[Ryan Frederick]

I know this has been covered before, and I have read a lengthy thread devoted to this topic. However, I am still left a bit confused so please bear with me. I do not have a region free player, so I am seeking a region 0 version of Battle Royale. I am unable to post URL's yet, so I am wondering if eBay item #4184790820 is the version to get? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!

[Peter Svensson]

This is the best edition of the movie. It´s region free:

http://www5.cd-wow.com/detail_result...duct_code=4098

[Ryan Frederick]

Thank you for the quick reply, Peter. I should have noted that I am in the US (I have now updated my profile to reflect this) and my player is unable to play PAL discs. Is the version I referenced above a satisfactory NTSC version?

[Peter Svensson]

Why can´t your player play PAL discs? Are you sure about that? I don´t think this edition is available in NTSC since it is a Tartan (UK) release.

[Ryan Frederick]

I have a Sony NS715p, and am reasonably sure it is unable to play PAL discs. As I've now hit 15 posts (woo hoo, only took me a year ) here is the link to the disc I am referring to.

[Peter Svensson]

That´s not the same edition I linked to. I would by the Tartan release. What I mean is that only because your dvd player only plays region 1, it doesn´t mean it can´t play PAL discs. My previous Sony player (735) only played R2, but it didn´t matter if it was NTSC or PAL.

[Ryan Frederick]

Thanks again for the reply, Peter. I understand you prefer the Tartan release, but I am also curious if anyone has any information on the version I have linked above.

[VincentK]

here's a comparison of the different versions

207.136.67.23/film/dvdcompare/battleroyale-dc.htm

(i haven't posted enough times to be allowed a url post unfortunately)

[Matt Czyz]

Starmax 2 disc-Region 0. I have it, and love it.

It's for the Director's Cut (i.e., better) version.
DD 2.0, DTS 5.1, English subs.
Really cool hard cardboard sleeve.

Also, that version you're linking to on Ebay is a bootleg. I actually bought that version from stiller60 a while ago thinking it was legit, only to find out that it definetely was not. Go to yesasia and pick up that starmax one.

[Ryan Frederick]

Thanks for all the advice. I feel that I can make a more informed decision now. Matt, what tipped it off as a bootleg? Was the quality poor? I'm afraid I probably wouldn't be able to tell.

[jason:g]

* Director's Cut. Korea (Distributor: Starmax) R3 NTSC
* Theatrical Cut. UK (Distributor: Tartan) R0 PAL
* Theatrical Cut. DD5.1 version. UK (Distributor: Tartan) R0 NTSC
* Director's Cut. Special Edition. UK (Distributor: Tartan) R0 PAL
* Theatrical Cut. Hong Kong (Distributor: Universe) R3 NTSC
* Director's Cut. Korea (Distributor: Cream) R3 NTSC
* Theatrical Cut. Australia (Distributor: Shock) R4 PAL Non-anamorphic
* Theatrical Cut. France (Distributor: Warner Bros) R2 PAL
* Director's & Theatrical Cuts. Scandinavia (Distributor: Scanbox) R2 PAL

> Was the quality poor?

They all have poor quality!

[Matt Czyz]

Jason,

What? The quality of the official releases are not poor at all. Check the dvdbeaver comparisons. The version I have (Starmax) looks and sounds great.

Ryan,
Stiller66 is an infamous seller of bootlegs. I've seen this screen name show up a few times around these forums. Also, in particular with that disc he's selling:
1) The first 20-30 seconds were missing. The movie started mid-opening credits.
2) There were no special features, even though the (poorly-sized) outer sleeve said that there were. The "special features" menu selection was not selectable on the main menu.

www.battleroyalefilm.com also has more information on BR bootlegs and the legit releases.

Also, this is where I bought mine: