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International Rollerball (1975) Arrow Blu Ray. (1 Viewer)

Sgt Pepper

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Fantastic news:

Coming to the UK – Rollerball! Pre-order it here: http://bit.ly/1AKMsZC
Release Date: 23rd March 2015
Format: Blu-ray
Starring: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams...
Directed by: Norman Jewison

Synopsis: IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, WARS WILL NO LONGER EXIST. BUT THERE WILL BE ROLLERBALL.
In a corporate-controlled future, the world’s nations have been disbanded and conflict is a thing of the past. But blood continues to be shed on the tracks of Rollerball – a brutal contact sport which pits players in a battle of life and death.
James Caan (The Godfather, Thief, Misery) plays Jonathan E., celebrated captain of the Houston Rollerball team whose prowess on the track has earned him renown across the globe. But this fame has also attracted the ire of the games’ corporate sponsors, who wish to suppress any displays of individual achievement – fearing this could encourage the populace to revolt. With the powers-that-be pushing for his retirement, Jonathan is faced with a choice – concede to the Corporation’s will or take a stand, by continuing to compete in the increasingly deadly games.
Shot in Munich to make use of the city’s futuristic Olympic architecture, Rollerball is a classic slice of dystopian filmmaking, mixing high-octane action sequences with gripping (and thoroughly prescient) social commentary. The future is now – the future is Rollerball!
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the film from a digital transfer prepared by MGM Studios
- Original Stereo 2.0 audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
- Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio Commentary with director Norman Jewison
- Audio Commentary with writer William Harrison
- Blood Sports with James Caan – A brand-new interview with the Rollerball star
- The Fourth City: Shooting Rollerball in Munich – Unit manager Dieter Meyer and others revisit the Audi Dome and other original locations
- The Bike Work: Craig R. Baxley on the Motorcycle Stunts in Rollerball – Stunt artist Baxley on the challenges and dangers of being one of the Rollerball bikers
- Return to the Arena: The Making of Rollerball
- From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle – original EPK bringing together interviews and on-set footage
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Theatrical Teaser
- TV Spots
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
- Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.
Region: B
Rating: TBC
Cat No: FCD1072
Duration: 125 mins
Language: English
Subtitles: English SDH
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: 2.0 Mono
Colour

 

haineshisway

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Why is this fantastic news? It will be the exact same transfer as the Twilight Time release, with many of the same extras. Or is it fantastic news for overseas folks who couldn't play the Twilight Time?
 

Kevin EK

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It might be that Bruce. The Twilight Time release was limited and is now sold out.
The Arrow release looks like they have some new interview material with Caan and two of the key BTS people on the movie.
For myself, I'm fine with the TT Blu. Made for a good replacement for the very early MGM DVD I'd been holding since 1998.
 

haineshisway

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Kevin EK said:
It might be that Bruce. The Twilight Time release was limited and is now sold out.
The Arrow release looks like they have some new interview material with Caan and two of the key BTS people on the movie.
For myself, I'm fine with the TT Blu. Made for a good replacement for the very early MGM DVD I'd been holding since 1998.
Yes, the transfer is very accurate to the release prints. I hadn't realized the Twilight Time had sold out. But the Arrow will have to be region B only, right?
 

Sgt Pepper

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I think it will have a better encode and better extras. We shall see. Not sure if it will be region locked but will be available at a fair price to anyone who wants it. Oh and that artwork is fantastic.
 

Robert Crawford

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tele1962 said:
I think it will have a better encode and better extras. We shall see. Not sure if it will be region locked and will be available at a fair price to anyone who wants it. Oh and that artwork is fantastic.
What makes you think it will have a better encode? Do you have the TT release? This is good news for those that don't have it and have the ability to play this disc whether it's B Region or not. From my personal perspective, I'm happy with the TT BD.
 

Sgt Pepper

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Robert Crawford said:
What makes you think it will have a better encode? Do you have the TT release? This is good news for those that don't have it and have the ability to play this disc whether it's B Region or not. From my personal perspective, I'm happy with the TT BD.
Yes Robert I have the TT release and if anyone can improve upon it Arrow can.
 

Robert Crawford

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tele1962 said:
Yes Robert I have the TT release and if anyone can improve upon it Arrow can.
So you're speculating which is fine, but I doubt I'll buy it again. By the way, I just finished off watching Arrow's BD release of Brute Force and last week, I watched The Naked City from them on BD. Both are outstanding!
 

Sgt Pepper

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Robert Crawford said:
So you're speculating which is fine, but I doubt I'll buy it again. By the way, I just finished off watching Arrow's BD release of Brute Force and last week, I watched The Naked City from them on BD. Both are outstanding!
Not really speculating as such (none of us have seen it yet), but David Mackenzie does the encodes for Arrow so I am guessing this will be an improvement over the TT release, but again we shall see.
 

Robert Crawford

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tele1962 said:
Not really speculating as such (none of us have seen it yet), but David Mackenzie does the encodes for Arrow so I am guessing this will be an improvement over the TT release, but again we shall see.
Looks like speculation to me, anyhow, we'll see.
 

Douglas R

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haineshisway said:
Why is this fantastic news? It will be the exact same transfer as the Twilight Time release, with many of the same extras. Or is it fantastic news for overseas folks who couldn't play the Twilight Time?
Not that I bought it... but I believe the Twilight Time version was region free as are most of their releases so no-one would have had a problem playing it. I'm rather surprised that it sold out so quickly because, since first seeing it as a 70mm blow-up, I've never thought of it as a great film - but then it seems as though anything to do with sci-fi, fantasy or horror from TT sells out quickly.

Nevertheless, the Arrow version might prompt me to have a look at the film again because for one thing, buying in store from HMV would cost the equivalent of about $20 compared to $40 for the TT version with international mail, and therefore it becomes a more attractive purchase of a film for which I have only a moderate interest. The Arrow version does have more extras listed which always appeal to me as an extras junkie, although as with several other of their releases it has a music and effects track, rather than an isolated score as on TT. Added to which, Arrow's booklets are exceptionally good. The release is obviously intended for the UK market and as such appears to be locked to region B. It's puzzzling why MGM insist on region coding for Arrow but not for TT.
 

Alan Tully

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Nevertheless, the Arrow version might prompt me to have a look at the film again because for one thing, buying in store from HMV would cost the equivalent of about $20 compared to $40 for the TT version with international mail, and therefore it becomes a more attractive purchase of a film for which I have only a moderate interest. The Arrow version does have more extras listed which always appeal to me as an extras junkie, although as with several other of their releases it has a music and effects track, rather than an isolated score as on TT. Added to which, Arrow's booklets are exceptionally good. The release is obviously intended for the UK market and as such appears to be locked to region B. It's puzzzling why MGM insist on region coding for Arrow but not for TT.
It's the same with Kino MGM releases, they're region A locked. Maybe it's the limited number release that enables TT to do region free releases, & good for them. But as you say, at $40 a pop, it has to be a "must have" special movie to spend that amount of dosh on. Rollerball is an easy pass for me, as I've never liked it, but it looks like there'll be some great releases from Arrow next year. The Sweet Smell Of Success, now that is a must have.All these United Artists films being released on Blu-ray, but as yet no sign of The Vikings. I wonder what the story is there?
 

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tele1962 said:
Lets say I am 90% sure it will then.
TT releases have had very good encoding over the last few years. Better then most. That's one area where can't complain about.
 

Sgt Pepper

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Tama said:
TT releases have had very good encoding over the last few years. Better then most. That's one area where can't complain about.
As I say best wait and see.
 

haineshisway

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tele1962 said:
Lets say I am 90% sure it will then.
Of course you are. Since Twilight Time uses the best authoring house in the US, I am 90% sure it will look EXACTLY the same, and a few decimal points ain't gonna make a spit of difference. Oh, wait… the Beaver has said this and he obviously has looked at the specs of the authoring (or encode as you like to call it) - if it has a maxed out bit rate and a dual-layered disc, well, what in your estimation exactly is going to better than that? If you have the Twilight Time, as you say you do, surely you knew that? "Once again the distributor produces a very strong a/v. This is dual-layered with a max'ed out bitrate.
 

Sgt Pepper

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haineshisway said:
Of course you are. Since Twilight Time uses the best authoring house in the US, I am 90% sure it will look EXACTLY the same, and a few decimal points ain't gonna make a spit of difference. Oh, wait… the Beaver has said this and he obviously has looked at the specs of the authoring (or encode as you like to call it) - if it has a maxed out bit rate and a dual-layered disc, well, what in your estimation exactly is going to better than that? If you have the Twilight Time, as you say you do, surely you knew that? "Once again the distributor produces a very strong a/v. This is dual-layered with a max'ed out bitrate.
As I keep saying, not seen it yet.
 

Sgt Pepper

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Wow just seen some of the other releases from Arrow in the US and UK (Network & Thief to name but a few)...........this is going to be a fantastic 2015.
 

Robin9

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tele1962 said:
Not really speculating as such (none of us have seen it yet), but David Mackenzie does the encodes for Arrow so I am guessing this will be an improvement over the TT release, but again we shall see.
While I would not dream of questioning the skill and diligence of Mr. MacKenzie, I have to ask why do you believe he will do a better job that Twilight Time? Is it your opinion that the Twilight Time disc is sub-standard?
 

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