 100% — the opening sequence is vital in establishing the relationship with his family and partner, and makes everything that comes afterward more compelling. Not remotely redundant IMO. I think Goldblatt made a bad call.

Exactly.
It gives a lot more character depth in that these 3 cops were close friends and then tragedy struck and everything kinda got screwed up.For me, that's the equivalent of what the newer film had with its family massacre.

[Eibon]

I think viewers get that without being spoonfed a dramatisation. At least that's what multi award winning editor and director Mark Goldblatt thinks. But hey, what does he know, right?

[WaverBoy]

Originally Posted by Eibon

I think viewers get that without being spoonfed a dramatisation. At least that's what multi award winning editor and director Mark Goldblatt thinks. But hey, what does he know, right?

It’s ok if we disagree, really.