Well that’s pretty awesome (but not about the credits), don’t think a lot of us USA folk knew that. I will have to check the Netflix version. Been meaning to get a new Netflix account anyway. If everthing is good, someone can capture the ending off of Netflix and upscale it to match your recording. Are there any commercials or other edits you know of on this TV version?
IMDB’s message board for Explorers is a really good resource and definitely worth checking out imho.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089114/board/?ref_=tt_bd_sm
Beyond that, I can’t really think of anything to add, except a couple of observations. The opening moments contain the Gulf & Western logo at the beginning - which means Paramount haven’t bothered to update it with the newer version, as they’ve done with other films in their catalogue over the years, like The Godfather stuff.
Also, the HDTV broadcast looks really good. Much better than the atrocious Hi-Def airings of Death Becomes Her or The Quiet American, for example. This is the best that I’ve ever seen Explorers presented over the years and maybe the best that can be expected, given its history. There’s certainly noticeable flecks and dirt here and there but that also leads me to conclude that it looks like Paramount haven’t bothered to apply any DVNR mutilation and merely performed a straight transfer. The studio’s disdain for the film is actually a blessing in disguise here.
Let me know what you find on the Netflix version.
Paramount has been pretty bad with their back catalog as of late. They actually licensed a bunch of films to Warner, which might explain why the Naked Gun films and others have appeared on Blu Ray without any of the DVD bonus features. Team America is another bare bones offender.
On that note, you might be interested in this. It was issued in 2013, apparently. Strange that Paramount have licensed it to Warner when their own 2004 DVD release is widely available. Yet it’s no longer for sale at the WB shop though and there’s no listing for Explorers on the Paramount Home Video site either.
SilverWook said:
When I’m done with my taxes, I might try and get the Japanese Laserdisc. If it’s the theatrical, the digital audio would be useful?
Quite possibly if the credits sequence from the Netflix version is also the theatrical. Perhaps the two could be synced and then edited into my recording to replace the time compressed/butchered portion?
SilverWook said:
And I totally don’t recall Wak’s closing gag being different. It has been thirty years though. 😉
I didn’t even catch it during the theatrical run but then that’s always been crux of Explorers’ misfortune: not enough people did… 😦