"Dragonslayer" on DVD

[RoboScorpion]

Does anybody have "Dragonslayer" on DVD?

If so, would you be willing to indulge me in answering a few questions - maybe via PM or e-mail?

Basically, the movie should be widescreen, yet my copy (just bought) is only taking up the space on my TV where 4:3 would normally be!

Thanks,

RS

[aprout]

I've got the Region 1 edition if that's of any use? Ask away...

[RoboScorpion]

Hi aprout...

Since I posted this, I've plonked the DVD in my PC and seen that the film itself is coded in the 4:3 aspect ration - very odd seeing as the menu (where you set up language/subtitles etc) is full widescreen.

So basically I think I'm knackered! Pity really as the film takes up an area of about 24" x 10" on my lovely big wide telly!

Tried fiddling with the DVD (PS3) settings and the TV's possible zoom options all to no avail.

Is your region 1 version in full widescreen?

[eiren]

Region 1 is widescreen, a better transfer, and also uncut.

The UK version has been quite badly cut especially the bit where the baby dragons eat the Princess' foot.

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=4533

UK is not anamorphic.

[RoboScorpion]

CUT!!?? That's not good news either... How pathetic, considering the kind of things you see in a '12A' film these days!

I noticed they left in the underwater nipple scene! (First woman to appear naked in a Disney film apparently.)

(Hadn't got to the dragonets scene yet as I'm not bloody watching a 10"x24" picture!)

I'm going to see if I can convert the DVD to AVI or MPEG and do something with the aspect ratio in the process.

Reinstating the cut scenes is going to be more challenging though...

Thanks, bud!

[eiren]

I got the Region 1 DVD delivered for about £3-4... might be worth your while just getting it from Amazon.co.uk supplied by Caiman USA.

The cut bit is pretty graphic... only in the 80s would they release this a childrens' film

[RoboScorpion]

Sadly my PS3 won't play region 1 discs...

[mad mac]

Great film - one of Disney's darkest.

Genuinely cold and bleak, yet satirical and exciting at the same time. Who'd have thought that Ally McBeal's "biscuit" was once a medieval hero???

Terrific score from Alex North and possibly the most frightening dragon in movies - Vermithrax Perjorative ... what a name!!!!!

Yep, the R1 edition is the way to go - if you can.

One day ... one day ... we may have a BD release, tho.

Fantastic to hear that people are still interested in this oft-neglected classic.

Cheers,

Chris McEneany

[RoboScorpion]

Yep, I loved this when it came out - always had a love of movie monsters right back to Harryhausen's work!

Blu-Ray? We can only hope I suppose...

[eiren]

I would love this on Blu-ray. It's a really excellent film, even now, as Chris rightly says above.