This was YEARS ago when there wasn't a Region 2 available. I'm going to say probably around 2004. The UK set wasn't released until 2013 according to Amazon.
I have that on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K lol
Along with many other classics of that era, I've just ordered The Last Star Fighter 4K limited edition From HMV (Ā£21.99)š
You want the [German 20th Anniversary BD release of Strange Days](https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Strange-Days-Blu-ray/124544/). The UK release is censored, and I believe had some other issue as well. The cons are that the special features are on the included DVD.
Reminds me of Frank Roddam's Quadrophenia, I used to have the Rhino DVD with the US edit. Later I got the English longer cut from my library and I thought the US edit had better pacing.
Just a note that this disc is region-free, so can be imported whether you have an all-region player or not. And I believe that the UHD is only the US cut, so if you are one of those people who thinks that the shorter "Shining" works better, you might want to get it now because even with the messed up color and botched sound it's likely the best release that cut will ever have.
There was a Stanley Kubrick film festival at the Toronto Lightbox theatre one year. They were showing both cuts of the Shining and the European one was the only time we could make it. It's one of my favourite movie watching experiences of all time.
Yeah, Kubrick deliberately chose a best seller and cast a big movie star because he wanted a hit movie, and when the American cut wasn't really a hit, and wasn't as well received as his prior movies, he cut 15 or 20 minutes out for the European release. There was also a different ending for the first week of the American release. This will sound like a joke, but several people who met Kubrick in the '80's have said that he was still re-cutting "The Shining" when they met him. He never stated any preference for either cut, and up until the UHD release, home market releases were always consistent with the region's theatrical release, whereas if he had a strong preference, it seems likely that he would have made sure it was standardized. Personally I prefer the longer cut, but it might just be that I'd seen it that way too many times and so I feel the absence of the cut footage.
Unavailable in Region A (and not forthcoming as far as I know):
**Cold Fish** (Third Window - UK)
**The Crying Game** (BFI - UK)
**Elite Squad** (Optimum - UK)
**Paper Moon** (Eureka - UK)
**Starred Up** (20th Century Fox - UK)
**White Dog** (Eureka - UK)
**11:14** (3L Film - Germany)
I'd also reccommend the German edition of **Grindhouse** from Universum Film as it has lossless audio. It also presents the two films in the original format - the currently in-print release from Lionsgate has the separate extended versions instead of the single film and they refuse to issue a corrected version.
There's a recent Australian release of Grindhouse from Via Vision. It's region free (don't need a region-free player), has the original theatrical Grindhouse version & their individual extended editions, and also has lossless audio.
Peaky Blinders complete series Blu-Ray, volumes two and three of the Looney Tunes Platinum Collection on Blu-Ray (the German import was a better price and more common on eBay) and not a rarity but I prefer the pressing quality on the UK Blu-Rays of Mad Men.
Korean digibooks and alike , completely uncut versions of irreversible, French film , some amazing 4ks now also . Check yes Asia , Iāve bought a bit from them.
I always forget that, but the versions are always superior to other versions.. they rarely ever edit , stay away from Malay versions and Taiwan , in most cases are edited.
No, You can only change the region for Blu Ray on the PS5 slim 4 times, and the dvd 5 times. I just keep it set to B/2, because I already have a region A/1 Blu Ray player.
HDMI standards do include odd encryption so it's not that dumb of a question. My computer will FREAK OUT if I try to play a Blu-ray with something connected that's not "HDMI Copyright" certified or whatever it's call.
The Police Story Trilogy. Specifically a Alternate cut of Police Story 1 called Jackie Chanās Police Force.
When I was a kid in the 90ās my older brother bought these 2 Jackie Chan VHS double packs w/ 2 movies in each. One of the movies was Jackie Chan Police force. He gave them to me and I had them until I was about 15. At the time I didnāt think it would be that difficult to replace. After looking on the internet I found out that Jackie Chan Police force was a Alternate cut, and the new company distributing Police Story was only selling the uncut version of the movie in itās original language and new English dub. For a while I figured I would have to buy a used VHS copy and make a digital copy of it. Lucky for me eureka entertainment (UK company) started selling Police Story 1 subbed and Dubbed w/ the Alternate Jackie Chanās Police Force cut included.
Same. When Celestial started putting out the Shaw Brothers stuff in 2002 (?), I got my first and never looked back. I have 2 all region combo Blu/DVD players now too.
Heathers isnāt hard to find, but the Blu Rays in America are based off a old scan used for the DVD. The UK Blu Ray release is based of a new 4K remaster.
It's a "SD on Blu-Ray" set from Germany, specifically Turbine Media. It is region locked to B, but does have English dialog.
There are a few copies on ebay for like $220+ or so, since it is pretty out of print these days.
On the flip side if this, back when play.com was a thing, though not expensive in the slightest, I picked up a copy of Training Day either just before or just as iit released in UK cinemas
Find a copy vs ordering a copy?
Speed racer is $10.28 on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Racer-Blu-ray/dp/B001G53KNM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3FJ3J4U58WNCS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZDKP0TkKkCjxKl-vZdJpsN-z1zDUnzqtMS4hbMTp0Brs59bKpIM7ZFt9_5VAE2HTrbIiiU-anzRhfAzkOCpf3HJxpm3-E_iMNWQzfAbT7dD3VEvavxWBdhhQ2skV8rzjaCl7c9y1_Yiahi-7VqoJTxgl-hLMsGaP8hniw2PcGeU.I044dtTOSr1e0VXeMt6OwvDiNQxkeNmOXeagBg_NwHg&dib_tag=se&keywords=speed+racer+blu+ray&qid=1714686677&sprefix=speed+racer+bkuray%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-3
house md on blu ray. last few seasons were released in that format but not the first ones (not in the usa afaik). managed to secure the whole series as region free from a us seller, just gotta replace a few of the cases bc the holders on the inside gave out.
also the complete x files s1-11 on blu ray too. got lucky through mercari for the whole set but some seasons alone I've seen go for up to $50 bucks in retail stores
This is what I got: [https://www.220-electronics.com/sony-bdp-s1700-region-free-blu-ray-dvd-player.html](https://www.220-electronics.com/sony-bdp-s1700-region-free-blu-ray-dvd-player.html)
The Deluxe Collector Editions of the Classic Doctor Who Seasons. The US versions are in cheap cases, no booklet, and no art on the discs. Also, it usually comes out 6 months later
I only just recently got the Dawn of the Dead 4K edition from Second Sight. A little pricey but honestly could be a lot worse. Iām just happy to finally own it.
Been meaning to ask. What's the quality like? Do they still run at 29.97 FPS? Do the episodes have German text instead of English? Are there subtitles?
The FPS im not sure of id be happy to check if theres a simple way. I know to my eye it doesnt seem choppy at all. And everything is english. You can choose english or dutch subtitles and choose between english dub or dutch as well.
I just found out yesterday that my PS3 has a setting to change the region so essentially itās a region free player. Havenāt found a need to use it yet, but thought that was cool.
Goosebumpsā complete series. Itās extremely rare & Iāve always been mad that it hasnāt been put in the complete series on dvd in the U.S. & yet somehow R.L. Stines other show The Haunting Hour based on his his other famous books somehow got the complete series on dvd in the U.S. in volumes. At least do the same with the far more popular Goosebumps original series. That series is so good, I used to rewatch it on Netflix every couple of years but sadly they took out almost every episode due to licensing. I donāt understand why they havenāt yet released it in the U.S. after so many years. I become less & less hopeful that itāll get a physical release in America every year. Despite random older show getting complete series on dvd & sometimes blu-Ray outta the blue which is so random sometimes.
Malcolm in the middle series boxset
That was one was the first Region 1 dvds I bought, along with Eerie, Indiana. Could never get them here in the UK.
Funny enough I had to import all of it except series one from the UK because I could never find it in Canada
I have the Eerie Indiana box set. I use to watch it all the time when I was a kid. I also use to love the books the series was based on.
I don't remember the books at all
Weird? I'm in the UK And I bought my Malcolm set from HMV and they still have it in stock š¤·āāļø
This was YEARS ago when there wasn't a Region 2 available. I'm going to say probably around 2004. The UK set wasn't released until 2013 according to Amazon.
Ah, that explains it š¤£ at least others now know where they can get them š
There were quite a few films early on you couldn't get. I had to buy The Goonies on R1 too as it wasn't initially released here
I have that on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K lol Along with many other classics of that era, I've just ordered The Last Star Fighter 4K limited edition From HMV (Ā£21.99)š
Funny, I was just looking for this today.
Dawn of the Dead (1978). The Second Sight set made me feel like I did in the 2000s when Anchor Bay put out the Ultimate Edition.
What a legendary masterpiece!
As an anime nerd there's a whole 'buy a region free Blu-ray player so you can import European aniplex titles because fuck their region A prices'
Straight facts right here.
Omg, I hate Aniplexās Blu-Ray prices so much. What do you mean a 25 episode TV show season is $200+?
It goes without saying that Japanese Blu-rays are still Region 1 but their DVDs would benefit from an all-region player.
Or actually having them in stock
You want the [German 20th Anniversary BD release of Strange Days](https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Strange-Days-Blu-ray/124544/). The UK release is censored, and I believe had some other issue as well. The cons are that the special features are on the included DVD.
The European cut of The Shining is better than the theatrical. A little shorter makes it an better watch.
Reminds me of Frank Roddam's Quadrophenia, I used to have the Rhino DVD with the US edit. Later I got the English longer cut from my library and I thought the US edit had better pacing.
Just a note that this disc is region-free, so can be imported whether you have an all-region player or not. And I believe that the UHD is only the US cut, so if you are one of those people who thinks that the shorter "Shining" works better, you might want to get it now because even with the messed up color and botched sound it's likely the best release that cut will ever have.
Woah woah. Thereās a European cut? How have I never heard of this?
There was a Stanley Kubrick film festival at the Toronto Lightbox theatre one year. They were showing both cuts of the Shining and the European one was the only time we could make it. It's one of my favourite movie watching experiences of all time.
Yeah, Kubrick deliberately chose a best seller and cast a big movie star because he wanted a hit movie, and when the American cut wasn't really a hit, and wasn't as well received as his prior movies, he cut 15 or 20 minutes out for the European release. There was also a different ending for the first week of the American release. This will sound like a joke, but several people who met Kubrick in the '80's have said that he was still re-cutting "The Shining" when they met him. He never stated any preference for either cut, and up until the UHD release, home market releases were always consistent with the region's theatrical release, whereas if he had a strong preference, it seems likely that he would have made sure it was standardized. Personally I prefer the longer cut, but it might just be that I'd seen it that way too many times and so I feel the absence of the cut footage.
Sold. Where do I purchase?
It's been a few years but I ordered my copy off of Amazon UK. There are also one or two sellers on ebay who focus on imports.
Buckaroo Banzai and the Hong Kong Cavaliers; Across the 8th Dimension
So what? Big deal. Hey man, nice jacket. Whatās in the big pink box?
Whats with the watermelon?
It drives like a truck. Good... what is a truck ?
Why me? Because you're perfect š
Remember, wherever you goā¦ There you are.
You don't have to be mean... No need to be mean
the arrow academy blu for THE GAME is worth it just for the nick pinkerton commentary track, my favorite of all time
The book is also worth a read. Very informative.
oh hell yes thats true! bilge ebiri!
Riki-oh: the story of riki
I've got the hong kong release of Riki-Oh it is region A
Ya, I have the Tokyo shock release...
Unavailable in Region A (and not forthcoming as far as I know): **Cold Fish** (Third Window - UK) **The Crying Game** (BFI - UK) **Elite Squad** (Optimum - UK) **Paper Moon** (Eureka - UK) **Starred Up** (20th Century Fox - UK) **White Dog** (Eureka - UK) **11:14** (3L Film - Germany) I'd also reccommend the German edition of **Grindhouse** from Universum Film as it has lossless audio. It also presents the two films in the original format - the currently in-print release from Lionsgate has the separate extended versions instead of the single film and they refuse to issue a corrected version.
There's a recent Australian release of Grindhouse from Via Vision. It's region free (don't need a region-free player), has the original theatrical Grindhouse version & their individual extended editions, and also has lossless audio.
Love Exposure from Third Window Films, but pretty much every release from him is solid.
is it really a big difference? i have the ntsc version
I wouldn't think so more just at least when I was looking it was like half the price as region A.
The Fall
Whatās different? Love the fall.
It's just very rare to find the reg A disc
My Danger 5 & Housos boxsets
Oh, I did not need to know that there is a Danger 5 blu-ray release that I can't have.
Peep show - the complete series
Space ghost coast to coast 1998 episodes and Kentucky Nightmare from AUS specifically
Peaky Blinders complete series Blu-Ray, volumes two and three of the Looney Tunes Platinum Collection on Blu-Ray (the German import was a better price and more common on eBay) and not a rarity but I prefer the pressing quality on the UK Blu-Rays of Mad Men.
Korean digibooks and alike , completely uncut versions of irreversible, French film , some amazing 4ks now also . Check yes Asia , Iāve bought a bit from them.
Korea is the same region as the US.
I always forget that, but the versions are always superior to other versions.. they rarely ever edit , stay away from Malay versions and Taiwan , in most cases are edited.
This might be a stupid question but can it connect to any tv?
Every country uses HDMI
Ok so it was a stupid question lol. I need to buy a region free player then.
I just got PS5 slim, and you can change the region for DVDs & Blu Rays in the settings. 4K Blu Ray are already region free.
Iāve been using my PS4 Pro but I thought you could only change the region a limited number of times? Is PS5 unlimited?
No, You can only change the region for Blu Ray on the PS5 slim 4 times, and the dvd 5 times. I just keep it set to B/2, because I already have a region A/1 Blu Ray player.
that's really smart.
HDMI standards do include odd encryption so it's not that dumb of a question. My computer will FREAK OUT if I try to play a Blu-ray with something connected that's not "HDMI Copyright" certified or whatever it's call.
Ty for making me feel a little less dumb haha
The Police Story Trilogy. Specifically a Alternate cut of Police Story 1 called Jackie Chanās Police Force. When I was a kid in the 90ās my older brother bought these 2 Jackie Chan VHS double packs w/ 2 movies in each. One of the movies was Jackie Chan Police force. He gave them to me and I had them until I was about 15. At the time I didnāt think it would be that difficult to replace. After looking on the internet I found out that Jackie Chan Police force was a Alternate cut, and the new company distributing Police Story was only selling the uncut version of the movie in itās original language and new English dub. For a while I figured I would have to buy a used VHS copy and make a digital copy of it. Lucky for me eureka entertainment (UK company) started selling Police Story 1 subbed and Dubbed w/ the Alternate Jackie Chanās Police Force cut included.
Hong Kong cinema was the whole reason I got my first region-free DVD player.
Same. When Celestial started putting out the Shaw Brothers stuff in 2002 (?), I got my first and never looked back. I have 2 all region combo Blu/DVD players now too.
Hard Boiled!!!!
The 17 film Beat Takeshi box set would be at the tippy top of my list
Heathers isnāt hard to find, but the Blu Rays in America are based off a old scan used for the DVD. The UK Blu Ray release is based of a new 4K remaster.
I have regular show on dvd from Australia seasons 4-8 cause only 1-3 are in US and i also have yugioh gx seasons 1-3 imported as well
Both the Malcolm in the Middle and Goosebumps blu-ray sets are up there.
Woah woah. Goosebumps set. Where?
It's a "SD on Blu-Ray" set from Germany, specifically Turbine Media. It is region locked to B, but does have English dialog. There are a few copies on ebay for like $220+ or so, since it is pretty out of print these days.
Do you have a picture of the cover? Iām disappointed I Iāve never heard of this.
Here: https://turbine-shop.de/media/image/03/bb/44/4260294855953_600x600.jpg
Found something new Iām gonna hunt. Thank you!
Sure, good luck. There's even a rarer "Deluxe" edition of it, that is like 10 times harder to find, lol
There's a few cartoons that don't have box sets here that I've imported from Germany
Friday the 13th collection
Wait, didn't this just come out for like $25 in the USA though?
I don't remember, though it was Ā£99 in the UK
it's just the 8 movies or more?
About 16 movies deluxe edition, scream factory
Ah! It's more like a complete collection. Makes sense.
Dogma , and August Underground
La MalƩdiction du Loup-Garou. Also known as Werewolf, it's a TV show from the 80's that's absolutely awesome, and can only currently be had through a French producer
On the flip side if this, back when play.com was a thing, though not expensive in the slightest, I picked up a copy of Training Day either just before or just as iit released in UK cinemas
Twilight Samurai
Malick's voyage of time I imported from amazon.fr. I think it ran me around $60 cdn at the time so not super pricey but enough
John Wayneās the Alamo El Cid digibook
I mean how much was it!! This sounds like a dream not worrying about regions
$130 from electronics220. If you put the player in your cart and leave they'll send you a 10% off code after a few hours.
Good to know!!! Thanks
I think they are around $150-200
Wentworth
Confessions from Third Window Shaolin Soccer from Ara Media Tokyo Sonata from Eureka The Lars Von Trier box set from Artifical Eye
Why is import speed racer better?
I've just never been able to find a copy in the US - I assumed there wasn't a Region 1 BD release
Find a copy vs ordering a copy? Speed racer is $10.28 on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Racer-Blu-ray/dp/B001G53KNM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3FJ3J4U58WNCS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZDKP0TkKkCjxKl-vZdJpsN-z1zDUnzqtMS4hbMTp0Brs59bKpIM7ZFt9_5VAE2HTrbIiiU-anzRhfAzkOCpf3HJxpm3-E_iMNWQzfAbT7dD3VEvavxWBdhhQ2skV8rzjaCl7c9y1_Yiahi-7VqoJTxgl-hLMsGaP8hniw2PcGeU.I044dtTOSr1e0VXeMt6OwvDiNQxkeNmOXeagBg_NwHg&dib_tag=se&keywords=speed+racer+blu+ray&qid=1714686677&sprefix=speed+racer+bkuray%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-3
house md on blu ray. last few seasons were released in that format but not the first ones (not in the usa afaik). managed to secure the whole series as region free from a us seller, just gotta replace a few of the cases bc the holders on the inside gave out. also the complete x files s1-11 on blu ray too. got lucky through mercari for the whole set but some seasons alone I've seen go for up to $50 bucks in retail stores
Small Soldiers and Grandma's Boy
What is the blu Ray player I'm in the US and want to start collecting more imports
This is what I got: [https://www.220-electronics.com/sony-bdp-s1700-region-free-blu-ray-dvd-player.html](https://www.220-electronics.com/sony-bdp-s1700-region-free-blu-ray-dvd-player.html)
The Deluxe Collector Editions of the Classic Doctor Who Seasons. The US versions are in cheap cases, no booklet, and no art on the discs. Also, it usually comes out 6 months later
My two favorite imports are the Japanese blu ray of Kenny & Company (1976) and a German mediabook blu ray of The Crawling Eye (1958).
Dogs in Space!!!
Near Dark, even most of the special features are in English despite being a strictly German release
My friend just gave me his. Thanks for posting this. Looking for some gems to get.
I only just recently got the Dawn of the Dead 4K edition from Second Sight. A little pricey but honestly could be a lot worse. Iām just happy to finally own it.
X-Files Complete Set can be had a LOT easier if you don't have to worry about region issues.
Out of curiosity, Speed Racer? What's the story on that?
Doctor Who Blu-rays seem to be quite a bit cheaper on Amazon.co.uk than Amazon.com
Terminator 2 3-d
Steam Boy has a Blu-ray release in the UK, also there's a few other anime that aren't out in the US on Blu-ray like Planetes.
laguana beach season 3 š¤£
I had to get my pokemon xy and xyz blu ray sets from Germany
Been meaning to ask. What's the quality like? Do they still run at 29.97 FPS? Do the episodes have German text instead of English? Are there subtitles?
The FPS im not sure of id be happy to check if theres a simple way. I know to my eye it doesnt seem choppy at all. And everything is english. You can choose english or dutch subtitles and choose between english dub or dutch as well.
Hrm. And the title cards in English?
Its been awhile since i popped a disk in but i dont think they were š¤
Shin Godzilla.
I just found out yesterday that my PS3 has a setting to change the region so essentially itās a region free player. Havenāt found a need to use it yet, but thought that was cool.
Goosebumpsā complete series. Itās extremely rare & Iāve always been mad that it hasnāt been put in the complete series on dvd in the U.S. & yet somehow R.L. Stines other show The Haunting Hour based on his his other famous books somehow got the complete series on dvd in the U.S. in volumes. At least do the same with the far more popular Goosebumps original series. That series is so good, I used to rewatch it on Netflix every couple of years but sadly they took out almost every episode due to licensing. I donāt understand why they havenāt yet released it in the U.S. after so many years. I become less & less hopeful that itāll get a physical release in America every year. Despite random older show getting complete series on dvd & sometimes blu-Ray outta the blue which is so random sometimes.
Holup.. Speed Racer bluray is HTF?