Argento's Phenomena - best version?

[zombiecraig]

I have the old Anchor Bay tape and I've been holding out for a better DVD than the one they released. Any word on a new one coming soon? Or is there a more definitive version from other regions than the U.S.? And what about Tenebre?

[x666x]

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=1290

There are also some even newer versions. For example, the version from the Argento Japanese boxset is taken from a high def transfer.

[Mortis]

I'd post in the Euro Horror forum.

Originally Posted by zombiecraig

I have the old Anchor Bay tape and I've been holding out for a better DVD than the one they released. Any word on a new one coming soon? Or is there a more definitive version from other regions than the U.S.? And what about Tenebre?

[Jimbo]

Funny you bring this up.I was just thinking about ordering all the Argento dvd,s that i need to complete my collection.And that's all but Suspiria.I have had these on my wish list for year's now but have just held out.I bet the minute i do order,Blue underground will release them all.So i just dont know what to do.
On another note: I cant find a one in Best buy,Suncoast etc..The only place to get them around here is the net.

Just go for the AB DVD... while it's not anamorphically enhanced, it's still a nice transfer and will suffice until BU decides to re-release the films. Just try not to spend TOO much money on it though... I spent $30 on Tenebre at a convention because I was so desperate to have it. Needless to say, although it's a fantastic movie, I was ripped off.

[Crystal Plumage]

Originally Posted by zombiecraig

I have the old Anchor Bay tape and I've been holding out for a better DVD than the one they released. Any word on a new one coming soon? Or is there a more definitive version from other regions than the U.S.? And what about Tenebre?

I have the integral and uncut version by Dutch company Japan/Italian Shock.Picture quality isn't that good though.Pretty sure the AB version looks better,I don't know.But it's complete and that's what matters.And the Medusa disc has Italian audio only.
For Tenebre I recommend the Dutch release by A-Film.It's complete AND uncut.It has all the scenes that were missing from other versions.Plus it has better image quality than the AB.
But being the Argentophile that I am I'll wait for the BU discs and buy them all again!

[Paff]

Ryan speaks the truth here

If you can get the AB versions at a price that is reasonable to you, go for it.

True, the releases of Tenebrae and Phenomena are not "complete", but in reality they're only missing some short scenes of dialogue. The violence is completely intact, and the cuts were made due to print damage, not any kind of editorial trimming.

If you have a Laserdisc player, you can pick up the Roan editions (which AB ported directly) fairly cheap. Since the DVDs are not anamorphic, you wouldn't be losing too much in way of picture quality.

Let's just say that these are among the favorite movies in my collection, and I have no immediate plans to upgrade.

I'd go for the cheap Dutch DVD by A-Film. Note that the Dutch 'integral version' is by Italian Shock and it stinks. The A-Film version looks better than Anchor Bay's and it's anamorphic too. For screenshot comparisons, have a look over here.

[Crystal Plumage]

Check here for the Tenebre comparison (it's a big one!):
http://whiggles.landofwhimsy.com/mis...e-tenebre.html
And http://whiggles.landofwhimsy.com/mis...phenomena.html for the Phenomena comparison (thanks to my DD pal Michael MacKenzie)

[zombiecraig]

Thanks for all the effort, everyone!

[Crystal Plumage]

No prob!

[dwatts]

Damn, I am so disapointed. Going through that Tenebrae link, that Japanese release looks stunning. But then, as noted in the text, suddenly the color scheme goes awry, and some scenes appear to be totally ruined

Close then, but no cigar. Yet it was VERY close dammit.

Originally Posted by dwatts

Damn, I am so disapointed. Going through that Tenebrae link, that Japanese release looks stunning. But then, as noted in the text, suddenly the color scheme goes awry, and some scenes appear to be totally ruined

Close then, but no cigar. Yet it was VERY close dammit.

You are right, that Japan release is absolutely STUNNING... particularly with that screenshot of the trees. The AB release's transfer pales in comparison, IMO.

[MorallySound]

I have a VHS of this with the alternate title, Creepers.

[Crystal Plumage]

Creepers is the Dario Argento approved cut of Phenomena.Several cuts were made (for various reasons):

Originally Posted by Darkdreams.org

Below is a list of the extra scenes/shots:

• +1.5s after 12m - Bee flying around in the back of the car. Frau Bruckner waving her arms at it, Jennifer trying to stop her hurting it.
• +0.5s after 15m - Jennifer walking towards bed in school.
• +0.25s after 16m - extended shot of Jennifer in bed talking to Sophie.
• +0.25s after - extended shot of Jennifer.
• +1s after 18m - extended shot of Jennifer before she turns the light off.
• +5s after - extended shot of Jennifer before she replies to Sophie's question.
• +3s after23m - Jennifer sleepwalking on roof before it gives way.
• +14s after 24m - boys helping Jennifer get up after their car has knocked her down, then leading her towards the car, forcing her to get in as she screams 'No!' and driving off.
• +3s after - extended shot of boys in car talking with Jennifer struggling between them.
• +4s after - extended shot of Jennifer trying to climb over the front seats into the back of the car.
• +0.5s after 28m - extended shot of John McGregor as he is talking to Jennifer.
• +3s after - Jennifer walking towards stairs with Inga the chimp.
• +0.5s after 30m - Jennifer laughing.
• +1s after 32m - extended shot of Jennifer as John is talking.
• +0.5s after - extended shot of Jennifer.
• +1s after 33m - extended shot of Jennifer before EEG test.
• +18s after 34m - teacher and girls walking out of room into hall where other girls are talking. Girl knocking on telephone booth and asking girl on phone to hurry up, shot of Jennifer in another booth about to make a call.
• +1s after 35m - extended shot of girls as teacher is talking.
• +0.5s after - extended shot of girls.
• +4s after 39m - extended shot of news broadcast on TV.
• +1s after - couple talking on TV.
• +11s after - man talking on TV. Sophie walking into school grounds and turning round before carrying on.
• +3s after 40m - extended shot of Sophie after her boyfriend has gone.
• +0.5 s after - extended shot of Sophie walking through trees.
• +0.5s after 43m - extended shot of Sophie running.
• +2.5s after - extended shot of Jennifer walking into grounds.
• +2.5s after - Jennifer walking through grounds following firefly.
• +6.5s after - Jennifer continuing to follow firefly.
• +2s after - Jennifer pulling her hands out of bushes after finding gloves.
• +2s after 48m - extended shot of John McGregor.
• +3.5s after - extended shot of Jennifer.
• +0.5s after - extended shot of John.
• +11.5s after 56m - nurse sitting next to Jennifers bed knitting. Jennifer keeping an eye on her. Nurse putting down knitting and starting to fall asleep.
• +5s after - nurse falling asleep, Jennifer moving her hand.
• +3.5s after - extended shot of nurse sleeping, Jennifer starting to undo drip from her arm.
• +0.25s after 60m - extended shot of John while John is talking.
• +0.25s after - extended shot of Jennifer.
• +0.25s after - extended shot of Jennifer.
• +0.25s after - extended shot of Jennifer.
• +0.25s after - extended shot of Jennifer.
• +0.25s after - extended shot of John.
• +0.25s after - extended shot of John.+20.5s after 64m - woman on bus asking Jennifer to close the window. Jennifer refuses so the woman goes to the front of the bus complaining. Shot from rear of bus of car following.
• +5.5s after 68m - Jennifer walking through field.
• +1.5s after 69m - shot of papers on bookcase.
• +7s after - Jennifer jumping up trying to reach papers.
• +7s after - Jennifer successfully knocking one of the rolls of paper to the floor, then trying to reach the others.
• +0.5 after 71m - extended shot of maggot ridden severed hand.
• +2s after 74m - extended shot of John with spear in his stomach before it is pulled out.
• +2.5s after 76m - extended shot of man in asylum. Inspector Geiger and doctor looking at him.
• +1s after 82m - extended shot of Frau Bruckner as she shows Jennifer her house.
• +8s after 84m - Jennifer wiping her forehead with her arm and feeling her face after Frau Bruckner has told her she must have a fever.
• +23.5s after 85m - Jennifer arguing with Frau Bruckner after she has told her to take some pills.
• -3s after - shot of Jennifer as Frau Bruckner is holding her arm.
• +0.5s after - extended shot of Jennifer running out of bathroom.
• +27s after 89m - Jennifer dialing number, Frau Bruckner putting her finger on the hook of the phone and asking who she is calling. Jennifer replies "Morris, to tell him everything is OK". Frau Bruckner snaps "tommorrow" and tries to take the receiver from her hand.. Jennifer protests but Frau Bruckner gets angrier and shouts "No!". Jennifer then pushes her away and she falls to the ground hitting her head against the wall. Jennifer then starts to dial again and doesn't see Frau Bruckner getting up behind her.
• +7.5s after - Frau Bruckner swearing at Jennifer after she has knocked her down with a club.
• +10.5s after - Frau Bruckner dragging Jennifer along floor swearing at her again, a buzzer sounding.
• -2s after - shot of Inspector Geiger approaching house.
• +20s after 96m - Jennifer crawling through tunnel following telephone lead, tugging it to see where it goes, then pausing to take off her neckscarf before continuing.
• +1.5s after 97m - extended shot of Jennifer splashing about in body pit.
• +1s after - extended shot of Jennifer in pit.
• +4.5s after long shot of Jennifer screaming in pit, Inspector Geiger chained to the wall before Frau Bruckner walks in laughing at them.
• +4.5s after - extended shot of Jennifer trying to reach edge of pit.
• +2s after - Inspector Geiger pulling against chains, shot from above pit of Jennifer surrounded by body parts.
• +4s after - Inspector Geiger choking Frau Bruckner pulling her to the ground, holding her down and hitting her with the chain.
• +3s after - close up of Inspector Geiger now choking a bloody Frau Bruckner after Jennifer has managed to escape.
• +3s after 100m - Jennifer pausing in corridor before running outside.
• +1s after - mutant child trying to fight off insects.
• +3s after - extended shot of Jennifer in boat after child has gone underwater.
• +1.5s after - extended shot of Jennifer as she looks up at sky.
• +13s after - Jennifer sitting in boat looking round.
• +1s after - Jennifer swimming underwater.
• +1s after - Jennifer taking a breath before going back underwater.
• +2s after - Jennifers leg being held by child underwater, close up of it's burnt face.
• +1s after - Jennifer trying to escape child's clutches.
• +0.5s after - Jennifer still trying to free herself.
• +17s after 105m - Jennifer standing on the shore looking round, wiping her hair back and starting to feel cold.

A grand total of 74 differences! (with two extra shots).

I'm glad I bought the Japan Shock version (only €10).So if you like the short Creepers version that's ok by me but I like my movies uncut and complete!