The Fountain - European releases

[Mr Hand]

As this title will probably be released by different companies across Europe, we will end up with various Blu-ray with different encodings, PQ/AQ, languages, subtitles, etc, so I suggest listing their specifications and reviews in this thread.

United Kingdom - 20th Century Fox - 2007
Region: B (locked)
Video: MPEG-2
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, Finish, French, Norwegian, Swedish, English for the hearing impaired
Reviews : ?

Spain - 20th Century Fox - 2007 - Release title : "La Fuente de la Vida"
Region: B (probably locked)
Video: probably MPEG-2
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish (Castellano) 5.1 DTS, Italian 5.1 DTS
Subtitles: English, Spanish (Castellano), Italian
Reviews : none, back cover here : http://www.index-dvd.com/la-fuente-d...tras-8599.html

France - TF1 Vidéo - March 19, 2009
Region: B (locked)
Video: AVC MPEG-4
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English & French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: French (maybe forced)
Reviews : (in French) http://www.dvdrama.com/rw_fiche-11151-.php

Germany - Arthaus/Kinowelt - announced September 18, 2009
Region: B (Most likely locked)
Video: AVC MPEG-4
Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
Audio: English & German 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: German (Forced ?)
Reviews :

Any additional information or specs confirmation on existing or future releases is welcome.

For the record, the US specs :

USA - Warner Bros. - 2007
Region: free
Video: VC-1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Reviews : plenty of them, just try Google

In addition , I have a question to the owners of the UK release : could they confirm that there are actually French subtitles on this one (I've read contradictory information on this) ? Thanks.

[*TIMMIE*]

The UK version has French subtitles. It is playing on my Home Cinema Set right now. The audio is English DTS HD MA only. No dubs (as it should be ). The AQ is outstanding! Very dynamic. The PQ is great. 30 MBPS +

The French edition will probably be DTS HD MA as well. Subs may be forced when the original audiotrack is chosen.

[Mr Hand]

Thanks

Could you comment on Picture and Audio Quality ? Particularly on PQ, as MPEG-2 has not been hailed as a great codec.

Based on TF1's usual policy, you're correct about the upcoming French release, additionaly the video codec will probably be AVC/MPEG-4 and the release will be region B only. However I'm waiting for an official annoucement to confirm this.

[*TIMMIE*]

I think nothing is wrong with the PQ. But check this out:

http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/Reviews...ws.asp?ID=7861

Allthough mentioned the sharpness and darkness are what I believe a director's choice.

The AQ is great, as stated in my previous post. It's surrounding, with a very active bass and the surrounds are used often.

I love this movie and the BR is a great upgrade.

[Mr Hand]

Update after the release of the French blu-ray. Any additional input or review is welcome.

[Mr Hand]

Update after the announcement of the german release on September 18th. No technical details found yet.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Specs I have seen for the German are:
Region: B (Most likely locked)
Video: 1080p MPEG4-AVC
Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, German DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles: German (Forced ?)

[Mr Hand]

Thanks, head post updated

[KubrickFan]

I had hoped they would put the audio commentary Aronofsky recorded for his website on the Blu-ray. Too bad.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

I had hoped they would put the audio commentary Aronofsky recorded for his website on the Blu-ray. Too bad.

He wanted to put a commentary on the BR (and DVD), but Warner basically said no. That is why he released it as an mp3 after the movie came out. Since no commentary existed prior to the release, that is probably why no release has it. Only chance of seeing that commentary on an actual BR disc is if Criterion releases a copy (like Aronofsky wants).

[quexos]

Hey I saw this movie on the big screen like a year or two ago. It was very strange, a bit new-age.

[throughglassdarkly]

Does anyone know how the German Kinowelt release's PQ compares to the TF1, and if there are forced subs? I'm trying to decide between the TF1 (which definitely has forced subs) and the Kinowelt releases.

[_Mat]

I can't tell you for the german release but the french one may still come with the limited steelbook which I must say is really nice!

++ Mat

[SolutionbubbleS]

Hey,

my german "Fountain" BD is on its way, so in a few days I can report if the subs are forced or not...

But I do not have the ability to compare the picture to the french release, but as they share the codec, I think the are the same. Plus the fact that "Kinowelt" generaly does a good job on BDs.

As soon as I get the BD you hear from me...

[SolutionbubbleS]

As promissed, here is my little report on the German "Kinowelt" Blu-ray of "The Fountain" (http://www.amazon.de/Fountain-Blu-ra...0017113&sr=1-2)

- NO forced subtitles
- Uncut (You can never know in good old Germany )
- 1,5 core DTS-Track (on both languages)
- "reverse-cover" (Is this the right english term?) (I mean: cover printed on both sides, one without the age-restriction-button.)
- better PQ than the UK BD (At least I had the impression on my setup.)
- bitrate around 27 Mbps (flipped a little through the movie on my PS3)

I think the "unforced" subtitles make this the best available version right now; but remember: it is B-locked!

I do not have a Blu-ray drive an my PC, otherwise I would have given you more detailed informations, but I hope I could help!

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by SolutionbubbleS

I think the "unforced" subtitles make this the best available version right now; but remember: it is B-locked!

Are you sure about it being locked to Region B, or are you just going off the packaging? Region A users need a good version of this movie on Blu-ray.

[SolutionbubbleS]

Hey,

I'm not sure, but as I thougt this is fact, as someone before mentioned it in the thread...

But as I wrote, I do not have the equipment to check it...

[gmoberon]

Can someone please confirm that the German release of the Fountain is region locked?

[surfdude12]

WB sucks: give us lossless and aranofsky's commentary!

maybe we should start a criterion petition

[4LOM]

Originally Posted by gmoberon

Can someone please confirm that the German release of the Fountain is region locked?

I can confirm, that it's locked to region "B".

I want to do a screenshot comparison with the German DVD in the future.