If your favorite movie was in P&S only wouls you still buy the DVD? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

George McFly · 06-30-2002, 08:19 PM

me

I do have some P&S DVDs but those I bought when I was new to DVD.

robarnold99 · 06-30-2002, 08:36 PM

If it was absolutely only going to be available in Pan & Scan then yes. Its my favorite movie for a reason, I may not be seeing it as the director intended but I would get it.

Kenshiro 26 · 06-30-2002, 11:02 PM

I wouldn't personally.

If I absolutely had to have a particular film in my collection, i'd track down a version that has the OAR on either Laserdisc or VHS.

Marty McFly · 06-30-2002, 11:11 PM

When it comes to Back to the Future and Ghostbusters, yes. Otherwise (say a regular ordinary release) no.

slateman · 07-01-2002, 03:35 AM

This is a tough one to answer, but there have been a few DVD's I did not buy because they are full screen. The only ones that leap to mind are Fierce Creatures, Death Becomes Her, and Driving Miss Daisy (luckily these were mostly choices for my wife

)

UFO · 07-01-2002, 04:54 AM

IF my FAVORITE movie was P&S ONLY and that's the only version that would EVER exist...would I buy it?

Yes.

Avid · 07-01-2002, 05:02 AM

IKEA_boy · 07-01-2002, 05:37 AM

Probably not.

Bonehead · 07-01-2002, 05:41 AM

If it was Crossroads with Ralph Macchio then the answer is yes.

Like the rest of you I abhor P&S, but my only option now is watching it on P&S VHS. I'm on my third VHS copy having worn out the previous two. In either case I'd be watching it in P&S, but at least it would be on DVD.

dvdjedi · 07-01-2002, 06:37 AM

Well my favorite (Casablanca) is full screen anyway.

But to answer your question: maybe. If it was never going to be released in widescreen then I'd bite the bullet & get it.

Bonehead · 07-01-2002, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonehead
If it was Crossroads with Ralph Macchio then the answer is yes.

Quoting your own post, how silly is that?

An afterthought: What's the best way to find out about planned releases of old catalog titles? I've tried the usual sites suggested in previous threads but most pertain to new titles only. I thought of contacting Columbia Tristar but their webpage has no contact information, not even a feedback link.

Suggestions anyone?

Raf · 07-01-2002, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by George McFly
me
I do have some P&S DVDs but those I bought when I was new to DVD.

Nope.

fischerj · 07-01-2002, 12:04 PM

Sure. I'd prefer not to but if it's my favorite movie...

(Do you think Geroge Lucas's revenge would be to release the original trilogy in P&S?

)

Prancer · 07-01-2002, 12:10 PM

No, I would not buy anything on DVD that was pan and scan. If I really was craving it then I would go out and rent it on VHS or DVD.

Miggy · 07-01-2002, 01:07 PM

Not that it's my favorite movie by far, but I still haven't bought Psycho 2 because I can't get a satisfactory answer if it was originally 1.33:1 or if the DVD case is correct and it is P&S.

Miggy, the Thief

Indyphantom · 07-01-2002, 02:16 PM

If I could find it OAR on laserdisc, that would be my first option. Otherwise, yes. I have a few P&S DVD's, sadly enough.

JakeLipson · 07-01-2002, 02:23 PM

Oh, most definitly.

But as it is, I don't have to -- Aladdin a Disney Platinum Edition and will be in widescreen anamorphic 1:66:1 upon its 2004 release. 2-disc set, too.

bhpaul · 07-01-2002, 05:00 PM

I hate to reward the studio for putting out only a P&S version. By buying it from them, I encourage them to do it further. They may get the message that "people must prefer P&S since they are buying it" or at the very least "people will accept P&S if that is all the studio offers".

My simple solution: If no OAR is available, then I will only buy a P&S version that is USED. This does not reward the studio, since they don't get the sale, nor does it send any messages to them that I do not intend. I end up with apparently the only available version of a favorite film without sabotaging my interests.

**aintnosin** · 07-01-2002, 05:22 PM

No.

I would use the time I would have spent buying and watching it to come to dvdfile.com and bitch and complain about it on the message boards...

John Yaya · 07-02-2002, 01:29 AM

Thankfully none of my particular favorite films have been butchered to P&S for DVD

but any modern day theatrical film that's been "modified from it's original version and formatted to fit your screen" I would do everything I can to avoid buying it. ..I'm holding off from the National Lampoon Vacation films, The Jerk, and I refuse to buy any of the recent Columbia/Tri Star full frame only discs .... The least they can do have both versions..seems they've gooten too cheap and/or lazy.

Donkey · 07-02-2002, 09:04 PM

If it was only in P&S and there was no way other way to get it yes defintly.

sub780lime · 07-02-2002, 09:24 PM

if it was one of those had to have on dvd for me movies, i would definately deal with pan and scan, but not if i know there is a special edition coming out

Jerm · 07-02-2002, 10:21 PM

I hate to admit this but yes. Before I would have said NO! But I am a major Muppet fan, and yes I did buy Treasure Island

It's a great movie, and a decent DVD.

DancinDave · 07-02-2002, 10:43 PM

Here are some of my favourites that I have already refused to buy:

* Spies Like Us
* Vacation
* Police Academy

Academy Award Winners: (I collect 'em)
* The Sting
* Chariots of Fire
* Driving Miss Daisy

BubbleGumUK · 07-02-2002, 11:09 PM

If it was full-screen, but open-matte ("Spies Like Us") then yes - we can always re-frame it on our widescreen TVs.

But I just got "Blackbeard's Ghost" from Disney and it is a travesty. I expected open-matte, but this is not only P&S but from a REALLY bad print too!

DON'T buy "Blackbeard's Ghost"!

slade · 07-02-2002, 11:12 PM

nope.

wouldn't even rent it.

DancinDave · 07-03-2002, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BubbleGumUK
If it was full-screen, but open-matte ("Spies Like Us") then yes - we can always re-frame it on our widescreen TVs.

That's an interesting point... but how do you know if it's "open-matte?" In particular, how do you know about Spies Like Us? Is there a good on-line reference for this info? I just assume it's P&S (except for Kubrick).

Of course, I'd still prefer an anamorphic version -- but it would make it a little easier to swallow.

derek · 07-03-2002, 08:57 AM

The answer is YES.

My only P&S title is my fave - PURPLE RAIN!

I just had 2 have it because i knew Warner Bros. were'nt going 2 release multiple editions of what they would class 'a cult movie'.

But then the region 4 version came out in 1.85 so i was a HAPPY CAMPER.

Still...a region 1 release would be nice in the proper OAR with the songs sounding EXACTLY as they should at the correct 24fps pitch...

BubbleGumUK · 07-03-2002, 01:55 PM

You can mostly tell when a movie is open matte when there is far too much head-room in the shots. Imagine whacking in the letterboxed bars and seeing if you're cutting anyon'e heads off - if not, then it's open matte.

Also, titles will appear quite small and the print fairly sharp, as it's not been zoomed in to fill the screen.

In the Spies Like Us example, it was broadcast here on UK TV, and the beginning was letterboxed, while the film was pan-and-scan. This was as the network had gotten a theatrical print, and so had to show the titles letterboxed so as to not cut them off, and the rest of the film was blown up to fill the 4x3 picture.

The headroom is the biggest givaway.

GeorgeFHarris · 07-03-2002, 02:56 PM

No. I would refuse to buy it on general principle. (Now if the original was either in 3:4 or the Open Matte process did not delete any information from the sides, then that might change my mind.)

I would also write or e-mail the distributor and let them know why I wasn't buying the DVD. If I thought it was a popular enough release, I might start an online petition (see Willy Wonka as an example).

My reasoning is that if I buy the P&S version, then there would be no reason for them to put out a WS version. If I hold-out and let the studio know, then they will see a way to get their hands into my wallet, and may eventually release a WS version.

George Harris

PS - After comparing the WS and P&S versions of Ghostbusters, I would be very hesitant to ever buy a P&S version of a movie. (FF with Open Matte would be a maybe.) The P&S Version of Ghostbusters made it appear that there were only 3 ghostbusters fighting Gozer at the end of the movie. This was definitely not what the director intended.

DancinDave · 07-03-2002, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BubbleGumUK
You can mostly tell when a movie is open matte when there is far too much head-room in the shots.

well, er yeah...

But how do you know before you buy the movie? Anyone know of a good reference for this?

Donkey · 07-03-2002, 06:11 PM

I frogot about, but I did buy one of my favorite movies on DVD & it was only in P&S and that was Happy Gilmore. I wish they would come out w/a SE of it in WS tho.

WAID · 07-03-2002, 08:37 PM

No, I wouldn't. I agree with some earlier replies about not rewarding studios with our money if the movies aren't released in their OAR. I was really impressed with how quickly Willy Wonka was issued in WS after the petition was circulated (which I also signed).

Here's the way I see it. The downside of refusing to buy the P&S version is obvious: you don't have the movie. The downside of buying it is: 1) You encourage the studio to not bother releasing the title in WS (some of the comments made mention of "If I KNEW the movie would never get a WS release..." but how could you know what the studios WILL do in the future? Again note the Willy Wonka scenario). 2) You encourage the studios to pander to the masses who don't understand WS and don't like the "black bars" by only releasing some movies in P&S. The rest of us suffer. For example, Costco has great pricing for most of their DVD's but if a movie is released in both WS and P&S separately, Costco only makes available the P&S version. I refuse to buy it. (For some reason, the local California Costco only carries bedding for California King instead of just King, but that's another story). 3) Watching a P&S movie to me is like listening to a skipped record...it bugs me every time I listeen to it and I can't listen to it again without mentally hearing the skip. 4) I loaned my first Toshiba DVD player to my parents, and they said they didn't like the black bars. I explained why they were there, then used the zoom feature to eliminate the bars. The argument was resolved then and there. If people REALLY don't like the bars, why should they have a problem zooming a WS picture?

Great point made about "The Sting." Love the movie, won't buy the P&S DVD. Am I out of line here?

heuresk · 07-03-2002, 08:39 PM

Hell no.

Ruined · 07-04-2002, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by George McFly
me
I do have some P&S DVDs but those I bought when I was new to DVD.

Only if it's one of my favorite movies and even then sometimes I will take a wait-and-see approach. I still haven't bought Happy Gilmore on DVD yet, and it's open-matte...

SolidSnakeASS · 07-06-2002, 01:42 AM

I don't think I would. Both my favorite films are 2.35:1, so they'd look like crap.

06-30-2002, 08:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
George McFly Kinda likes the Razorbacks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: watching HD	If your favorite movie was in P&S only would you still buy the DVD? me I do have some P&S DVDs but those I bought when I was new to DVD. __________________ Samsung HL-S5688W 56" DLP Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD's Sony BDP300 Blu Rays Last edited by George McFly : 06-30-2002 at 11:20 PM.

06-30-2002, 08:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
robarnold99 Wants a Body Massage Join Date: Feb 2002	If it was absolutely only going to be available in Pan & Scan then yes. Its my favorite movie for a reason, I may not be seeing it as the director intended but I would get it. __________________ I saw three of these dusters a short time ago, they were waiting for a train. Inside the dusters, there were three men. Inside the men, there were three bullets.

06-30-2002, 11:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kenshiro 26 Actor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Defending the Ark	I wouldn't personally. If I absolutely had to have a particular film in my collection, i'd track down a version that has the OAR on either Laserdisc or VHS. __________________ PSN Username - Kenshiro26 XBOX LIVE Gamertag - Kenshiro 26

06-30-2002, 11:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Marty McFly Moderator Emeritus Geezer Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Somewhere Between Hell and Hill Valley	When it comes to Back to the Future and Ghostbusters, yes. Otherwise (say a regular ordinary release) no. __________________ Marty McFly - Forum Moderator Emeritus Granny, I'm gonna catch me some Vietcong! Well I ain't cookin' 'em!

07-01-2002, 05:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
Avid Actor Join Date: Nov 2001	No. __________________ OAR or :barf:

07-01-2002, 03:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
slateman Actor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Gaithersburg, MD	This is a tough one to answer, but there have been a few DVD's I did not buy because they are full screen. The only ones that leap to mind are Fierce Creatures, Death Becomes Her, and Driving Miss Daisy (luckily these were mostly choices for my wife )

07-01-2002, 04:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
UFO Actor Join Date: Feb 2002	IF my FAVORITE movie was P&S ONLY and that's the only version that would EVER exist...would I buy it? Yes.

07-01-2002, 05:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
IKEA_boy Director Emeritus ~~Persista~~ Persistent Student Join Date: Oct 2001	Probably not.

07-01-2002, 05:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bonehead Actor Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Far Beyond Driven	If it was Crossroads with Ralph Macchio then the answer is yes. Like the rest of you I abhor P&S, but my only option now is watching it on P&S VHS. I'm on my third VHS copy having worn out the previous two. In either case I'd be watching it in P&S, but at least it would be on DVD. __________________ Come to think of it, there already are a million monkeys on a million typewriters and the Internet is nothing like Shakespeare.

07-01-2002, 06:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
dvdjedi Actor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: In The Grotto at The Mansion	Well my favorite (Casablanca) is full screen anyway. But to answer your question: maybe. If it was never going to be released in widescreen then I'd bite the bullet & get it.

07-01-2002, 12:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
fischerj Actor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Michigan	Sure. I'd prefer not to but if it's my favorite movie... (Do you think Geroge Lucas's revenge would be to release the original trilogy in P&S? ) __________________ "A man's fate is a man's fate -- and life is but an illusion." My Collection

07-01-2002, 12:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
Prancer Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD-USA	No, I would not buy anything on DVD that was pan and scan. If I really was craving it then I would go out and rent it on VHS or DVD. __________________ "I hope that when the world ends, I can breathe a sigh of relief because there will be so much to look forward to…”

07-01-2002, 01:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
Miggy The Thief Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Matthews, NC, USA	Not that it's my favorite movie by far, but I still haven't bought Psycho 2 because I can't get a satisfactory answer if it was originally 1.33:1 or if the DVD case is correct and it is P&S. Miggy, the Thief __________________ "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8, 9 Miggy's Land O' Wonder!

07-01-2002, 02:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
Indyphantom Forum Lothario Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: the black lodge...	If I could find it OAR on laserdisc, that would be my first option. Otherwise, yes. I have a few P&S DVD's, sadly enough. __________________ My DVD List at DVD Aficionado

07-01-2002, 02:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
JakeLipson All Hail Peter Jackson! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry	Oh, most definitly. But as it is, I don't have to -- Aladdin a Disney Platinum Edition and will be in widescreen anamorphic 1:66:1 upon its 2004 release. 2-disc set, too.

07-02-2002, 11:12 PM	#26 (permalink)
slade Film Class God Join Date: May 2001 Location: Oregon City, OR	nope. wouldn't even rent it. __________________ It is a medium of entertainment which permits millions of people to listen to the same joke at the same time yet remain lonesome. T. S. Eliot's description of television

07-01-2002, 05:00 PM	#18 (permalink)
bhpaul Supporting Actor Join Date: May 2002	Proper Solution! I hate to reward the studio for putting out only a P&S version. By buying it from them, I encourage them to do it further. They may get the message that "people must prefer P&S since they are buying it" or at the very least "people will accept P&S if that is all the studio offers". My simple solution: If no OAR is available, then I will only buy a P&S version that is USED. This does not reward the studio, since they don't get the sale, nor does it send any messages to them that I do not intend. I end up with apparently the only available version of a favorite film without sabotaging my interests.

07-01-2002, 05:22 PM	#19 (permalink)
aintnosin Director/Moderator Not a fancy tickler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia	No. I would use the time I would have spent buying and watching it to come to dvdfile.com and bitch and complain about it on the message boards... __________________ "The women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them." - Eowyn, The Two Towers DVD Profiler \| DVD Aficianado \| DVD Spot \| Movie Reviews \| Facebook

07-02-2002, 01:29 AM	#20 (permalink)
John Yaya Actor Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Planet 10 aka: Long Island	Thankfully none of my particular favorite films have been butchered to P&S for DVD but any modern day theatrical film that's been "modified from it's original version and formatted to fit your screen" I would do everything I can to avoid buying it. ..I'm holding off from the National Lampoon Vacation films, The Jerk, and I refuse to buy any of the recent Columbia/Tri Star full frame only discs .... The least they can do have both versions..seems they've gooten too cheap and/or lazy.

07-02-2002, 09:04 PM	#21 (permalink)
Donkey Actor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Akron, Ohio, USA	If it was only in P&S and there was no way other way to get it yes defintly. __________________ Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil by a pale moon light?

07-02-2002, 09:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
sub780lime Can't Spell Bilbo Join Date: May 2002 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away	if it was one of those had to have on dvd for me movies, i would definately deal with pan and scan, but not if i know there is a special edition coming out __________________ love comes and goes, but an avatar . . . that's forever. - Pirate Last edited by sub780lime : 07-02-2002 at 09:57 PM.

07-02-2002, 10:21 PM	#23 (permalink)
Jerm Moderator Emeritus Magical Hall Monitor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: In my house	I hate to admit this but yes. Before I would have said NO! But I am a major Muppet fan, and yes I did buy Treasure Island It's a great movie, and a decent DVD. __________________ "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."

07-02-2002, 10:43 PM	#24 (permalink)
DancinDave Actor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada	Here are some of my favourites that I have already refused to buy: * Spies Like Us * Vacation * Police Academy Academy Award Winners: (I collect 'em) * The Sting * Chariots of Fire * Driving Miss Daisy __________________ ...and my OCD DVD collection is here.

07-02-2002, 11:09 PM	#25 (permalink)
BubbleGumUK Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: England	If it was full-screen, but open-matte ("Spies Like Us") then yes - we can always re-frame it on our widescreen TVs. But I just got "Blackbeard's Ghost" from Disney and it is a travesty. I expected open-matte, but this is not only P&S but from a REALLY bad print too! DON'T buy "Blackbeard's Ghost"! __________________ Check out DVD Toons for the latest in animated discs! And catch breaking Animated-News stories here!

07-03-2002, 08:57 AM	#28 (permalink)
derek Supporting Actor Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia	The answer is YES. My only P&S title is my fave - PURPLE RAIN! I just had 2 have it because i knew Warner Bros. were'nt going 2 release multiple editions of what they would class 'a cult movie'. But then the region 4 version came out in 1.85 so i was a HAPPY CAMPER. Still...a region 1 release would be nice in the proper OAR with the songs sounding EXACTLY as they should at the correct 24fps pitch...

07-03-2002, 01:55 PM	#29 (permalink)
BubbleGumUK Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: England	You can mostly tell when a movie is open matte when there is far too much head-room in the shots. Imagine whacking in the letterboxed bars and seeing if you're cutting anyon'e heads off - if not, then it's open matte. Also, titles will appear quite small and the print fairly sharp, as it's not been zoomed in to fill the screen. In the Spies Like Us example, it was broadcast here on UK TV, and the beginning was letterboxed, while the film was pan-and-scan. This was as the network had gotten a theatrical print, and so had to show the titles letterboxed so as to not cut them off, and the rest of the film was blown up to fill the 4x3 picture. The headroom is the biggest givaway. __________________ Check out DVD Toons for the latest in animated discs! And catch breaking Animated-News stories here!

07-03-2002, 02:56 PM	#30 (permalink)
GeorgeFHarris Supporting Actor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Columbia, SC, USA	No. I would refuse to buy it on general principle. (Now if the original was either in 3:4 or the Open Matte process did not delete any information from the sides, then that might change my mind.) I would also write or e-mail the distributor and let them know why I wasn't buying the DVD. If I thought it was a popular enough release, I might start an online petition (see Willy Wonka as an example). My reasoning is that if I buy the P&S version, then there would be no reason for them to put out a WS version. If I hold-out and let the studio know, then they will see a way to get their hands into my wallet, and may eventually release a WS version. George Harris PS - After comparing the WS and P&S versions of Ghostbusters, I would be very hesitant to ever buy a P&S version of a movie. (FF with Open Matte would be a maybe.) The P&S Version of Ghostbusters made it appear that there were only 3 ghostbusters fighting Gozer at the end of the movie. This was definitely not what the director intended. __________________ George Harris

07-03-2002, 06:11 PM	#32 (permalink)
Donkey Actor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Akron, Ohio, USA	I frogot about, but I did buy one of my favorite movies on DVD & it was only in P&S and that was *Happy Gilmore*. I wish they would come out w/a SE of it in WS tho. __________________ Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil by a pale moon light?

07-03-2002, 08:37 PM	#33 (permalink)
WAID Actor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Last House on the Left	No, I wouldn't. I agree with some earlier replies about not rewarding studios with our money if the movies aren't released in their OAR. I was really impressed with how quickly Willy Wonka was issued in WS after the petition was circulated (which I also signed). Here's the way I see it. The downside of refusing to buy the P&S version is obvious: you don't have the movie. The downside of buying it is: 1) You encourage the studio to not bother releasing the title in WS (some of the comments made mention of "If I KNEW the movie would never get a WS release..." but how could you know what the studios WILL do in the future? Again note the Willy Wonka scenario). 2) You encourage the studios to pander to the masses who don't understand WS and don't like the "black bars" by only releasing some movies in P&S. The rest of us suffer. For example, Costco has great pricing for most of their DVD's but if a movie is released in both WS and P&S separately, Costco only makes available the P&S version. I refuse to buy it. (For some reason, the local California Costco only carries bedding for California King instead of just King, but that's another story). 3) Watching a P&S movie to me is like listening to a skipped record...it bugs me every time I listeen to it and I can't listen to it again without mentally hearing the skip. 4) I loaned my first Toshiba DVD player to my parents, and they said they didn't like the black bars. I explained why they were there, then used the zoom feature to eliminate the bars. The argument was resolved then and there. If people REALLY don't like the bars, why should they have a problem zooming a WS picture? Great point made about "The Sting." Love the movie, won't buy the P&S DVD. Am I out of line here?

07-03-2002, 08:39 PM	#34 (permalink)
heuresk Actor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle	Hell no.

07-06-2002, 01:42 AM	#36 (permalink)
SolidSnakeASS Actor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Winterpeg, Manitobaugh, Canada	I don't think I would. Both my favorite films are 2.35:1, so they'd look like crap.

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