Any details on R2 Bronston epics (1 Viewer)

[Ken New]

I understand that the Broston epics "55 Days at Peking", "El Cid" and "Fall of the Roman Empire" are available in France in widescreen. Anyone know if the English language track is the original soundtrack (with Heston et al) and if the credits are in the original english. I'm seriously considering purchasing these.

I know Miramax are supposed to be working on new DVD versions of all these movies. They may eventually be better than the above R2 discs but Miramax have been at it for two years and could go on another two years for all I know. Meanwhile I want to see these movies in something approximating their original glory now. Maybe I'll upgrade later if the Miramax discs ever appear.

 

[Hendrik]

...note the French DVDs have 'locked' (non-removable) French subtitles when the English soundtracks are selected!...
...all are anamorphic widescreen, English soundtracks are DD 2.0 Stereo...
. . . . . .

 

[Douglas R]

note the French DVDs have 'locked' (non-removable) French subtitles when the English soundtracks are

This seems to depend on your DVD player. I had a Sumsung which was able to remove the French subtitles but they are locked on my present Toshiba player!

 

[Danny_N]

The Bronston epics were recently released in Germany as well. Reportedly these releases have very nice anamorphic 2.35:1 transfers, original English soundtracks (albeit in mono) and the subtitles are removable. They're not the Roadshow versions though (but neither are the French DVD's).

 

[Ken New]

Thanks Danny N. Can anyone recommend a dealer for the German discs?

 

[Douglas R]

original English soundtracks (albeit in mono)

Are you sure the German versions are mono? The French El Cid and Fall of the Roman Empire are supposedly mono according to the packaging but the English tracks are actually stereo (haven't got 55 Days..... so don't know about that one)

 

[Danny_N]

Douglas, you're right.
I took the soundtrack info from Amazon.de but after re-checking some threads on a German forum it appears that the German DVD's do have an English stereo surround track (according to posters there that is). So it seems that the German DVD's are probably/likely identical to the French ones except for the mandatory subtitling.
I have the French DVD's too and they're very nice (they actually have an English MPEG track). I am hoping that Miramax will release the full Roadshow versions next year though.
Ken, I always use www.amazon.de although they're expensive with shipping outside of Germany.
El Cid: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASI...263882-3358452
FOTRE: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASI...263882-3358452
55 Days: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASI...263882-3358452
Circus World: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASI...263882-3358452

 

[Ken New]

Many thanks Danny - Excellent news and very helpful.