LaserDisc exclusives?

[Jim H]

Wasn't quite sure where to put this, but I would guess a lot of what this topic is about will be what we call "bad movies", so here it is...

What titles are still only available on LaserDisc or VHS?  Or the LaserDisc version is superior (like, for example, when the DVD is only pan-and-scan or has no features, as the Howling DVD until the special edition got put out)?  The numbers are dwindling, but the likely truth is some movies will *never* make the transition.

I'm not aware of too many.  But here goes..

Song of the South - only available as a Japanese LD, as far as I know.  The LD is worth a fair bit for that reason.  US release seems unlikely, though Der Fuehrer's Face managed to get a release, so who knows?

Radioactive Dreams.  I like it and Andrew likes it, and it's been out of print for 20 years.  So here it is.

Crime Story season 1 - the Japanese LD set is the only version with the original music intact (aside from the EP VHS tapes).

There are a number of music video/concert LDs which are still exclusive to LD.  I don't know of any particular ones, but I've seen them go for a lot on eBay before.

The Compleat Tex Avery collection - there's a French release, but it apparently contains censored versions and is missing a couple shorts.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit - DVD has a couple minor censored bits.

Wheels of Fire - no DVD, apparently.  Big loss.

Let It Be - Still no DVD?  Why?

Monster Squad - Ok, there's FINALLY a damn DVD coming...

Night of the Creeps - Don't think there's a DVD coming yet, is there?

Pass the Ammo

Roadside Prophets

Just Heroes - One of John Woo's more obscure movies.  I have it on LD since I've never seen even a bootleg DVD of it (though one probably exists)

Any other significant ones I'm missing?

[Pilgermann]

There are Criterion laserdiscs of The Fisher King and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, both with commentary, deleted scenes, storyboards, etc.  I have a sealed copy of Munchausen but I can't watch it 'cause I don't own a laserdisc player.

Something Wicked This Way Comes has a special edition LD that has commentary by Ray Bradbury.  I think it may also have an isolated score.

Umm, that's all I know of.

[Kester Pelagius]

I'm not aware of too many. 
<...>

Any other significant ones I'm missing?

I haven't updated the list in a while but..

101+ Movies Without Proper R1 DVD Releases.

As the subject line suggests this list of titles was compiled regarding R1 releases.  Some titles may be available in other regions.  Let's see, updating, just quickly glancing at the titles...

Ator, The Fighting Eagle: Has a R2 disc and a shady R1 release.

Black Candles: has been announced as comeing from BCI as part of a "Grindhouse" double feature.  However, given their track record with announcing titles then not meeting street dates, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Cinderella 2000: Has since had a DVD release, but the video was from a tape master, thus it's far from optimal.

Hundra: This has since had a WS release.

Lady Frankenstein: This is one of those titles that had numerous "PD" releases but has yet to have a proper restoration release.

Liane, Jungle Goddess: Has an Alpha Video release.  Needs a proper restoration release (and it's sequel).

Messalina, Messalina: Has a shady FS release sourced from tape.  The R2 disc is WS.

Red Heat: I read an announcement for this, have no idea if it ever came out though.

Starcrash: Has since appeared on DVD, very shady and hard to find (unless you order it online) though.

[Andrew]

Looking at my LDs, these are some I think are still missing DVD releases:

Galaxis
Metalstorm
The Dark (giant killer gopher movie)
Cool As Ice
Cast a Deadly Spell
Babes in Toyland (Drew Barrymore version)
Nightwing
Master of the World
The Monster Squad (but this is coming)
The Kindred
The X From Outer Space
The Sisterhood
Tammy and the T-Rex
Tobor the Great
Uninvited (killer cat flick)
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla 1985

[quabrot]

The Amazing Colossal Man

[Jim H]

Another one is The Devils (Ken Russel).  The LD version isn't the best one, the bootleg DVD is, but it is legit.  I'm not aware of a legit DVD of it.

The Criterion edition of The Killer has a commentary track unique to it which can't be reproduced for legal reasons.

Good one on Cast a Deadly Spell, as I've wanted a copy of it for a while.  Oddly enough, I just saw an episode of Angel randomly on TV which ripped off the plot very blatantly - though the payoff for the sacrifice at the end wasn't nearly as good.  There's an LD copy on eBay right now, but $20 with shipping seems a bit much.  In these days of ultra low DVD prices, I've become pretty miserly...  I remember buying Once Upon a Time in the West on LD for $40 4 or 5 years before the DVD finally came out.

BTW, what LD of Monster Squad do you have Andrew?

On the note of Godzilla, Biollante has a Japanese release I believe.  Dunno if the American version of 1985 ever got put out anywhere though.

The Red Heat DVD comes out April 17.

[Andrew]

The change to DVD, which its more compact format and cheaper prices, has definitely been a good thing.  I prefer to own four movies, to having only one for the same price.  My LD collection exploded when this one LD store switched to DVD.  They sold a huge number of LDs for $4.

"The Monster Squad" is an Image LD, CLV format, with logos for 3M and Vestron on it.

[TheSinisterQuinn]

I have been in a longtime search for a Captain America movie (made AGES ago) and all I have been able to find was LaserDisc. Bah!

[Andrew]

I have been in a longtime search for a Captain America movie (made AGES ago) and all I have been able to find was LaserDisc. Bah!

Do you mean the 1979 film with Reb Brown or the 1990 film with Matt Salinger?  I am guessing you must mean the 1979 film and, if so, I had no idea they ever put it out on LD.  That would be one I would go searching for, even in this time of DVD.

[quabrot]

Anchor Bay, who owns the rights to Godzilla 1985 via the New World collection it picked up, had planned to release it on DVD afew years ago, along with the original Japanese version.  Apparently Toho nixed the idea.

[Jim H]

The change to DVD, which its more compact format and cheaper prices, has definitely been a good thing.  I prefer to own four movies, to having only one for the same price.  My LD collection exploded when this one LD store switched to DVD.  They sold a huge number of LDs for $4.

"The Monster Squad" is an Image LD, CLV format, with logos for 3M and Vestron on it.

DVD is superior, without any doubt (my collection would be tiny if it wasn't for DVDs explosion).  LDs have more character though.  How many home movie formats also make lethal throwing weapons, after all?   

Captain America has an LD of the 1966 version (animated shorts, I'm assuming) and the 1990 one (which I'm fairly amazed got an LD release actually.  Might have to look for that one).

For LD reference, I suggest http://www.lddb.com

[AnubisVonMojo]

I'm building a wall of LDs to display in my apartment, so some of 'em I go for simply for the sleeve art. Escape From NY and Re-Animator are perfect examples.

 

[JaseSF]

Most of those films tied up by Susan Hart have yet to see DVD release: I Was A Teenage Werewolf, I Was A Teenage Frankenstein in particular come to mind. Vampire Circus as far as I know hasn't been released on DVD, neither has Scream of Fear.

[KYGOTC]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit - DVD has a couple minor censored bits.

What go cut out?

[Andrew]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit - DVD has a couple minor censored bits.

What go cut out?

Just Jessica Rabbit's nude scene.  No big deal.