Ben Motley
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2001
- Messages
- 738
Can someone who has the set confirm that there is no such warning/disclaimer listed in the liner notes or stamped somewhere on the packaging?Exactly. I have several soundtrack cds that do just this. The Exorcist from FSM, Angel Heart, and some others I can't remember off the top of my head, but there are disclaimers on the packaging somewhere that explains the omission. Are the cd companies shooting themselves in the foot announcing the issue, and the reason for the issue? Maybe. Sure, some people may not buy the cd. But at least they're being up front. Would it have affected my decision had they let us know of the condition prior to the release of MTM? Maybe. I'd much rather be able to make an educated purchase than get snookered. I guess that's why I scour the net before I buy anything, but what about the average consumer who doesn't?
But that's not the whole reason for my anger at this. As I said, it sets a precedent. David Lambert, you mention both the money factor and the competition factor. I know that because of industry ownership change-ups over the years, rights issues get muddled, but are we so far removed from the "days of VHS" that we can't do a proper job on dvd? Okay, I admit it, I don't have any examples, and I'm not 110% sure, but my assumption is that this wasn't such a big problem for t.v. shows on VHS. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong - fine. But I cannot rememeber ever hearing about anything like this on VHS. I'm sure there are examples to the contrary, I'm just saying that on VHS, it seems it would have been the exception, whereas on dvd, it is becoming the norm, and I personally can't live with that norm. If my favorite t.v. shows are going to be butchered on dvd, well, there is so much other stuff I can buy that I want just as bad. No thank you, I'll watch the shows on t.v. reruns if I can find 'em, and, if they're butchered for t.v. as well, then I just won't watch 'em. These shows are time capsules, and nostalgia is a huge factor for many in buying these. When a product is presented in an altered form, the nostalgia factor is compromised.
David, thanks for your words above, and don't take this personally. You're a cool guy, and I've always read your posts with respect and 100% attention, but in your consideration of the industry on this issue, you've left the consumer out of the equation. Are my concerns unfounded? I don't think so, yet you express no sympathy whatsoever for the problem, only giving credence to the industry. I can understand the problems behind the issue, but I only wish there were something that could be done, rather than settling for an inferior product. Maybe my standards are too damned high, but I hold the industry accountable for quality product. If the rights are shuffled back and forth, more and more of the content being compromised, then it is just not a good system.
Some of you think that this is a trivial matter, and consumers are "silly", or whatever, for letting this factor into their purchase decision. All I can say is do you read condensed, Readers Digest versions of or abridged books? Do you buy new recordings of classic scores rather than original soundtracks? Do you watch the colorized "It's a Wonderful Life"? Do you watch the condensed, two hour "Shogun"? That's fine and dandy for you if you do, but for me, I just have higher standards.