Page 1 of Criterion discs on the cheap or just coincidence?

Anyone else noticed the remarkable similarities between the (IMHO over-priced) Criterion editions of the following films and the relatively cheaper SEs of the same in R2: Armageddon, In The Mood For Love, The Rock [due out in R2 in a couple of months]. Are they (barring a couple of inconsequential extras) effectively the same discs? In which case, for once R2 buyers are getting a bargain relative to our American cousins. I`ve heard that some of the Criterion remasters have also been leased to Canal Plus - anyone got any further details on this?

What are Criterion discs?????????????

Citerion are a company that produce special versions of these films, generally with enhanced sound / picture quality and loads of juicy extras, but also at a price. You should be able to find these disks on quite a few internet DVD retailer sites.
I think (and please correct me if I`m wrong, someone) that Criterion disks are just Region 1. Have a look at this URL I`ve just copied from the play.com site, or just go to the site and search for criterion in the R1 search box.
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=search&adudisc=y

This item was edited on Wednesday, 27th March 2002, 17:12

The reason why the Rock and Armageddon Criterion and non-Criterion discs are more are less the same is due to the distribution deal, BV agreed to give Criterion a US license to the films if they were given worldwide (ex-US) rights to the Criterion extras for those titles and access to the masters)

sweet!

Criterion and other similar companies, like Anchor Bay, produce Region Free versions of the titles. They also specialise in remastering films uncut that many organisations (like the BBFC) cut or are other released in this country pre-cut (i.e. the production company, etc. submit their own cuts to obtain a certain certificate that may make the difference between an 18 or 15 release for example). Check out:

http://www.criteriondvd.com/sitereviewslist.asp?Sort=Title

With regard to comparing the contents, I know exactly what you mean... Check out Walkabout running time and contents of the Criterion release (refer Play 247 R1 or DVD Box Office) and compare that to the UK Play 247 R2 and then to the Australian release at Ezy DVD. The running time on the Criterion release and the Aussie release is the full 100m whereas the official UK release, which is stated as being uncut, is 4min shorter. The Aussie release is in PAL and Criterion in NTSC so I do not buy the argument of 4% loss when converting NTSC to PAL!

If someone could delve deeper into this I would appreciate. Hope this helps! Just watch out for Customs on Criterion releases - see my posting in Retailer Reviews - as uncut films may be subject to confiscation and even Criminal prosecution!!!

I don`t think all Criterion editions are region free, I got the rock criterion edition and it only plays on my multi region player, although it could be the whole NTSC thing I suppose, my Toshiba player said "disc error"

<OB>

All criterion discs are coded either region 0 or region 1.
Armageddon, the rock, chasing amy are a few that i know of to be of region 1

The Criterion Walkabout is slightly longer than the other versions, but I don`t think it`s because of censorship. There are simply two very slightly different versions of the film in circulation. It`s a pretentious film, anyway (though admittedly the sight of Jenny Agutter starkers or in a schoolgirl uniform is reasonable compensation).

The US Criterion version of the Rock is uncut unlike the UK cinema and DVD releases. Unlikely that BV will get it recertified they did not with Die Hard 3 which remains cut even in the new special edition. May need to wait until the Australian release.
Also the DTS track which is unlikely to be included here is superb.