Sony = Evil (Midnite Movies, Witchfinder General info)

[bigdaddyhorse]

Just read this post over on dvdreview, posted by George from DVD Drive-in:

"I have been in contact with Philip Waddilove, producer of WITCHFINDER GENERAL (aka CONQUEROR WORM). After MGM spent years and lots of dough on a pristine, restored new DVD transfer of the film, Waddilove was lead to believe that it was on Sony's October '06 schedule. Apparently, this is not the case and Sony has little interest. This is how Waddilove replied to me:

"I'm at a loss for words. Why MGM would go to the trouble of a total restoration without releasing the DVD of "Witchfinder General" is beyond comprehension. However, exactly the same fate has befallen "The Buttercup Chain", my other movie (with Columbia) now also hidden away in the vaults at Sony. On several occasions I was informed by James Owsley (Director of Restorations at MGM) that Witchfinder was definitely on their October 2006 release schedule. But, apparently, the principal at Sony doesn't greenlight DVDs of anything older than ten years!!"

Yes my friends, it's obvious that Sony's ownership of the MGM catalog is the worst thing that could have ever happened, and as editor of DVD Drive-In who spearheaded a petition to continue the Midnite Movies, I am totally fed up. The decision to put titles in the Midnite Movies series that don't fit the bill, and not continuing the fine work that the old regime had started confirms this.

If you would like to voice your opionion, outrage or make suggestions, I urge everyone who reads this who wants the Midnite Movies series to continue as it should, write to Chris Franchino, who manages MGM catalog marketing, at Chris_Franchino@spe.sony.com and David Bishop at David_Bishop@spe.son y.com who heads the MGM DVD department at Sony. "

Get your bitch on and maybe we can help.

[dwatts]

They're probably holding out for a hi-def release, which would be fantastic. At least we know the film is now digitally preserved

Messing with the Midnite Movies line is evil and not the sexy kind of evil, just the you really need to burn in hell kind of evil. I hope this is just a misunderstanding and we get this and other movies that fit the Midnite Movies line, but I have my doubts. Sony has done some really strange things with the MGM catalog since taking over.

[Erick H.]

Anybody have the Region 2 DVD of WITCHFINDER ? If so,how is it,visually,that is ?

[dwatts]

The UK one? The previously excised BBFC footage is back in - but it's bad quality. If you have Shrieks Shows Zombi 3 you know what I'm talking about. The DVD also ships with the cut version.

[Katatonia]

Screw Sony. MGM doesn't really even exist anymore now while they control it, except in name only.

Originally Posted by Erick H.

Anybody have the Region 2 DVD of WITCHFINDER ? If so,how is it,visually,that is ?

I bought it for like $2 off ebay once. It was quite a steal. The quality is decent, but the print shows age and the inserted footage is somewhat lower quality, ala The Wicker Man. But overall, it looks pretty good. There's two versions of the film on the disc: the "Complete Director's Cut" and the "Complete Import Cut" as the back cover quotes.

There's a good documentary about the late director Michael Reeves, who died fairly young after the release of the film. Then there's some trailers, production notes, filmographies, gallery, etc. There's also the Cathedral Hopkins/Witchfinder General video as an extra!

[MrKateB]

Just fired off an email to both of those people expressing my disgust over the treatment of the Midnite Movies line, as well as the potential neglect of older horror/sci-fi/cult product they own. Doubt they care, and doubt it will do much good, but at least I feel I added my voice.

I am sure that they probably would rather stock Wal-Marts with retreads of already released titles that carry mass appeal than to waste time and money remastering oddball films, and that money probably has EVERYTHING to do with it, but it just seems like they're a large enough company that they could do both if they really wanted to.

Why does this always happen???

[Erick H.]

Thanks dwatts and Katatonia for the info on the region 2 WITCHFINDER !

The principal at Sony doesn't greenlight DVDs of anything older than ten years!!

'Tis the work of the devil, I tells ya!! Let's tar and feather 'em.

I'd really like to see Witchfinder General so I can compare it with Mark of the Devil.

[KillerCannabis]

Not too stray too far off topic, but I'm going to state that I think Sony is evil for canning those SE's of Leone's Dollars and Dynamite films and never putting them back on schedule.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by KillerCannabis

Not too stray too far off topic, but I'm going to state that I think Sony is evil for canning those SE's of Leone's Dollars and Dynamite films and never putting them back on schedule.

It's just all the more reason to hate them. I've decided to add Sony to my boycott list, so no MGM or Sony or Columbia titles for me unless they are must haves. I will try to get anything I kinda want from the library, or buy used. Some may get rented and dubbed, but that is unlikely since they still get a cut of rents I'm pretty sure.
The irony of watching a Sony tv set everyday isn't lost, but you can bet your ass my next set won't be from them. Fuck you Sony, welcome to the shit-list!

[dwatts]

--I'd really like to see Witchfinder General so I can compare it with Mark of the Devil.--

I'd say it's a better film - but it's far less nasty than Mark of the Devil. So you want something nasty, go for the latter, you want good cinema, you go with the former. In other words, they're both worth having