Australian Casino Royale on Blu-ray uncut?

[zzap64]

I have read that the USA version of Casino Royale had edits during the B&W fight scene and also in the fight scene on the stair well and that the UK version edited the torture scene so you do not see the end of the rope.

In the review of the movie on highdefdigest here the reviewer says "Fleshtones just don't look natural, and aside from extreme close-ups, I often could not detect realistic skin textures -- everyone looks painted orange." I also noticed this 'painted orange' look when I downloaded the Casino Royale trailer onto the PS3.

I live in Australia and have the Australian Blu-ray version of Casino Royale and the scenes that were said to be edited are complete on the Australian version and also the skin tones looked a lot more natural than the downloaded trailer. I was watching both of these on my PS3 and the Australian Blu-ray version of Casino Royale definitely looked far superior to the downloaded trailer.

Just wondering whether someone has seen both the USA and Australian versions of Casino Royale on Blu-ray and can comment as to whether the Australian version is superior? Are the USA and UK version cut? All the scenes I have read that were cut are on the Australian version.

The Australian version of Casino Royale can be purchased here and it is region free unlike the USA version.

[mrwilson]

What about the Japanese release, is it uncut? It was supposed to be released on 5/32/07.

[Garman]

Didn't look orange on the USA version.. Just watched it a few days ago...

[zzap64]

I found a website that compares all the different Blu-ray versions.

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparison....php?fid=10779

Yes the Australian release contains the entire uncut 144:34 min version of the movie.

The US version is 144:12 min and the UK version is 144:20 min


CUTS:

* Bluray A America - (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) - Pre-cut (MPAA) "PG-13 Theatrical" release (144:12 min). Cut-list as follows (all info by Michael Mackenzie/Whiggles):
- After an overhead shot of Bond and the contact smashing down a wall, the first and last few frames of a shot of Bond elbowing the contact in the chest are removed.
- Directly after, a shot Bond smashing the door into the contact's face is completely removed.
- After Bond gets to his feet, he kicks the contact in the face. This is missing from the US version.
- Directly after, we see Bond grabbing the contact, who in turn grabs a garbage can, which he hurls at Bond. In the US version, we only get the last few frames of this.
- When Bond hauls the contact to his feet and manouevres him towards another sink, the start of a low angle shot showing the contact's face as he struggles is cut.
- The drowning of the contact is dramatically shortened. First, a close-up of the contact as he is held under is replaced with a shot of the contact's legs kicking.
- Directly after, a close-up of Bond's intense face is removed.
- Following this, we cut back to the contact as his struggles weaken. This is missing in the US version.
- The high shot showing Obanno's bodyguard hitting the ground below after being thrown over the banister is removed. This shot is placed between Bond and Obanno fighting.
- A close-up of Obanno as Bond smashes his head into a window, shattering it, is missing from US version.
- Directly after, a wider shot of Obanno recovering and attacking again is cut due to the previous trim.
- The first few frames of Obanno being thrown into a wall are missing in the US version.
- Obanno grabbing Vesper's leg as she tries to run away is completely removed.
- The following shot of Vesper falling but stopping herself in time is cut due to the previous shot's removal.
- After we see Vesper try to open the emergency exit, a wide shot of Bond shoving Obanno back is missing from the US version.
- Directly following, a wide shot of BG2 falling back is also missing.
- Afterwards, Obanno reacting as Bond kicks him is too cut.
- Obanno rams Bond against the wall, but not in the US version.
- When Bond and Obanno struggle on the floor, Bond chokes BG2. The second angle of Obanno's feet kicking is removed.
- After we see Obanno's face, we see him reaching for the gun on the ground. Missing from the US version.
- A wider shot of them struggling is cut directly after.
- The next shot, Obanno reaching for the gun again, is cut. In the US version, we only see Obanno reaching for the gun just before Vesper intervenes.
- A shot of frightened Vesper breaks a shot of Obanno's legs starting to stop kicking. In the uncut version, the legs starting to slow is in one continuous shot, followed by the frightened Vesper shot.
* Bluray ALL Germany - (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) - No cuts (144:34 min). "R-rated" version.
* Bluray ALL Russia - (Videoservice) - Yes (144:20 min) - Pre-Cut UK version
* Bluray ALL Scandinavia - (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) - No cuts (144:34 min). "R-rated" version.
* Bluray ALL Spain - (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) - TBC.
* Bluray ALL United Kingdom - (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) - Yes (144:20 min) - Pre-Cut UK version - "The BBFC advised the company that the torture scene placed too much emphasis on both the infliction of pain and the sadism of the villain for the requested '12' category. When the completed version of the film was submitted for classification, reductions to the torture sequence had been made, including the removal of lingering shots of the rope, close shots of Bond's facial reaction and the substitution of a more distant shot of the beating compared to the original version."
More info (Chris McEneany/AVplay): "The torture sequence is now shorn of Le Chiffre’s taunting line about Bond’s rock-chiselled physique. Whereas the "R-rated" versions show Mikkelsen drape the knotted rope over Bond’s shoulder and utter the words “Such a waste” after commenting on how well he has looked after himself ("You've taken good care of your body" line), the UK version omits this."

YOU CAN GET A REGION FREE UNCUT VERSION (AUSTRALIAN BLU-RAY DISC RELEASE) OF CASINO ROYALE HERE

[TheCrackedJack]

Eh...it's just a couple of seconds.

[zzap64]

Originally Posted by TheCrackedJack

Eh...it's just a couple of seconds.

Tell that to any athlete?

[TheCrackedJack]

Originally Posted by zzap64

Tell that to any athlete?

Didn't realize we were discussing track and field events?

[AlexBC]

well 22 is way more than a couple, seems more like 2 dozens

[Gekkou]

Hmm... I might have to look into getting me one of these. Casino Royale is easily one of the most-watched discs in the house (outstanding technical quality and an awesome movie).

Getting the uncut version would give me a reason to watch it another 5-10 times, and make me feel special to boot.

[AlexBC]

zzap64,

can you check to see if there's portuguese subs on the disc?

I'm still waiting for walkamo info on the japanese release. If it's uncut and all other things being equal I'd rather buy the japanese version.

But if the AUS version has portuguese subs I'll get that one instead. This way I can even sell my US copy.

[TazExprez]

Originally Posted by Gekkou

Hmm... I might have to look into getting me one of these. Casino Royale is easily one of the most-watched discs in the house (outstanding technical quality and an awesome movie).

Getting the uncut version would give me a reason to watch it another 5-10 times, and make me feel special to boot.

This is my most watched disc on either BD or HD DVD. I am considering getting the uncut edition.

[zzap64]

Originally Posted by AlexBC

zzap64,

can you check to see if there's portuguese subs on the disc?

I'm still waiting for walkamo info on the japanese release. If it's uncut and all other things being equal I'd rather buy the japanese version.

But if the AUS version has portuguese subs I'll get that one instead. This way I can even sell my US copy.

I have checked my disc and unfortunately the Australian version does not have Portuguese subs. It has English, Greek, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian & Swedish subs.

I found the Japanese version available here. Not sure what subtitles it has.

The German version which is uncut is available here but only has German and Turkish subs.

Your best chance would be the Spanish release, which I think is uncut. It has both Spanish and Portuguese subs.

[stevesns69]

What's annoying is that the US versions are always edited. I think the whole PG-13 in the theater and unrated on DVD is a bunch of crap too. Sometimes you get double-dipped for a few minutes. I still refuse to buy Saw BD until I'm positive the Saw Unrated isn't going to also be released. They did releases for the unrated versions of Saw on BD for part 2 and 3 and I bought those. It sucks that the US version is always screwed over. I'm still debating on which Kung Foo Hustle to buy.

[zzap64]

Originally Posted by stevesns69

What's annoying is that the US versions are always edited. I think the whole PG-13 in the theater and unrated on DVD is a bunch of crap too. Sometimes you get double-dipped for a few minutes. I still refuse to buy Saw BD until I'm positive the Saw Unrated isn't going to also be released. They did releases for the unrated versions of Saw on BD for part 2 and 3 and I bought those. It sucks that the US version is always screwed over. I'm still debating on which Kung Foo Hustle to buy.

In Australia we have a somewhat better rating system by the 'Office of Film and Literature Classification' and hence tend to get unedited versions of movies.

Your rating system in the USA is a bit ridiculous and I can see why you end up getting edited versions of movies as there is no rating between PG-13 and R for a movie like Casino Royale that has a wide appeal but is a bit extreme for PG-13 and does not want an R rating as this would greatly limit the box office takings. Therefore the movie gets edited.

In Australia the unedited Casino Royale got rated M, which is recommended for 15 years or older.

The USA should change the PG-13 rating to a PG-15 which would make a lot more sense and likely result in a lot more of your movies being exhibited unedited.

[AlexBC]

Thank you very much zzap64

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Thanks man, just ordered. Glad to see they ship to the US.

[CKNA]

Originally Posted by zzap64

In Australia we have a somewhat better rating system by the 'Office of Film and Literature Classification' and hence tend to get unedited versions of movies.

Your rating system in the USA is a bit ridiculous and I can see why you end up getting edited versions of movies as there is no rating between PG-13 and R for a movie like Casino Royale that has a wide appeal but is a bit extreme for PG-13 and does not want an R rating as this would greatly limit the box office takings. Therefore the movie gets edited.

In Australia the unedited Casino Royale got rated M, which is recommended for 15 years or older.

The USA should change the PG-13 rating to a PG-15 which would make a lot more sense and likely result in a lot more of your movies being exhibited unedited.

There is no problem with rating in USA. Producers wanted PG-13 because those movies usually make the most money. If they made PG-15 rating then might as well make it R.

Besides home video releases get unrated versions all the time. It will probably be re-released in US as unrated fairly soon.

Most films do not get edited anyway. The biggest problem is in UK as most films are edited for violence.

[Jiffylush]

Originally Posted by CKNA

There is no problem with rating in USA. Producers wanted PG-13 because those movies usually make the most money. If they made PG-15 rating then might as well make it R.

Besides home video releases get unrated versions all the time. It will probably be re-released in US as unrated fairly soon.

I think the problem that he was pointing out was that he was getting the unedited version (and usually did) because of their ratings system.

There is a documentary out about the ratings system and its arbitrary and unstated ideas about exactly what makes a movie R or NC-17 or PG-13 for that matter.

Not to mention their obsession with any sex and apparent acceptance of most violence.

[CKNA]

Originally Posted by stevesns69

What's annoying is that the US versions are always edited. I think the whole PG-13 in the theater and unrated on DVD is a bunch of crap too. Sometimes you get double-dipped for a few minutes. I still refuse to buy Saw BD until I'm positive the Saw Unrated isn't going to also be released. They did releases for the unrated versions of Saw on BD for part 2 and 3 and I bought those. It sucks that the US version is always screwed over. I'm still debating on which Kung Foo Hustle to buy.

It is only a fault of producers. If they want certain rating they have to comply. Producers can release a movie unrated or NC-17 if they want.

[CKNA]

Originally Posted by Jiffylush

I think the problem that he was pointing out was that he was getting the unedited version (and usually did) because of their ratings system.

There is a documentary out about the ratings system and its arbitrary and unstated ideas about exactly what makes a movie R or NC-17 or PG-13 for that matter.

Not to mention their obsession with any sex and apparent acceptance of most violence.

You can say the same thing about a lot of places. All I am saying, that if producers were not so hell bent on getting PG-13 rating then they could release the movie without any edits or have even more violence than so called unedited version.

[H9K_]

Originally Posted by stevesns69

What's annoying is that the US versions are always edited. I think the whole PG-13 in the theater and unrated on DVD is a bunch of crap too. Sometimes you get double-dipped for a few minutes. I still refuse to buy Saw BD until I'm positive the Saw Unrated isn't going to also be released. They did releases for the unrated versions of Saw on BD for part 2 and 3 and I bought those. It sucks that the US version is always screwed over. I'm still debating on which Kung Foo Hustle to buy.

You should get the korean version of the Kung fu husstle if you want it uncensored. ( http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept...7/#prodcontent )

[CKNA]

Originally Posted by zzap64

I have read that the USA version of Casino Royale had edits during the B&W fight scene and also in the fight scene on the stair well and that the UK version edited the torture scene so you do not see the end of the rope.

In the review of the movie on highdefdigest here the reviewer says "Fleshtones just don't look natural, and aside from extreme close-ups, I often could not detect realistic skin textures -- everyone looks painted orange." I also noticed this 'painted orange' look when I downloaded the Casino Royale trailer onto the PS3.

I live in Australia and have the Australian Blu-ray version of Casino Royale and the scenes that were said to be edited are complete on the Australian version and also the skin tones looked a lot more natural than the downloaded trailer. I was watching both of these on my PS3 and the Australian Blu-ray version of Casino Royale definitely looked far superior to the downloaded trailer.

Just wondering whether someone has seen both the USA and Australian versions of Casino Royale on Blu-ray and can comment as to whether the Australian version is superior? Are the USA and UK version cut? All the scenes I have read that were cut are on the Australian version.

The Australian version of Casino Royale can be purchased here and it is region free unlike the USA version.

There is no problem with any orange on US version. As a matter of fact all versions were mastered by Sony in US and duplicated at their plant in Indiana. It is the second biggest Blu-ray plant in the world. Panasonic owns the biggest Blu-ray duplicating plant located in California.

[zzap64]

Originally Posted by CKNA

There is no problem with rating in USA. Producers wanted PG-13 because those movies usually make the most money. If they made PG-15 rating then might as well make it R.

Besides home video releases get unrated versions all the time. It will probably be re-released in US as unrated fairly soon.

Most films do not get edited anyway. The biggest problem is in UK as most films are edited for violence.

I was saying that there is too big a gap between PG-13 and R. Casino Royale unedited could easily fit into the R category but this would restrict its box office takings. In its unedited form I agree that it is a bit extreme for PG-13 so it had to be edited.

Your US rating system was last updated 25 years ago. I would say getting very long in the tooth.

In Australia we have

G (General Exhibition)
PG (Parental Guidance recommenced)
M (Recommended for 15 years and over)
MA15+ (Restricted to persons 15 years and older)
R18+ (Restricted to persons 18 years and older)
X18+ (Pornographic Material restricted to persons 18 years or older and can only be sold in adult shops or mail order)

It contains a more consistent gap between ratings than the USA's glaring gap between PG-13 and R.

Casino Royale in Australia got rated M with a disclamer stating "Moderate action violence".

[zzap64]

I found the information at http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=64945 it contains more information about which Blu-ray versions are cut and uncut. The USA and Korean versions appear to be the most cut. The Australian, Finnish & German versions are uncut. I still cannot find any information about the Japanese version.

Originally Posted by dvdtimes.co.uk

One of the reasons for the lengthy delay in this review being published is the amount of time it took me to track down an uncut version of the film. The UK release is widely known to have been cut, removing a single shot and line of dialogue from the infamous torture scene, but the US release of the film is often erroneously believed to be uncut. It is in fact, far more heavily cut than its British counterpart, with two key action sequences being heavily truncated, removing a considerable amount of their intensity and also, in one instance, resulting in some glaring continuity errors. (I have compiled a detailed and spoiler-intensive list of the cuts made to the US release here.) I initially bought the US version, and was saddened to say the least when I discovered how heavily cut it was. Then, based on misinformation from a Sony Pictures insider, who had categorically stated that the only cut releases of the film on Blu-ray would be the US, UK and German releases (the German release is actually uncut), I purchased the Korean release, only to discover, to my horror, that it was exactly the same disc that had been released in North America, right down to the "Made in the USA" text on the disc art. Eventually, I was able to track down the Region 0 Finnish release, which, like the versions released in the rest of Scandinavia and Australia (using, it would seem, the exact same disc), is completely uncut, and is considered to represent Martin Campbell's definitive cut of the film.

Having viewed the US/Korean, UK and Finnish discs, I have come to the conclusion that the video quality on each is identical, at least to the naked eye.

[zzap64]

Anyone looking to order online the Australian uncut version of Casino Royale on Blu-ray it is available here and here and here

The Australian version is uncut and region free. Enjoy

[bferr1]

Does anyone have this yet? Will it definitely play in U.S. machines? No problems with audio speed-up like some of the European HD DVDs?

[mumbles3k]

I had the same question. I did a search on Google, and it seems that PAL speed-up is no longer an issue with Blu-ray. Can anyone confirm?

[zzap64]

Originally Posted by bferr1

Does anyone have this yet? Will it definitely play in U.S. machines? No problems with audio speed-up like some of the European HD DVDs?

Originally Posted by mumbles3k

I had the same question. I did a search on Google, and it seems that PAL speed-up is no longer an issue with Blu-ray. Can anyone confirm?

No there is no PAL speedup. All Blu-ray movie discs across all regions are encoded in 1080/24p so there is no PAL or NTSC in high definition. The back of the case states 'All Regions' so it will definitely play on US players.

I have scanned in the cover of the Australian Blu-ray version of Casino Royale below.

[mumbles3k]

Thanks zzap. I didn't even know about the different versions until now, but I'm very excited.

[zzap64]

The Region Free and Uncut Australian Blu-ray version of Casino Royale is available again at http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/792930 and they will ship internationally.

I would be interested to know from people who own both the US cut version and the uncut (Australian, German, Scandinavian, Finnish and possibly Spanish and Japanese) version what they thought.