I need to get a copy of the 1986 movie, and there's a couple choices.

I'm not too keen on the Bluray version because I can't seem to find any locally for sale (all online from overseas sellers), but I'm sure it's good and will pick up one someday.

I'm looking for the differences in the DVD versions. In 2000, it looks like Rhino issued a 'Special Collector's Edition' that has a big yellow bar across the original movie poster artwork. There doesn't seem to be a lot of extras on it, but I like that it at least has the movie artwork. I've heard that when Rhino re-issued their versions of the Sunbow cartoon on DVD that some of the colours were off, and some sounds were missing, and they used in some cases different voice actors (Starscream, from what I've read). Did they do the same for the movie? If so, I'll scratch it off my want list.

There's another version out there on DVD that is called the 20th Anniversary, and has Prime standing on the cover with Bee next to him, and he's holding the Matrix. That looks to have two discs and a TON of extra stuff. I tried to order one from overseas but it turned out to be a bootleg. Any word on this version?

Lastly I guess is the Bluray copy. Does that include the bonus features of the Anniversary one?

Thanks for your help!

 

I have both DVD versions, and the 20th Anniversary one outshines. The Anniversary isn't cropped down from the 4:3 ratio to make it wide screen, which gives you more to see. It's all mostly just background art, so that may not be important to you.

There's a couple of other things too, mostly reinserted dialog I believe. The only one I can think of off the top of my head is when spike says "Oh shit! What are we gonna do now?" I know there are others, but I can't remember what they are.

I don't know how the Bluray will stack up against it.

 

The BluRay doesn't have exactly the same bonus features, but it does have a good amount of bonus content. More importantly, it has the best picture and sound quality. Although you don't get the extra background space and animation errors from the 4:3 versions  

 

All of them. You're not a real fan unless you have one of each.  

I haven't seen the BluRay version, but of the others the 20th anniversary edition is the one to get.

 

Shit, I pulled the trigger on the Collector's Edition one with the original movie art cover.

I should have held out for the 20th...so the I'm getting doesn't have the original movie aspect ratio, AND no swearing Spike? DANG. With that, what's the point?   I'm kinda being honest, but the price point was good enough that I'm not too worried. I'm just looking for the best version that's closest to what was originally released back in the day.

 

SELF-PWNT, lol.

XD

 

Are you American? If you are from the UK (or indeed Australia) get the Australian Madman Blu Ray, which is practically the same as the Metronome 'Transformers the Movie: Ultimate Edition' (which was released on both BD and DVD).

I may be wrong but IIRC the Metronome BD is not region locked and will work in the US, but has long sold out everywhere and is super expensive on the secondary market. The Madman disc (which again IIRC) has the same film print and extras as the Metronome disc, but it won't work in the US.

IIRC TFTM was never released in the US on BD.

Anyway TFTM Ultimate Edition is the one to get because it's the one that best represents what was in cinemas originally and looks the best out of all the current versions (sounds the same though, they all use the same 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack).

Or... you could wait and see if anyone is going to release a 30th Anniversary BD which has an HD Audio stream? I wish... I wish...

 

I have Transformers the Movie Ultimate Edition

 

Metrodome's movie blu-ray didn't include any extra features, so Madman's got them beat there. If you want a blu-ray, that's the one to get, though I'm not sure what region it is and if it'll play for you easily. Both only have the widescreen remaster, I believe.

Your other best options are the 2006 Sony 20th Anniversary DVD version, of the 2007 Metrodome "Ultimate Edition" DVD, which both feature the widescreen remaster, AND the fullscreen version on a second disc, and lots and lots of extras. On the Metrodome set, the fullscreen version is the UK edit of the film for greater variety.

 

Does anyone know if the overseas Blu-ray will indeed play on a region A Blu-ray player?

Or if it's even worth importing (like, if the restoration is actually really well done).

I'd love to have the movie on Blu-ray but at this point I'm not holding my breath for a U.S. release.

 

I prefer the Rhino release. It preserves the 4:3 ratio that was presented in the theaters and doesn't suffer from color over-saturation that the Sony version does. I mean, Hot Rod is PINK!

And as far as the "Oh, shit!" dialogue, it's preserved in all formats sans the VHS copy from long ago.

 

The obvious and correct answer is get the John Grant adaptation of the movie!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVWrU54Qqf0

 

I don't know what I would do if (god forbid) I was in a situation where I had to purchase the movie again. The 20th anniversary dvd, the one that I would recommend, is showing for about $100 on amazon.com. The edition that Rhino put out in 2000 in showing for about $70. I guess I would fork over the $100 for the 20th anniversary edition.

 

Well this makes me feel a bit better, lol. "Oh, SHIT!"

...as far as aspect ratio, if the actual version screened in theaters was 4:3, does this mean they actually 'cropped' the theater version?...and that there was actually more to show, which is why some of these versions have the 'widescreen' edition? It gets kinda confusing. Just checked out the tfwiki on this, so I'm thankful to get those of you who actually have these versions to give your advice/opinions. Thanks!

What am I missing out on with the Rhino 2000 edition, in terms of picture quality, sound, that kinda stuff?

 

I was wondering that myself. The box set I just bought doesn't feel complete without the movie. But the movie is so damn expensive. What's a cheaper version?

 

The cheapest version?...well there's always this:

Watch The Transformers: The Movie Online Free Putlocker | Putlocker - Watch Movies Online Free

But I need the physical copy because the 80s  

 

i have three copies of the movie. 2 on vhs, and one on dvd. idk pick one. i 'd recommend the 20th anniversary edition, just buy it used on Ebay. Used is about 30, new is about 15.

there are also a bunch of foreign releases too. maybe check into getting one of those. I have the kid Rhino version on dvd. i'm happy with it as it is. however, if i didn't have the movie, i'd be buying the 20th edition. i may still buy it someday. as it is a widescreen version of the film.

 

I just have the old Rhino edition and the version that came with the tin set from China.

 

Ha, so you ask and then buy one anyway?

20th anniversary is the best.

I'm hoping there will be a stateside blu ray soon

 

It's animated in 4:3...and the theater cropped to 16:9 or whatever

So the full screen version shows more, but full screen totally sucks and always has and I hate fullscreen worse than cancer and all. But still...they did animate it that way...and I can forgive fullscreen on older movies like the wizard of Oz cause that was filmed in 4:3 or "academy" but that's it.