Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection (1931-1954)

[slick1ru2]

Got my UK set today. Watched Dracula tonight. Just amazing. As they say in the extra on the restoration, they have it looking like it did on release day. The weird thing is, now watching the Spanish version, that there is a section during Renfield at Dracula's castle and the boat trip to England that the movie isn't restored but before and after it is. Also the hiss is still in the English version, but much better while the Spanish version has virtually no hiss.

[charlieray1]

My UK set arrived today (California.) Checked a few minutes of each film -- remarkable! They look great. Watched Dracula tonight -- a major upgrade over my old DVD, especially in the sound. Much fuller, without the distorted, muffled sound the DVD had. I'm thrilled over-all.

My only minor complaint is the packaging -- I'm sure the US version is nicer. The UK box/slipcase is very flimsy, and in fact it arrived badly creased on the top and bottom with some corner damage. Not enough to return, but noticeable. However, at less than half the price, I'll live.

A real thrill to see the movies look like this. I enjoyed Dracula more than ever!

[MaskedRider]

I finished watching Dracula and am just about to finish up Frankenstein.

I have to admit, I forgot how BORING Dracula is! I've never been a fan of Dracula but thought I'd give it a go around. The lack of music and the incredibly long shots and even the shots from really far away for no reason just make this a snooze fest. I know Tod Browning was a silent film director and was used to making films like that and that it was still the infancy of talkies but seriously... BORING!

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by charlieray1

My only minor complaint is the packaging -- I'm sure the US version is nicer. The UK box/slipcase is very flimsy...

I very much doubt that the U.S. version will be "nicer". After a dozen years of buying 1200 DVDs and 520 Blu-rays, I've seen a lot of boxes and slip cases. I just checked my case with about 50 boxed sets and the UK Universal monsters box is constructed exactly the same as every other box. I don't why the U.S. box would suddenly be sturdier than the boxes they've been using for the last 12 years.

[bigshot]

The book in the US version is perfectbound with heavy stock, and the book with the disks has postcard stock pages that are beautifully printed. The box is pretty average, but it appears to be printed on some sort of silver foil. Very, very nice packaging. Much better than average.

[Troy73]

Originally Posted by Franchot

Got my UK box on the West Coast today. No padding in the shipping box, but the set was in great shape.

Now, I'm curious as to what that French coffin set is going to look like. When does that start shipping/arriving?

+1

I would like to see anyone who has the french coffin post it up as well.

[sancho]

The US set is beautiful IMO!
Glad I spent the extra $$ and bought the US set.

[MykeHavoc]

So, have any of the US board members received their UK set through USPS yet? Wondering if that makes a difference in the speed.

[moviebuff75]

The US set is so much more beautiful in person than the pictures. The silver on the outer box really makes the monsters come alive. The monster lineup of all the characters on the last page with the discs is awesome, along with all of the vintage artwork. The booklet is very well done and contains tons of great information and artwork. I was really pleasantly surprised when I received this. It's one of my favorite boxed sets. The films themselves look pristine and sound fantastic. I'm beyond thrilled with this set. It's everything I hoped it would be when this was first announced, and I will treasure it for many years to come.

[nazdar]

Originally Posted by john01824

Blu-ray discs are pretty hard to scratch especially if they are just rubbing against each other. The UK sets look like they have the slightly offset hubs to prevent them from even touching. Now if you want to talk about the US sets for "Sanctuary" or "Haven" where you have discs stacked on top of each other I would agree. For the $50 savings you could get yourself some Blu-ray cases and just print up your own cover art. I'm going to end up doing that for both this set and "Bond 50". I like to be able to grab the individual movies without having to pull apart the whole set case. Also, it's easier(space wise) to have the coffin set just sit up on top of my shelf like I did with my "Blind Dead" set case.

oh yea but i dont like the hub bub and the plastic accordion but i love the cardboard book and its less trouble to use it than make a new set ... but i will buy an empty us set if i can get one ... or

[Kryptonic]

My UK set arrived yesterday! Very nice indeed!

[MovieFanatic2010]

Originally Posted by Aerodude73

Latest info (DHL Global)



I'm expecting this by Thursday.

My order has been stuck in Secaucus, NJ since the 8th.

[Deezer1986]

Watched Dracula last night. Absolutely stunning! And to compare, right afterwards, I popped in my dvd copy and it's like night and day! Yes, there's some hiss on the blu-ray, but the dvd sounded like there was a huge river right outside where the characters were talking throughout the whole movie! Much better!

[Page14]

Originally Posted by charlieray1

<snip>

My only minor complaint is the packaging -- I'm sure the US version is nicer. The UK box/slipcase is very flimsy, and in fact it arrived badly creased on the top and bottom with some corner damage. Not enough to return, but noticeable. However, at less than half the price, I'll live.

<snip>

Originally Posted by bigshot

The book in the US version is perfectbound with heavy stock, and the book with the disks has postcard stock pages that are beautifully printed. The box is pretty average, but it appears to be printed on some sort of silver foil. Very, very nice packaging. Much better than average.

Originally Posted by sancho

The US set is beautiful IMO!
Glad I spent the extra $$ and bought the US set.

I'm glad to see others chime in their thoughts on the packaging. It seems that the price difference has been by far the greatest motivator on choosing the UK version over the US version. The packaging difference seems to be getting a little bit overlooked.

I know you're all loving your new Monster sets whether you bought it from the US or the UK ... and I feel like I'm in the minority saying that I like the design of the US package better than the UK. It just looks classier and better constructed to me. That's strictly my own opinion. I DO NOT like slipping a bare disc into cardboard sleeves or the possibility of having bits of glue sticking to the edges of the discs though. That's what is mainly keeping me on the fence ... that and the much higher price. I might spring for the US set if it was closer to say $70 or $80 instead of over $100.

I'm a person that has enough "clutter" around the house that I don't see the need/want for separate postcards of each film. (For me, they would just be tossed aside anyway ... kind of like the way a person looks at birthday cards). I really like that the US set incorporates the postcard pics into the packaging. You still get to see them ... but they aren't floating around loose. Again just my personal opinion as I know many of you love having them separately. In the US set, I also like how the special features for each movie are printed on each movie's respective sleeve. And finally, it looks to be well constructed ... not too flimsy.

On the UK side, I like that they use the plastic hubs to hold the blurays in place much better than the dreaded cardboard sleeve found on the US version. And the design isn't that bad at all ... it just comes down to personal preference.

So for now, I guess I'm in my own little personal limbo.

In any case, enjoy your Monsters!!! Bwa-ha-ha-haaaaaah ...

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by MovieFanatic2010

My order has been stuck in Secaucus, NJ since the 8th.

Mine was there but hasn't done "much" since.

10/9/2012 03:07 AM ET Secaucus, NJ PROCESSED
10/8/2012 09:45 PM ET Secaucus, NJ ARRIVAL ORIGIN DHL GLOBAL MAIL FACILITY
10/8/2012 08:45 PM ET Avenel, NJ PICKED UP BY SHIPPING PARTNER

Still expect it by Friday/Saturday

[NeoMaximuz]

Originally Posted by moviebuff75

The US set is so much more beautiful in person than the pictures. The silver on the outer box really makes the monsters come alive. The monster lineup of all the characters on the last page with the discs is awesome, along with all of the vintage artwork. The booklet is very well done and contains tons of great information and artwork. I was really pleasantly surprised when I received this. It's one of my favorite boxed sets. The films themselves look pristine and sound fantastic. I'm beyond thrilled with this set. It's everything I hoped it would be when this was first announced, and I will treasure it for many years to come.

Stop teasting us!

Honestly, I'm glad you're enjoying it and I'm thrilled to hear it's as awesome as we were all hoping! Mine finally shipped two days ago (ugh), and fingers crossed should be here by Friday!

I've been telling my wife how awesome these movies are and she promised to watch them with me once the set arrives. So the weekend would be perfect!

[UNCMT9]

Can't wait to pop my UK set in tonight. Packaging looks beautiful!

[Jbug]

Originally Posted by Page14

I'm glad to see others chime in their thoughts on the packaging. It seems that the price difference has been by far the greatest motivator on choosing the UK version over the US version. The packaging difference seems to be getting a little bit overlooked.

I know you're all loving your new Monster sets whether you bought it from the US or the UK ... and I feel like I'm in the minority saying that I like the design of the US package better than the UK. It just looks classier and better constructed to me. That's strictly my own opinion. I DO NOT like slipping a bare disc into cardboard sleeves or the possibility of having bits of glue sticking to the edges of the discs though. That's what is mainly keeping me on the fence ... that and the much higher price. I might spring for the US set if it was closer to say $70 or $80 instead of over $100.

I'm a person that has enough "clutter" around the house that I don't see the need/want for separate postcards of each film. (For me, they would just be tossed aside anyway ... kind of like the way a person looks at birthday cards). I really like that the US set incorporates the postcard pics into the packaging. You still get to see them ... but they aren't floating around loose. Again just my personal opinion as I know many of you love having them separately. In the US set, I also like how the special features for each movie are printed on each movie's respective sleeve. And finally, it looks to be well constructed ... not too flimsy.

On the UK side, I like that they use the plastic hubs to hold the blurays in place much better than the dreaded cardboard sleeve found on the US version. And the design isn't that bad at all ... it just comes down to personal preference.

So for now, I guess I'm in my own little personal limbo.

In any case, enjoy your Monsters!!! Bwa-ha-ha-haaaaaah ...

Those are post card size pictures of the theater posters and most view them as collectables.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by Jbug

Those are post card size pictures of the theater posters and most view them as collectables.

Gotcha! I can understand that.

[Page14]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

There's always the third option of buying the UK titles individually. I almost did this (I would have skipped Phantom, Wolf Man and Creature) but it was less expensive just to buy the set.

Right. Definitely worth considering.