cdnchris wrote:2.) The spine numbers will be
exactly the same as the American ones (so
Tootsie will not be #1
)
4.) They unfortunately couldn't get around it so the artwork will feature the BBFC certification. I was sent the final artwork and they all have the glaring ratings on them in the bottom right hand corner.
2 - This seems to indicate that they don't plan on any UK exclusive titles - since the numbering system will be the same between the two countries. This seems like a bad move regardless, since it will be strange for UK customers to walk into the store (Fopp, I suppose) and purchase one of these, and see some random numbers on the spine. Perhaps this is meant to get people addicted enough that they start importing US releases to fill the gaps (don't put anything past OCD collectors), but why not start over or just remove the # altogether? I'm sure they'll (at some point) own some UK exclusive right, so what will happen then? Not release it, since there's no US spine # counterpart? Perhaps Chris can ask about UK exclusive titles.
4 - I wonder if they'll offer reversible artwork without the logo. Its a lot of work for a fairly minor thing, but I can't imagine anyone being happy with the logo. Someone mentioned the logo isn't required on the spine - then why does nearly every company even bother putting them on the spine (sometimes even two of them - Ireland, I suspect). I own some UK steelbooks (Demons, Evil Dead)that don't have a spine logo, so I suppose there's something to the notion.
Speaking of Evil Dead, now there's a Sony owned UK exclusive that would be perfect for Criterion to handle.
Ireland is also included in the UK's distribution system (like US + Canada)? So this is actually Criterion UK + Ireland.
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Here's a Variety article (finally giving some official confirmation from Criterion). It repeatedly mentions Sony.. thus as I suspected, this is predominantly a move backed by Sony (probably indicating a lot more Sony titles to come to both regions).