The Last Emperor (limited 4K release from Arrow - UK) (2 Viewers)

[KeithDA]

My copy has just arrived and I'm looking forward to digging in this evening. To re-open the aspect ratio can of worms again, both the 4K Theatrical and the Blu Ray Extended 'TV' versions are in 2.39.1

This set has a few new extras, but not all the same as my 2004 2 disc DVD version - for example, there's no director's commentary in here.
A shame therefore that it's not quite definitive..

The Last Emperor Limited Edition 4K UHD

Buy The Last Emperor Limited Edition 4K UHD from Arrow Films.

www.arrowfilms.com

 

[Angelo Colombus]

I was tempted to buy it but at a total cost of $40 at Amazon UK so will wait for reviews and a lower price somewhere else.

 

[Robert Harris]

Would be nice if Criterion were to do a proper 4k of both cuts. Allowing the 2.39 to be cropped to 2.0 turned most every MLS in the film into a MS. I found it on the cusp of unwatchable.

 

[Konstantinos]

How is the picture quality?

 

[titch]

I've just done a quick comparison between the Criterion blu-ray from 2008, as well as the Arrow 4K UHD and Arrow blu-ray (the TV version).

The major differences: the framing, obviously. There is a huge difference between the cropped 2.00:1 aspect ratio on the Criterion and the 2.39:1 ratio on the Arrow. The soundtrack: Arrow present both versions with 5.1 sound, Criterion only has stereo. And the picture: of course, the 4K UHD completely obliterates both the Criterion blu-ray and the TV version on the Arrow blu-ray for detail and colour. The TV version looks as though it comes from exactly the same master as the 2008 Criterion. A fuzzy picture, riddled with digital artifacts. The TV version is 56 minutes longer than the theatrical version - I've never seen it. I would love to watch it, but I reckon it would be a bit hard to watch, after seeing the 4K UHD, though.

 

[cda1143]

I've just done a quick comparison between the Criterion blu-ray from 2008, as well as the Arrow 4K UHD and Arrow blu-ray (the TV version).

The major differences: the framing, obviously. There is a huge difference between the cropped 2.00:1 aspect ratio on the Criterion and the 2.39:1 ratio on the Arrow. The soundtrack: Arrow present both versions with 5.1 sound, Criterion only has stereo. And the picture: of course, the 4K UHD completely obliterates both the Criterion blu-ray and the TV version on the Arrow blu-ray for detail and colour. The TV version looks as though it comes from exactly the same master as the 2008 Criterion. A fuzzy picture, riddled with digital artifacts. The TV version is 56 minutes longer than the theatrical version - I've never seen it. I would love to watch it, but I reckon it would be a bit hard to watch, after seeing the 4K UHD, though.

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Sold. Just ordered.

 

[JoshZ]

Anybody ordered from the UK to ship to the United States recently? I used to go with Zavvi for UK exclusive discs, but it appears their UK site no longer ships to the US, and their US site doesn't carry this title (or any others not licensed for the US market).

Any other suggestions? Amazon UK doesn't have it in stock. Does Arrow ship to the US from their own site?

 

[Claus Nielsen]

Amazon UK has the UHD in stock.
The blu-ray edition is out of stock.

 

[compson]

Rarewaves is an option.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

On Ebay there is the UK seller Rarewaves and i have purchased from them many times and currently have the 4k disc for $38.63 which includes shipping.

 

[Konstantinos]

I wonder how limited is this release, and if I should buy it right now..

 

[JoshZ]

Amazon UK has the UHD in stock.
The blu-ray edition is out of stock.

Neither is in stock at the moment. The 4K is only available from third-party sellers.

 

[Ashly Yeo]

Sold! Just put in an order from Rarewaves on eBay!

 

[Angelo Colombus]

Sold! Just put in an order from Rarewaves on eBay!

So did i and they do ship quickly. You can also pre-order it on DeepDiscount but currently it's $54.83

 

[compson]

On Ebay there is the UK seller Rarewaves and i have purchased from them many times and currently have the 4k disc for $38.63 which includes shipping.

It’s slightly cheaper if you order from the Rarewaves website.

 

[Konstantinos]

Neither is in stock at the moment. The 4K is only available from third-party sellers.

It shows to me that it's still available from Amazon as a seller.
Maybe it doesn't show the same to you that you live in USA?
I live in Greece.

By the way, I just bought it!
And it is my 400th blu-ray!

 

[jayembee]

On Ebay there is the UK seller Rarewaves and i have purchased from them many times and currently have the 4k disc for $38.63 which includes shipping.

Rarewaves has their own site, as well as shops on eBay and Amazon Marketplace. It's useful to buy direct if you don't want eBay or Amazon taking a cut of the sale.

There's also DiabolikDVD[.com]. They're currently OOS on this, but they have more coming. They're offering it for $38.99 (plus $5 flat rate shipping).

 

[JoshZ]

It shows to me that it's still available from Amazon as a seller.
Maybe it doesn't show the same to you that you live in USA?
I live in Greece.

Not from Amazon directly, only from third-parties.

 

[cda1143]

Josh:

It is in stock at AmazonUK, but they are prohibited from selling certain things not licensed in the US. Same issue with shipping. Amazon UK will ship to the US, but only things licensed for sale here. This hurdle arises with some discs and books, hence the work-around through third party sellers.

If you log onto the UK site with a UK IP address it will show as available, but you still won’t be able to ship it to the US.

I’ve ordered many times from Rarewaves, in the past through Amazon.UK, and more recently directly from Rarewaves. I’ve only ever had one problem - Christmas 2020 a book never arrived, but they sent a replacement express right away. Turns out the USPS lost it and it showed up weeks later.

 

[JoshZ]

Josh:

It is in stock at AmazonUK, but they are prohibited from selling certain things not licensed in the US. Same issue with shipping. Amazon UK will ship to the US, but only things licensed for sale here. This hurdle arises with some discs and books, hence the work-around through third party sellers.

If you log onto the UK site with a UK IP address it will show as available, but you still won’t be able to ship it to the US.

Thanks for the clarification. It didn't used to be that way. I ordered a ton of UK-exclusive stuff in the past from both the Amazon and Zavvi UK sites.