The Rage In The Kage Vol. 2
Railing on Region Coding
Written by: Kage Alan

I'd really wanted to discuss Artisan this time around, but I'm still not done
dealing with their customer service over the "Mangler 2" disc yet.  As soon
as that happens, I'll put something together.  In the meantime, I thought I'd
address an issue that's come up in some feedback I'd received about the
wonderful world of region coding, especially since a number of the films I've
reviewed are from foreign markets and from region codes other than good ol
North America.

I was on-line a few weeks ago picking out my birthday present from the other
half for later this year (I help him out with selecting just the perfect
gift) when I found a site in Australia that was advertising the complete
first season of "Battlestar Galactica" to be released on DVD in June.  Say
what?  We can't even get all the episodes over here on video and they're
getting them on DVD?  Okay…  Yes, I ordered it and I'm going to love every
minute of it when it comes in the mail because the only thing that's been
released here on DVD is the Widescreen 2 hour premier.  There's an audience
for these kinds of programs and others, yet it takes studios forever to
realize it and then they wonder why they have such a huge problem with
pirated discs.

So, why do we have region coding at all?  One reason the studios give is to
keep films from being readily available when they are still playing in
theatres overseas.  I can understand this to a certain degree.  I actually
had a copy of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" on DVD when it was just
opening in the US.  Who is going to go the theatre to see a film they could
rent or buy on disc?  Probably not many.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure what
other reasons there could be because this isn't just limited to new releases.

I'm a fan of the Science Fiction and Horror genres and there are a number of
older titles that simply aren't available in North America on DVD that one
would think ought to be.  We have "Phantasm" and Phantasm Oblivion" here, yet not "Phantasm II" or "III", both of which are available overseas.  Then
there's the "Hellraiser" series.  We can get all but the third film, which is
also available overseas.  Sure, these aren't exactly classics, but one
person's garbage is another's guilty pleasure.  I even had a copy of Neil
Simon's "Murder By Death" for over a year before North America got around to releasing it.  There's even a Widescreen version of "Fortress" with
Highlander's Christopher Labert that was released here in the crappy pan and
scan format.  Unfortunately, this isn't limited to just theatrical films.

TV shows are pretty popular in these other regions.  You've already heard me
railing against Warner for their lack of "Friends" complete seasons.  Yes,
they're releasing Season 1 here in a couple of months, but foreign markets
are already releasing Season 8.  While in London this past December, I also
saw DVD releases of "The Incredible Hulk", "Airwolf", "The Six Million Dollar
Man", "The Bionic Woman", "Knight Rider", 3 or 4 full seasons of "Buffy The
Vampire Slayer" (to our one) and now 2 seasons of "Angel" (to our none).   
They've already got PAL VHS episodes of "Enterprise", the latest Star Trek
series, in their stores.  I'm a fan of the first "Crow" film and even though
the other films weren't nearly as good and the TV show has long since been
canceled, I picked up some of the TV episodes in Japan.  Even the "Twin
Peaks" pilot that's tied up now because of rights is available overseas.  How
did they get the rights and we couldn't?  If any of us are collectors of such
shows, we aren't supposed to be allowed to watch them.  Region Coding
prevents this (with the exception of the "Twin Peaks Pilot").

And foreign films for those of us who enjoy those?  Several Hong Kong movies that I bought overseas for a measly $5 can be purchased at places like
Suncoast or Media Play in a Region 1 format for as much as $27.  That's quite
a price hike and I prefer not to pay that, so I don't.  I'm fortunate enough
to own one of the first generation APEX players that includes a menu to turn
off the region coding of a DVD.  Where there's a will, there's a way.

When it comes down to it, I don't always buy whatever I happen to catch about why we have region coding or why certain rights to shows or films can't be cleared.  They seem to be doing pretty well outside North America, so what's the problem here?  Different laws for different countries, I'm sure, and
maybe I'm showing how ignorant I really am by saying all of this.  Still, if
they manage to get those films and TV shows over there, then why not share
them with the rest of us over here?  Believe me, if the studios start to
perceive that they're losing enough money, they'll find a way to give the
consumers what they want and make it worth the while of whoever owns those rights.  It most always comes down to money.

I no longer want my MTV.
Just give me my DVD!

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Vol. 1 - Critic Kage Alan rants about dvds and Warner Bros.

Kage holds degrees in Creative Writing, as well as Film & Video. He has been featured in a Life Journey Tele-Course, published poems in several national anthologies, been a contributor to The Third Coast Magazine and written several novels. kage@modamag.com This site is ab