Message From Space has already been available in the U.S. on DVD from Eastern Star for a while (it's the version I have). My review of that disc can be found HERE. I was quite satisfied with the quality of that edition, and I'm curious to find out what difference - if any - there is between the Eastern Star and forthcoming Shout! edition. However, if they offer the title on Blu-ray, I'll definitely pick it up!
The Shout! Factory edition is due on April 16th, and can be pre-ordered here: Message From Space
I wouldn't be surprised if the Shout Factory release has more extras, if their other releases are anything to go by. They tend to put out the original Japanese versions so odds are this won't be the UA cut. Check out their release of Gamera the Giant Monster for an example.
ReplyDeleteNow I have to figure out if I should budget for this one. Too many things coming out that I want in March and April!
Which version is on Netflix streaming, the original Japanese or the American cut?
ReplyDeleteThe Netflix print has the English dub and titles, so I'm guessing it's the version originally distributed in U.S. by United Artists.
DeleteAfter hearing about this movie for years, and reading about it here for months, I FINALLY got to see it a few weeks ago, and I thought my years of wild hedonism had finally caught up with me; sweet mother of Bowie, what a ka-RAY-zay movie! I'm like you, I love anything sci-fi/fantasy from my childhood in the 70's (although I still contend that 1982 was THE BEST year for movies EVER), the weirder the better, I eat it up like a Klingon chows down gagh! But this was stunning in its weirdness, and I can't wait to own it so I can show it to the people that I've tried to describe it to, because they think I've finally gone 'round the twist for good.
ReplyDeleteNow, I just need to see "The War in Space"!
Your Pal,
Storm
Great news! I'm totally psyched for this one!
ReplyDeleteThe Message from Space DVD from Shout! will be the UA version only - that's who they are getting it from, and the Japanese version would be like licensing a whole other movie. There isn't any footage difference between the two, and the American actors have their real voices, so I hope it won't be a deal breaker for most people.
ReplyDeleteAccording to August Ragone, there WILL be bonus material. What? I actually don't know. I am sure he has something good up his sleeve, based on his history with the Japanese science-fiction genre.
I have the Eastern Star DVD too, but I really want to support these kind of releases to keep them coming as long as possible. I understand if people can't justify re-buying, but it would be a shame to see this die on the vine after finally getting an American release. A Blu-Ray release will be out of the question in that case.
I don't know if it interests you, but Shout! will also be releasing the TV series Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot in the next couple of months.
Does Shout Factory do blu ray releases too? I've got the Eastern Star version and I'd rather wait to get an upgrade.
ReplyDeleteShout does do Blu-ray (and very well); they produced very fine HD editions of Starcrash and Battle Beyond The Stars.
DeleteNo idea if they plan a Blu-ray edition of Message From Space. If they've made an announcement, I haven't seen it yet.
This release will be English-only and come with a 16-page booklet written by Yours Truly and Patrick Macias - and there will be actors' biographies on the disc itself (which we also wrote). No Blu-ray is planned at this time.
ReplyDelete