THE PUNISHER (Mark Goldblatt, 1989)

[Pwnisher]

Thanks. I only handle the best.

A couple things though. Does anyone know exactly how "limited" the 3 disc BD is? 500? 1,000? 5,000? 100,000?

Also, would someone please translate the BD mediabook to English? I know that's asking a lot, but for the benefit of non-German speakers it would be greatly appreciated.

I found the workprint on youtube for all those interested.

[Jox]

Note that at 4:27, it's Dolph doing the high fall to the ring, which was supposed to be about 15 meters down! He referred to it later as one of the most dangerous and stupidest stunts he ever did (along with the jumping from motorcycle to truck in RED SCORPION)

[Jox]

US video release ad

[Jox]

Podcast career interview with director Mark Goldblatt
(starting at around 35 mins in, and 1h49 for THE PUNISHER)
http://geeknation.com/podcasts/killer-p ... goldblatt/



Brazilian lobby card

[Jox]

Podcast career interview with director Mark Goldblatt
(starting at around 35 mins in, and 1h49 for THE PUNISHER)
http://geeknation.com/podcasts/killer-p ... goldblatt/

Didn't know the look of the character was kind of inspired by Elvis Presley, for the hair especially (I would have said George Michael), which makes sense actually. And as a Presley fan I suspect Dolph might have been influential in that. And there's also the Mad Max reference of course, still a major influence in '88, especially since they actually chose the MAD MAX 2 & 3 costume designer Norma Moriceau (who also did CROCODILE DUNDEE, DEAD CALM, PATRIOT GAMES etc).

[Jox]

Polish VHS cover made with artwork from an advance pre-sales foldout presentation from before Dolph was attached.

[Pwnisher]

I finally received my region free blu ray player yesterday. It's easy enough to use, just press setup, punch in a code, then select which region you want to use. So I finally watched the uncut version of the film that I had waited over a decade to see. Was it worth it? In a word, no. All joking aside, it was refreshing to see all the beautiful gore that the MPAA had it's merry way with. The headshot at the restaurant was particularly satisfying. Still, it's the same campy, grossly underrated b-movie it always was and nothing will ever change that. I really wish they had spent the time to clean up the uncut footage to make it less grainy, but I release there was only so much money Koch Media could spend on this project.

I doubt mainstream Punisher fans will ever warm up to this movie, but like I always say, "if they really wanted Dolph to wear the skull shirt, they would photoshop a skull on his shirt."

[Jox]

I finally received my region free blu ray player yesterday. It's easy enough to use, just press setup, punch in a code, then select which region you want to use.

Can I ask which brand and model, is it one of the Toshiba's?

I really wish they had spent the time to clean up the uncut footage to make it less grainy, but I release there was only so much money Koch Media could spend on this project.

Keep in mind they only had the Japanese laserdisc (resolution inferior to DVD) to work from...

[bomaz]

Watched it again last night (with the beautiful english DVD). Good action, good fight, quite dark, nice costume and production design. Good movie all the way

[Pwnisher]

Can I ask which brand and model, is it one of the Toshiba's?

It's an Icom BD780. I spent a little extra money on it because it had a higher rating on Amazon.com. Perhaps I should have saved some money on a cheaper model.

Keep in mind they only had the Japanese laserdisc (resolution inferior to DVD) to work from...

I'm aware of this. I guess when you don't have the original negative to work with, you're limited by how much you can improve the image quality.

Watched it again last night (with the beautiful english DVD).

Is the English DVD uncut?

Here's my review of the Punisher Mediabook on Amazon.

When police officer Frank Castle's family is inadvertently killed by a car bomb that was intended for him, he declares a one-man war against organized crime as the Punisher. However, he soon discovers that the Japanese criminal underworld have also set their sights on the mafia and plan on taking over.

The 1989 Punisher film is one of the most underrated movies of all time. While not the most faithful Marvel comic book adaptation ever made, it is still an entertaining action movie and is perhaps the only Punisher film to truly capture the tone of its source material.

The Uncut Mediabook comes with a Blu-ray and two DVDs. The Blu-ray contains the U.S. Theatrical Cut and the Uncut International version. The first DVD has the same content as the BD and the second DVD contains a workprint of the film with a prologue that has never been released in the U.S. Also included is a gag reel, audio commentary with director Mark Goldblatt, image gallery, and a 16 page booklet.

If you are a fan of the film living in the U.S., this is the closest to a definitive edition you are likely to get. Due to copyright issues, it is doubtful that an American version will ever be released. Be advised that this is a Region 2/B video that will only play on Region Free players or with the correct firmware on a computer.

UPDATE: Having just received my region free player, I can now give a full review of the film itself. It's been more than a decade since I saw the R-rated version of the film. The uncut version is the same movie with bits of violence taken from a Japanese laserdisc. The added scenes are of an inferior image quality compared to the rest of the film and their inclusion can be a bit jarring. The director's commentary does give some insightful information about the making of the film, shooting in Australia, info on the cast and crew, the movie's reception, etc. Most enlightening was Goldblatt's controversial decision to omit the skull shirt and his subsequent admission to it being a mistake.

The Gag reel is aprox. six minutes long and consists of bloopers and behind the scenes footage. The workprint is poorer quality than the finished films (as one would expect) and is notable for its inclusion of a 15 minute prologue sequence not used in any version of the film. The included booklet is in German and mostly discussed the origin of the comic book character.

All in all, this is a must have for anyone who is a fan of this film. The cheap 35mm stock used gives the movie a gritty 70's exploitation feel. It also means it will never look crystal clear, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Jox]

It's an Icom BD780. I spent a little extra money on it because it had a higher rating on Amazon.com. Perhaps I should have saved some money on a cheaper model.

Didn't know about that one, thanks. Doesn't seem so expensive though (compared to an OPPO).

Watched it again last night (with the beautiful english DVD).

Is the English DVD uncut?

No, it's the R-rated cut version (made from the same HD master I think).

and the second DVD contains a workprint of the film with a prologue that has never been released in the U.S.

The workprint is poorer quality than the finished films (as one would expect) and is notable for its inclusion of a 15 minute prologue sequence not used in any version of the film.

And an much darker alternate ending with a pre-Andrew Scott performance from Dolph!

The cheap 35mm stock used gives the movie a gritty 70's exploitation feel. It also means it will never look crystal clear, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Goldblatt said he wanted to shoot anamorphic but of course New World didn't want to pay the extra cost and didn't see the point since the movie would end up on VHS pan & scanned.

[Pwnisher]

Sorry I couldn't respond to you yesterday. I was working all day then had to cook for 4th of July and watch a movie. Needless to say, I slept well last night. I also ordered a Bluray two disc set of Command Performance and Direct Contact on July 2, but it hasn't been shipped yet.

No, it's the R-rated cut version (made from the same HD master I think).

Thanks for letting me know.

And an much darker alternate ending with a pre-Andrew Scott performance from Dolph!

Hey, hey. No spoilers.

Goldblatt said he wanted to shoot anamorphic but of course New World didn't want to pay the extra cost and didn't see the point since the movie would end up on VHS pan & scanned.

Goldblatt mentioned that during the commentary, which makes sense. I still say the film benefits from having a gritty look.

[Jox]

Greek VHS

[Pwnisher]

This bad boy came in the mail on Monday. Cost a grand total of $6.24

[Jox]

It's a good one, closer to the shooting script.