After a lot of clarification and stuff after my original being upset, heres the conclusion I've reached:

Discs will be identical for both regions
No UK or US exclusive titles past current licenses (unless its super special)

downsides?
I believe this will inevitably lower the amount of per month releases, due to dual region rights, and other hassles
This also means stuff that would be tied up in the US but free in the UK (Shivers for example) won't see a release due to dual region being impossible.

Very complicated, but as long as there's no US exclusive stuff for the most part, im pretty pleased

Arrow's films are not nearly as niche or obscure enough for them to go down the NoShame route. Plus, with Severin they were a US company trying to get a foothold in the UK, which to be fair to them was a miniscule market compared to the US and perhaps not really worth investing heavily in.

I wouldn't mind if there was... being multi-region and all.

What is stopping Arrow licensing Body Double from Sony in the US once TT's deal expires and producing a superior encoded disc with some great artwork and a booklet for instance?

I'm a little mixed on the whole thing. On one hand I think it will be very handy having a US base of operations. I think it could lead to some obscure US licenses, that it would have been more of a headache to deal with previously. But on another level, I worry we'll see them concentrate on titles they can get rights to in both the US and UK, which could see us missing out on many potential gems.

I can see it becoming confusing too. The boundaries between territories on the internet, and on social media aren't obvious. If someone in my feed gets a postcard for Stalker, and it ends up being a US only release I will be distraught. Well, until I remember I'm region free and can pick it up anyway... I can see a lot of the more unhinged people online, directing a lot of hate to Arrow, if a certain title they want has been picked up, but not for the territory they're in.

Thats the bit I don't like. It sounds like if they can't get US right then they just won't bother. So anything that's already licensed by a US distributor will be a no go for Arrow UK.

I hope this means Arrow have a bit more clout in the marketplace and, with their new and improved QC team, can become a global player, buying rights for films like Body Double and doing a better job than Twilight Time did, possibly making it a complimentary release to that one (further damaging the bank balances of people who can't help double dipping!).

I see it as exciting news and, for those who are multi-region, hopefully access to even more titles with excellent AV quality, extra features and artwork.

See things like this would be great, but it doesn't sound like it's going to work that way. If they can't get the rights in the UK, and could in the US, for something, I'd rather they put it out in the US only. Better the Arrow treatment somewhere in the world, than not at all, right? But it doesn't sound like that's going happen, and it's sounding very much like going forward they'll concentrate on things they can get the rights to in both the UK and the US. Which I think is a huge shame.

I'm slightly concerned about Blood And Black Lace now. VCI own the US rights in perpetuity. Would Arrow then pass on the UK rights? Is Blood And Black Lace one of those special titles? I would certainly think so, but would Arrow? This comment from Arrow on Facebook scares the heck out of me!

It was in reply to a question about a few years down the line, but even still it's terrifying. If they had done this a few years ago, would we have gotten Branded To Kill, in such an excellent, Criterion killing, edition?

Don't get me wrong, I think there are a lot of positives of the move, but this is the negative that scares me the most.

This whole thing hurts my head and yet to be seen how it will affect UK releases.

Could this mean the UK will never see a lot stuff that Shout Factory have got out as Arrow US won't be able to release them so UK will just miss more titles leaving the likes of 88 to swoop in and take more of Arrow's home market. I'm sure it's beneficial for funding restorations but I'm not sold and not funding any of this. Good luck to em.

The General Arrow Discussion Thread
 

Tbh, I can see this being very difficult for Arrow. They're looking for at least $100,000. I could be wrong (and I hope I am), but I don't see them reaching that target. If they don't get it, they have to take a punt and use their own cash, and prey that they can make it back on sales from the US releases.

i feel the same about TT might not be so bad if they actually put some effort into there releases but all you get is a bare bones package at 3 or 4 times the price of a arrow release. with Christine and fright night getting blu ray releases its better just waiting, see no point in TT who just seem unethical and greedy.

Mmmm. Not happy about this.

In this case, I imagine it would be the case that Shivers would be released in the UK coded to Region B, rather than not being released at all.

Here's the really bad thing too. After May next year, Arrow will only licence films they can get the rights for both the UK & US. So think about this, Thief is coming before May, but if it wasn't, Arrow wouldn't be releasing it, since Criterion have it over there. Arrow needs to seriously rethink this strategy.

That would suck donkey balls.

They wouldn't release it at all. They've already said they'll only licence titles they can get for both the US & UK.

I stand corrected and refer to my previous comment: that would suck donkey balls.

I wonder if this is in anyway related to the strange absence of Nightmare City? Given that has a US release will Arrow now drop it from the schedule?

I think they may be announcing Blood And Black Lace in the next few months. Or they have a Bava heavy line up in the next two months. OR BOTH! I HOPE BOTH!

*Forgets completely about US move* Bava :woot:

Another nice titbit from their posts on Blu-ray.com:

Another one for Bava fans too:

They were just asked about this. The master wasn't acceptable to them, and they're still trying to get a better version.

Good more Bava is coming! I imagine Arrow will be clearing the decks in the run up to May 2015.

From what i understand Arrow's director of sales and marketing in the US will be someone called Bill Olsen.

Coming in November :

Attachment 145799

Btw, the Corman Poe set is down to £58 on Amazon :)

Thanks, just ordered it! :woot:

Me too, had no interest in it (already own the stunning Usher steelbook) but at that price I couldn't resist.

Cheers Mojo.

Me too! :)

You're welcome :)

I've had a thought, Arrow have said the back of the Rabid Dogs booklet will contain a surprise. I think that surprise will be the reveal of the incoming Bava titles for December - April.

Just found this postcard in my Shivers steel book Attachment 145876

Sorry, first time I've uploaded anything here!

I hope Arrow decide to release some more Argento as Steelbooks as we only have 3 so far.

I really, really hope they don't go down the route of only releasing stuff they can also release in the US.

UNLESS.....

They cut deals with Shout factory, Scorpion ect so we see identikit releases with all the labels involved. Blue sky thinking on my part perhaps but otherwise it could leave the UK market looking very barren indeed.

Well if Arrow can cut a deal with Universal it could lead to Blu's of Pink Flamingos and Multiple Maniacs which can only be a good thing.

Is THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN still on schedule for Monday?
No one had a 'we've had to blah blah...' email before I go and order?:)

Some people have already received their copies from Arrow direct, so I'd say it could be safe to assume as such!

Cheers mate.:cool:

Shivers Blu-ray - Paul Hampton - DVDBeaver

"Night of the Comet is another Arrow Video release that fans will love, especially those fond of the eighties."

'Night of the Comet' Blu-ray (Arrow Video) Review - Pissed Off Geek

"The Visitor is one for the fans of cult oddities. You may not know what the hell is going on, but it may just be crazy enough to make you like it."

'The Visitor' (Arrow Video) Blu-ray Review - Pissed Off Geek

Phoned HMV on Monday regarding THE VISITOR......'There's no eve anythin cummin up fur that at awe mate.....'

Walked in today and what's sitting on the shelf?

Bought it,forgetting I had one ordered from Arrow....:rolleyes: