MovieChat Forums > The Stepfather (1987) Discussion > What ...why no dvd???

What ...why no dvd???

posted 18 years ago by hamlet1286
21 replies | jump to latest

I am not sure if this had been asked, but why is there no region one DVD release? Seriously... You'd think with both II and III out on dvd, as well as the success of LOST, and the rumours circulating that there is to be a remake of the movie, not to mention that The Stepfather made Entertainment Weekly's 25 scariest films of all time*, they'd put the original in the same format as well. I ask as to why there has been no release in the states... aside from VHS releases, but i seriously doubt they even print in VHS anymore.
*http://www.thebestofmovies.com/EWScariest.html
see also http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,272478_6,00.html

[–] leahnjohn97 18 years ago

They do have the original movie on DVD I found it on ebay from Australia!! It costed me $17.70 to my door!!! Great Movie!!

[–] CaptainGeech 18 years ago

I picked up a copy of The Stepfather that is clearly a bootleg off Ebay...but the quality is excellent. The colors are sharp, the sound is ok, and it's in widescreen. I believe it's ripped from the German dvd which was remastered in HD. I just can't understand why no one is the USA has put this out yet, especially now that Terry O'Quinn is a TV star. Someone out there needs to get off their ass and release this gem.

"You're all worthless and weak...now drop and give me twenty!"

[–] cnd3211 18 years ago

I wrote to Anchor Bay home video a couple of months back, requesting that they release this title. They specialise in releasing obscure horror flicks on dvd. If anybody thinks they'd like to help in prodding Anchor Bay to move foward with aquiring and releasing "The Stepfather" onto DVD here's their e-mail address: DL-TRY-Suggestions@ Starz.com. Sometime back, Anchor Bay merged with Starz Network, explaining why Anchor Bay's requesting-title e-mail address looks like that.

[–] DaysFan79 18 years ago

Did you ever hear back from them? I'm also hoping they release one of Bette Davis' films, The Nanny. I love Anchor Bay. They have been the saving grace for so many of our favorite horror films. They did Prom Night, Silent Night Deadly Night, The Sleepaway Camp trilogy, Creepshow 2, some of the Halloween films, Madman (which I haven't seen yet) and so many more! I wish they had gotten a hold of Happy Birthday To Me, one of my personal favorites. Sony ruined their DVD release of that film.

[–] cnd3211 18 years ago

>>Did you ever hear back from them?<<

No. Anchor Bay states- even insists that they read each and every single letter of title requesting, but that they most likely won't reply back because they recieve way too many title-requesting letters to be able to respond and not move foward with consideration of aquiring rights and releasing the titles.

>>I'm also hoping they release one of Bette Davis' films, The Nanny.<<

Then write to Anchor Bay at: DL-TRY-Suggestions@ Starz.com. Sometime back, Anchor Bay merged with Starz Network, explaining why Anchor Bay's requesting-title e-mail address looks like that.

[–] Nijn1978 18 years ago

I truly love 'The Stepfather'. An awesome movie!!! A very tense, exciting and witty chiller!! This is a movie that screams out for a Special Edition with a commentary track by director Joseph Ruben and featurettes about the casting, production, release and cult following. Maybe they could get Terry O'Quinn and Jill Schoelen for the interviews. They should do it as it started their careers, although Schoelen's unfortunately has come to a stop.

I know people who love this movie. It's one of those titles that isn't officially regarded as a classic, but if you ask people about it, they immediately respond that they think it is terrific. Also, Pauline Kael (one of the most influential critics ever and someone who was very hard to please) wrote an enthusiastic review of this movie for the New Yorker.

This should be released as soon as possible. I truly dread the fact that a remake is in the works for this movie. But if it gets me a Special Edition DVD, then so be it.

[–] DaysFan79 18 years ago

This and When a Stranger Calls Back were Schoelen's best movies!

[–] sf12169 18 years ago

You folks who are putting yourselves at the mercy of AB releasing this or not should just consider getting a region-free player and getting the much easier-to-come-by Australian DVD. I should think that would be much quicker than just sitting around 'wishing and hoping' that AB or some other studio cranks it out on R1.

The Australian DVD is great but there is one negative: pan and scan only. But it's better than nothing I say...

"You give me back my ball... I'll give you yours" - Viggo Mortensen in Renny Harlin's 'Prison'

[–] cnd3211 18 years ago

>>You folks who are putting yourselves at the mercy of AB releasing this or not should just consider getting a region-free player and getting the much easier-to-come-by Australian DVD. I should think that would be much quicker than just sitting around 'wishing and hoping' that AB or some other studio cranks it out on R1.<<

Well, we or I am not just hoping. I have written to Anchor Bay, a business that specializes in rescuing slightly lower-budget, lesser known horror flicks and releasing them onto DVD in the most restored versions as possible. And the more e-mails they get, the more likely and quickly they'll move to aquiring and releasing the movie onto DVD, with an authentic widescreen transfer, which is why I posted Anchor Bay's address on the board. Also you can't buy a region-free DVD player at a store in America, unless you order one directly from the manufacturer via online.

[–] sf12169 18 years ago

Wrong. You can easily purchase DVD players that can be converted to all-region via the remote. Some of the Philips models will also convert PAL to NTSC.

"You give me back my ball... I'll give you yours" - Viggo Mortensen in Renny Harlin's 'Prison'

[–] Mister_Wonky 17 years ago

You're the one all up in arms over bootlegs and you encourage the circumventing of regional coding? Can this be true?? For shame!

[–] Nijn1978 17 years ago

I'm still holding out for a good DVD with some decent extra's. Come on! Someone has to put out a good DVD of this terrific movie. This movie was important to Terry O'Quinn's career, so I think he would be more than happy to be involved with the DVD. Of course, sales might be promising with all the fame he's gotten since the tv-show 'Lost'.

Also, they are doing a remake of this movie. That one will probably suck, but it's another reason why a company might want to put out a decent DVD of this movie. Any takers??

[–] dgilligan-1 18 years ago

I found this on DVD via this website! What a great movie, good cover art and excellent service!!
http://www.jennyvision.com/$Stepfather.htm
Region 1 and worked great in my Apex DVD player.

[–] samnitebc 17 years ago

I bought the Aussie version for about $15. Umbrella released it over there and it's very good in terms of video quality. Crisp with vibrant colors for the most part. Naturally, I would've gone for the anamorphic widescreen German release but I didn't think this movie was worth $30!

[–] sf12169 17 years ago

Umbrella is one of the best DVD companies out there. I hope they put out more HTF American films such as this one.

"You give me back my ball... I'll give you yours" - Viggo Mortensen in Renny Harlin's 'Prison'

[–] ryanbrownrjb 17 years ago

AMAZON YOU CAN BUY THE DVDS FROM UNDER 5 POUND :) BRILLIANT FILMS BY THE WAY ABSOLUTELY AMAZING SADLY OVERLOOKED CLASS!!AND A BARGAIN ;)

[–] tero-h 17 years ago

We have a DVD release here in Finland by Futurefilm. It's in fullscreen format though. 2.0 DD audio. Cover looks like this: http://xs329.xs.to/xs329/08276/stepfather858.jpg

[–] skeletonman13 17 years ago

>>This is a movie that screams out for a Special Edition<<

and this anit the only one. The Stepfather = AWESOME!!
the other movie that needs a DVD release is: NIGHT OF THE CREEPS!!!

Get away from her you BITCH!

[–] samnitebc 17 years ago

Tero,

That's a nice cover you guys have there. It really captures his violent tendencies. How did you find the video quality?

[–] tero-h 17 years ago

Quality is pretty good, it's not bad.

[–] safeinheaven 16 years ago

A British company ITC owns the rights. you can find the stepfather with an awesome picture on the internet. shut-down the website if i tell you and "They" find out. People are rotten who complain and shut down links; i literally hate them like i hate lee atwater (God Rest His Soul)--I've forgiven him; what a bad memory and legacy he leaves.