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soundchaser wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 4:45 pm I haven’t seen any of the Heisei era Godzillas, but my understanding is they’re all sort of linked? Why would you do a box set for Showa but not these?

The thing is, Toho commissioned that dub and gave it to Miramax. They should technically own it. Either Miramax never sent back the dub elements or this is some weird case like the dubs for Ebirah/Hedorah/Gigan being allowed on the Kraken Blu-rays but not Criterion's. (original post)

Once again, Miramax's rights expired and GvB is individual because it's the only Heisei film Toho has a 4K transfer for ATM. Had Paramount still control GvB, Criterion probably would have included the dub and more extras since Toho's only involvement was supplying the transfer like they did for the Echo Bridge release.

As for Toho's exclusion of dubs, the vast majority they originally commissioned in Hong Kong, its down to them not having available elements and in some cases the ownership rights being held by different companies (despite long loosing their rights to the films themselves).

The real reason why Godzilla 1985 can't be included on modern releases is because Toho owns the Godzilla property including any reedits and adaptations, but does not own things used that are still under copyright. Meanwhile, Lakeshore Entertainment (who controls the post-1984 catalog of distributor New World Pictures) owns the score that was lifted from another New World title called Def-Con-4 but not the rights to the adaptation itself. (original post)

sabbath wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:13 am From the other forum:

The thing is, Toho commissioned that dub and gave it to Miramax. They should technically own it. Either Miramax never sent back the dub elements or this is some weird case like the dubs for Ebirah/Hedorah/Gigan being allowed on the Kraken Blu-rays but not Criterion's. (original post)

Once again, Miramax's rights expired and GvB is individual because it's the only Heisei film Toho has a 4K transfer for ATM. Had Paramount still control GvB, Criterion probably would have included the dub and more extras since Toho's only involvement was supplying the transfer like they did for the Echo Bridge release.

As for Toho's exclusion of dubs, the vast majority they originally commissioned in Hong Kong, its down to them not having available elements and in some cases the ownership rights being held by different companies (despite long loosing their rights to the films themselves).

The real reason why Godzilla 1985 can't be included on modern releases is because Toho owns the Godzilla property including any reedits and adaptations, but does not own things used that are still under copyright. Meanwhile, Lakeshore Entertainment (who controls the post-1984 catalog of distributor New World Pictures) owns the score that was lifted from another New World title called Def-Con-4 but not the rights to the adaptation itself. (original post)

sabbath wrote: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:13 am From the other forum:

The thing is, Toho commissioned that dub and gave it to Miramax. They should technically own it. Either Miramax never sent back the dub elements or this is some weird case like the dubs for Ebirah/Hedorah/Gigan being allowed on the Kraken Blu-rays but not Criterion's. (original post)

Once again, Miramax's rights expired and GvB is individual because it's the only Heisei film Toho has a 4K transfer for ATM. Had Paramount still control GvB, Criterion probably would have included the dub and more extras since Toho's only involvement was supplying the transfer like they did for the Echo Bridge release.

As for Toho's exclusion of dubs, the vast majority they originally commissioned in Hong Kong, its down to them not having available elements and in some cases the ownership rights being held by different companies (despite long loosing their rights to the films themselves).

The real reason why Godzilla 1985 can't be included on modern releases is because Toho owns the Godzilla property including any reedits and adaptations, but does not own things used that are still under copyright. Meanwhile, Lakeshore Entertainment (who controls the post-1984 catalog of distributor New World Pictures) owns the score that was lifted from another New World title called Def-Con-4 but not the rights to the adaptation itself. (original post)

midnitedave wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 5:00 pm

soundchaser wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2024 4:45 pm I haven’t seen any of the Heisei era Godzillas, but my understanding is they’re all sort of linked? Why would you do a box set for Showa but not these?

You're correct, all the Heisei era Godzillas follow a story arc with reoccurring characters. I suspect since the rights for Biollante were tied up with Miramax, there may have been a limitation preventing it from being included with a boxset (please correct me if I'm mistaken, anyone). Additionally, since this was the sole Heisei era title to be OOP, it makes it a no-brainer to release ASAP.

Update: Correction, Biollante isn't the only Heisei era title to be OOP but it was fetching the highest prices on eBay. So, demand was up there.

Will the earth be ripped apart by Mothra, or will Godzilla once more save the day?