BLU: Universal Classic Monsters - The Essential Collection 10/2/12

[shape22]

It's $112 right now if you pre-order from Amazon. i just put my order in.

We can all wish this set was cheaper. But it's important to note that it contains the same films as the original Classic Monster Collection DVD release--and it's much cheaper. I got that set on sale for $149.99 back in the day. And half the films look pretty terrible. And the transfers are interlaced.

I think $112 is a fair price if these films have all undergone proper restorations. And based on that short restoration doc it looks like they have. Dracula looks and sounds dramatically better--with vastly better black levels and sharpness. And the audio improvements are pretty striking too.

I'd love to get the set cheaper. But it's a dream come true to think that we'll be able to see these films looking and sounding better than they did when they were new in a couple months. I'm looking forward to watching the whole set on Halloween.

[cjg]

Check out the price at AmazonUK its 50 dollars cheaper then Amazon USA I preordered it from there

[Demoni]

Originally Posted by cjg

Check out the price at AmazonUK its 50 dollars cheaper then Amazon USA I preordered it from there

Minus the Spanish version of Dracula.

[shape22]

Originally Posted by Demoni

Minus the Spanish version of Dracula.

Fortunately not the case. Spanish Dracula is listed as a bonus feature.

http://film.thedigitalfix.com/conten...n-october.html

[othervoice1]

is the UK one region free or region locked? This is a set I would like to let friends and family borrow if they want so I do not want anything region locked unless its R1

[shape22]

Originally Posted by othervoice1

is the UK one region free or region locked? This is a set I would like to let friends and family borrow if they want so I do not want anything region locked unless its R1

There are no guarantees at this point. But apparently the vast majority of Universal releases are region-free--with the exceptions being films they license from other studios for distribution in specific territories. Since they own the rights to these films outright that shouldn't be an issue here--if tradition holds.

[X-human]

French edition has a coffin box along with individual cases for each release using original poster art.

I was thinking about ordering the US edition over the UK because of the book but now I may just get the french because it's pretty damn sweet.

[Mikey Horror]

Accidental double post. See below.

[Mikey Horror]

Looks like the UK is getting a coffin set as well and it's only £44.99 which is roughly about $70. As far as I know Universal does not region lock any of their releases.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Cl...4195693&sr=8-1

[Marshall Crist]

Wouldn't dream of ordering this until I read some fan reviews.

[othervoice1]

I went ahead and pre-ordered the limited edition coffin seat from amazon uk - If I find out it is not region free before it is shipped Ill just cancel the order - i have a region free player but Id prefer to have this release be region free as I can see taking this to family or friends to watch or let them borrow. The only dvds I already owned of these was wolfman and creature from the black lagoon stand alone- and I will keep those since they have the extra movies this set will not have.

[othervoice1]

FYI I guess a staffer at High Def Digest said he got this back from universal (7-23-12):

Dear Tom,

Please find attached list of all content in the UK Monsters box set including the subtitle and language info We can confirm it will be region free also.

Hope this answers your questions.

Kind regards

Universal UK

Dracula:

BONUS MATERIAL
Centennial Trailer
Dracula (1931) Spanish Version
Introduction to the Spanish Version by Lupita Tovar Kohner
Dracula: The Restoration
The Road To Dracula
Lugosi: The Dark Prince
Feature Commentary by Film Historian David J. Skal
Alternate Score By Philip Glass performed by the Kronos Quartet
Dracula Trailer
Dracula's Daughter Trailer
Son Of Dracula Trailer
House of Dracula Trailer
Dracula Archives
Monster Tracks Pop-Up Facts

English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, French, Italian, German, Spanish DTS Surround 2.0 Mono
English SDH, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish

[shape22]

Originally Posted by Mikey Horror

Looks like the UK is getting a coffin set as well and it's only £44.99 which is roughly about $70. As far as I know Universal does not region lock any of their releases.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Cl...4195693&sr=8-1

Thanks for posting this. Now I have 3 different versions of this set pre-ordered. I'll definitely be sticking with this one if it houses the films in individual cases. I'm not a fan of the book packaging at all. I have a tough time getting discs back into The Planet Of The Apes book.

FYI, with shipping to the U.S. it shakes out to 40.57 British sterling, or $63.47. That works for me.

[X-human]

Originally Posted by Mikey Horror

Looks like the UK is getting a coffin set as well and it's only £44.99 which is roughly about $70. As far as I know Universal does not region lock any of their releases.

If it's anything like the French set it'll likely come with a booklet too. Unless the US edition follows up with their own coffin set the UK edition looks to be the one to get. Cheaper and better packaging make it a no brainer.

[msw7]

Thanks for posting the details everyone, I just pre-ordered the set from amazon.uk - $63 shipped is too good to pass up.