Ghost Dog (Jim Jarmusch)

[pro-bassoonist]

Jim Jarmusch's Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) has received a preliminary release date for the Gallic markets: February 16th. Nominated for Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.



Pro-B

[AnimeOnBlu]

AmazonFR Preorder
FNAC Preorder

Release is by BAC, which probably means forced French Subs.

[scanachick]

I just love this movie and its soundtrack! Its great that such a relatively small production gets a Blu-ray treatment! Scan

[Kynch]

Cover update:

[scanachick]

Bought it in France while on holiday. I was completely amazed by the transfer - wasn't expecting it to be so good - what a treat it was to watch this excellent movie in 1080p! Would be worthwhile to review this release I think - or at least include it in the blu-ray database.

Problem though are the forced subs and no bonus material...

Scan

[pro-bassoonist]

Actually, BAC's release is 1080/50i.

Pro-B

[Immersion]

I remember seeing a D-Theater version and looked stunning, so it would be great to see this on Blu-ray. I have the DVD as well. Are there no plans for a version without forced subs?

[scanachick]

errata: the release IS in the database .... I hadn't tagged French releases in my settings for search results . Scan

[Immersion]

Originally Posted by scanachick

Bought it in France while on holiday. I was completely amazed by the transfer - wasn't expecting it to be so good - what a treat it was to watch this excellent movie in 1080p! Would be worthwhile to review this release I think - or at least include it in the blu-ray database.

Problem though are the forced subs and no bonus material...

Scan

I just wanted to check with others who have the BD; does it really have forced French subtitles? I have heard someone say their copy doesn't have, and they are selectable. I don't know of any other version of this film, and I wanted to make sure before I purchased it.

Thanks

[totentanz]

I'd also like to know if this has forced subs or not!

[gvortex7]

Come on Lionsgate, please release this in the US already! I love this movie but don't want a region B locked version with forced subs. More people need to get acquainted with this great indie flick. Along with Down by Law and Night on Earth, this is one of Jarmusch' best movies.

[scanachick]

Originally Posted by Immersion

I just wanted to check with others who have the BD; does it really have forced French subtitles? I have heard someone say their copy doesn't have, and they are selectable. I don't know of any other version of this film, and I wanted to make sure before I purchased it.

Thanks

Sorry for the late reply, I don't check this forum very often.

I re-checked the disc and it only gives you 2 possibilities:

1. Film in French
2. Film in English with French subtitles

... but what a mesmerizing film and the music....

Scan

[toddly6666]

I would assume that many French blu-ray owners like to watch their movies in the original language sometimes, without forced subs too!

[Professeur Shadoko]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

I would assume that many French blu-ray owners like to watch their movies in the original language sometimes, without forced subs too!

Well, not so many, in my opinion. Perhaps only those who are bilingual or who want to improve their English. I am French and I can follow an English-speaking film, but it is hard for me to understand 100% of what is said (especially if characters have thick accents or speak fast). So I always watch foreign films in their original language with French subtitles. I also own some region-A Blu-ray which do not contain French subtitles: in that case, I watch them with English subtitles.

Anyway, independant compagnies like Bac Films or Wild Side force French subtitles for legal reasons: they do not own the movies themselves and only purchase the rights to release them on Blu-ray in limited territories, so forcing subtitles is made in order to prevent the discs to be sold elsewhere.

[scanachick]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

I would assume that many French blu-ray owners like to watch their movies in the original language sometimes, without forced subs too!

I suspect that some distributors are forced to do this because they only have a limited territorial license (in this case France), so as to avoid too many export sales which would contravene the license agreement.

.... because technically speaking, it is very simple to add the option to suppress the subs on the discs

(shoot, I just realised that I am repeating what was said above.... sorry)

Scan

[Immersion]

Originally Posted by scanachick

Sorry for the late reply, I don't check this forum very often.

I re-checked the disc and it only gives you 2 possibilities:

1. Film in French
2. Film in English with French subtitles

... but what a mesmerizing film and the music....

Scan

No problem, thanks for your answer! And I agree, it is a great film, that I watch every year and each time I forget how great it is. I recently bought Limits of Control on Blu-ray (German edition), and it is a shame as I do prefer Ghost Dog.

[Bad Sandwich]

Could someone describe the aprox. size and position of the French subs in the frame when listening to the English track? Depending on size/position it could be possible for Oppo owners like me to force them offscreen entirely.

[The Driver]

Just noticed this release.

Pity about the forced subtitles.

[I KEEL YOU]

I find it weird that there is such a thing as forced subtitles. One could argue that subtitles interfere with the overall visual experience of the movie and as a consumer, there should always be an option to remove them.

[andreasy969]

Originally Posted by scanachick

I re-checked the disc and it only gives you 2 possibilities:

1. Film in French
2. Film in English with French subtitles

Could you please check again if the French subs can be removed manually via remote? I'm asking because the BAC release of 'Pi' allows you to do so, so it might work here as well.