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Movies you have been searching on dvd for ages but never found


Hi folks,
I know that the DVD format has become less and less important because so many movies are available on youtube, or can be "streamed", whatever... but still, do you have some movies on you "wish list" which you would like to have on DVD?
To explain what I mean - please name movies which
1) are on DVD but only in a version which you can't play (foreign region code) or
2) aren't on DVD but only on video cassette, or
3) still more obscure, movies which didn't make it on either of both ?
As to "category 1", this one keeps haunting me:
One Little Indian - US DVD exists, but there's never been another release, e.g. region 2
As to "category 2", I would like to mention
Misunderstood (1984) - I own a well preserved copy on (US) video cassette which I play very rarely; as to the dvd: I have it on a b**tl*g but why on earth hasn't there been an official DVD release of that gem, to this day?
To sum up, I think it's never too late to give up all hope: It took over 30 years until someone finally resolved to publish "The Earthling" (one of early Ricky Schroder's shining hours, IMHO) on an OFFICIAL DVD... but then it suddenly was available, when I already thought it might never happen. Of THIS movie I'm proud to say that I have a FACTORY SEALED copy of the original cassette. Of course I never opened the seal; and when finally the DVD came it was just an overwhelming experience :-D
As to "category 3", finally, I'd like to mention
"DNA" (1996) - well, this one IS in fact on DVD; I liked Tom Taus Jr.'s performance; so I tried to find some other movies he was in - and there is NOTHING. Unless I overlooked some obscure VHS which might have come out on a long-defunct Philippine label, it seems all of his other early movies have remained unpublished... for example: I wish I could watch "Lahar" in full length, not on youtube but from a "traditional medium"; but so far I only found some random movie stills ;-P
Lots of the movies which were made in West Germany during the 1950s are still unavailable in any format. I wish someone could finally bring on dvd, for instance, "Vater braucht eine Frau" (I mean the older version, not the one with Dieter Borsche - Oliver Grimm in one of his earliest roles!)
Last not least: The Danish version of "Pelle den erobreren" (Pelle the Conqueror) was NOT the original; it was preceded by a GDR version which was absolutely unavailable (except b**tl*gs) for a LONG time - it took the company more than 20 years before they finally had the mercy to come up with an official DVD release :-)
Similarly it felt like aeons to wait for "Trocadero Bleu Citron" (1978, Lionel Melet!) on DVD... But finally -some 2 years ago- Gaumont was good enough to do a big favour to some strange old collectors like me. Yippieh!
Happy New Year 2019 to everyone!
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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[deleted]

Looks very interesting!
Have you tried it already with alternative titles (there should be listed some of them on imdb, I think) instead of the Italian original title?
Some years ago I bought the cassette of "At Play on The Fields of The Lord"; there was never an official DVD under the original title. But 4 or 5 years ago I found that it has been published on a Spanish label, with a spanish title, of course :-)
One *b*y seller has currently 5 or 6 copies of another one which I've been searching for years: "Cameron's Closet" (Scott Curtis, if I'm not mistaken - just writing in a haste without checking back - who would search this one under the title Habitacion del miedo ;-) ...and 3 or 4 years ago I bought a spanish dvd of "Burnt Offerings" (which of course was also a lucky find for me; before that time I repeatedly found region 1 dvds only)

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I am unable to find The Last Good Time on DVD.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110306/

The film, directed by Bob Balaban, was released in 1995 and stars Armin Mueller-Stahl, Olivia d'Abo, Maureen Stapleton and
Lionel Stander (in his last role).

I have searched Amazon for it but they only show copies available on VHS tape.
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Good-Time-Armin-Mueller-Stahl/dp/6303666671/

Since I no longer own a VCR, the VHS tapes would be of no use to me.

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Hello CKid,
I still have a VCR; and I think even if I hadn't one at the moment I would rather buy the cassette, IF it is a movie I really want to have, and IF it's not too expensive. Then there would still be time to find a way to get the tape transferred on CD. (Supposed you let pass by the tape now and, a year later you change your mind but then the movie is COMPLETELY unavailable, even the tapes are gone... I would be angry with myself for having missed the chance ;-)
Or, maybe you should try to find out whether there's one of your relatives or friends who still might have an old VCR in a box in his cellar... he wanted to get rid of it anyway, now you come up with the right question at the right moment; and if you're lucky, you might even get the machine for free! :-D
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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I’ve been trying to see a movie for ages called “Frankie Starlight” because it was adapted from a novel written by a man named Chet Raymo whom I admire very much.

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Hello Kazak,
I checked it on (german) Ebay - there are several copies available; for example try this item no.: 273631544817
Seller's name is ryan.josh, item location is Munich. The item description says the disc is region free! I think this isn't a bootleg. - So far, I didn't check how much the shipping to the U.S. would cost; but anyway - I hope that helps :-)
(Possibly I coud have simply copied and pasted a "link" but I can't figure out how to do that... ;-)
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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I’m looking for a Region 1 copy of THE DIRECTOR’S CUT of Wild
Side. It probably does not exist, sadly. I’d love to see it.

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After reading up the film's synopsis, trying to locate that version of film through review sites, I totally grasp why you did not go into great detail. Understand I normally would not divulge that I have looked for such an item for anyone unless it was for someone I really respect. I cannot attest to the product's quality featured in the link below, claiming to provide the unedited 111 minute director's cut. Even though it is listed as being DVD format, there is the possibility that it may be DVD-R.

This is a U.K. release, Region 0, playable in all regions. Given the rating label in the lower right-hand corner, it looks to be an official release and not some bootleg like all the other offers I saw that were not the "cleaned-up" 95 minute cut:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Donald-Cammells-Wild-Side-DVD-Christopher-Walken-111-Minute-Version-Like-New/323616811470?hash=item4b5910a9ce:g:oKYAAOSwPzhZ-Ot4:rk:6:pf:0

Hopefully, it is the correct one and that I have addressed all concerns, raising some eyebrows from others like it did mine. (^_~)
Enjoy!

~~/o/

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I mean, who doesn’t want to see Christopher Walken in a gay sex scene? I am touched that you’d go to so much trouble for me, twinA. I’m okay with DVD-R transfers. Many thanks.

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Funny thing is, that scene you are talking about is completely intact in the edited version but the lesbian scene is not. Talk about double standards!

~~/o/

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I understand that the gay scene is more explicit in the original cut, but more of a nude Joan Chen is also a good thing.

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I have one:

Richard Linklater's SubUrbia (1996)

:(

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Hello StoneKeeper,
I checked this on amazon and found several copies - as to the first item which "popped up" the item description says the disc is region free and the date of publication is Jan. 23rd, 2018 :-)
Obviously it's always possible that it's a bootleg when it comes as region free; but it just doesn't look like being one (the item description seems okay, so far; I don't think that the seller is just an amateur who copied the tape on a self-made disc).
I hope the info might be useful for you :-)
Kind regards & A Happy New Year !
Andreas (123all4me)

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Thank you Andreas!! I had lost hope many years ago. LAst time I checked was in the late Imdb days.

On amazon.ca it'S 21$ but fuck it, Im willing to pay the big price for this great addition to my collection.

Happy new year to you too.

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Thanks for your friendly reply!
"In the late imdb days..." (sigh) ah, that sounds so melancholic... I've been on imdb since 2006 only; but I know there were "veterans" whose first postings are as old as 15 years by now!
I really wonder where Col N. STILL thinks he made the right decision when he deleted all the forums! (But supposed he changed his mind, after it was too late - I'm in doubt whether he would admit it and say, OK, I was wrong! I remember some of his answers upon sad and angry postings of long-time imdb followers were written in a rather arrogant style... Some of his comments read like he was to say "my decision was the right one, so don't bother me with your complaints"...)
After all, I'm lucky that so many of the old postings have been transferred to this new place. Must have been a lot of work to do that!
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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if you have access to Amazon Prime then it is free to watch at the moment.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dprime-instant-video&field-keywords=SubUrbia

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thanks man but that's not Linklater's version. it's from 1996

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Sorry. My mistake. It's still worth a watch though. Great film with a really sad ending though.

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The Last Frontier (1986 TV miniseries) I have a VHS tape that I recorded off TV years ago, but I sure would like a good quality DVD version. Linda Evans is a single mother from LA who marries an Australian cattle rancher following a whirlwind courtship. I liked the perseverance of the character she plays, dealing with one of the worst droughts in Australian history and land-grabbing neighbors. Also stars Jack Thompson. Probably the first Australia-based movie I saw.

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Hello GlenEllyn,
just googled a bit and found it on the site of a store called The Vermont Moviestore... The item description says it's playable in the U.S. (a 2 disc set, "beautifully restored" as they say). Now, I don't know whether you are U.S. or Australian resident;
just check the details of the description and if it's not too expensive, then give it a try...
As to Australian made discs - I've been searching for a Mexican movie for years and years: Zindy the Swamp Boy (starring Rene Cardona) - and guess where I found it, last year: on a region free multi-disc package made by an Australian company, containing this forgotten gem plus 3 other family movies :-D
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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Howdy, 123, Thanks for the info on my movie wish! I'm in the U.S. It's amazing how much old stuff is showing up on DVD these days. You have to know where to look, I guess. It has been a while since I searched for it so maybe that's why I missed this?? I'll be saving this movie store site for future wishes.

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Hello again :-)
considering that you have by far the highest number of postings, of all the friendly people who responded on my posting, I thought you might have the best knowledge to answer this question of mine: On my "imaginary wish list" there are some Canada made movies, too. Now, do you know someone who is active on moviechat and is expert on Canadian movies?
There are two movies from the (late) 1980s, starring
Nathaniel Moreau
which I would LOVE to see, sooner or later, on DVD!
1) The Last Winter,
2) The Kissing Place
Both do exist on VHS, which I both have in my collection; but there's no DVD available, so far... :-(
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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Poster Hownos is Canadian so perhaps he can help.

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Thank you - that's a good idea :-)
Andreas (123all4me)

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Hello GlenEllyn,
I just "found" another one which is inaccessible (outside youtube, maybe) for me -
A Christmas Memory (1997, made for TV) - it's on DVD, but region 1 only :-(
I think I need an all-region machine sooner or later...
This one caught my attraction when I browsed Eric Lloyd's filmography. I liked his performances very much in both movies with him which I have: Dunston Checks In, and Luminous Motion. Imagine how different these two movies are, as to their plot, atmosphere, etc.! I saw Eric first in Dunston; I liked the old-fashioned style of funny mixture of crime and comedy... and years later I stumbled over a VHS cassette of Luminous Motion (it was part of a bulk lot, buy 3 cassettes and get a 4th one for free or something like that; and when I received the parcel I thought, hm, nice bonus... beautiful portrait on the cardboard box - and WHERE have I seen that boy before? :-) ...I was amazed to find that it's him again! To impersonate such different roles within only one year's time indicates that the really had talents, I think! (Later I found an European license dvd of Luminous and re-watched it some days ago... that's what sparked this long post...)
I think I'll browse again Eric's filmography although I'm sure there are some other "unobtainables"... Well, but SOME more of "his" flicks must have made it on European dvd's. I really hope :-)
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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Eric Lloyd didn't register, but of course when I looked him up I learned he played young Charlie in The Santa Clause movies. He was good in that. These sound interesting and I'll be looking for them.

You must live in Europe if region 1 releases don't work for you. I bought a region-free DVD player a couple of years ago because I wanted the TV series Cold Feet and it was only available on region 2. I think it's time for all DVD and blu-ray players to be region-free.

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Hi GlenEllyn,
you're right when you say that "it's time for all DVD ... players to be region free". Yes, that's true - but I'm afraid the major film companies won't ever have that; because then they couldn't any longer squeeze so much money out of their being the holder of rights of thousands and thousands of profitable movies :-(
After all, not the companies but rather the collectors and the reviewers should have a say in the decision whether or not a movie should get a release in another code area than the one where it has been made! But that won't happen. The companies allow that ONLY when they feel they can thus make some additional profits. If there's "no money in it", well, then even the best movie may rot forever in some archive; they don't care a d*mn.
Would be interesting to know how much you would have to pay currently in the U.S. for a multi-region player of decent quality standards. And I also have no idea how common (or not) this type of player is in the States.
Probably many U.S. based moviebuffs don't care about multi-region players because they don't care much about movies made in other countries :-) ...this is definitely not meant to insult anybody; I just have the impression, due to the generally low number of comments about non-U.S. movies...
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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I've been searching for ages for a non-bootleg release of Stinker Lets Loose (1977), but it seems to be lost to time. Marlon Brando supposedly owned one of the only surviving film prints and watched it nearly every night.

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I've been searching for
The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Tinker (1949)

Can't find them anywhere.

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Hello slimone,
at the moment I can't find The Man Who Laughs either, but I see that there are several copies of Tinker available (unless the shipping & handling cost isn't too high for what you are willing to spend for the movie; I didn't check the details); I saw that it's on amazon.co.uk; release date was April 2014. This seems to be part of a whole series of classics (e.g. I saw Meet Mr. Callaghan, 1954, on the same page). As to the regional code, the description says "all regions".
Kind regards
Andreas (123all4me)

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