Change in DVD release policy
A quick update from http://asiandvdguide.com/. I can't link to it directly, so I'll copy it here:
Celestial/IVL have unfortunately decided some Shaw Brothers films will only get released on VCD. The first VCD only releases are Adultery, Chinese Style and The Enchanting Ghost from the September 2 batch.
According to IVL, the following upcoming releases will be VCD only:
1. The Swordmates
2. Crocodile River
3. The Angel Strikes Again
4. Twin Blades Of Doom
5. Double Bliss
6. Temptress Of A Thousand Faces
7. The Black Butterfly
There may be additional VCD only releases besides those listed above.
If you are unhappy about this, send polite emails to the addresses that Celestial and IVL have set up to gather feedback from their customers:
Celestial: enquiry@celestialpictures.com
IVL: contact_ivl@intercontinental.com.hk
And here’s the e-mail I sent:
As someone who has been buying and watching your DVD releases of the Shaw Brothers catalog, I was saddened to see that you have decided to release some of their titles only on the out-dated and inferior VCD format.
Considering that you have to restore these films, why not continue to make the films available on a format that shows off the beautiful restored picture? VCDs do not offer the progressive scan or wide-screen picture that make the Shaw Brothers DVDs look so fantastic.
These re-release are a chance to finally show the world the quality and variety of the Shaw Brothers studio, to release some films only on VCD dilutes that possibility, pushing beautiful pictures onto a muddy, blocky and low-resolution disc.
I can guarantee that I will not buy any of these VCD-only releases and will encourage my friends to do the same. I encourage you to change this policy.
Ian Whitney
http://shawbros.typepad.com/shaw/
