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The Ninth Configuration DVD ..Reviews?

post #1 of 34
8/29/02 at 7:31pm
Thread Starter 
After Region 2 having the "DVD exclusive" on this title for some time, on Sept. 3rd Sept. 17th(?), Region 1 *finally* gets a crack at this cult classic!

Commentary by William Peter Blatty and Author/Documentary Filmmaker Mark
Kermode
Additional Scenes
Featurette
2 Alternate Endings
Cast/Filmmaker Highlights
Widescreen 2.35:1 (Anamorphic)
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround (??)

Sooooo.. Reviews anyone???? ..Anyone??
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post #2 of 34
8/29/02 at 10:19pm
I had this pre-ordered and received a notice that it has been delayed until 9/17. That might have something to do with the lack of reviews. It's also not a high-profile release so that's another strike against it. Oh well, I've been waiting on this for years, what's another two weeks?

Edit: I'm glad to see they're releasing The Ninth Configuration in its OAR of 2.35:1 as my widescreen VHS is cropped to 2:1.
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post #3 of 34
8/30/02 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Steve, I didn't realize there had been a delay on this title. I'm also looking forward to seeing this in 2.35:1, as my old beta version is pan-n-scan only. I've read that the original release was in 6-track stereo, but the releases I've heard up to now are in mono. Has anyone, (even on VHS) ever heard this title in stereo or surround?
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post #4 of 34
8/30/02 at 12:33pm
Are you saying that the features listed will be on the US release? I was under the impression that the import was a SE but that we were getting the movie only. If these are the specs for the US disc then I'll begin drooling now!
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post #5 of 34
8/30/02 at 4:19pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Rob,

My info is compiled from a hodge-podge of sources, including DVDfile, Widescreen Review, and Amazon.com. Note that Amazon is showing the aspect ratio as 1.85:1, but given their track record, I am assuming that's an error on Amazon's part.
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post #6 of 34
8/30/02 at 5:34pm
Warner's Business to Business website confirms the list of features above, although they do say the sound is mono and not stereo. I can't wait for this disc!
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post #7 of 34
8/30/02 at 5:51pm
I can't wait for this DVD. I have the subpar pan and scan Laserdisc that I bought in the mid 80's so this release can't help being a big upgrade. Stacy Keach and the rest of the cast were outstanding. I have often wondered were they filmed this great movie.
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post #8 of 34
8/30/02 at 7:58pm
The NINTH CONFIGURATION was originally released in some theatres in 70mm 6-track Dolby stereo.
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post #9 of 34
8/31/02 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 
On the topic of if this DVD will be mono or stereo, I would be curious to know if the Region 2 SE DVD is mono, stereo, or DD 4.1. This would probably be a good indicator for R1.

For those wanting to see a nice pic of the Region 1 DVD:

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post #10 of 34
9/1/02 at 3:06am
This has always been one my favorite films. It's so nice to hear of others mention it. I will be sure to come back and post my review if there isn't a review thread.
I can't wait to hear what others have to say of this film, very overlooked.
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post #11 of 34
9/1/02 at 7:35am
The transfer for the region-free British edition was... it was okay, I guess. It coulda been better. To me, it looked like an old, badly cropped 2.33:1 transfer. It didn't look like a 'new' tranfer - Laserdisc video-master, perhaps? The lack of anamorphic encoding also indicates hurried work. It's still the best the film has ever looked on video.

I wonder if Warner created a new transfer for this anamorphic edition? I hope so. On the commentary, Blatty states that he wants to re-cut (again?!) the film to a longer length, so...! Who knows what to think...

The deleted scenes looked horrid.

The featurette and commentary are superb.

I look forward to reading a review of this DVD.


Gordy
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post #12 of 34
9/1/02 at 7:37am
i think the R2 is non anamorphic wheras the R1 is claiming to be anamorphic.
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post #13 of 34
9/1/02 at 11:36am
To Jon Smith:

I doubt that Warner would put out a non-anamorphic 2.35:1 DVD after their years of putting out hundreds of anamorphic 2.35 transfered DVDs. But I could be wrong...

We'll just have to wait and see...


Gordy
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post #14 of 34
9/1/02 at 1:10pm
oops i think i worded that wrong, wasnt saying the R1 release is not likely to be anamorphic. :b

was just comparing them
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post #15 of 34
9/5/02 at 1:36am
Any updates on this title - picture/sound quality compaired to the region 2 release??

Rich
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post #16 of 34
9/17/02 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
So here we are at Sept. 17th, and still no release? Today I checked out Best Buy, Circuit City and Borders Book Store, and all three confirm the Sept. 17th release date, but no discs have been made available to anyone locally at this time. And still ..no on line reviews that I can find!
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmmm.......
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post #17 of 34
9/17/02 at 5:17pm
Same here in New Jersey - no copies at Best Buy, Borders, or Compact Disc World.

Warner's business site still lists it as coming out on the 17th!
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post #18 of 34
9/17/02 at 5:21pm
I have the R1 disc and can confirm that it is NOT anamorphic, even though the box says otherwise. Sounds like they just recycled the region 2 transfer.

Haven't had time to watch it yet.

M.
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post #19 of 34
9/17/02 at 5:30pm
Quote:
I have the R1 disc and can confirm that it is NOT anamorphic, even though the box says otherwise. Sounds like they just recycled the region 2 transfer.
Well, that just sucks...
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post #20 of 34
9/18/02 at 11:21am
Also it has no close captioning or english subtitles even though the back of the box says that it does . I think it also says it has Spanish subs, but it has no subs at ALL!! Needs to be recalled and fixed if you ask me.
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post #21 of 34
9/19/02 at 5:44pm
Thread Starter 
So... this starting to smell really bad. WB says (in their 1st press release) that The Ninth Configuration would be in 2.0 Surround, which isn't bad, as the film originally had a Dolby 6-track 70mm release. Presumably, that is not the case and the DVD audio is mono. WB says the DVD will be anamorphic.. even says it on the back of the DVD case.. but it isn't. WB also says it has subtitles. ..Nope. Nadda.
This time WB has really make me sick!

And still ..... No complete on-line reviews!
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post #22 of 34
9/19/02 at 11:04pm
The R1 sounds exactly the same as the disappointing R2 version - non-anamorphic, mono sound (although packaging states stereo), no subtitles.
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post #23 of 34
9/20/02 at 12:53am
now I'm pissed off
I just sold my R2 and ordered the R1, that is listed as anamorphic at every retailer (which is my only reason for 'upgrading').
AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!
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post #24 of 34
9/20/02 at 5:28pm
This is all guesswork, but I watched the DVD with commentary, and with the exception of the brief "Warner Home Video" logo at the disc start-up, this appears to be an exact port of the R2 disc. All the text that precedes the deleted scenes are verbatim from the Blue Dolphin disc, and no alterations have been made to acknowledge Warner Bros. They must have just slapped a WB shield on it and sent it out as is. Of course that would explain WB issuing such a fringe title; all the work was already done for them by Blue Dolpin.

As for the editorial changes, I think the commentary and the deleted scene intros do a good job of explaining director Blatty's motivations. While I am dismayed at no trailer or TV spots--I remember living in one of the few cities WB released it in initially, with the echo on Scott Wilson's scream of "THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE! NOTHING!"--Blatty's complaint that their campaign misrepresented the movie as a horror film is acceptable justification for their omission on this definitive version. (I still say it would have been cool for archival purposes)

Yeah, it would have been nice to get the 6-track Dolby sound from the few 70mm engagements on this DVD, as well as 16x9 enhancement and language options, no doubt. Maybe if this sells anything WB will be inclined to add to the good work Blue Dolphin put in and do an upgraded version.
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post #25 of 34
9/20/02 at 6:02pm
I am dissapointed that WB's didn't improve this film from the R2 disc. However, since I only have the crappy P&S laserdisc and no HDTV I probably will still pick up this excellent film. I am sure this will be a $9.99 title pretty quickly.
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post #26 of 34
9/20/02 at 7:00pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you Mark, for the lowdown on this title. It's also (another) negative that no trailers or spots were included. In the mid-80's I worked for a local video store that ran a loop trailer tape on it's monitors, and the continual viewing of the "Ninth Configuration" trailer led me to eventually check out the film. (..May still have the theatrical trailer tape somewhere! Now that's being a pack rat!! :b )

Does anyone know where I could write or e-mail the AOL/WB giant where my letter might actually get read?? Any leads are welcomed.
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post #27 of 34
9/23/02 at 12:05am
I was surprised myself to find the disc was not 16:9. I double checked my setting to see if a recent power outage and deleted them. Everything was OK. I did some checking online to see if any review of the disc stated if it was actually 16:9 or not.

It isn't. The really odd thing was that the disc played directly when I inserted the disc. No default to the menu screen.

Warner Brothers has had other errors in their packaging. The original TIME MACHINE claimed to have the score isolated. It didn't. I understand current pressing (of THE TIME MACHINE) do not state that there is an isolated score. I'll assume that IF there is another pressing (of THE NINTH CONFIGURATION) WB will remove the error.

As for the release date. I had a real problem finding it myself. Best Buy had stated they would have it on the 17th. They didn't and still don't. Borders did not have it. Tower Records did BUT they did not have it in the normal movie section. They had it in a WB section where they have all the "under $20.00" WB movies. They had three copies. Every one of them had the hub broken out of it in shipping. The disc rattled around in each package.
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post #28 of 34
9/23/02 at 4:11am
Mark Hammon wrote:
Quote:
The really odd thing was that the disc played directly when I inserted the disc. No default to the menu screen.

Then this most definately looks like it is a direct port of the R2 UK disc. That disc defaults straight to the movie.

What are the menus like on the R1?
On the R2 they are functional but a little um, crappy looking!
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post #29 of 34
9/23/02 at 6:44am
Quote:
The really odd thing was that the disc played directly when I inserted the disc. No default to the menu screen.

That's very common on Warner titles, since their earliest releases in 1997.

M.
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post #30 of 34
9/23/02 at 3:05pm
Actually WB titles default to the menu after the logo. THEN if you just let it sit there it will auto-start the movie. Not many titles start to PLAY when you close the drawer. Yes, if you hit PLAY with the drawer out it will start to play the movie (WB). I was speaking about just closing the drawer. I should have been more clear.

I watched the deleted scenes and they mention Blue Dolphin all through them. The disc must be a direct port from the R2 version.

Someone asked what the menu screen looked like. It's a shot of the castle with text across the top (to access specific things) and the same across the bottom. I'd put in a screen capture but I'm not sure how to do it with VBCode.
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