Lengths of Movies on (UK) DVD - Help Please

[Ewan_McMahon]

Hi everyone, can anyone please confirm the data about a few movie titles on UK DVD (I'm focusing on UK DVD titles for now - I mentioned before in other posts, I live in the UK and I prefer to check all UK titles first, and only DVD not Blu-Ray - maybe if necessarily in the future I might buy Blu-Ray or imports...) I know that DVD's have a limited size (compared to Blu-Ray), and as such many of the longest movies made cannot fully fit on 1 DVD disk (on one side anyway). So typically the movie is spread over 2 disks (or have a flipper-disk - a really stupid invention IMO). Either way, interrupting a movie in this way I find extremely annoying (for me anyway). Anyway the movies I would like to confirm are as follows:

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=586
http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=181
http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=4557
"The Green Mile" - comparison list says one UK DVD release was not-split, but one other was split.
"Titanic(1997)" - comparison list says one UK DVD releases was not-split, but three others were split.
"Schindler’s List" - has NEVER been released un-split on UK DVD (or any country DVD for that matter) is that right?
NOTE: I think all these titles have had quite recent re-releases - but I'm not sure if all re-releases are currently listed on the comparison pages. By the way - is it true most (all?) country releases of each of the Lord-Of-The-Rings-Extended-Versions movies are movie-split EVEN on Blu-Ray? To be honest I'm beginning to think going back to VHS is a better option! - Less annoying remix sound-effects audio soundtracks on most VHS too!

Anyway, can anyone just confirm for me the above data is 100% correct + if possible confirm the two Amazon.co.uk links below for the not-split movies are the correct ones (assuming they are even available in shops like HMV anymore, not just on Amazon):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Mile-DVD ... A383381011
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Titanic-DVD-Le ... ds=titanic

Also, query: Titanic-(not-split)-1-Disk has aspect ratio "2.27:1" - what kind of ratio size is this? + Is it accurate? This ratio is not specifically on the wikipedia page abut aspect-ratio sizes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image) Seems like a kind of in-between ratio size... Also the Amazon.co.uk listing says it's 4:3 / 1.33:1 ratio size (though I don't fully trust Amazon's data).

Finally, somewhat bizarrely, "The Pelican Brief" which ISN'T anywhere near as long a movie as those mentioned above, has in the UK and various other countries only ever been released as movie-split 2-sided flipper disk? Understandable I guess if it was released on DVD in 1998 (DVD's weren't really very good back in those early days), but I wonder why this film has never been re-released on DVD (in the UK)? Focus on Blu-Ray releases everywhere I bet...

[Ulrich_Christensen]

I know that DVD's have a limited size (compared to Blu-Ray), and as such many of the longest movies made cannot fully fit on 1 DVD disk (on one side anyway). So typically the movie is spread over 2 disks (or have a flipper-disk - a really stupid invention IMO). Either way, interrupting a movie in this way I find extremely annoying (for me anyway). Anyway the movies I would like to confirm are as follows:

The reasons for splitting a movie include:

• Length versus bitrate - If a movie is long, then you need more space to fit it, which you already deduced. A higher bitrate means a better picture. Some older releases have really bad quality, because the chosen bitrate was too low.
• Extended Cuts - Longer movie takes up more space. You can sacrificed the bitrate or choose a good split point.
• Natural split - Some movies were even originally shown in theatres with an intermission due to their length. I've been to a couple of those in the past.
• Inclusion of extras - Certain extras like commentary tracks take up space along the movie itself and can't be put separately in any other way. Branching featurettes and seamless branching deleted scenes from the main feature are also special features that can do that.
• Language tracks - Depending on the market, a number of language tracks are included (consolidated production for reduced cost). UK is probably unique in often (at least in the past) getting their own releases with only English tracks. But things like inclusion of a full or half bitrate DTS track takes up space.

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=586
"The Green Mile" - comparison list says one UK DVD release was not-split, but one other was split.

"The Green Mile" was probably split due to the inclusion of the commentary track primarily. The non-split version has only basic extras.

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=181
"Titanic(1997)" - comparison list says one UK DVD releases was not-split, but three others were split.

"Titanic (1997)" is a case of the same (multiple commentary tracks) and I believe there is an extended cut of the movie or something to that effect. I believe I watched the original single-disc release.

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=4557
"Schindler’s List" - has NEVER been released un-split on UK DVD (or any country DVD for that matter) is that right?

"Schindler's List" is like due to the inclusion of the DTS audio track or a desire for a higher bitrate. Also, it was probably already going to be a 2-disc release due to the documentary, so splitting the movie for better quality seems like a good choice. It is a very good release and I watched it in this split fashion. I believe there is only one version, which is the same across regions.

NOTE: I think all these titles have had quite recent re-releases - but I'm not sure if all re-releases are currently listed on the comparison pages. By the way - is it true most (all?) country releases of each of the Lord-Of-The-Rings-Extended-Versions movies are movie-split EVEN on Blu-Ray?

They probably used the same source cut. I assume that most Blu-rays have the same quality increase ratio, which means 1 DVD = 1 Blu-ray quality-wise, but I don't know.

To be honest I'm beginning to think going back to VHS is a better option! - Less annoying remix sound-effects audio soundtracks on most VHS too!

I guess, you're not at all interested in quality, only whether you need to lift your lazy bottom off the couch.

Anyway, can anyone just confirm for me the above data is 100% correct

I cannot personally verify "The Green Mile", but I have no reason to doubt the releases being as listed.
"Titanic (1997)" I can personally verify the existence of both split and non-split versions.
"Schindler's List" I can verify the split version and I don't believe it was mentioned on the cover.

+ if possible confirm the two Amazon.co.uk links below for the not-split movies are the correct ones (assuming they are even available in shops like HMV anymore, not just on Amazon):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Mile-DVD ... A383381011
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Titanic-DVD-Le ... ds=titanic

I cannot say anything about Amazon's listings.

Also, query: Titanic-(not-split)-1-Disk has aspect ratio "2.27:1" - what kind of ratio size is this? + Is it accurate? This ratio is not specifically on the wikipedia page abut aspect-ratio sizes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image) Seems like a kind of in-between ratio size... Also the Amazon.co.uk listing says it's 4:3 / 1.33:1 ratio size (though I don't fully trust Amazon's data).

2.27:1 is a non-standard ratio, but nothing prevents it from being. It can either be an original ratio (although that doesn't seem to be the case here) or a choice of framing made for the disc.
A non-anamorphic release is formatted for a 4:3 (1.33:1) ratio television and so to some degree listing the release as 4:3 is accurate. You will have extra black bars around the image on widescreen, due to black bars being included in the image for a 4:3 image (top/bottom), and on the sides to make the final image widescreen on a modern TV. Your computer will just play it in a 4:3 window with black bars on top/bottom.

Finally, somewhat bizarrely, "The Pelican Brief" which ISN'T anywhere near as long a movie as those mentioned above, has in the UK and various other countries only ever been released as movie-split 2-sided flipper disk? Understandable I guess if it was released on DVD in 1998 (DVD's weren't really very good back in those early days), but I wonder why this film has never been re-released on DVD (in the UK)? Focus on Blu-Ray releases everywhere I bet...

I believe "The Pelican Brief" might have been released on a double-side single-layer disc and thus split over two sides to compensate for each layer having less space. Some listings have it as a DVD10 disc (which is a double-side DVD5), confirming my suspicion. Modern DVDs are single-side dual-layer (DVD9).
I can't say anything about why it wasn't re-released.

[Ewan_McMahon]

OK, thanks for all the feedback Ulrich_Christensen - it was very useful and informative.

A few things I continue to ponder however - on the Amazon link for "Titanic" I supplied:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Titanic-DVD-Le ... ds=titanic
I think that link is the only 1-disk UK release of Titanic listed - all the rest are split 2-disks / imports. Assuming this UK Amazon link and the 1-disk listing on the comparison page http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/f ... ?fid=181#9 are the same - I wonder which one shows the correct aspect ratio data? I'm more inclined to believe the comparison page data (Amazon unfortunately often has missing or incorrect data). But on the other hand sometimes the data on the comparison pages might be a bit inaccurate or at least out of date. So I don't know which one to believe (not that either ratio is technically the original intended ratio for the movie I guess but still)...

I guess, you're not at all interested in quality, only whether you need to lift your lazy bottom off the couch.

Also I'm not lazy, I have no problem with getting up to change disks for alternate content - but splitting some long movies the way they do to me just ruins the momentum of the movie (especially when they put a split in very bad locations - from what I read). And generally I DO want quality of things I watch/listen to (and preferably a data storage device that won't wear out every time I use it!). Though I greatly dislike any kind of altered image or sound-effects *not counting cleaned up old picture and sound* from the originals (unless both original + altered versions are included on a media release - unfortunately quite often in many countries and re-releases they annoyingly aren't). It's just sometimes VHS seems to have less of these annoying problems than DVD/Blu-Ray!

[Ulrich_Christensen]

Assuming this UK Amazon link and the 1-disk listing on the comparison page http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/f ... ?fid=181#9 are the same - I wonder which one shows the correct aspect ratio data?

Apparently I didn't look close enough at the comparison page and missed this, but there is a link from our comparison page to DVDBeaver which has a detailed comparison of different releases including the UK 1-disc: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview ... review.htm. I am confident our information is good based on that, since the data is very specific.
It has information on the ratios and how the newer release compares to the old. It notes stuff about the compression. There are images of each release for comparison. It specifies where the split is put.

but splitting some long movies the way they do to me just ruins the momentum of the movie (especially when they put a split in very bad locations - from what I read).

The ones I've watched with a split were done quite nicely, but it is true that if done badly it can take you out of the moment. I guess one has to look to reviews for that.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Pelican Brief was a flipper. Stopped about 70 minutes in and the second half was on the other side. And strangely why is the blu-ray not in our database yet?

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Note that if you do get the single disc "Titanic", picture is non-anamorphic widescreen, while the multi disc version is anamorphic.
For "Green Mile" the single and double disc versions are both anamorphic.

I updated the "Green Mile" page and added the "Pelican Brief" Blu-ray page (I honestly think it's one of the dumbest titles for a movie. I always imagined it was a movie about a giant bird wearing underwear.... anyway, up there with the badly titled "Albino Alligator".)

Even if you want to have "Green Mile" on one disc, I have to say the 2-disc DVD set is one of the best ever in terms of extras. The commentary is flat out the best I have ever heard on any DVD and the extras are extremely well made.

[Ewan_McMahon]

Slightly off-topic - but can I check something else: with the most recent 2-disk release of Titanic in the UK (this one listed on Amazon I think):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Titanic-DVD-Le ... A383381011
Does this release contain the minor alterations to the film (mostly just cosmetic stuff like tweaks to background sky and lighting effects stuff etc), as mentioned on movie-censorship.com:
http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=935850
Or are these slightly altered scenes only on Blu-Ray? Possibly only for 3D releases - does anyone know?
(Personally I have no interest in 3D movies - something that vaguely looks 3D on a 2D screen is not 3D IMO - if I wanted 3D I would ask for Star-Trek HOLODECKS! But hey, that's just me...)

Oh by the way I think this most recent UK DVD re-release of Titanic is not currently listed on the comparisons page: http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=181 - there's 1-disk, 4-disk, 5-disk, 2-disk-special-edition currently listed, but this re-release is another 2-disk. Perhaps if anyone has the DVD data for it, that can be added to the database too?

[Mark_Meakin]

I've added the RTs of the original release & S.E split over two discs.

[Ewan_McMahon]

Hey guys, I just noticed another movie I'm curious to know more about *concerning movie length* if anyone can help. Also it might be simply no one has replied yet, but my last post above where I was asking about the most recent version of Titanic might have been missed - can anyone help with that too?

Anyway, the movie "Armageddon(1998)" http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=68#9 - there are x2 UK DVD comparisons currently on there, one of them is the "Theatrical-Cut" but is now OOP. I'm assuming this OOP release is this one listed on amazon.co.uk (hard to keep track of multiple re-releases):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Armageddon-DVD ... A383381011
And I think there have been x2 more re-releases of this movie in the UK on DVD since (I think one is not currently listed on the comparison page - but I can't be sure matching on the Amazon listings...) Anyway, it looks like (x2?) remaining in-print UK DVD's of this movie are only that of the (slightly longer) "Director's-Cut" version of the movie - is that correct? (NOT counting UK Blu-Ray which is the "Theatrical-Cut").
It just seems a bit odd that a "Director's-Cut" version of a movie is the only version of that movie currently available on the market (not counting second-hand old copies off Amazon.co.uk). Ordinarily I wouldn't really care - the movie has slightly extra runtime content to it - great! But I've been looking at movie-censorship.com link page:
http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=114954
If I'm reading the stuff on their website correctly, looks like the "Directors-Cut" has more than just extra-content, it has slightly alternate-recorded-scenes in comparison to "Theatrical-Cut". True, I know they are just mostly minor differences - and refilming of scenes in movies like this is common. So all kinds of differences are bound to crop up when comparing "Theatrical-Cut" to "Director's-Cut" versions, but I just wanted to be sure. Especially (if I'm correct), "Director's-Cut" is the only option now for UK DVD (not counting DVD import or Blu-Ray) - it's important to know. Can anyone confirm these things for me? Any little differences in any version, I like to know about - I'm very picky as am sure you guys know by now!

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

I added the Amazon links for Armageddon. Now there are three releases for UK: Theatrical DVD, 2-disc Director's CUt, 1-disc Director's Cut.

[Alister_Manson]

I have two BD players hooked up to my lounge TV so I can quite easily pre-load both discs of a split movie into them and then use the remote (which is identical for both) to switch one off and the other on with a single press of the power button. Flippers can bugger right off though, not that I watch DVDs at all if I can avoid it

[Ewan_McMahon]

I added the Amazon links for Armageddon. Now there are three releases for UK: Theatrical DVD, 2-disc Director's CUt, 1-disc Director's Cut.

Thanks James. The differences of the Theatrical and Director's Cut from movie-censorship.com still bother me though, but not a lot I can do about that I guess...

Also I wonder why they re-released the Director's Cut a second time but with far less features than the first time they released the Director's Cut (2-disc)? Unless there was some DVD company change over or something (perhaps a similar reason with all the multiple Titanic re-releases). I will never understand these DVD company methods!

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

marketing reasons. Have a 2 disc verson out, people buy it. Take it out of print and replace with a single disc editoon. People that dont care about extras wouldnt care if a bonus disc is missing. Fans who want the double diac edition but couldnt buy one clamor for it. Studio re-releases double disc edition. People buy or rebuy. Profits made.

[Ewan_McMahon]

Hey guys, sorry I found another UK DVD movie I'm not sure of the length of:

On the Robocop comparison page http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=1175 for UK DVD, there is one UK DVD listing for Robocop and it says:

R2 Special Edition United Kingdom- MGM Home Entertainment - No Cuts - Contains both "Theatrical Cut" (98:28 PAL) and "Unrated Director's Cut" (98:55 PAL).

Also the UK listing says:

Notes: Also available in a "RoboCop Trilogy" Box Set with "RoboCop 2" and "RoboCop 3".

Problem is, which trilogy boxset is this refering to - I think listed on Amazon.co.uk there are at least three UK DVD Robocop Trilogy boxsets (the links are different despite how they might show up on this page):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RoboCop-Trilog ... A383381011 (Amazon date 2002)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robocop-Trilog ... A383381011 (Amazon date 2009)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robocop-Trilog ... A383381011 (Amazon date 2014)

Since the Robocop comparison page hasn't been updated since 08/03/08, I assume the UK listed comparison is referring to the 2002 release. But are the other two boxsets any different, or are they all just identical re-releases. I particularly want to know if the other boxsets similarly contain the "Theatrical Cut" and "Unrated Director's Cut" option like the first boxset.

Can anyone help?

[Samuel_Scott]

Just later pressings with different artwork.

[James-Masaki_Ryan]

Most likely, but I did find info that the 2009 box does have the same disc as the UK SE, so I set that in the link. Cannot confirm for the others. Most likely the same, but going by Amazon listings (which are usually not accurate) the 2002 release had German language options, so decided not to mess with that for now.

Updated the RoboCop page