Lexx DVD offerings - which is best?

[jonnymorris]

Hi,

I was looking on Amazon for Lexx and noticed there are two distinct versions available - one is a slimline slip case box set (I assume this means it is like the Lost DVD box sets) containing all of series 1, and another is series one in two box sets, each containing two of the feature length movies from the first series. The box art appears to be different, and if memory serves I think the latter is two full-size DVD cases in a substantial card sleeve.

I'm not really worried about the packaging, but I read in one of the reviews on Amazon that the slimline box set is not the uncut versions of the movies, i.e. the versions I currently have on VHS that say on the cover "feature length uncut version". Probably been censored for certain countries. I would not want a censored version! Then there are all the DVD extras that are mentioned in the 2-disc box sets but not for the slimline slip case one.

Can anyone shed some light on what is in the slimline slip case version and what isn't? I would gladly pay the extra for the uncut versions with extras, but if the slimline version contains exactly the same stuff then I may as well save my money and get that one.

[jonnymorris]

Just looked again and I noticed there was only one of the Series 1 Volume 2 DVD sets left! I decided to snap it up along with Volume 1, cost a fair penny but these are like hen's teeth (been looking for them for ages).

There was a considerable difference in the running time too between the box sets - the slimline slip case version had a running time of 346 mins, where as the two box sets combined had a running time of 395 mins; this I take to be the DVD extras and possibly uncut scenes which may be missing from the slimline slip case version. Regardless, I'm fairly confident that I got the most complete version available. Considering how old and low-budget the series was in the first place I don't expect it would be much better on Blu-ray... if it ever gets released on the format.

[IPaintSara]

Best versions are:

Series 1: R2 UK, a couple of scenes use alternate CGI to that broadcast but German, Australian and US versions have cuts

Series 2: UK or US, UK has more commentaries, US more featurettes

Series 3: US, German or UK. UK has a mastering fault that affects a couple of seconds in episode 2.

Series 4: US.

Done properly I think it might scrub up well for BD as the CGI was good for its time. Lafftrak is still a great episode, a series ahead of its time

[neroon]

I wish they'd re-release it all uncut I never saw the complete show only the odd ep. seemed a very fun, quirky sci-fi show.... & Mmmmmm Xev

[neroon]

Originally Posted by IPaintSara

Best versions are:

Series 1: R2 UK, a couple of scenes use alternate CGI to that broadcast but German, Australian and US versions have cuts

what has been cut btw?

[IPaintSara]

The US used an alternate language track with less swearing (only a couple of places). The German edition is cut for violence and the Australian has a scene with Zev in the shower reframed for less nudity.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

I thought only the first two series were release on Dvd here in the UK?

I agree though - It certainly would make a great Sci-Fi series to turn into Blu-Ray, along with the likes of Farscape and Firefly etc

[BritBoB]

There were also some changes to the 1st episode of series 1 on the UK R2 DVD release. On the broadcast and video releases the section where Thodin releases the little robot into the wires to release himself is just accompanied by music and sound effects, but on the DVD version they felt the need to add an (I find annoying) squeaky robot voice to explain what he is doing.