Which Army of Darkness should I buy?

[JimmyJakes]

I was hoping someone who owns any of the Army of Darkness dvds could tell me which one to get. I won't buy the bare bones Universal release and I doubt if I can find the 2-disc set. So, any help from those that know would be much appreciated.

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The head, the tail..the whole damn thing- Quint

[clortho]

If you can somehow find the double disk release, by all means get that one. If you cannot, there are two options you need to decide between. There is the theatrical version that was in the double disk that you can purchase by itself, and there is also the (limited) director's version from the same set available by itself. Both are put out by Anchor Bay, and it all depends on if you want the theatrical or director's cut, or both.

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

[IG88]

But which has the "Good, bad, I'm the guy with gun!" line in it? Theatrical?

[Cobra]

I am going to get killed for this but

I HATE ANCHOR BAY!

They pick up great titles (Halloween, Army of Darkness) that studios don't want than exploit those films and their fans till there is no end.

The Black Hole is an incredible film and it was released in non-animorphic widescreen with defective audio tracks. Those idiots at Anchor Bay don't care because they now that suckers like me have a love for that film and will by it no matter how it's presented.

I loved Halloween and was saving up for the 2-disc set which I didn't hear about until I saw it in the store. By the time I had the money, the disc was gone and I'm not going to pay extra to some guy on E-bay when I could have gotten it for cheaper.

It pisses me off because you can get your double disc of ID4 like it's going out of style, but I can't get a much better film because of this limited edition exploitation.
It's just plain stupid.

I also missed Army of Darkness-2disc and now I have to bite the bullet and buy the director's cut and the original. Which is sick because I already have the one from Universal.

Anchor Bay is extremely greedy and they're not helping DVD consumers in any possible way. We have to let them know that we only want films released one time!

[RoboDad]

Originally posted by IG88:
But which has the "Good, bad, I'm the guy with gun!" line in it? Theatrical?

That line is in the theatrical cut.

Robo

[clortho]

The theatrical version has that line.

Cobra-

Anchor Bay can't always force a studio to give them an exemplorary transfer. In the case of the Black Hole, that was a Disney movie, at the time it was put out, Disney could have cared less about anamorphic transfers of their new movies, much less one from nearly 20 years ago they were licensing out to an independent video distributor. Anchor Bay also quickly corrected the audio error and I do believe a recall was done. I don't remember for sure, but I think the audio track may have been a Disney goof also.

Anchor bay has put out a total of (I believe) 3 versions of Army of Darkness. At the time they put out the double disk set, they also put out a single disk copy of the theatrical version for those who didn't want to pay $40 for the movie, both anamorphic, which I believe the Universal version was not. Then about 6 months later after many requests, they make the director's cut available for those who wanted to collect it. Tell me, how is that releasing a title over and over and taking advantage of the consumer?

Anchor Bay often does films that are limited in fan base, and as they are a smaller company, sometimes do smaller runs. Just because you did not know about a release, or happen to not save enough money in time, does not make them greedy. I for one would rather support the majority of Anchor Bay's output rather than that of a lot of the bigger studios who have drug their feet kicking and screaming into the format.

Clortho

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I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

[JimmyJakes]

Thanks, guys. I figured I would end up having to buy them both. I don't really have a stance on the Anchor Bay argument, but I always feel very fortunate when companies allow directors to release the definitive version of a film right off the bat (a la Fight Club). It sure saves a lot of headaches.

[Cobra]

I know and Fight Club, in my opinion, isn't even a film that I was that interested in but I felt that the DVD version was fantastic. I just can't see why Fox couldn't double disc Planet of the Apes.
Talk about headaches.

[Ambushbug]

I'm willing to forgive Fox a lot after the superb job they did on the X-Files Season One set. Still gotta wait almost two months to see if my faith in them will be retained with the release of Season Two...

BTW, Anchor Bay is slated to release their version of Evil Dead next year with THX approved sound (for whatever that's worth)

AB


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Happy Happy
Joy Joy

[docg]

JimmyJakes,

In my opinion, the theatrical version is far superior to the Director's Cut both as a film and a DVD. The Anchor Bay edition of the theatrical cut comes with the making of featurette and the original ending while the Director's Cut no making of, JUST the original ending (worse than the supermarket version IMHO), and a commentary.

[Cobra]

How can anyone forgive how Fox treated Planet of the Apes?

That film saved their studio after Dr. Dolittle almost drove out of business. They should have given that film the Five Star treatment. I mean, if they can do it for MASH, can't they do it for a film that is better remembered and has a world wide impact to this day?

[Tyler Durden]

None - the film's shit.

[Dominik Pfleghaar]

Tyler,

None - the film's shit.

You just had to reply to give your wise and educated critic of this movie, n'est-ce pas? Felt like raining on someone's parade today, didn't you?
I think it's postings like that one that keep your general level of sympathy low.
Think about it.

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Unca Dom
dvdfile.com Administrator
pfleghaar@dvdfile.com
My HT My dvd collection

[Tyler Durden]

Sympathy level?! What sympathy level?! Why on Earth should my sympathy level be low? And what is a sympathy level? If you read my posts they are in no way attacking on anyone on this forum, they're just common sense and I hope that others enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy reading theirs'. The number of posts I've seen here saying a film is shit runs into the hundreds - sorry if I dare to say that Army of Darkness is shit but in my opinion it is. How is that raining on someone's parade?! Goodness Dom, lighten up a bit, it was kind of meant to be tongue in cheek. I can't even believe I'm having to write this! And if my 'sympathy level' is low - great! I don't want sympathy from you or anyone, I want informed, exciting discussions where all can learn and a hint of fun now and again can creep into proceedings. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong but that's how I feel. I don't really understand the meaning in your posts either, I have made about 80 posts here and nearly all of them have had something valid to say - admittedly the one above wasn't very valid but it was meant to be a bit of fun, no more, no less. I hope that I have a valid contribution to this forum and that my time within the home theater industry can help me to pass on what I have learned and also to learn from others. However, if I do not agree with something or feel that someone is misguided - I will tell them and the reasons why. I won't get on my high horse nor will I pontificate but I will tell it how it is - is that wrong? Arrogant? Maybe but it certainly isn't meant that way.

And finally, if you have something you wish to convey to me on this kind of matter - surely you should send me an email rather than use a public forum? Think about it...!!!

[This message has been edited by Tyler Durden (edited 09-18-2000).]

[Dominik Pfleghaar]

And finally, if you have something you wish to convey to me on this kind of matter - surely you should send me an email rather than use a public forum? Think about it...!!!

Well, your not revealing your email address in your profile prevent me from doing so. Didn't want to go thru the hassle to hack into your user file to find it out.

admittedly the one above wasn't very valid but it was meant to be a bit of fun, no more, no less. [...]Goodness Dom, lighten up a bit, it was kind of meant to be tongue in cheek.

Ok, maybe I overreacted a bit, but it just annoys the hell out of me when I read threads like this on where an individual is seeking out help on a certain movie and all of a sudden a destructive-one-liner-reply like this one shows up for no aparent reason.
I'm all for fun on this board, and this board is in fact supposed to be fun (and yes, informative), and I'm also famous for writing stuff that isn't all that serious from time to time, but I just didn't think this comment of yours to be funny, or I just thought you were serious. Maybe adding a could help avoiding confusion in such matters. We have a very effective smiley engine on this board for exactly that reason.


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Unca Dom
dvdfile.com Administrator
pfleghaar@dvdfile.com
My HT My dvd collection

[Tyler Durden]

Okey dokey point taken - I really didn't mean to be destructive.

And Jimmy, the new release from Anchor Bay suffers from very poor picture quality but as the 2 disc set is changing hands for silly money - it's your best bet. As for it being limited, well I think Anchor Bay are going to keep milking this release for all it's worth - so expect another Ltd Edition in the not too distant future.

[maverick101]

Could someone post a link to the AOD covers and explain which is which? What does the 2-disc set look like?

[Ambushbug]

Ok. Here's the cover art from the 2 disc LE http://search.excaliburfilms.com/dvd...f_darkness.htm

Here's the cover art from the Theatrical Version disc http://search.excaliburfilms.com/dvd...rkness_anc.htm

And here's the cover art for the new Director's Cut single LE http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com/titles/aoddc.gif

All clear?

AB


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Happy Happy
Joy Joy

[maverick101]

Thanks, Ambushbug!

[Joe Michaels]

It does kind of bother me one someone makes a post for something they care about and someone just comes in and knocks it without it being relevant to the original post.
It may be a person's opinion that a movie is crap but he didn't ask for an opinion on the movie itself, just which version to get.
To knock the film in the regard that it is done here is hurtful and diminishes the person that likes the movie.
Now let's play nice!

[Tyler Durden]

Sure - but can't we all just chill out a bit too?

[Dominik Pfleghaar]

Yes, let's forget it now. I didn't mean to make such a big issue out of it anyway. As I said before, I overreacted a bit and I just stood on the wrong leg at the time, if you know what I mean.

Now, to somewhat get back on topic, I have the theatrical release ( http://search.excaliburfilms.com/dvd...rkness_anc.JPG ). Didn't know that there were different releases back when I bought it and now I'm glad I did obviously pick up the right one.
Have yet to watch all of the movie and the commentary (I once fell asleep during the movie ) Not that the movie was boring, mind you, I was just tired.

Where in the movie is this famous line (good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun) anyway?

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Unca Dom
dvdfile.com Administrator
pfleghaar@dvdfile.com
My HT My dvd collection

[Tyler Durden]

Hi Dom

I believe it's when Ash is fighting the 'evil' him just after they tumble out of the windmill and he is about to bury the 'evil' one. That's if I remember rightly but I may be wrong.

[Ambushbug]

Specifically it's at 33:40 on the clock.

[Dominik Pfleghaar]

Ah, the merits of movie enthusiasts!
Thanx Tyler and Ambush!
Now that i think of it, this movie would make a perfect view for the Halloween week... along with TNBC and Halloween.


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Unca Dom
dvdfile.com Administrator
pfleghaar@dvdfile.com
My HT My dvd collection

[manigrasso]

Correct me if I'm wrong, BUT:

Universal released their crappybare-bones edition first.

THEN Universal licensed it to Anchor Bay, who did the very nice deluxe edition with the featurette and the original ending as a deleted scene.

THEN Anchor Bay found enough source material to do a quite good director's cut, though NOT in 5.1 (since some of the extra footage had source stems that couldn't be found) and SOME instances of poor video quality (again, the added scenes, where they couldn't always find the best possible source). So they released it as a double disc set, limited time offer.

THEN when enough people complained about not getting the double disc set, or not wanting two cuts of the same movie, Anchor Bay re-released the director's cut as a single disc.

If things truly happened this way, then I wouldn't say Anchor Bay was being greedy, just underestimating the film's appeal, They certainly wouldn't be the first studio to do that.

Incidentally, it's still a crap shoot, but when titles become discontinued, I find a good place to look is Sam Goody. You wouldn't think that, but the simple fact is Sam Goody stores, at least in my area, don't sell a lot of DVDs because they're usually sold at MSRP. Not real big at discounts. ANd sure, a lot of people are used to paying full MSRP for a CD or a cassette or video tape, yet the internet has made people accustomed to looking for a better deal for their DVDs.

I picked up my AOD double disc at a Sam Goody in Eatontown NJ. It was behind the checkout counter, not with the other DVDs.

If you had to pick one or the other, I would suggest the theatrical cut, as it has better audio and video than the director's cut. The Director's cut, only has a few new pieces, otherwise it just makes existing scenes longer. Buy the director's cut if you like commentary.