James Bond Films! What version to buy?

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,043
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Ive never really put too much thought into it and then one day a couple of months ago I was flicking through the TV at night and noticed a film on with Pierce Brosnan on where he was Jetting through snow and I think Halle Berry was in the film as well.

Must of caught the last 45 mins of the film and was mildly entertained so figured might as well get the films but with so many versions out what ones to get.

Ideally id prefer 2 disk versions so you get lots of extras and there are a number of boxsets out but not really sure what to go for. Something thats not too pricey for them.

I could always go for the 2 disk single releases but then ill be getting no end of parcels through the post if there are 20 films. Ive seen one that packaged these editions together but normally with those they shrink the packaging dvd cases down to those horrible slimline ones.

So after advice really.
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Comments

  • -GONZO--GONZO- Posts: 9,624
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    :D that film (Die Another Day) was the worst out of all the bonds IMO.
    Anyhow, if you've got a Blu Ray player(or even thinking about getting one) then get the Blu Ray versions.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,043
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    -GONZO- wrote: »
    :D that film (Die Another Day) was the worst out of all the bonds IMO.
    Anyhow, if you've got a Blu Ray player(or even thinking about getting one) then get the Blu Ray versions.

    No I dont have a blu ray player and no I have no intention of buying one.

    Hence the reason enquiring about DVDs.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,043
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    ?????
  • clm2071clm2071 Posts: 6,637
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    The 2 disc ultimate editions are probably your best bet, think you can get them all boxed together from Amazon.

    Di(r)e another day is the worst Bond by a mile as -Gonzo- said
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,043
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    clm2071 wrote: »
    The 2 disc ultimate editions are probably your best bet, think you can get them all boxed together from Amazon.

    Di(r)e another day is the worst Bond by a mile as -Gonzo- said

    There is a boxset but are they slimline cases?
  • JEFF62JEFF62 Posts: 5,093
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    -GONZO- wrote: »
    :D that film (Die Another Day) was the worst out of all the bonds IMO.
    Anyhow, if you've got a Blu Ray player(or even thinking about getting one) then get the Blu Ray versions.
    clm2071 wrote: »
    The 2 disc ultimate editions are probably your best bet, think you can get them all boxed together from Amazon.

    Di(r)e another day is the worst Bond by a mile as -Gonzo- said

    I watched Die Another Day again the other week and its not that bad. Its still an entertaining film and better than a lot of other similar films. It actually did something different by having Bond jailed. The first hour was quite good, I agree it was far fetched and there was that awful surfing sequence with the dodgy CGI effects! But i thought the last half hour and the finale on the plane was quite well done. There was also the sword fight which again was a bit different. Back in November 2002 when it was released it was up against two huge new franchises with the second Harry Potter and second Lord Of The Rings being released either side of it and it was wondered if a new Bond film called still cut it. It was still a huge hit and at the time seemed to be well liked. Personally I would say it is the worst theme song. But its still an enjoyable film.
  • Ancient IDTVAncient IDTV Posts: 10,124
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    Avoid the early 'Special Edition' Bond DVDs. Their picture quality isn't much better than VHS.

    Up to and including 'Die Another Day', you want the digitally restored versions. They were released in 2006 as both 2-disc 'Ultimate Editions', and as single discs (so you don't get the extras from the second disc). The 2-disc versions were re-packaged in 2008 in gold coloured packaging, and the single disc versions were re-packaged in 2012. All of those releases have the same picture quality, and are the best you'll get if you don't want to venture into Blu-ray territory.

    I have most of the Bond films on restored version DVD, all bought for between £1 and £2. The only ones I haven't bought are:-

    Thunderball
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    A View To A KIll


    because I don't really like them at all.

    I know that 'The Man With The Golden Gun' and 'Octopussy' aren't very good, but I have a soft spot for those films.:o
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,043
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    Avoid the early 'Special Edition' Bond DVDs. Their picture quality isn't much better than VHS.

    Up to and including 'Die Another Day', you want the digitally restored versions. They were released in 2006 as both 2-disc 'Ultimate Editions', and as single discs (so you don't get the extras from the second disc). The 2-disc versions were re-packaged in 2008 in gold coloured packaging, and the single disc versions were re-packaged in 2012. All of those releases have the same picture quality, and are the best you'll get if you don't want to venture into Blu-ray territory.

    I have most of the Bond films on restored version DVD, all bought for between £1 and £2. The only ones I haven't bought are:-

    Thunderball
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    A View To A KIll


    because I don't really like them at all.

    I know that 'The Man With The Golden Gun' and 'Octopussy' aren't very good, but I have a soft spot for those films.:o

    Where did you get them for 1 - 2 pounds?
  • Ancient IDTVAncient IDTV Posts: 10,124
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    A mix of Cash Converters (My local one is currently selling all of it's DVDs for 49p each. They've been seloing them for £1 each for years) and various charity shops, and a few 2-disc ones for £2 each when my local Marks and Spencer decided to close it's technology department and held a clearance sale.

    CeX is another good place to look. Check the discs for damage, though.
  • Ancient IDTVAncient IDTV Posts: 10,124
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    Yeah.........

    CeX

    Die Another Day, 2-disc Ultimate Edition, 50p

    http://uk.webuy.com/product.php?sku=5035822430891


    Available at quite a few of their stores.
  • clm2071clm2071 Posts: 6,637
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    Avoid the early 'Special Edition' Bond DVDs. Their picture quality isn't much better than VHS.

    Up to and including 'Die Another Day', you want the digitally restored versions. They were released in 2006 as both 2-disc 'Ultimate Editions', and as single discs (so you don't get the extras from the second disc). The 2-disc versions were re-packaged in 2008 in gold coloured packaging, and the single disc versions were re-packaged in 2012. All of those releases have the same picture quality, and are the best you'll get if you don't want to venture into Blu-ray territory.

    I have most of the Bond films on restored version DVD, all bought for between £1 and £2. The only ones I haven't bought are:-

    Thunderball
    On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    A View To A KIll


    because I don't really like them at all.

    I know that 'The Man With The Golden Gun' and 'Octopussy' aren't very good, but I have a soft spot for those films.:o

    OHMSS and A View to a Kill are 2 of my favourites (AVTAK is admittedly a bit crap but it's the first Bond I saw at the pictures so will always be held dear. OHMSS is vastly underrated IMO).

    Thunderball is one of the worst Bonds, its just so slow moving - underwater action scenes should be avoided at all costs!

    The screenplay for Octopussy was written by one of my favourite authors (George MacDonald Fraser) so I really try and like it, unfortunately I've yet to meet anyone who can succinctly explain the plot! All that stuff about the eggs - loses me every time, and as for the clowns.....

    TMWTGG has a great setting, a great villain and henchman but the story doesn't quite match up to them
  • Ancient IDTVAncient IDTV Posts: 10,124
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    Lazenby........ just no. I really think he's abysmal. OHMSS starts and ends well enough, and I like the snowy setting, but I don't think I could bring myself to sit through it all again. It really drags throughout the middle section.

    TMWTGG SHOULD have been good. It's just naff, though. I like the actors/characters in it, and the Lulu title song is actually one of my favourites, so I still watch it occasionally.

    Octopussy....... That bit where Bond changes into full clown make-up and costume in a few seconds. That might be the most ridiculous thing I've seen in any of the films.
  • clm2071clm2071 Posts: 6,637
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    We'll have to agree to disagree about OHMSS I'm afraid, it's in my top 5 Bonds
  • Ancient IDTVAncient IDTV Posts: 10,124
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    If they'd actually bothered to hire an actor to play Bond in OHMSS, it might have been a good film.
  • grimtales1grimtales1 Posts: 46,685
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    :eek:
    The 1st half of Die another Day I remember finding very good, and unusual, it was less camp and darker, with a vulnerable Bond, setting the tone for Casino Royale perhaps?
    The 2nd half was absolute pish with a weak villain and terrible CGI :(
    I liked AVTAK :o
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,027
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    clm2071 wrote: »
    The 2 disc ultimate editions are probably your best bet, think you can get them all boxed together from Amazon.

    Di(r)e another day is the worst Bond by a mile as -Gonzo- said
    All things being equal Die Another Day could have been a good, great or even excellent addition to the camp series, if only for the appearance of Madonna in a cameo role, and for the use of an atrocious Madonna track....perhaps We should wait for the Directors cut to be edited, with (say) Miss Piggy being airbrushed into every scene occupied by Madonna.
  • CELT1987CELT1987 Posts: 12,347
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    grimtales1 wrote: »
    :eek:
    The 1st half of Die another Day I remember finding very good, and unusual, it was less camp and darker, with a vulnerable Bond, setting the tone for Casino Royale perhaps?
    The 2nd half was absolute pish with a weak villain and terrible CGI :(
    I liked AVTAK :o
    Totally agree. The fact that Madonna was in it makes it worse.
  • cornishpasty1cornishpasty1 Posts: 181
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    Avoid the early 'Special Edition' Bond DVDs. Their picture quality isn't much better than VHS.
    Slight exaggeration.
    The Special Edition dvd's were very good quality but didn't have the restorations and cleanup they got from Lowry a few years later .
    Unfortunately this means the first 3 films do look disappointing and still appear to be sourced from the murky masters used for the VHS releases - although they also were nothing like VHS quality .

    For the restorations Lowry had access to the original negatives so the first 3 films benefit to an incredible degree with details that have not been available for decades.

    The initial restorations on dvd contain errors in some of the films .
    Thunderball's famous shot of the gangster being thrown into the sharkpool where we see a view from under the water sees his blood apparently being blue instead of red .
    There are framing issues in other movies such as Goldeneye and incorrect colour timing too but fortunately all these mistakes were corrected for the Bluray releases.

    One thing the Blurays didn't get rid of were the new sound effects added to You Only Live Twice( all the way through) and Diamonds Are Forever ( the cats meow on the titles) but these are correct on the mono soundtracks - unfortunately unlike the US discs not all the UK discs included the mono tracks - but they did for the 2 I mentioned .
    Sound mix for the safe cracking in OHMSS also correct on mono only
    clm2071 wrote: »
    We'll have to agree to disagree about OHMSS I'm afraid, it's in my top 5 Bonds
    Me too. Most hardcore Bond fans love the film with a great number ( including me ) putting it at number one .
    There are so many great elements in it that the less than convincing acting of Lazenby can be forgiven.
    Content wise the story and action is a departure after the almost slapstick of Goldfinger , Thunderball and YOLT.
    The series usual editor Peter Hunt directed OHMSS and his mark is very much on show with superb cutting on many of the scenes - but unlike the dreadful Quantum of Solace , the OHMSS slick editing does not stop you from actually being able to see whats going on

    TO answer the thread question - best option is to buy the Bluray boxset which works out at a very good deal.
    If you want to watchin standard definiton then the Ultimate Edtion discs are the way to go although to get them cheaper than they work out on Bluray with the boxset ( well under a fiver each) you'll need to buy second hand copies for many of them although a dvd boxset would work out quite cheap - but you'll have the various errors on those.

    Bond was made for HD . With even branded players from Panasonic and Sony around £60 there's no need to stick with dvd
  • Peachy KeenPeachy Keen Posts: 2,577
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    Me too. Most hardcore Bond fans love the film with a great number ( including me ) putting it at number one .

    Members of The James Bond Fan Club voted 'OHMSS' their favourite film in the series. You will also find it in the critics top five Bond films more rather than the bottom five!
  • Ancient IDTVAncient IDTV Posts: 10,124
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    I'm certainly not a hardcore Bond fan. I did read the first seven Bond novels (plus 'the Man With the Golden Gun') a few years ago, to see how they differed from these films that I've watched so many times over the years. The only one that I really enjoyed was 'From Russia with Love'.

    I actually like 'Quantum of Solace'! I didn't enjoy it much when I saw it at the cinema (action scenes gave me a headache), but when I re-watched it on DVD last year, I found it very enjoyable, and it's one I look forward to watching again.

    As for the Special Edition DVDs..... I only bought one of them (Octopussy), not knowing at that time that the SE picure quality differed from that of the other DVD versions. I was genuinely shocked at how poor it looked. Maybe my VHS comparison is a bit wide of the mark, though, because it's been a long time since I've watched anything on VHS. I know the PQ stank, though.
  • MrGiles2MrGiles2 Posts: 1,997
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    Thunderball is one of the worst Bonds, its just so slow moving - underwater action scenes should be avoided at all costs!

    I cannot believe that you actually said that. Thunderball is one of my favs Bond movies along with Dr No and From Russia With Love.

    The Sean Connery Bonds have always been the best.
  • cornishpasty1cornishpasty1 Posts: 181
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    As for the Special Edition DVDs..... I only bought one of them (Octopussy), not knowing at that time that the SE picure quality differed from that of the other DVD versions. I was genuinely shocked at how poor it looked. Maybe my VHS comparison is a bit wide of the mark, though, because it's been a long time since I've watched anything on VHS. I know the PQ stank, though.

    When the SE dvd's came out they were the first versions in the UK for the majority of the 007 movies . Certainly it was the first appearance for Octopussy . I don't recall any issues with the picture on that one - it was pretty standard for its time .
    The US had a short run of 007 movies in the late 90's with the first 3 , TSWLM and Moonraker appearing aswell as 2 versions of TND but the first 3 films were once again not very good .
    The Ultimate Editions that came out in 2006 had undergone extensive restoration but it was the first 3 films that shone as for the first time ever they actually looked like the high quality 35mm movies they were .
    Until the UE no video or tv presentation had ever reached that quality on those 3 .
    MrGiles2 wrote: »
    Thunderball is one of the worst Bonds, its just so slow moving - underwater action scenes should be avoided at all costs!

    I cannot believe that you actually said that. Thunderball is one of my favs Bond movies along with Dr No and From Russia With Love.

    The Sean Connery Bonds have always been the best.

    DAF is a bit of a letdown but I agree the Connerys are the best ( bar OHMSS) in general .
    But Thunderball IS badly let down by the dull underwater battle . It looks quite nice especially in HD but as the finale to a Bond film it really is quite poor considering that everything from the start leading up to it is top notch Bond.

    Who could have thought another Bond film could ever be as dull as the Thunderball climax - but when it was remade as Never Say Never Again they managed it . The bulk of the film is disappointing and the video game battle seems to make it appear more dated than any of the Connery films
  • clm2071clm2071 Posts: 6,637
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    But I so wanted to have a go at that video war game battle when I was a kid!

    Part of me is still disappointed video games aren't like that in this day and age, surely we have the technology?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 25,366
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    Not that relevant really, but I'm just catching a bit of You Only Live Twice before work, and...

    1.) Most over-rated bit of acting by Donald Pleasance. All he does it stare wide-eyed every so often and he kinda looks a bit ridiculous

    2.) The soundtrack is the best bit of the whole film. I'd love to transpose it to a different Bond
  • dee123dee123 Posts: 46,197
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    clm2071 wrote: »
    The 2 disc ultimate editions are probably your best bet, think you can get them all boxed together from Amazon.

    Di(r)e another day is the worst Bond by a mile as -Gonzo- said

    It's bad but i hate Octopussy as much. Though i will admit if i ever catch the car chase through the melting hotel i will sit and watch it.
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