Arrow Blu Rays: an example of awesomeness

[strtfghtr]

It's rare that I come across a product or company that I love as much as Arrow Video. For those who don't know, Arrow is a video distribution company out of England that releases their own line of DVDs and Blurays and they do so with the utmost care and love for the films and their fans. Most of their Blurays are region free so they play on ANY bluray player in the world. They offer incredible transfers, and original extras and packaging. Here's one example of what you'd find in a typical Arrow release.

For the example I'm going to use Deep Red as I havent opened it yet

Here you see it next to a regular American Region A release of Monster squad, they are almost the same size with the Arrow title being a little bigger since it's in a box


Anyone who's ever opened a DVD or Bluray knows that it is a pain in the ass to open US discs, the Arrow line has a nice solid strip (like a pack of gum) that peels off for a clean opening and no difficult stickers to cut/remove to open the box.


The Plastic comes off in two easy pieces.


Here is the Bluray removed from the box, notice it's the same size as the regular one (also notice the badass custom artwork done for this release...all Arrow blurays have custom artwork


Notice the Arrow bluray box is slightly thicker than the standard US one.


Here is the package open


2nd disc behind the flip gate


Every Arrow bluray comes with a booklet with a write up on the movie and maybe some interviews, etc


Every Arrow bluray also has a two sided poster folded up in them, here's side one


and side two


Also you can slide out the cover art for the disc and display your choice of the 4 cover arts available, here are the first two


and the second two


An overall shot of what you get in an arrow package (Giants blanket not included)


Here's what you get in a typical US bluray release...a disc


I prefer the Profondo Russo art


Just a shot of the Arrow Bluray titles I have so far

Basically I went through all this trouble to let people know this company is out there, they release amazing movies with amazing features and amazing transfers. They cost around the same price as a standard new US bluray and they offer so much more for the consumer. Like say instead of paying $25 for the US Bluray of Inferno that just includes the disc, spend $24 from amazon.co.uk and get the Arrow version. I'm sure Sic will back me up in my love for Arrow and I look forward to all their future releases.

Here's their site with the movies and some that are coming soon
http://www.arrowfilms.co.uk/index.php?category_id=18

You can buy them directly from Arrow (though its a little more expensive) or there are other retailers you can easily get them shipped to the US or any other country
http://www.diabolikdvd.com/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/
http://www.play.com/

[FrighT MasteR]

So how long have you been working for arrow :elstare:

Nah, I'm wit ya on this, they did release a badass Battle Royale LE afterall

[strtfghtr]

yeah they really won me over, on their release of The Beyond some copies got out that had the wrong color intro (should have been seppia instead of black and white) they are offering a free disc with the correct colored version to anyone with a receipt for the wrong one. It's awesome to see a company admit thir mistakes and correct them

[xxsic4slipknotxx]

yeah they really won me over, on their release of The Beyond some copies got out that had the wrong color intro (should have been seppia instead of black and white) they are offering a free disc with the correct colored version to anyone with a receipt for the wrong one. It's awesome to see a company admit thir mistakes and correct them

To just add to what strt has said about this disc. What's more awesome is that they're not even asking for the faulty disc back; allowed to keep it! For those who are interested in collecting faulty discs from distributors, then this is for you.

I will back you up strt and say this is THE best label out there. There are so many labels that can learn from them! They are the only label that really do care about the fans, their suggestions, and the films they acquire. After all, you will sell more DVDs/Blu-rays if you give the people exactly what they want. Some of the early DVDs are region 2, but all the DVDs coming through their label are region free now. Like strt has said as well, about 99% of all the Blu-rays coming out are region-free. There is another boxset of Battle Royale coming out, but it's missing a booklet or two, possibly a special feature, and not numbered. But that is Region B so unless you have a region-free player, don't purchase it. Reason why, the licensor asked it to be that way.

Don't fret however, they are actually still selling the limited edition DVD/Blu-ray Boxset, the price has increased, gut it's better getting it from them than from Ebay. Get it now before they run out!

It's also important to note that Arrow Films also owns a subsidiary label called Shameless Screen Entertainment. They are highly noted for their yellow cases. They're not as great as the Arrow releases, but they put out quite a few good titles, including giallos. They will be making their first Blu-ray debut with The New York Ripper, that will be region free and also come in the notable yellow case. They are claiming this to be one of the longest versions of the film out there (with all the out of place scenes placed back where they should be), despite a minor scene cut which the BBFC unfortunately would not pass unaltered.

Another way to keep up with their releases is to visit their forum www.cult-labs.com, that is the first place they hit to let everyone know of their releases (i.e. when it's released, the cover arts and special features, whether cut or uncut, extra additives, etc.).

Long live Arrow and all their glory! They kick ass!

[Doc Awesome]

I was wondering about the quality of these discs. Sounds like they're top notch. My apologies if it was stated prior as I may have missed it, but are these Region Free? Sounds like this is a high quality business like Blue Underground.

[strtfghtr]

Blue Underground puts together some great blurays, but Arrow gets my $$. And yes, the blurays are all region free (except for the newer Battle Royale edition sic mentioned).

[Doc Awesome]

Well they do have extra goodies which is always fun for me so I'll be checking these guys out now

[xxsic4slipknotxx]

My Arrow collection so far...many more to come this summer.

[DMHead777]

Never seen this thread before. Thanks for the write up Strt. I'll definitely start ordering some more Arrow stuff now that I've seen all the extra's that come with each BD.

[xxsic4slipknotxx]

Never seen this thread before. Thanks for the write up Strt. I'll definitely start ordering some more Arrow stuff now that I've seen all the extra's that come with each BD.

Wise decision sir!

[IrishG3nt]

Never seen this thread before. Thanks for the write up Strt. I'll definitely start ordering some more Arrow stuff now that I've seen all the extra's that come with each BD.

I was thinking the same thing!

Thanks for the heads up....Im only a year late

[strtfghtr]

glad I can be of service

[xxsic4slipknotxx]

No matter what films it is, I plan to collect them all!

[choptop2]

I was thinking the same thing!

Thanks for the heads up....Im only a year late

Same here. Very cool find. Would like to get a copy of the monster squad. My only copy is a poor vhs boot i bought before the official dvd release.
Also love how the cover art for most of these looks like big box vhs covers.

[strtfghtr]

Same here. Very cool find. Would like to get a copy of the monster squad. My only copy is a poor vhs boot i bought before the official dvd release.
Also love how the cover art for most of these looks like big box vhs covers.

Monster Squad isn't on Arrow, I just used the US release as a comparison of the packaging and content. Though that Monster Squad is an awesome transfer.

[xxsic4slipknotxx]

Monster Squad isn't on Arrow

Wouldn't mind seeing an Arrow Blu-ray of this though!

[Drumstick]

I wouldn't mind seeing an Arrow release of THE BLOB (1988). I know that there is so much they could do with it. I remember reading articles in Fangoria about scenes that were shot that didn't make it to the theatrical version (such as the blob attacking a squirrel). They could even get some commentaries on it. Anything's better than the bare bones release that's out now.

[DMHead777]

It's so awesome that there is custom work for every movie. I seriously want to collect them all, as lame as it sounds.

[Splat]

I am pondering why they seem to be slowly erasing their Multi region releases. Anyone have any ideas? Seems like US market suicide to me.

[xxsic4slipknotxx]

I am pondering why they seem to be slowly erasing their Multi region releases. Anyone have any ideas? Seems like US market suicide to me.

It barrels down to the Licensors, unfortunately. They have the final decision on which region it goes into. So it's really out of Arrow's control...so it seems.