WTB: Martin DVD Anchor Bay edition

[gallowisgod]

Hi guys! My name is Malin and I'm from Sweden, haha. I found out about George Romero's amazing film Martin about a week ago, and it left me stunned. I'm only 18 years old and for some way the 70's have always creeped me out and I didn't like it. (A Clockwork Orange and The Shining always left me creeped out in a bad way)

I guess Martin is me turning over a new leaf, if that's what you say. It's one of my favorite movies now. I think I've seen it about 7 times this past week. (and I'm off to see George's other films! I like him.)

Anyway. I was wondering if anyone knew where to find or if they're wanting to sell the Martin DVD that is the Anchor Bay edition, because if I am correct it has a commentary track with George and John Amplas on it, and I'd really like to have that version just to see what he has to say and such...

And if I'm not correct about John being on the commentary track, please let me know! I already have the special 2 disc edition so if it's the same commentary that'd be bad, haha.


Thanks in advance guys!


EDIT: Right, I know it's not one of his zombieflicks but I hope it's okay anyway. Sorry :/

[Yojimbo]

Hi guys! My name is Malin and I'm from Sweden, haha. I found out about George Romero's amazing film Martin about a week ago, and it left me stunned. I'm only 18 years old and for some way the 70's have always creeped me out and I didn't like it. (A Clockwork Orange and The Shining always left me creeped out in a bad way)

I guess Martin is me turning over a new leaf, if that's what you say. It's one of my favorite movies now. I think I've seen it about 7 times this past week. (and I'm off to see George's other films! I like him.)

Anyway. I was wondering if anyone knew where to find or if they're wanting to sell the Martin DVD that is the Anchor Bay edition, because if I am correct it has a commentary track with George and John Amplas on it, and I'd really like to have that version just to see what he has to say and such...

And if I'm not correct about John being on the commentary track, please let me know! I already have the special 2 disc edition so if it's the same commentary that'd be bad, haha.


Thanks in advance guys!

Welcome to the boards, Malin! Glad that you are on your way to checking GAR's films and glad to have you as a member here on the boards.

You are correct, the Anchorbay version does have commentary from GAR and John Ampalas in addition to Tom Savini. You can read a review of this version here:
http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/martin.php

I would sell you my copy, however Martin is among my favorites and my copy has a personalized autograph from George A. Romero, so I am probably going to be buried with it when I die. Copies of this version are still available here from between $20.00 to $60.00:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/6305808090/ref=nosim/?tag=dvdverdict2-20


BTW: I am unfamiliar with the two-disc version of Martin that you mentioned that you have. Can you let me know which version this is?

You will certainly enjoy the rest of GAR's offierings, including Knightriders, the Dead Films (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead, and Diary of the Dead) and some of his lesser known works like Monkey Shines, The Dark Half, and The Crazies.

Hope this helps, and again, welcome aboard!

[EvilNed]

She's probably talking about this version:

http://www.videodrome.se/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=357

[gallowisgod]

Thank you Yojimbo! Yes, it was thanks to that review I found out there actually were other DVD versions!



I would sell you my copy, however Martin is among my favorites and my copy has a personalized autograph from George A. Romero, so I am probably going to be buried with it when I die.
That I can understand, absolutely. But I thank you for the thought atleast :)


Hmm, I'll keep amazon in mind... Apparently it takes 4-12 weeks for international orders, ugh.

And yes, EvilNed is right!

If you're interested; on the 2nd disc it includes 2 radio spots, a still gallery, a 2 minute trailer and a short documentary where they talk about making the movie. I was really sad not to see any deleted scenes and such, but if I've read correctly the original 3 hours were stolen? *sighs* :( I would have loved to see more of Martin running around Pittsburgh.

The commentary on the 1st disc is Tom Savini, George (and the producer, the dude that made the audio and the dude that shot it... I can't remember their names unluckely.).

[capncnut]

I was really sad not to see any deleted scenes and such, but if I've read correctly the original 3 hours were stolen? *sighs* :(
Yup, three hours in black and white. If I'm not mistaken, some of that footage is in one of the trailers although I might be wrong.

And welcome to the boards! :)

[EvilNed]

Swedish DarkDisc have an Okay Romero collection, but no Martin:

http://www.darkdisc.com/group.asp?group=39

They, like most other swedish horror stores, specialize in euro horror.

[Yojimbo]

If you're interested; on the 2nd disc it includes 2 radio spots, a still gallery, a 2 minute trailer and a short documentary where they talk about making the movie. I was really sad not to see any deleted scenes and such, but if I've read correctly the original 3 hours were stolen? *sighs* :( I would have loved to see more of Martin running around Pittsburgh.

The commentary on the 1st disc is Tom Savini, George (and the producer, the dude that made the audio and the dude that shot it... I can't remember their names unluckely.).

Sounds like the 2-disc version is pretty cool in it's own right - it has some stuff that is not on the Anchorbay release - so I think I might have to get this one for the permanent collection.

Thanks, Malin!

[jscott]

Sounds like the 2-disc version is pretty cool in it's own right - it has some stuff that is not on the Anchorbay release - so I think I might have to get this one for the permanent collection.

Thanks, Malin!

That 2 disc set is just the Lion's Gate US disc of Martin spread out to two discs (why two discs I can only speculate, maybe a higher video bitrate on the film?). All the extras are the same.

[gallowisgod]

I found the anchor bay edition on ebay today, WOHOO! But the seller description says he only ships to the US, but I've sent a mail so I'm hoping for the best. The auction ends in a day so I hope he replies asap! Eep! (...not that you guys may be interested, but I'm just spreading my excitement! ;) )



That 2 disc set is just the Lion's Gate US disc of Martin spread out to two discs (why two discs I can only speculate, maybe a higher video bitrate on the film?). All the extras are the same.

Yeah, I've been looking around and there's another UK edition that has the same features aswell but only one 1 disc.

There are 3 audiotracks on the 2 disc edition (1 being the commentarytrack), and the info I found about the other UK edition there's only 1 audiotrack there. Not sure if that excludes the commentarytrack...

So maybe they did something special with the sound? I remember one audiotrack being Dolby Digital 5.1, but I can't remember the other one. (not at home so I can't check either... And I don't know crap about stuff doing with sound, haha.)

Aaahhh confusing XD

[jded]

Hey gallow!

I am new too. Welcome. It is good to hear that you have finally uncovered a classic gem. Martin is one of my favorites. I too happened to stumble upon it a long time ago. I knew who George was by way of the Dead trilogy and figured I should check it out. I'd have to say that before seeing Martin I was in no way a faithful Romero fan. I was merely a rookie. After viewing it I was transformed. Combine that with repeat engagements with the Dead trilogy and I was hooked. When I noticed a copy of Martin on VHS I bought it. It was the Anchor Bay release with the open book cover. I have watched it many times since and enjoyed them all. I recently got the 2000 release from Lions Gate on DVD for my birthday. I realized I had been watching it in full frame for so long and I needed to see it in the true original aspect that widescreen offers. It also has commentary, stills, making of, and trailer. I have heard that the Anchor Bay DVD is the best when it comes to picture quality but I had trouble finding it. It has been out of print for awhile. You can not order it. Your only chance is to find a copy that was left behind. Odds of that are pretty slim I'm sure.

The film has such beautiful moments even though they are in the context of a complex area of the human condition.

[capncnut]

Where's that two-and-a-half-hour cut that allegedly disappeared underwater? Still searchin', man.

[jded]

Where's that two-and-a-half-hour cut that allegedly disappeared underwater? Still searchin', man.

The producer ran away with it or something didn't he? I think that was talked about in the commentary. But don't hold me to the fire on that one. I'm not 100% sure. If someone confirms this before I go check and get back to post then swell. But I'm gonna go have a look.

[capncnut]

The producer ran away with it or something didn't he? I think that was talked about in the commentary. But don't hold me to the fire on that one. I'm not 100% sure. If someone confirms this before I go check and get back to post then swell. But I'm gonna go have a look.
Yeah, Gornick is allegedly in possession of it. I think it's one of those things that will eventually surface one day... like the 170 min Dawn.

[jded]

Yeah, Gornick is allegedly in possession of it. I think it's one of those things that will eventually surface one day... like the 170 min Dawn.

He thought it was too long right? But I can't see how Gornick could have complete and total control over it. There has to be some shared negotiable contracts involved. I'd be one hell of a ticked off director if I got screwed out of my complete work. Yet they seem like buddies on the commentary.
If it is being contemplated on whether to release it some day then I would gather that it needs to be reworked. Probably some editing and remastering. Because wasn't it meant to be all in black and white?
Aside from what may be keeping it from us I look forward to the day when it becomes available. It would no doubt be an added bonus to the original. Actually maybe it would need to be called the original. Or uncut original.

Oh as a matter of fact, before I forget (whip out the Post-It notes).

Message to George and Michael:

We the fans request that you release the very first cut of Martin in all it's lengthy glory.

Thank You!

[jscott]

I realized I had been watching it in full frame for so long and I needed to see it in the true original aspect that widescreen offers.

Martin was shot flat, in 16mm, then blown up to 35mm and soft matted, meaning the widescreen version is cropped on top & bottom compared to the full frame releases. Here's an example of what you're losing.

Anchor Bay full frame
http://home.comcast.net/~axlish/pokeFS.jpg

Lion's Gate "widescreen"
http://home.comcast.net/~axlish/pokeWS.jpg

Here's a link from Axlish's site dedicated to Martin, http://thereisnomagic.com, that has a few more screenshot comparisons: http://home.comcast.net/~axlish/martindvdcomparison.htm

[octo7]

i am gonna be an asshole and say The Shining came out in 1980.

[krakenslayer]

Martin was shot flat, in 16mm, then blown up to 35mm and soft matted, meaning the widescreen version is cropped on top & bottom compared to the full frame releases. Here's an example of what you're losing.

Anchor Bay full frame
http://home.comcast.net/~axlish/pokeFS.jpg

Lion's Gate "widescreen"
http://home.comcast.net/~axlish/pokeWS.jpg

Here's a link from Axlish's site dedicated to Martin, http://thereisnomagic.com, that has a few more screenshot comparisons: http://home.comcast.net/~axlish/martindvdcomparison.htm

The guy in that shot - the Lover - was in fact Roger Caine, a porn star best remembered for his willingness to appear in "roughies" (violent porn films), with charming titles such as Rape Victims.

Interesting factoid of the day, courtesy of IMDB.

[capncnut]

The guy in that shot - the Lover - was in fact Roger Caine, a porn star best remembered for his willingness to appear in "roughies" (violent porn films), with charming titles such as Rape Victims.

Interesting factoid of the day, courtesy of IMDB.
Yup, he starred in Deep Throat II with Linda Lovelace too.

[krakenslayer]

Yup, he starred in Deep Throat II with Linda Lovelace too.

Is that the softcore one, or the hardcore one? Cos they made two, didn't they?

[capncnut]

Is that the softcore one, or the hardcore one? Cos they made two, didn't they?
I think both were shot hardcore actually but the sequel was chopped down considerably so that it would get a more 'widespread' release. Infamous stars like Harry Reems and Jamie Gillis appeared in the movie also so it's almost a dead cert that it was originally intended to be hardcore.

But yeah, I remember seeing Al Levitsky's name was attached to the film when browsing once.