The SPO release of “I Lunghi Giorni Della Vendetta” is poor by comparison to their other Japanese releases. The shorter Spanish version (2:35.1 ?) is ok but uses a quite dirty print as its source. The English version (1:85.1 ?) although longer in duration is cropped and quite dark, but with washed out colours. It’s taken from a video source which has Japanese subtitles burnt on, sometimes covering the picture itself. Also rather annoyingly there is a lighter “band” ? on the far right throughout the film. An indication to its lesser quality is that the English version is included on the DVD as an extra in the special features menu, and is not accessible through the main feature.
I don’t have the German X-Rated disc (I’m having trouble tracking down a copy now it’s oop) but from the review on the database it sounds much better. Does anyone know if the Triple X Thai release uses this DVD as its source, they’re both stated as being PAL?
[quote=“Chris_Casey, post:13, topic:2408”]Ennioo is correct.
Not that it matters much, but I have noticed over the years a misunderstanding by some SW fans regarding the releases in the LEGEND OF THE GUNMEN set, as well as the Japanese releases for the SABATA films. A lot of fans think those releases were SPO releases when, in fact, they came from a different company, Stingray.
I have heard from a highly reliable source that the new Japanese discs for RED BLOOD, YELLOW GOLD (Professionisti per un Massacro) and A MAN CALLED APOCALYPSE JOE (Un Uomo chiamato Apocalisse Joe) utilize the exact same print sources that were used by companies in the USA and Germany, respectively.
I have not been able to confirm this for myself; so, if anyone gets these discs and can compare them to previously issued releases—please let us know if what I have been told is true![/quote]
Quite possible, I’ve got both the “Apocalypse Joe” DVDs you mention and I couldn’t see any discernable difference between the two. I know the 2007 SPO release of “Nobody” uses the same restored print as the German Paramount DVD, even though they’re NTSC and PAL respectively. Also some of the 2007 SPO releases are the same as the US Blue Underground releases. I can confirm the Japanese “Professionisti” DVD has great picture quality, although I haven’t got the Wild East disc to compare.
Generally speaking though, I find the Japanese DVDs to be better quality than most other releases of the same film. The 2009 releases of “California” and “Stranger” are stunning for example, while some of the German releases have been very disappointing, the NEW DVD release of “California” for example. The NEW DVD of “One Silver Dollar” has the whole Gemma beating section of the film in poorer quality than the rest of it, quite blurry (taken from a badly duplicated print?). Whereas the 2007 SPO DVD is fantastic quality throughout. Also the Eyecatcher release of “Kill them All” is stated on the box as having English subtitles. I think the translator must have used Babelfish, as some of the lines are quite surreal, not that it matters of course, they’re never on screen long enough for you to read them anyway. You pays yer money…
I think the German prints are better than the Japanese prints.
I agree Ennioo, I have both discs for LONG DAYS OF VENGEANCE and the German disc is by far the best looking of the two.
thanks everyone for all that info,definitely won’t be seeking it out as i have seen it for sale on ebay and regretted not buying.
Here are some other new DVD’s:
Mannaja
Audio: English, Italian
Subtitles: Japanese
Company: Orustak Pictures
Release Date: 2010-03-29
Sugar Colt
Language: English
Subtitles: Japanese
Company: Orustak Pictures
Release Date: 2010-03-29
Fort Yuma Gold
Audio: English, Italian
Company: Orustak Pictures
Release Date: 2010-06-29
For the Taste of Killing / A Taste for Killing
Language: Italian
Company: Orustak Pictures
Release Date: 2010-06-29
Does nobody on this forum know where the japanese posters can be bought?
These new japanese dvds, are they associated with SPO/Imagica or are they a different company? How is the pricing? I hope I don’t have to pay 40 bucks for these.
Interesting - hadn’t heard of these Orustak release until now.
Type the Italian name into amazon.co.jp and you will find them all with prices.
YesAsia lists most of these under their Japanese titles and the going rate seems to be: $44.99. You should never expect to pay less than 40 bucks for most Japanese DVD’s; however, once in awhile you can get a “price down” disc for around 15-20 dollars. But, they rarely “price down” Westerns (of any kind) in Japan.
Here are the YesAsia listings, just for your information:
Per Pochi Dollari Ancora / Fort Yuma Gold
http://www.yesasia.com/us/saihatenoyoujinbou/1022546735-0-0-0-en/info.html
Per il Gusto di Uccidere / A Taste For Killing
http://www.yesasia.com/us/sasurainoippikiookami/1022546736-0-0-0-en/info.html
Mannaja / Man Called Blade
http://www.yesasia.com/us/a-man-called-blade-dvd-japan-version/1022092675-0-0-0-en/info.html
Sugar Colt
http://www.yesasia.com/us/sugar-colt-dvd-japan-version/1022092677-0-0-0-en/info.html
Interesting, Yes Asia list Per il Gusto di Uccidere / A Taste For Killing (Sasurainoippikiookami lol) as having English audio, a typo?
If someone takes the plunge on any of these I’d be interested in hearing about their quality.
I noticed that, as well, and wondered the same thing.
However, CDJapan also states that this release has an English audio track.
It would make sense for the new release of this film to have an English audio track, for two reasons:
-
The Japanese VHS release and the Japanese Laserdisc releases both had English language only audio tracks (with Japanese subtitles, of course).
-
If, as has been reported (but NOT confirmed!) they are using the same “masters” as other video companies…then, they could be using the same English version Wild East used for their release.
Here’s a link to CDJapan’s listing for this film:
Notice, also, that CDJapan lists the Label/Distributor as Happinet Pictures. However, the catalog number for this release has the ORO prefix which usually accompanies releases from Orustak.
I, too, am interested in hearing about the quality of these releases. As I already have satisfactory versions of all of them, I doubt I will be picking them up, myself.
Only the two older releases (Mannaja and Sugar Colt) are listed for sale on their website so far: http://www.orustak.tv/dvdshop/main.cgi?mode=details&sid=2&gid=2S001073 ; http://www.orustak.tv/dvdshop/main.cgi?mode=details&sid=2&gid=2S001074
However the two newer ones are included in their informational database (I guess they just haven’t updated the sales info yet): http://www.orustak.jp/html/ORO-7014.html ; http://www.orustak.jp/html/ORO-7015.html
Sadly no technical info seems to be given besides run-times.
[quote=“Chris_Casey, post:32, topic:2408”]I noticed that, as well, and wondered the same thing.
However, CDJapan also states that this release has an English audio track.
It would make sense for the new release of this film to have an English audio track, for two reasons:
-
The Japanese VHS release and the Japanese Laserdisc releases both had English language only audio tracks (with Japanese subtitles, of course).
-
If, as has been reported (but NOT confirmed!) they are using the same “masters” as other video companies…then, they could be using the same English version Wild East used for their release.[/quote]
Amazon.co.jp only lists Italian, but amazon are not always 100% reliable on such things. However, didn’t the old SPO DVD release only have Italian audio?
That’s correct.
I have a huge collection of Japanese Spaghetti Western posters…I’ll PM you as this is a thread for discussing Japanese DVD’s.
The following link should be useful for anyone who ever needs to know the Japanese title of a Spaghetti Western when trying to find it on a Japanese site like amazon.co.jp: