Dune (1984)

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Let me clear up the confusion because I am probably the biggest Dune nut on the planet. The only way to watch the extended cut in Region A/1 up until now has been the U.S. 2006 steelbook DVD as I own it. It's a flipper disc with the theatrical cut on one side and the extended cut on the other. I personally like the extended cut, but prefer the theatrical cut. Is this DE disc of the extended cut region free? If it is I will import it.

Its not the only way because I used to own the extended cut on DVD and it wasnt a flipper - it was a standalone release. Horrible quality though.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

I saw this on TV when it was first on [I had seen the movie in the theater as well]. I actually like it a lot. I bought the region 2 DVD recently.

I also like the original Dune and own that on bluray.

The TV cut tries to give greater plot explanation. I liked the intro but since at that time I LOVED Virginia Madsen [ever seen Creator?] I also like the original opening.

Lynch Dune is for purists

TV Dune is for the masses

I'd pick Lynch Dune over TV Dune but glad to have both.

Hmmm I dont know about that! Im not sure the "masses" are that interested in the extended TV cut which will be of dubious quality - only Dune freaks and Lynch freaks are going to be that interested in a blu-ray of this version I would think. Myself included!

[Viper187]

Originally Posted by mhp68

Finding this thread make me think the same thing about the Sci Fi Channel series, I did find these at Blu-ray.com from Amazon.fr:




Blu-ray.com users have reported both as region A comptable for those of us in the US according to their listing details, but not sure of picture/audio quality. I had these in my basket and was going to import, but at $77 USD, could not bring myself pull the trigger, that's a lot for 2 blu rays. I really want these but for much cheaper.

I've been wondering about PQ too. Also looks like Dune is a stupid digibook, which I hate. I'm also disappointed the feature is split on multiple discs again. I hated this on DVD, and I still do. They can stick 5 episodes of 24/whatever on a disc. They can damn well fit this on one disc. The sequel definitely isn't worth upgrading to blu (for me).

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

Its not the only way because I used to own the extended cut on DVD and it wasnt a flipper - it was a standalone release. Horrible quality though.

Right, it was horrible quality. It received a new master for the 2006 DVD release.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by posthaste

I ordered it.

I'll let you know if it's region free in "5 working days."

Has it arrived yet?

Price has gone up on amazon...

[saprano]

Is this worth a blind buy? I do like space sci fi stuff.

EDIT-

Actually, i just remembered i downloaded it from somewhere on my computer a long time ago. I never watched the whole thing. Only a few minutes of the beginning. It seemed slow. I'll give it another check.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by posthaste

I ordered it.

I'll let you know if it's region free in "5 working days."

Posthaste, you're killing me here! Is it region free? Is it 4:3 as listed on the back cover? How's the PQ?

[posthaste]

Originally Posted by thebard

Posthaste, you're killing me here! Is it region free? Is it 4:3 as listed on the back cover? How's the PQ?

The US Post Office was closed yesterday due to the federal holiday (Columbus Day).

I'll check the box this evening. Don't worry, I'll let you guys know as soon as I do.

Just an aside, I expect the quality to be poor, but I don't have the 2006 flipper DVD to compare it to. So, if this German blu-ray does turn out to be region free, the next question is just how bad is it?

[thebard]

Originally Posted by posthaste

The US Post Office was closed yesterday due to the federal holiday (Columbus Day).

I'll check the box this evening. Don't worry, I'll let you guys know as soon as I do.

Just an aside, I expect the quality to be poor, but I don't have the 2006 flipper DVD to compare it to. So, if this German blu-ray does turn out to be region free, the next question is just how bad is it?

Ah, yes... forgot about Columbus Day, it's not emphasized so much here on the "left" coast.

As far as PQ, if it indeed retains the full framing for the 4:3 segments, I think it marks the first release to do so since the japanese laserdisc (which typically sells for >$100).

Staying tuned...

[posthaste]

I finally have my hands on the German DUNE Extended TV Version.

1. It's Region Free
2. 4:3 "Full HD 1080p"
3. 177 minutes running time.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by posthaste

I finally have my hands on the German DUNE Extended TV Version.

1. It's Region Free
2. 4:3 "Full HD 1080p"
3. 177 minutes running time.

What's the audio specs? Also, what is your opinion on the PQ?

[thebard]

Originally Posted by posthaste

I finally have my hands on the German DUNE Extended TV Version.

1. It's Region Free
2. 4:3 "Full HD 1080p"
3. 177 minutes running time.

1. Good
2. Great
3. Fantastic

I actually pulled the trigger on this as well. Real curious to hear what you thing of the PQ... I'm hoping at least a step above the laserdisc.

[posthaste]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

What's the audio specs? Also, what is your opinion on the PQ?

English audio is DD 2.0

I'll watch it tomorrow and let you know about the PQ.

[Blades1370]

Originally Posted by Viper187

I've been wondering about PQ too. Also looks like Dune is a stupid digibook, which I hate. I'm also disappointed the feature is split on multiple discs again. I hated this on DVD, and I still do. They can stick 5 episodes of 24/whatever on a disc. They can damn well fit this on one disc. The sequel definitely isn't worth upgrading to blu (for me).

Does anyone actually own either the French or German TV mini-series of Dune or Children of Dune and care to comment about the PQ of the releases?

I have been eying these releases for some time, and don't want to bother frankly if they are crap. I know the French disc of Children is 1080i and the German one is supposed to be 1080p, but neither has an official review. Nor is there is review anywhere I could find for the French release of the Dune TV mini-series.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by posthaste

2. 4:3 "Full HD 1080p"

Huh? In other words, pan-and-scan, not 2.35:1?

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by posthaste

English audio is DD 2.0

I'll watch it tomorrow and let you know about the PQ.

Since it doesn't have lossless audio I will wait for 6 Euros or less.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Huh? In other words, pan-and-scan, not 2.35:1?

Not quite. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on any points, but:

While the theatrical footage was widescreen, when Uni assembled the tv cut they (1) added still artwork for the intro which was formatted to 4:3, (2) included additional footage with unfinished effects outside the 4:3 framing, and (3) stretched/cropped some other shots. All this basically led to a made-for-4:3 tv framing.

When the extended version dvd was released several years ago in the US, they opened it up for widescreen viewing. What this meant was, the still art got cropped top & bottom, and some of the unfinished effects were revealed.

There are a number of other unfinished effects unrelated to the framing, simply because the footage was intended to end up on the cutting room floor for the theatrical release.

At least that's how I remember it; it's been a while since I've watched this version.

[jlyon1515]

Exciting to news about the HD extended edition. I had watched the theatrical edition so many times, it was great watching the extended DVD to get a new perspective on some of the events. That extended version does a great job of explaining the planets and the political issues, something that is harder to understand in the theatrical release.

Can't wait to hear what posthaste has to say about PQ.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by thebard

While the theatrical footage was widescreen, when Uni assembled the tv cut they (1) added still artwork for the intro which was formatted to 4:3, (2) included additional footage with unfinished effects outside the 4:3 framing, and (3) stretched/cropped some other shots. All this basically led to a made-for-4:3 tv framing.

When the extended version dvd was released several years ago in the US, they opened it up for widescreen viewing. What this meant was, the still art got cropped top & bottom, and some of the unfinished effects were revealed.

There are a number of other unfinished effects unrelated to the framing, simply because the footage was intended to end up on the cutting room floor for the theatrical release.

Well, screw that, then. I'd rather get all the extended footage in its original 2.35:1 scope format and deal with the cropping of ten minutes' worth of specious art, as we have on the DVD's extended edition, than the reverse, where we get the full square frame of the artwork but the entire film proper is cropped to 4:3.

[bboisvert]

Originally Posted by Filmmaker

Well, screw that, then. I'd rather get all the extended footage in its original 2.35:1 scope format and deal with the cropping of ten minutes' worth of specious art, as we have on the DVD's extended edition, than the reverse, where we get the full square frame of the artwork but the entire film proper is cropped to 4:3.

I agree. Although, ideally, I'd love to have the "book intro w/art" in 4:3 and then have the film "open up" to 2:35:1 when the credits begin.

I honestly have no clue why Uni didn't do that in the first place. Makes too much sense, I guess...