MovieChat Forums > Chi sei? (1975) Discussion > If you have the full-frame DVD, don't pa...

If you have the full-frame DVD, don't pass judgement yet!

posted 18 years ago by raymond-x-jacobsen
9 replies | jump to latest

This was one of those great, schlocky horror films from the 70's, that suffers greatly from a full-frame transfer. Prior to me knowing that there would be a US widescreen release of this film, I had bought the full-frame DVD from EBay---it's an absolutely horrid representation of this film. This DVD looked as bad or worse than a VHS tape---super, super grainy, poor imaging, bad sound---overall, I would have to say that it's probably the worst DVD transfer of a film I have ever seen. Now granted, we're not talking "Hamlet" or "Schindler's List" here in way of content----it is a rather cheesy horror film, but it is done with a lot of flair, and does deliver some genuine scares, and is really a lot of fun. However, you'd never know it from the full-frame presentation----I actually had a few friends over to watch it, and they said that it almost looked like an old porn movie. So, so sad, because if people bought or rented the full-frame version, they're really not seeing the true film as it was meant to be seen. Please, if you haven't seen it, or have the full-frame DVD and thought the movie was crap, please wait for the Code Red release that will be the uncut version, widescreen----you will be amazed at how much better the film comes across---because it really is a good little horror gem!

[–] enfilmigult 17 years ago

Yeah, the one on eBay is a bootleg of a VHS release from God knows when. Do yourself a favor--if you have an all-region DVD player and are crazy enough to spend about $40 on it, buy the (official!) Japanese DVD from Xploited Cinema. It's non-anamorphic, but it looks fabulous, it's the uncut version with scenes not in the U.S. release, and it even throws in a few trailers.

(Or wait for the Code Red U.S. release, which should be coming some time in 2034. I love them in theory, but they have got to be the slowest-moving niche market DVD outfit around.)

[–] delicreep 17 years ago

Barrel Entertainment is the slowest-moving niche market DVD outfit. Code Red isn't even close to their glacial pace.

[–] enfilmigult 16 years ago

Good to know.

I'm glad the Code Red DVD came out at last, but I found it disappointing. The extras are fabulous, but what happened to the movie? I have an HDTV, and the non-anamorphic Japanese DVD (upconverted, then zoomed in to fill the screen) looks better than this anamorphic one! I'd say there were too many extras and they had trouble fitting it on the same disc, but there isn't that much new video material. Maybe it's a single-layer disc or something. Something's off, at any rate. I'm holding onto my old DVD to watch the movie, then using this one for extras and inflicting this on friends at their houses and such.

[–] rexmagicman 16 years ago

Seriously??? Wow, I just purchased the Code Red DVD, and was really, REALLY impressed, but then again, the only DVD out there for Region 1 players, was that godawful full-screen one, that was horribly grainy and washed out. Wish I could see the Japanese one!!

[–] enfilmigult 16 years ago

It's about as nice a non-anamorphic disc as I've seen, and frankly I'm even more impressed after seeing the Code Red DVD. The colors and blacks are a little richer, there are fewer compression artifacts and I'm pretty sure the Code Red disc isn't *really* anamorphic anyway, ie the film frame didn't actually take up 480 lines when it was mastered. It looks like a non-anamorphic master that's just been upconverted. Just guessing, though.

[–] rexmagicman 16 years ago

I just really need to get a "multi-region" player, so I can see this one, plus a lot of the "Hammer" horror films that aren't available here...............drool........................

[–] enfilmigult 15 years ago

It's worth it. Try out Oppo; they're great.

[–] rexmagicman 15 years ago

What's "Oppo"???? :)

[–] enfilmigult 15 years ago

Sorry I took so long. Oppo is a brand that makes DVD players that are very easy to make all-region; they also feature very nice PAL-to-NTSC conversion and are even excellent upconverting players (for HDTV use, if you have one). Basically, if you want an all-region player, get one from them. You can't go wrong.

Here's their website-- http://www.oppodigital.com . They keep costs down, it seems, by barely distributing anything to stores, so if you decide to get one you'll probably have to buy one over the Internet (at their website or elsewhere).