PAL DVD and SPECIAL EDITION

[rtprod]

Hi guys,

This was posted over at IMDB courtesy of mfbix and I thought it was interesting -- I have a region free DVD player so I'm going to get one of these and then report back if there's anything else to add here.

rt

BBM DVDs: PAL and Special Edition   
  by - mfbix 56 minutes ago (Tue May 9 2006 07:19:50)  Ignore this User | Report Abuse 
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I got the UK/PAL DVD of Brokeback Mountain a couple of days ago. I bought it mainly to see if the subtitles were different from the US version (I’ve been surprised by the 5-6 times where the subtitles in the US DVD to diverge from what’s actually said). It turns out that they are different in several places. One example: Near the end as Ennis is leaving the Twist house holding the shirts in the bag and saying goodbye to Mrs. Twist, he says “Thank you, ma’am” (US) and “Thank you for this” (UK), holding up the bag.
More important about the PAL DVD: It is mastered differently so all scenes are brighter and more contrasty (not so washed out). This changes the look of the outdoor scenes, but it really changes those three or four scenes where we can’t quite make out what is happening on the US DVD. The two tent scenes look quite different, particularly the first one. The US subtitles say “belts clinking”, but the UK/PAL version lacks the title because you can see exactly what’s happening (I don’t mean there is an additional nudity). Similarly the kissing at the foot of the stairs (what Alma sees is clearer and even more startling) and the motel scene are clearer. (Note that PAL DVDs are not playable on regular US DVD players or TVs.)

Of interest to regular readers of these boards: I noticed on French Amazon yesterday that an “Edition Ultimate” of BBM has been announced for release in France on July 19: two DVDs, the CD of soundtrack music, and a copy of the book. There is no description of what’s on the DVDs, but there are definitely two of them. Presumably this is just an early announcement of a special edition that will be available here at the same time or earlier.

 

[Front-Ranger]

Good news about the Ultimate Edition! Wonder if it will be released in the US at the same time.

[SFEnnisSF]

“Thank you for this”

That's what I always thought he said...

[RouxB]

Me too Eric-"Thank you for this" and he slightly lifts the bag in acknowledgement.

 

[Aussie Chris]

Me too Eric-"Thank you for this" and he slightly lifts the bag in acknowledgement.

Man, you guys are good!  Of all the mumbled and repressed things that Ennis says, this must be the "mumbliest" because it's also whispered.  I had to read his lips to see anything, and all I got was "thank you...".

I presume that here in Australia we'll get the same/similar version that they do in the U.K.  We don't normally get a full screen and wide screen version, generally the DVD industry (driven by the enthusiasts) only release wide screen versions.  We still haven't got a breakdown of the extras yet, or a release date!  Argh!

[Front-Ranger]

Release tomorrow? Anybody who sees it, let us know!!

[Katie77]

Yes, yes, yes....it is tomorrow in Australia......20th July

Although I have a pirate copy, i will definately be buying a new copy, with cover.

I have set up a thread on Chez Tremblay, in anticipation of some more Aussies looking for a message board after they have seen it for maybe the first time.

Looking forward to this PAL version to compare with the other copy I have.

[Front-Ranger]

Awaiting the details with bated breath!!

[Ellemeno]

Me too Eric-"Thank you for this" and he slightly lifts the bag in acknowledgement.

Me too.

Awaiting the details with bated breath!!

Me too!

[Katie77]

Hi there....well I have been finally been able to walk into a shop and buy the DVD.....

...got it yesterday....and I know this is going to be hard to believe, i havent watched it yet....I have  always had a pirate copy, and watched it many times, but I'm sure if I had put it on last night, my hubby would have left me...so I have tomorrow all to myself, when, I will make myself comfy, and sit down and watch it....so many things Ive learned from threads on here to look out for now, popped buttons, and whispered words.....boy am I going to enjoy it.

I was in the shop first thing yesterday as I was under the assumption when they said release date 20th, that i wouldnt get it beforehand, but when I bought it, I asked the saleslady if they had sold many, and she said, "only one other, yesterday."

So obviously it was there the day before, but what has intrigued me, is WHO got in so early and bought it....must be someone with the "fever".....so now I know that I am possibly not the only one in this town, who is obsessed......and I will have to find this person....could think of nothing better than to sit down over coffee and talk face to face with someone, who will not think i am crazy.

Our town only has a population of 20,000, the kind of town, where everybody knows everybody, or is related somehow, and word gets around, so I am going to go all out to hunt this person down.I have even thought of putting an add in our small local paper, maybe saying...."Brokeback Mountain....if you loved the movie,lets meet at local coffee shop, date.."....would be interesting to see who or if anyone shows up.

Anyway, I'll let you know....maybe i should wait a week or two until its been on the shelves a little bit longer.....I will also let you know, after tomorrow, how the PAL version is.

[alec716]

Our town only has a population of 20,000, the kind of town, where everybody knows everybody, or is related somehow, and word gets around, so I am going to go all out to hunt this person down.I have even thought of putting an add in our small local paper, maybe saying...."Brokeback Mountain....if you loved the movie,lets meet at local coffee shop, date.."....would be interesting to see who or if anyone shows up.

Sounds like a great idea .. let us know if you try it!  Someone in your town might not even know that he or she is about to join our site.   

[stevenedel]

Good news about the Ultimate Edition! Wonder if it will be released in the US at the same time.

Don't get your hopes up. There was a lot of excitement on IMDB, too, about this 'ultimate' edition, but in fact it offers nothing more than what is on the DVDs available in the US and UK, except for a photogallery. DVD 2 contains less than 40 minutes of material. The set also includes a booklet with the short story, the soundtrack CD, and a collection of photographs.

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B000FGG7H4/402-1088958-2124166?v=glance&n=405322&v=glance

It is, by the way, sold out - there is a 2 disc collector's edition too, but that only has the 2 DVDs.

As far as I've heard, there will never be an extended director's cut because Ang Lee made exactly the film he wanted to make. But maybe some day we will get an edition that includes the discarded scenes as an extra? 

[Aussie Chris]

What is everyone thinking about the PAL DVD?  I'm of two minds.  Clearly my legitimate copy is superior in quality, but I'm having trouble dealing with the 4% PAL-speedup that makes the music sound like it's in a different key.  I know I can't do anything about this and it happens on every film, but this is the first time that I've seen a film a dozen times at the cinema to really notice it.

But this brings me to the subtitles.  Now I know that many have mentioned issues with these, but I've only now had the chance to check them out.  I have to say that when they get it wrong it's more than a little irritating.  Sometimes they seem so wrong to me that they're a terrible joke.  One that stands out is when Jack and Ennis come down from the mountain the first time and Jack asks if Ennis is going to do this again next summer.  Ennis clearly says: "Well, maybe not.  Like I said, me and Alma's getting married in November", but the subtitles say: "Like I said, man, I was getting married in November".  Is it me or is this a really dumb mistake?  I can't believe that Ennis would ever say "man", but even if he would, "Alma" was very clear after all.

And then there's TS2.  This was really interesting.  The subtitles would have us believe that all the whispered words are from Jack and he repeats "I swear, I swear, I swear".  Does he actually say that or did the subtitles screw it up again?  I'm not sure.  But it made me think of it being a bookend and maybe even a reason for Ennis saying "Jack, I swear" at the end of the film.  What do you think?

[stevenedel]

What is everyone thinking about the PAL DVD?  I'm of two minds.  Clearly my legitimate copy is superior in quality, but I'm having trouble dealing with the 4% PAL-speedup that makes the music sound like it's in a different key.  I know I can't do anything about this and it happens on every film, but this is the first time that I've seen a film a dozen times at the cinema to really notice it.

Four percent speedup!!?? Never heard of that, is that so!!?? Does that mean that American viewers get 4% more screen time for the tent scenes than us lamentable PAL-viewers? No fair!

[ranchgal]

In the tent scene 2 (ts2) is that where you are referring to Jack's whispering??
Jack is saying 'its all right, its all right, its all right
when ennis is first entering the tent and they are making first contact.  IF that is the scene you are referring to.


The producer that was at all the awards show stated repeatedly that there would be NO additional sex scenes or deleted scenes in the dvd, because what was on the movie, was what they wanted everyone to see, no more and no less.  I am surprised they actually added the photo gallery, but they have to do something to supposedly make it worth the extra money they want us to pay to buy it.  I bought enough pictures off ebay, I shouldn't need it, I probably have most of them already.

[Aussie Chris]

Four percent speedup!!?? Never heard of that, is that so!!?? Does that mean that American viewers get 4% more screen time for the tent scenes than us lamentable PAL-viewers? No fair!

I'm afraid so.  The convertion from the 24 frames-per-second film stock (or NTSC video) to 25 fps PAL results in a 4% speed increase because the alternative of repeating a frame or leaving it blank would result in a noticeable flicker or shudder.  This is why IMDB says the running time is 134 minutes and the PAL version goes for 129 minutes.  Same movie, slightly faster.  This happens on all films no matter where they are produced.  You don't normally notice it except that the movie is over 5 minutes sooner and the music pitch is higher (the bit I hate).  Actually all sound has a 4% higher pitch, but you can only really tell via the music.

In the tent scene 2 (ts2) is that where you are referring to Jack's whispering??
Jack is saying 'its all right, its all right, its all right when ennis is first entering the tent and they are making first contact.  IF that is the scene you are referring to.

Umm, what Jack is saying is something of a contentious issue, or at least this has generated some debate since the early days on IMDB.  Some thought Ennis was saying "sorry" while others think/thought it is Jack saying "s'alright".  I tend to agree with the latter, but since you don't really see any obvious lip movement, I would never be so bold to suggest that I know for sure.  Anyway, that wasn't my point.  The point was that the PAL subtitles suggest Jack is saying "I swear".  Is it right or wrong?  I don't know.  I just thought it was interesting.

The producer that was at all the awards show stated repeatedly that there would be NO additional sex scenes or deleted scenes in the dvd, because what was on the movie, was what they wanted everyone to see, no more and no less.  I am surprised they actually added the photo gallery, but they have to do something to supposedly make it worth the extra money they want us to pay to buy it.  I bought enough pictures off ebay, I shouldn't need it, I probably have most of them already.

Yep, for sure, the producers said it, and Ang has said it too.  What you see is what you get.  Little or nothing (of value) was left out or cut from what was filmed.  Most people would agree though, the contents of the DVD (the extras that is) fell terribly short of what we were wishing/hoping for.  My Ultimate addition would contain both the 4:3 and 16:9 versions as they were framed differently, and a commentary from the producers/director, one from the principle players the minimum being Heath & Jake but no more than Michelle and Anne (yes I'm fussy), and one from the writers including AP.

I'm not going to hold my breath on any of this, but I can dream however I like!

[stevenedel]

I'm afraid so.  The convertion from the 24 frames-per-second film stock (or NTSC video) to 25 fps PAL results in a 4% speed increase because the alternative of repeating a frame or leaving it blank would result in a noticeable flicker or shudder.  This is why IMDB says the running time is 134 minutes and the PAL version goes for 129 minutes.  Same movie, slightly faster.  This happens on all films no matter where they are produced.  You don't normally notice it except that the movie is over 5 minutes sooner and the music pitch is higher (the bit I hate).  Actually all sound has a 4% higher pitch, but you can only really tell via the music.

  So, in the NTSC version Ennis's voice is even lower! No wonder nobody can understand him... This interesting piece of information is really bothersome. Fortunately, I don't have absolute pitch.

[Aussie Chris]

So, in the NTSC version Ennis's voice is even lower! No wonder nobody can understand him... This interesting piece of information is really bothersome. Fortunately, I don't have absolute pitch.

He, he, I never thought of it that way.