Blu-Ray Re-Release Information/Petition

[gizmodonna]

Disney is notorious for letting master negatives deteriorate from back catalogue films they deem as non-profitable. Look at the Halloween 6 Producer's Cut... when Disney finally wanted to release the alternate version of the film with 45 mins of different material (supposed to release in conjunction with the Rob Zombie Halloween reboot, when that hit theaters) they could not locate the original extended negative. They tried once, and that was it. They won't go back again and look more extensively since an inquiry like that cost them about 10 thousand alone.

I would love to see the extended SMB movie footage, but if it exists, Disney would need to think there would be a huge profit in it. Like millions.

[Serum]

They did release the Producer's Cut of "Halloween 6," on DVD, though. It's extremely hard to come by, though. I think we have a chance with Mario Bros.

[gizmodonna]

They did release the Producer's Cut of "Halloween 6," on DVD, though. It's extremely hard to come by, though.

No, they didn't. All you'll ever find are bootlegs. The negative was officially lost. Same thing happened to Supergirl, only they accidentally found the cut footage in cans that were labeled simply "do not use" without a note of what film it was. That one was luck.

It's not what you want to hear, I know. But I'm just trying to be realistic here. You would need to bombard them with dozens of accounts on a daily basis for them to even take notice

[Serum]

They did release the Producer's Cut of "Halloween 6," on DVD, though. It's extremely hard to come by, though.

No, they didn't. All you'll ever find are bootlegs.

Hmm, so they are... I had to look that one up. I remember back in my days on horror message boards people said there was an official release in the UK of that cut, but I guess it was just a fabricated memory. However, I don't think Disney would be the one holding the lost footage, I think it's probably someone in Lightmotive or Hollywood Pictures.

[gizmodonna]

I just say "Disney" because they own Hollywood Pictures still. Even if the studio is nearly defunct compared to it's heyday in the 1990's.

There is a chance, but Disney only speaks one language... money. The cost of transferring the extended cut would be nearly 100 grand, so they would need guarantees of a payoff in the millions if they are going to put in effort. There would need to be a lot of fans, and Disney would need to get the idea that there was a large demand. Look at "Nightbreed" for example and all the problems they had getting the extended cut released (still not a sure thing) - Clive Barker himself had to get involved and thousands of fans had to speak up. All that and it still isn't a sure thing. Studios are all about $$$

[Redstar]

You raise an excellent point, gizmodonna. We really are screaming to the heavens at an apathetic god, so to speak, but still we pray. We are in touch with the film's producers who may just know exactly the state and/or location of any extended footage, so it's just a matter of asking and hoping.

[gizmodonna]

Well I hope it happens, any ideas on how to get the word out there? Maybe a comprehensive petition? I would imagine that video game fans would be interested, if you could get the word out to them.

[Roareye]

The problem, gizmodonna, is that the Mario community isn't really very active. The Sonic community mobilised and worked together to build community days and eventually work with SEGA on the Summer of Sonic annual event. The Mario community do not do this. This was realised most when SEGA set up a joint Sonic and Mario pre-release playtest for Sonic and Mario at the Olympic Games, and invited 15 people from the Sonic community and 15 from the Mario community. 13 Sonic community members showed up, 2 of the Mario members did. To be fair those two soaked up many of the wins, but at the end of the day they both went straight home while the Sonic group went to the pub for beer and laughs.

On the same note, most gaming media sites or general gaming communities also would have little to no interest based purely on the film's reputation. The only way to try and alter this feeling is to advertise the screening events on their own forums, as well as the Mario ones. If you advertise directly, you've got a better chance of people coming along. Also try getting the Mario fansites to advertise the screenings.

Why the screenings so much? Well physically discussing the movie with people will always lead to a stronger impact (As well as getting to see it) than any text on a forum could do. You get to see the excitement in the person's face and eyes as they discuss their love for the movie. Failing that, text presence on their forums is better than none.

The route forward is difficult, and it depends on how much effort you are willing to put in. I am making suggestions and passes at professional game journalists I know to try and get them to think again and maybe put more positive emphasis on the movie, however my journalistic contacts are all in the UK and they would jump at news (And definately publish about) of a UK Screening of the movie in a cinema, but obviously that is not cost-effective for you guys at this time. However such an event would be enough to grab attention and bring it back into the public and journalistic eye. Having run the Summer of Sonic successfully for 5 years (And breaking sales records this year with 800 tickets sold in under 4 minutes), online chat and journalistic connections really do make all the difference. So make that a focal point in gaming circles, try gaining friends in journalism to boost your support network.

With the word spread, and events such as the screenings already in full effect, you'll find a noticeable rise in fanbase and fan reaction in no time. SEGA fund SoS based on the fact that it keeps fans happy, and in turn they get a more positive reaction whenever they release a new game. Keep the fans sweet, and they're more likely to warm to your cause and support you. This will, in turn, increase fan call for a proper Blu-Ray re-release and the chances move more in your favour.

[SethRex]

I went ahead and emailed Disney about a 20th Anniversary release. They have yet to reply. But I'll let you know if they do.

[Phlibbit]

I got in the mood today to start banging the drum for a blu-ray release again. I've updated the home page, and I e-mailed the following to Disney:

Hi folks,

I am writing to see if plans for a Blu-Ray re-release of Super Mario Bros. (1993) is in the works. This year is the 20th anniversary of the film and I think it would be the perfect time to get this film out for the fans. And now that Disney's Wreck-It Ralph was successful, there are a lot of new fans of video game films!

I run the Super Mario Bros. Movie Archive website, and last year we sponsored a number of very successful theatrical screenings around the country. There are SO many people who have spoken to us afterwards that enjoyed seeing the film on the big screen. And, there are many others who couldn't attend screenings that want to own the film on Blu-Ray so they can see the film the way it was meant to be seen.

Thanks for your time!

-Ryan Hoss
Webmaster, SMB Movie Archive (http://www.smbmovie.com)

And like I said on the home page update, if you're on Twitter, send Disney a message via @DisneyPictures.

[Phlibbit]

WOW GUYS.

Disney sent me a response in a RECORD 4 MINUTES.

Hello Ryan,

Thank you for your email. We value your interest in Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment!

Super Mario Bros. is currently unavailable and no re-release date has been set. We are happy to share your movie request with the rest of our team. Your feedback helps us build a better experience for all of our guests and it is truly appreciated!

To find a list of our upcoming releases, and those currently available to enjoy, please visit us online at www.disneydvd.com.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to reply to this email. You may also contact us at 1-800-723-4763 (Canada: 1-888-877-2843), Monday 9:30-7:30 and Tuesday through Friday 9:30-6:30 CST.

Sincerely,

Walt Disney Studios Distribution Consumer Relations
US and Canada

[SethRex]

Lovely. Which means that as of this writing they have no plans to celebrate the film's 20th Anniversary. What bogus crud.

[Serum]

Hmm... Try calling them? They left that phone number.

[ToolMan93]

It's funny because the Australian DVD Release of the SMB Movie (2008) even though it wasn't official, the picture WAS in fixed Widescreen and I had no problems when I was watching it, except for the fact that the sound was in 2.0 so....yeah....still, worth it until a official release comes along!!!
I emailed Disney yesterday. I hope they respond soon, and i'll post my letter here!

wouldn't it be awesome if we get the american version of the dvd and australian version of the dvd and us fans fix them together in 5.1 surround sound and then send the film to disney instead of them having to work on it? I know it sounds insane but it's worth a try, is it? XD

[Roareye]

Actually I can do that. Anybody wanna lend me the US disc with 5.1? Otherwise It'll have to wait til I can get it. But I can use the Swedish print too for clearer visuals.

That at least would give us the best Standard Def copy available. Still need HD though tbh

[ToolMan93]

Guys, guys!
It took about TWO WEEKS but I eventually got something back from Disney. I know it's not much yet but here is their reply

The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
(818) 560-1000


February 19, 2013


Mr. Cameron Hons
h.cameron13@inbox.com


Dear Mr. Hons:

This will acknowledge, with thanks, your recent e-mail to our DVD & Blu-Ray Help Center concerning your idea for a DVD release of Super Mario Bros. Your e-mail was forwarded to the Legal Department as it is our responsibility to respond to unsolicited submissions of creative materials on behalf of the Disney organization.

Unfortunately, what I must explain is that our company’s long-established policy does not allow us to accept for review or consideration any ideas, suggestions or creative materials not specifically solicited by us or our subsidiaries. Our intention is to avoid misunderstandings when projects are created internally which might be similar to submissions made to us from outside the company. Accordingly, we must decline to consider any of your suggestions.

Although our reply must necessarily be one other than what you might have hoped for, we do appreciate your interest in writing to us.

Very truly yours,

Brandon Zimmerman
Paralegal

I suggested all those special features lol

[Serum]

I've gotten that exact email, you sent it to the wrong department. I forget which one the "right" one is, but try emailing a company like Criterion, as well.

[ToolMan93]

I've gotten that exact email, you sent it to the wrong department. I forget which one the "right" one is, but try emailing a company like Criterion, as well.

All right. I just followed the link that was showed on the Front Page of this site. I thought I was doing it all right, lol. But thanks for the info!

Anyone also thought of contacting Lightmotive?

[Serum]

You know, we're getting a lot of attention lately. Between John Leguizamo's 20th anniversary message, Samantha Mathis speaking later this month at the New York screening and all the press coverage on various sites and the comic-- somebody's bound to take notice eventually. I'm starting to think if we up the ante and keep doing what we're doing stronger we might get a Blu-Ray release and/or a Director's Cut.

I mean, if the former Nintendo Power now Nintendo Force took notice, someone at the higher-ups of Nintendo is going to take notice eventually and if they contact the distributors of the film, they might just give us what we want. We need to keep up the press, the awareness and keep everything going smoothly and try not to slip up. As I've always said, I'm a man of my word and I always get what I want.

And what I want is a director's cut Blu-Ray of Super Mario Bros. Now I have a feeling that I'm going to get it, maybe sooner than I thought. And I know all of you want it, too. So let's just play nice, but be firm and continue the coverage as much as humanly possible. We're already in contact with Parker Bennett, among others like Mojo Nixon, so we have the movie's main screenwriter and an actor on our side. Let's try to get more people involved.

[Redstar]

You're very right, Serum. While our chances of anything happening are still low I can say that I have been in touch with Roland Joffé and he has assured me that he will look into any surviving deleted scenes for a re-cut.

[Serum]

You're very right, Serum. While our chances of anything happening are still low I can say that I have been in touch with Roland Joffé and he has assured me that he will look into any surviving deleted scenes for a re-cut.

If anyone has an original print of the film, it's either him (Roland Joffe,) Rocky Morton or Anabel Jankel-- a lot of filmmakers are notorious for squirreling away their own personal copies of their films. It goes against so-called "corporate policies," but much like "no shirt, no shoes, no service," it's not really enforced. I have a nagging feeling that all the deleted scenes and alternate scenes are intact somewhere.

In all likelihood, it's in somebody's basement, in a box, in a tin can. Waiting.

[Mario500]

I mean, if the former Nintendo Power now Nintendo Force took notice, someone at the higher-ups of Nintendo is going to take notice eventually and if they contact the distributors of the film, they might just give us what we want. We need to keep up the press, the awareness and keep everything going smoothly and try not to slip up. As I've always said, I'm a man of my word and I always get what I want.

Nintendo Force is a separate entity, not a reincarnation of Nintendo Power.

[AndrewTheBeatnik]

So is there going to be a Blu-ray release of "Super Mario Bros."? I looked up the title on blu-ray.com and it said "Cover coming soon" on the page for the movie. Does that mean that a Blu-ray release is in the works?

[ultimateemail5000]

Maybe there is, or it could be that so many people searched for it that they decided to make a listing for it. There are many blu-rays like this on Amazon.

[Serum]

That's been there for a long while, now. I think it's just basic placeholder information.

[AndrewTheBeatnik]

Okay, thanks for the feedback. Hopefully we will see some advancements towards a blu-ray release in the future. The sooner the better! I want to see this masterpiece in all of its glory! Haha, happy holidays!

[ultimateemail5000]

Well since nobody else is gonna say it, it is official that the blu ray is coming to the UK... Guess I'll have to get a blu ray drive so I can rip it onto my hard drive to watch it.

[Roareye]

Or you can do what I do with American imports. Get a BD drive for your PC and set it as the appropriate region. Then simply HDMI from computer to TV. As someone from the UK, if you guys can get me in a visit or something with Second Sight, I'll travel there for preview/interview info.

[Serum]

Or you can do what I do with American imports. Get a BD drive for your PC and set it as the appropriate region. Then simply HDMI from computer to TV. As someone from the UK, if you guys can get me in a visit or something with Second Sight, I'll travel there for preview/interview info.

Yeah, I didn't even know you could actually rip Blu-Rays from disc to hard disc...

[Redstar]

Or you can do what I do with American imports. Get a BD drive for your PC and set it as the appropriate region. Then simply HDMI from computer to TV. As someone from the UK, if you guys can get me in a visit or something with Second Sight, I'll travel there for preview/interview info.

If you write for a film or video game-focused website we can definitely look into sending you a review copy, otherwise we'll just have to let Second Sight provide it to other outlets.

[Roareye]

My brother works for IGN, so I will see about doing some temp work focussing specifically on this movie. He despises this film, but I love it despite it's flaws, and whether you love or hate it the first Hollywood VG adaptation is a significant moment in VG history, especially with the cult following this film has accrued. It's not as if it just died in a hole and never resurfaced. It's become a thing of legend, whether for good or bad reason. I doubt he'd want to follow it, but I would. I'll mention it to him.

[billbot85]

It's really incredible that the movie is finally being released on Blue-Ray!! It's a shame that there won't be much deleted footage to be added in the special features though :/

[Redstar]

It's really incredible that the movie is finally being released on Blue-Ray!! It's a shame that there won't be much deleted footage to be added in the special features though :/

If you follow our Facebook page you can see what the current status on deleted scenes is. We're doing our best to keep looking anyways.

[Serum]

Will that cute little made for TV "making of" documentary be on the Blu-Ray, (the one on YouTube) but in quality not in the likeness of a football game taped on a Super Extended Play quality video home cassette?

[Roareye]

I know this may be a silly question at this point, but is this being put on a BD-25 or a BD-50? It'd be a shame for it to only be on a BD-25, as they'd have to compress the video and that's cause artifacts to appear and damage image quality. Be a shame for compression to undo all the hard work being done, and any copies they sell would gladly pay more for the film uncompressed.

[Serum]

I know this may be a silly question at this point, but is this being put on a BD-25 or a BD-50? It'd be a shame for it to only be on a BD-25, as they'd have to compress the video and that's cause artifacts to appear and damage image quality. Be a shame for compression to undo all the hard work being done, and any copies they sell would gladly pay more for the film uncompressed.

Since it's an overseas release I'd assume it'll be a BD-50, they're not nearly as wasteful over there.