Night Watch R2UK vs R5

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 29 Apr 2006, 15:35

The R5 has the original cut, but is barebones. The R2UK is packed to the teeth with extras, but only has the altered international cut.

By the looks of it, both cut might be the same length (~115min). Maybe they added different stuff into international cut to compensate for the stuff that they removed? (source) This conflicts with reports that the international cut is missing 30 mins of footage. The director commentary on the R2UK is in English, so maybe that's a sign that he cut the international version as well?

BTW The R1 (out in June) is barren of extras (save for the exclusive extra of an alternative ending w/ commentary) compared to the R2UK and will only have the international cut as well.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 29 Apr 2006, 16:30

i have the steelbook version of the region 2,,not viewed yet, i did once own the region 5 and found the movie baffling.i've decided to give it another go.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 30 Apr 2006, 11:43

How was the picture quality on R5?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 30 Apr 2006, 12:28

HungFist wrote:How was the picture quality on R5?

Reportedly a bit disappointing, I haven't seen the film so I can't give any personal experiences. Read the linked the DVDactive review it the initial post and here's another review of it.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Apr 2006, 20:22

it was nothing special tbh.don't even think it was a dual layer disc.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Apr 2006, 22:35

From what I know only the R5 has the original cut and yes both cuts are about the same as they added footage back in whilst they took some out.

The big point for me though is the new subs on Disc 2 which everyone is saying really, really add something to the film and make it even better. I wish they'd dumped the version on Disc 1 for the Original Theatrical Cut but as they haven't I'll have to live with it.

EvaUnit02 wrote:The director commentary on the R2UK is in English, so maybe that's a sign that he cut the international version as well?

I've got a strong "feeling" he did and added those "cool" subs too. Check out the review over at DVD Times. The subs sound awesome:

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=61318

I'm sure the UK R2 only has 2 cuts because they couldn't put an English dub on Disc 2 (who'd watch a film in English with Burnt in English subs too?).

p.s - From what I can gather the R1 will be the same as the UK R2 as far as cuts goes, which is why it's dual sided but oddly as Eva says has very few extras despite both being from Fox.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Apr 2006, 22:42

Interesting comments from that DVD Times review. Is Day Watch out already?

"Oh gosh, the changes are TOO numerous to mention, but they have been well listed in other NW forums like IMDb and Gloom. The changes are very significant, included different translations in the subs, completely different scenes, and two deleted subplots from the international version. When Anton makes his discovery about Yegor is also moved and thus the meaning is changed.....

Anyone who really feels strongly about this movie must get a copy of the Region 5 and make up your own mind.

Once I get my UK copy, I will have four versions of this film on DVD, plus I already have two versions of Day Watch (Can you tell I am a fan???)"

I reckon I'll still get the UK R2 as overall it looks better.

Nightwatch UK R2 £9.95 -

http://www.filmnight.com/products/108787/Night-Watch

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 01 May 2006, 06:23

bradavon wrote:Is Day Watch out already?

Yes. There's an R0 NTSC release w/ English subs. Very good move by the distributor to tap into foreign sales. If only French DVD publishers were like this.

Also the 3rd film, Dusk Watch is currently in the works. It's allegedly funded entirely by Fox, will be set in America and be filmed in English (Fox calling the shots obviously since they're bank-rolling it). Day Watch reportedly tells the cocludes the story that takes place in Russia. Dusk Watch is supposedly about the global conflict.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 01 May 2006, 06:31

About the ownership of the rights to the film's different cuts:-

Basically, Channel One in Russia, the television company that comissioned and produced the films hold the rights to the full version as it was shown in theatres over there. Fox Searchlight only has the rights to the International edit they prepared for the rest of the world. Thus Fox can never release the Russian edit, and Channel One cannot release the Russian edit outside of the Russian Federation. (source - comments section)

reckon I'll still get the UK R2 as overall it looks better.

Nightwatch UK R2 £9.95 -

http://www.filmnight.com/products/108787/Night-Watch

Yes, I'll get the R2UK as well. The R5 looks expensive for me - ~$42NZD (inc. ship.) from Xploitedcinema. That's very dear for a barebones release.

The R1... which is why it's dual sided

Just as it looks like R1 Universal seems to be moving away from the use of flippers for film DVDs (they appear to still use 'em for R1 TV DVDs), R1 Fox appears to be embracing them. Cost-cutting American cheap fucks.

P.S. The R4 is a completely barebones waste-of-space - also distributed by Fox. This vast difference in releases by the same distributor is unacceptable IMO. I will vote with my wallet and get the R2UK release.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 01 May 2006, 19:40

i have day watch,yet to watch it though

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 02 May 2006, 11:23

Looks like the supposed R1 "exclusive alternative ending" is on the R2UK:-

dvdforums wrote:As far as I'm aware the Alternative Ending on the R1 is called 'The Roof' - which appears in the Deleted Scenes list of the R2 disc. So it seeems it is on there.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 02 May 2006, 11:29

This film is getting alot of bad comments elsewhere. I will have to rent before buying for a change. I don't want to spend a large sum money on what might be a dud film. All the cool innovative subtitles in the world can't save a film if it sucks.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 03 May 2006, 19:07

just watched disc 2 of the region 2 and on a second viewing found the film more enjoyable and a bit more coherent.i'm actually looking forward to watching day watch now. the transfer is light years ahead of the region 5 i had before.