DVD Player Swallowed My German DK-LA Disc

[brightknightie]

This morning, I impulsively, foolishly, tried one of my German first-season FK DVDs — which I usually play only in a multi-region travel-sized player — in the used DVD/VCR combo unit that my brother-in-law gave me. The machine not only wouldn't play it ("Region Error"!), it wouldn't give it back. Unscrewing all the screws was insufficient; I had to physically tear the unit apart to retrieve the DVD. I then dug out of my closet and reconnected my yet older DVD player and yet-yet older VHS player (necessary intermediary, as the TV has only one input: coaxial cable).

Now I have a big metal box that I can't legally throw in the trash, but must save interminably for an electronics-recycling drive. :-)

Later this year, I'll splurge on a television and associated equipment younger than the century! I wonder whether any stores would deliver the new machines and haul away the old ones (for a fee, naturally).

Comments

[skieswideopen]

How did you end up with German discs, btw? And what makes them different from the North American/US discs? Cut scenes?

I think you could easily make the argument that a new TV and blu-ray player would be no harder (and possibly easier) to move than what you have now. But I absolutely understand not rushing into purchases (says the obsessive researcher).

What's on the German cuts?

[brightknightie]

>"How did you end up with German discs, btw?"

Two very generous and thoughtful friends went bravely onto Amazon.de despite not speaking German and ordered first season for me as a wonderful, wonderful gift. :-) (The order fields on the German Amazon are the same as those on the US and Canadian Amazons.)

You can, too! If you feel you can afford them, and you have a device that will play them, I recommend them as a great delight.

>"And what makes them different from the North American/US discs? Cut scenes?"

Yes, but it's more cut footage than cut scenes.

Rarely does a German episode boast an entire scene not in any of the North American versions, but every German episode has a few minutes' more footage. Often, this adds up from longer panning shots (longer hallways, higher buildings, wider interiors, more lingering shots of guest stars and guest sets, more Schanke, etc.) and more stock footage of Nick thinking in the loft, driving the Caddy or playing his piano. Rarely, preciously, there are more words said (unfortunately, I can't accurately identify these off the top of my head anymore, because I've been watching just the German first season for years now; the "False Witness" and "Dead Issue" flashbacks leap to mind, but those may have been the famous US v CAN version controversies instead; "Dark Knight"/"Second Chapter" has some dialogue instances for sure).

One of my personal favorite German-only bits is Nick picking up, pondering, and setting down a book on his credenza. That micro-scene is not in the North American version. I wish I could take a screenshot, but my computer won't acknowledge Region 2 discs.

(As you know, for long and long it was rumored that the German episodes aired the "racier" footage shot for some of the earliest episodes. That's not true. Cutting-room floor, doubtless. It isn't here on the DVDs, and PJ will testify that it wasn't on the air.)

P.S. As you know, the ultra-short CBS cuts had some scenes that are still not on any of the DVDs (neither Region 1 or Region 2). Those scenes patched over larger cuts (e.g "False Witness" present-day, with the rookie officer). Currently, the only source for those scenes (aside from old VHS tapes) is the Chiller channel. FK is so hopeless, deliciously idiosyncratic. :-)

Re: What's on the German cuts?

[skieswideopen]

That was generous!

I see some of the German editions also have different covers! I rather like this one, although it's not really representative of the show. At the very least, Schanke ought to be on there.

So many different versions! I long for a definitive DVD set with all of the footage in one place. (And while I'm making impossible wishes, how about a proper Blu-Ray set? ;D)

Re: What's on the German cuts?

[brightknightie]

>"At the very least, Schanke ought to be on there."

Yes. Especially as that particular one is from the second-season set, having Schanke in place of Stonetree would make, um, sense. :-)

The DVD design for FK is ridiculous all around, in both regions and all three seasons. FK is... FK. It is not, never was and never could be either Ann Rice or Stephanie Meyer (thank goodness). Packaging it as B-reel vampire horror is going to disappoint the people who do pick it up and repel the people who could have loved it if only they had known it.

>"I long for a definitive DVD set with all of the footage in one place."

:-) Mmmmmmmmm. Sweet, sweet, unlikely fantasies! ;-)

(Me, too.)

Re: What's on the German cuts?

[pj1228]

>I wish I could take a screenshot, but my computer won't acknowledge Region 2 discs.

Could you point out the episode and the approximate time when this scene occurs?

Re: What's on the German cuts?

[brightknightie]

I'm not positive; I'll check and get back to you! :-)