War of the Worlds (1 Viewer)

[William D Cavender]

It seems that certain people at Paramount must be sniffing VHS tapes again. The image of this film is excessively cropped on all four sides and it is not as sharp as the laser disc.

 

[Dick]

I started a thread about this DVD, which I also feel is inferior, but people flamed me left and right. Should get a special edition treatment, but I'm sure Paramount won't revisit it for quite some time.

 

[David Lambert]

Actually, there's a remake in the works for WotW...a very violent version with some nudity. Supposed to be more true to the book, but I've never read it.
If an SE of the first film ever comes, it will probably to capitolize on the release of the remake.

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DAVE/Memphis

MORE TV ON DVD, PLEASE!

 

[Mary M S]

Did Paramount miss an opportunity to make a little change?

I have been searching for the Paramount 1953 Version of War of the Worlds staring Gene Barry, for my husband who wanted it.

Amazing timing: - according to my local Barnes & Nobel it just recently went out of print. When I called the main B&N number the CS rep, could not find any info to confirm this. But stated “I’m sure we would get something like that with the Spielburg Film creating extra interest.”

Local Dallas Fry Electronics shows 19 copies in Dallas…all sold out, and no infor regarding restocking, out of print etc.

Amazon.com shows new/used copies starting at $78.99.

Two other sites show “Out of Stock” at normal pricing

With the other “new” War of the Worlds coming out, which has irritated Paramount, why don’t the local suppliers have copies in stock of Paramount’s own 1953 version as an alternative.

My local Blockbuster does not appear to even stock it for rent.

???

 

[Joe Fisher]

Mary,

It went OOP because Paramount is releasing a SE in November. It will probably be released the same day as the Spielberg version. Possible date for release is November 1st, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Yeah Mary,

no worries, a fully restored/remastered DVD of the 1953 version is on the way in Nov from all reports. I love this film too and had passed on the previous DVD because I had the laserdisc...now I'm glad I waited since the new DVD will no-doubt be an improvement in both picture and sound.

I do agree with you however that it's frustrating that no store happened to have a copy in-stock on the shelf. You'd think that *somewhere* there must be a copy sitting gathering dust...

 

[Mary M S]

Thanks David & Joe for the info. All my web googling on the topic did not generate that news.

I won't pay 70+ for the old version, will look forward to watching for the SE around Christmas then....however I think if Paramount could have gotten it on the shelf NOW concurrently with the 2005 release in theaters, it would have been more astute marketing....rather than competing with dollars for the purchase of the 2005 DVD version.

Thank you much!

.....they are not pulling a sony are they? It will be offered in OAR!!!!! (i hope!)

I don't buy P&S.....

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Agreed about the marketing timing.

And definitely wait for the new version...you're right...the going prices for the out-of-print version are rediculous given that there is a new version on the way (and sure to be improved)...

 

[Joe Fisher]

It will be offered in OAR!!!!! (i hope!)

The OOP 1953 WOTW is 1:33.1 which is the correct ratio, so don't worry about it being P&S because it's not.

 

[Mary M S]

so don't worry about it being P&S because it's not.

Great!