Alien Nation (1988) - April 06, 2016

[Monty Cora]

Originally Posted by Nissen

Now, I didn't see this theatrically, but my VHS (long gone) had those subs, and the US DVD had them. Can anyone help me dispute or prove the claim that the subs weren't meant to be there?

They are definitely misunderstanding. I saw it theatrically, and have owned it on every format since. This is the first time there have been no subs for the Newcomer language. And it's not as though the subs are just chit-chat, there is actual plot-relevant info there.

[Sky_Captain]

Pre-order cancelled...

[bigrob]

The subs are also on the UK DVD but they don't automatically come on.

Saved myself a few £££ now thanks to the people on here. I'll wait for the Twilight Time version

[mikey 6]

As I mentioned in the Umbrella Night of the Creeps thread, there is a similar issue with that blu wherein the alien dialogue at the start does not have subtitles where it should.
You can switch subs on with your remote to get the subtitling - can this not be done with Alien Nation? Obviously it's more of a problem with AN than NOTC as that one is just a few lines at the beginning....

[Nissen]

Originally Posted by mikey 6

As I mentioned in the Umbrella Night of the Creeps thread, there is a similar issue with that blu wherein the alien dialogue at the start does not have subtitles where it should.
You can switch subs on with your remote to get the subtitling - can this not be done with Alien Nation? Obviously it's more of a problem with AN than NOTC as that one is just a few lines at the beginning....

Unfortunately no. There isn't a subtitle stream of any kind on the disc.

[Nissen]

Originally Posted by Region_unlocked

I think Umbrella may be misinterpreting what their licensor is telling them. They seem to think they mean the movie itself never had subs, when in reality the licensor probably meant that transfer is supposed to be missing baked in subs, because they're expected to provide player-generated subs for those scenes.

Yeah, I agree, this is how I read it too, but I think Umbrella are being wilfully obtuse so they can hide behind their interpretation of them not being at fault.

I may take the time to tell them just that :-)

[Nissen]

My follow-up email to Umbrella:
"Hi again.

Thank you for your prompt response to my query. I have checked around with other fans of the film and believe your licensor is in error as to the subtitles not being part of the original film. While the subtitles are not part of the materials you received they most assuredly were meant to be included as player-generated subtitles. I can appreciate your position, and that of your licensor, but I still believe this to be an honest mistake that needs rectification. I know for a fact that there are fans who feel so strongly about this that they have cancelled their orders of the disc.

Kind regards,"

I mean, I get why they wouldn't want to 'fess up to this being a mistake, but here's hoping they take the high road. I am not really optimistic, but it doesn't hurt to try. If more people would reach out to Umbrella (through their website), perhaps they will listen?

[Region_unlocked]

Originally Posted by Nissen

If more people would reach out to Umbrella (through their website), perhaps they will listen?

Umbrella Entertainment's Facebook page is apparently "Very responsive to messages"
Screenshot_2016-04-15-11-41-49-1.jpg
and they "typically [reply] within a few minutes."
Just thought I'd point that out.

[Nissen]

Originally Posted by Region_unlocked

Umbrella Entertainment's Facebook page is apparently "Very responsive to messages"
Attachment 139848
and they "typically [reply] within a few minutes."
Just thought I'd point that out.

.... or you could do that new-fangled Facebook-thing..

(showing my age, here, ha ha.)

[hypnotoad8128]

Sounds to me like Umbrella didn't want to pay licensing fees for the subtitles on this release.

[rdodolak]

The Blu-ray.com review was recently posted:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Alien...150266/#Review

[LordCrumb]

I am a little surprised by the total lack of Special Features on this one.. Umbrella usually give us something, even if it's minor.. might have to wait a little while and see what other studios might pick the title up.

[Region_unlocked]

Holy crap! This disc is region free? I was totally expecting it to be B locked considering it's a 20th Century Fox title. Hmm, maybe "Enemy Mine" will end up being region free too then.

[Region_unlocked]

Umbrella has changed their tune on the subtitle issue, I sent them basically the same message Nissen did and I got this reply back:

Originally Posted by Umbrella Entertainment customer service

Hi Region_Unlocked
Many thanks for contacting.
We understand that this is a problem.
Currently this is high on our agenda to fix and we are looking through various possibilities of how that can happen.

Regards

[nitin]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

I am a little surprised by the total lack of Special Features on this one.. Umbrella usually give us something, even if it's minor.. might have to wait a little while and see what other studios might pick the title up.

Twilight Time has US rights, so unless someone else releases it in Germany or the UK, the only other option is likely to be quite a lot pricier.

[Nissen]

Originally Posted by Region_unlocked

Umbrella has changed their tune on the subtitle issue, I sent them basically the same message Nissen did and I got this reply back:

Yah, I just got that one too:

"Many thanks for contacting.
Currently this is high on our agenda to fix and we are looking through various possibilities of how that can happen.

Regards......"

[bigrob]

glad they are looking into it

I've got Enemy Mine on order with them at the mo. Were there any burnt in subtitles for that film. I haven't seen it in such a long time i can't remember.

**EDIT** just checked the listing and it does say on Umbrellas website that it includes English subtitles. I presume this this is just a port of the TT disc

[Region_unlocked]

I emailed Umbrella again asking how the updated disc was coming.

Originally Posted by Umbrella Entertainment Customer Service

Dear Customer,
We are currently still working on fixing the issue of the Blu Ray release having no subtitles.
The issue has not been fixed yet.
Once it is fixed we will announce the change.

Regards,
Customer service

So it's probably safe to say don't buy this disc until Umbrella announces that fixed version.

[james82au]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Any chance we might see a release for the TV Series?

i hope so the tv show was awesome

[bradenklune]

I watched the blu yesterday and I think that, unless you've never seen the film before, the missing alien subs are not a big issue. There are only really two scenes (for a total of probably less than 2 minutes) that have extended alien dialogue. If there is a replacement program in the future and it is run like the X-Files replacements (send them proof of purchase and they send the new disc without needing a return on the old) I would go for it. Otherwise I don't think I'd bother.
If adding this to your collection is not a pressing concern, I would just wait to see if there is a reissue.