THE PUNISHER (1989) upcoming Blu-ray editions

[Jerry_Dam]

Mark Goldblatt's THE PUNISHER is getting released on Blu-ray in the Netherlands from T2 Entertainment / Soul Media (no features).



But most important is that Koch Media will release in 2013 a mediabook special edition in Germany that includes an audio commentary by Goldblatt, the R-rated and unrated cuts of the film plus a workprint transfered from an original beta tape (not like the copied copy of a VHS copy that was put out a few years ago) plus a liner notes booklet. Hopefully the transfer will put all the other editions to shame...

[Paul_Lewis]

Interesting. Thanks for the tip, Jerry. I've seen the Dutch BD for sale on FreeRecordShop but will most likely hold out for the German BD.

[Leigh_Riding]

This is also coming out in the UK by Anchor Bay, but I've heard from a reliable source that it's potentially an upscale, rather than a proper HD master.

[Jerry_Dam]

Yeah I'm inquiring about it, Anchor Bay already told me there won't me any special features. Waiting to hear where their masters is coming from.

The Scandinavian one coming in the spring from Soul Media is the same as the Dutch one ("R-rated" cut, 25 fr/s PAL sped up, mono 2.0 sound track).

As for the German special edition, it is to be announced soon when Koch Media's artwork gets approved from MGM/Fox. Probably your best bet for a decent one.

EDIT:
So the Anchor Bay's UK release will the R-rated cut version, but the good news its a new HD remaster and the sound will be Stereo 2.0 (unlike the previous DVD editions or current Dutch Blu-ray release).

[Leigh_Riding]

The Stereo 2.0 track is actually accurate to the original version, isn't it?

[Jerry_Dam]

Yep, I just hope they gave me correct info, because unfortunately it's easy for corporate guys to confuse aspect ratios or the difference between a 2.0 stereo track and a 2.0 mono track.

[Jerry_Dam]

The German special edition from Koch Media is coming on April 22!

Specs and artwork on the way...

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

This is also coming out in the UK by Anchor Bay, but I've heard from a reliable source that it's potentially an upscale, rather than a proper HD master.

No BR disc will have a proper HD transfer.

[Jerry_Dam]

Anchor Bay told me it was proper HD.

The German special edition from Koch Media is coming on April 22!

Specs and artwork on the way...

Mediabook 3 discs limited edition - 1 Blu-ray - 2 DVDs
Blu-ray: 89 Minutes (R-Rated), 90 Minutes (Unrated)
DVD: 94 Min. (Unrated-Workprint)
1.85:1 (16:9)
Audio: German Dolby Digital 2.0 / DTS HD 2.0
English Dolby Digital 2.0 / Englisch DTS HD 2.0
Subs: German

Special Features:
• Exclusive Audio Commentary with director Mark Goldblatt
• Workprint version transfered from Original tape
• Gag reel (6 mins)
• US- and German Trailers
• Gallery with rare publicity material (courtesy of yours truly)
• 20-pages booklet with notes by Thomas Witzler (German)

Pre-order
http://shop.dtm.at/product_info.php?products_id=51271
http://www.medienversand.at/xtcommerce/ ... -ray-.html
(Not sure if it will be on Amazon as this is a FSK-18 title)

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

Anchor Bay told me it was proper HD.

Yeah, right.

[Paul_Lewis]

Anchor Bay told me it was proper HD.

That's good news, then! I'll still plump for the German disc, however

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

I'll still plump for the German disc, however

Be very careful with German discs. Their DVDs and BRs are rarely any good. Usually badly cut and have poor sound mixing.

[Paul_Lewis]

I'll still plump for the German disc, however

Be very careful with German discs. Their DVDs and BRs are rarely any good. Usually badly cut and have poor sound mixing.

Quite true in many cases, but Koch are usually quite reliable. It's nice to see they're including the workprint, as it's an interesting alternative to the final version of the film. (I've got the Austrian XT Video DVD release of the unrated version of this title, which also includes the workprint.)

I'm looking forward to Goldblatt's commentary on Koch's release, in particular.

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

I've got the Austrian XT Video DVD release of the unrated version of this title, which also includes the workprint.

I've got that one and that German CE too. Both got terrible A/V quality. The US one is slightly better as I recall.
But considering the movie itself, I'll never buy any BR no matter of what.

[Jerry_Dam]

Quite true in many cases, but Koch are usually quite reliable. It's nice to see they're including the workprint, as it's an interesting alternative to the final version of the film. (I've got the Austrian XT Video DVD release of the unrated version of this title, which also includes the workprint.)

Bu this time the workprint isn't made out of a copy of a VHS copy of a VHS copy of VHS copy: it's transfered from Goldblatt's own Beta tape of this workprint cut (which isn't his "directors cut" by the way, the unrated one is)...

What I hope is that this time we get proper stereo or surround sound, not mono 1.0 or mono 2.0 like on the US and German DVDs or the recent Dutch Blu-ray...

[Paul_Lewis]

Quite true in many cases, but Koch are usually quite reliable. It's nice to see they're including the workprint, as it's an interesting alternative to the final version of the film. (I've got the Austrian XT Video DVD release of the unrated version of this title, which also includes the workprint.)

Bu this time the workprint isn't made out of a copy of a VHS copy of a VHS copy of VHS copy: it's transfered from Goldblatt's own Beta tape of this workprint cut (which isn't his "directors cut" by the way, the unrated one is)...

I'd assumed the workprint would be based on the same VHS source (based on a misreading of the phrase 'original tape'). This is sounding even more interesting.

[Leigh_Riding]

Quite true in many cases, but Koch are usually quite reliable. It's nice to see they're including the workprint, as it's an interesting alternative to the final version of the film. (I've got the Austrian XT Video DVD release of the unrated version of this title, which also includes the workprint.)

Bu this time the workprint isn't made out of a copy of a VHS copy of a VHS copy of VHS copy: it's transfered from Goldblatt's own Beta tape of this workprint cut (which isn't his "directors cut" by the way, the unrated one is)...

I'd assumed the workprint would be based on the same VHS source (based on a misreading of the phrase 'original tape'). This is sounding even more interesting.

The workprint is nice for completists, but to be fair, aside from an origin flashback which really should be reinstated, a lot of the footage is less than essential.

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

a lot of the footage is less than essential.

It's even less essential then a flushed turd.

[Leigh_Riding]

a lot of the footage is less than essential.

It's even less essential then a flushed turd.

It's not totally worthless... I have a lot of reverence for Punisher '89... I'm an avid comic fan, Punisher is possibly my favorite character, and despite the fact that there are liberties with the origin and the costume, there are plot themes and character elements that are far truer to the spirit of the books and the character than Punisher '04 and War Zone... abominations.

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

a lot of the footage is less than essential.

It's even less essential then a flushed turd.

It's not totally worthless... I have a lot of reverence for Punisher '89... I'm an avid comic fan, Punisher is possibly my favorite character, and despite the fact that there are liberties with the origin and the costume, there are plot themes and character elements that are far truer to the spirit of the books and the character than Punisher '04 and War Zone... abominations.

To me Punisher is nothing. Just another comic character. And yeah, Punisher '04 and War Zone are really filthy movies.