Animation Source Forums

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and I've got a question about the different versions of Balto (VHS, DVD and possibily Laserdisc) along with the different aspect ratios.

I have found some nice screenshots on Balto Reunion:

http://www.balto.aniworld.ru/balto1screen1.htm

For example this one:

http://www.balto.aniworld.ru/images/balto1/PDVD_017.jpg

This one (obviously) shows Balto and Boris, the strange thing now is that on my Region 2 DVD and VHS (TV recording), the exact same position does not show Boris' foot (and parts of Balto's legs) at all! (see screenshot attachments) So what I'm asking myself now is, what could be the source of that screen grab (btw applies to all screens shown on that "baltoscreen1.htm" link posted above). Does anyone have an idea what DVD I would have to buy to finally see "everything" of Balto?

I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, but obviously parts of the movie (10-15%) are not visible on my RC2 DVD and TV recording of Balto.

Attached are the corresponding shots from my German Balto DVD and from a TV (VHS) recording from German television.

Thanks for any help in advance!

Rapture

I had already noticed this.
The region 2 (non-US) dvd is the closest one to the original ratio of the film, although strangely there is a little of the bottom missing.
I think I remember that the laserdisc version has it, so it could be the best version (although almost unreachable - I don't have it myself)
The region 1 dvd (or vhs) is 4/3, so it crops a big part of the picture on the sides. BUT, it does have the missing part of the bottom.

If you sum up all that, the non-US dvd (all other regions than region 1) is the one to look for, even though there is that little "problem" (but it's really not much, compared to what is missing from the original picture in the US dvd)

Thanks Steet for the help!

Ok so I already have the best version currently available of Balto, namely the RC2 (or non RC1) DVD. So I should get the RC1 US DVD if I wanted to see the missing bottom part? I think I'll definitely do that! As a vivid Boris lover I'd need to see all of him including his feet. (see screenshot)

We really need the ultimate version of Balto along with the original theatre 1,85:1 aspect ratio and the missing bottom at the same time (which I guess is part of the original theatre version) - maybe on Blue Ray or something. Imagine that, Balto in Full HD, phew!! Maybe with more bonus material, behind the scenes of the animators, painters, musicians and James Horner the composer. And special feature of Boris (hehe), how they came up with the idea to include a goose as a mentor for Balto (who isn't part of the original Balto story of course). Looking forward to that. Is something like that planned by the way? Blue Ray or HD-DVD? Anything?

Thanks again,
Rapture

Not so far sadly. ]: You could sign the petition though! There's a link on the main page of the main site which is for a special edition DVD of Balto 1 with special features.

I shall do so. Thanks for the information so far

That's what I did...Although I only watched the US dvd once. That US dvd is clearly worse, there's even a scene which "bugs". (repeated twice...the scene with the wolves) And the documentary which was added on region 2 dvds can't be found (I heard that on the first batch of dvds they released, they wrote that there was a documentary on the cover, although it was nowhere to be found on the disc... Apparently they've corrected that since then though, because my US dvd doesn't mention a documentary)



Unfortunately not.
And it's not going to happen anytime soon...Unlike Disney which releases animation films in these formats, the other companies think that animated films are for children and children don't have such equipments (although I can't blame them on that point because it's partly the truth)
But Universal is the worse, they never put any effort in all their animated films releases : no special edition, no bonuses of real interest (except the documentary on the region 2 dvd), no official price cuts, no respect to the aspect ratios, no digital restoration, horrible covers, etc... It's even a miracle that Balto 1 was released on dvd, considering they never released "We're back" on DVD.

BTW, HD-DVD has died, and Universal which was the only company releasing films exclusively on HD-DVD was forced to move on the Blu-ray format...So they are also late with releasing films on that format.

But yes, Balto on Blu-ray would be awesome...I would be getting a ps3 right away for watching it (I already have a high def tv...)

Hi steet,



That bug sounds funny (repeated scene) but it's no big deal I guess, mainthing is watching the bottom 5-10% of Balto too although it's not *that* much. Is the laserdisc that hard to get? I'll try to find it on German ebay.de.



Indeed not a good decision. I don't loose hope though now that the DVD was released in superb widescreen ratio (although not the original 1,85:1). We just have to wait, eventually they will release the BluRay of Balto, I'm sure. Tell everyone you know to buy Balto on DVD to show Universal there is a bigger interest and the movie is more known than expected.



Well, I at least I've a digital recorded version of "We're back a Dinosaur Story" from TV here on DVD. (German name: 4 Dinos in New York). It's as good as a DVD release quality wise.



True, HD DVD is no more, BluRay has won, hence "Disney BluRay" and stuff... I would also get a ps3 or a cheap BluRay player for Balto. I'm planning to get a high def tv at the moment. Just can't decide which one, 42 or 46 inch, 100hz, LED, 24p theatre option and of course full hd.

Cheers!
Rapture

I believe to be hard to find, yes. Working players aren't easy to find either.


Now? Not exactly, it was released in 2002...


That's the main aim of this site...since the very start.


(not the topic, but) I bought one last year. 32inch, hd ready (which is more than enough, considering I haven't any high definition program, console or anything to play it on anyway...)

Balto Laserdisc: OK a quick ebay search brought nothing, agreed.

Released in 2002: Could be, but I've got the german Balto 1 & 2 combo package which was released later...

Main aim of the site: How successful are you with your site? Just asking out of pure interest. e.g. has Universal done something nice concerning Balto since the start of the page or so? How many people do know Balto more than before (before the existance of the page).

32 inch hd ready is not bad... But since prices are dropping rapidly (below 1000 dollar / Euro for Full HD) I might as well get a bigger one.

Pretty successful in terms of visitors since it's now the only Balto site on the web still alive...(I mean, with more than 10 visitors a day. BS has around 1000 - 1500 visitors each day), except for Fluke's maybe.

As for Universal, no, in fact : the site created in half 2004, but Balto 3 was announced before. And since the release of Balto 3, they haven't done anything concerning Balto (except one or two packages in one or two countries) We sent them a petition, for which we received an answer, but a bad one (see the "Glenn ross" sticky topic)


That would be very difficult to evaluate...Certainly more, but how much : no idea.

I read the Glenn ross topic. Well maybe it's because Balto 2 could have been better (in my opinion, Balto 2 is the weakest of the trilogy, Balto 3 is almost as good as the first one, at least story wise, imho, Balto 1 is the best atmo wise, story wise and the quality of the drawings is superior). Now my speculation is, many people bought Balto 2 because they expected a great movie just as the first one, but many people were dissapointed from the 2nd, and refused to buy a third one, hence Universal won't produce a fourth one because of the poor sales of Balto 3. I bet Balto 2's sales are very good just because of the first movie.

So a speculation from me would be: If Balto 3 would have been released as Balto 2, and Balto 2 as Balto 3 (swapping the two. Balto 2: Wings of Change, Balto 3: Wolf Quest), imho the chances would be higher that a fourth movie would have been produced.. well, just my wild speculation, could be wrong at all, just forget what I said What ever. We'll see if a 4th Balto will be released.

Errr, DVD was the future of films 10 years ago...Now it's the present, or even the past (since there's a new format to replace it : Bluray) A dvd player is very cheap nowadays.


The other version : all the non-US ones, it's the same everywhere.
Warning though : DVDs have regions. If you have a region-locked dvd player, you may not be able to play a dvd from another region. (US is region 1, europe is region 2) If you're unsure, you may try considering buying the brazilian version, as it's the only one that is region-free.


http://baltosource.timduru.org/en/b1infos-4/

You can change the voice languages, as well as adding subtitles. The english language is on all dvds (the other languages vary)