8mm Forum: Films from Germany?

This is topic Films from Germany? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000260

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on December 22, 2003, 02:18 PM:

Hi everyone, Merry Xmas to all if you read this in time.
Does anyone know where some of those rare but great films come from which are sold through a main name film dealer in this country? I'm of course refering to titles such as Spiderman, Empire strikes back feature in scope, Titanic and the indiana Jones films to name but a few. There must be a majour super 8mm company there somewhere, not to mention many other films we see in our lists advertised as "limited imports". [Smile]

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on December 22, 2003, 05:41 PM:

Yes I bet it would be cheaper buying direct from the source in Germany. [Wink]

Kev.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on December 23, 2003, 02:30 AM:

Spider-Man has only been printed in Germany. Doesn't mean to say it's a German release. I suggest we show our support to the dealers taking the financial risks rather than looking for cheaper deals elsewhere. After all, if some of us don't buy this new stuff then there won't be much forthcoming in the future.

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on December 23, 2003, 12:09 PM:

Yes, I believe in supporting our local Super 8 community as well. I try to buy most of my accessories through Steve at the Reel Image and when I need new films and used through Steve, Derann, Perry's, and Buckingham Film services. All great companies.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on December 23, 2003, 12:25 PM:

What I find frustrating is these titles are self defeating.

There is such a big secrecy behind these. If I ask Steve Osborne for the latest list from Germany Im told to give him a few days and a month later still no answer. Then I ask CHC and he says Ill be right back to you. A month later nothing and Ill send a reminder and he sends me their current film list without the German titles. I then re email telling him what German titles are coming and whats out and he says, Ill get back to you.
When I finally do get a response Steve says something different than CHC and vise versa. Pricing was also different from both parties. If I do show interest in a title no one knows anything and they have to get back to me again.

Nothing more frustrating in a "we want it now, within a reasonable time frame" hobby and it takes months just to get a simple answer and then if you want a title thats another few months. It kinda kindles some of the excitement.

This is just my personal experience so others may have had better response time than myself.
Both companies are to be commended for supporting the hobby but the lack of marketing efforts and secrecy over the German titles kinda defeats itself.
I understand why they are being careful but even behind closed doors its a mess. I am willing to buy and support the hobby but they kinda make it impossible to inquire on these. Everyone plays dumb.

End of rant:)

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on December 23, 2003, 04:52 PM:

Alan, I agree with all your comments. I too hate the long wait for prints. Phil at CHS is predicting a 3 - 4 week wait on some of these titles. Lets face it if I bought it direct from Germany then I would be supporting a German dealer instead of a UK one and might get it quicker etc.

Kev.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on December 23, 2003, 06:07 PM:

Hello to all, I don't mean to offend anyone with my reply, but the fact is that they are the BUSINESS end of this hobby, we are the CONSUMER end. Don't expect these dealers to offer us any info not related to a sale or potential sale. If they were hobbyists like the rest of us, i'm sure there would be many more replies and comments by them to posts made here. [Wink]

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on December 24, 2003, 01:46 AM:

I don't understand this - the German titles currently available are listed in Classic's regular sales lists.

I could probably put the list together from memory but surely we all know what they are by now. Here are some of them off the top of my head...

Spider-Man
Rear Window
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
The Mummy
Jurassic Park
The Mask of Zorro
Tomorrow Never Dies (and the other Brosnan James Bond's)
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Titanic
etc. etc. etc.

Just threw the latest listing out yesterday but if anyone's interested perhaps we could add to this list from whatever Classic list in their next newsletter. I have prints of many of these and have see reels from all of them. Some are near the highest standards available whilst others are good to very good.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on December 24, 2003, 09:35 AM:

Hi John

Im in the states and do not keep up with all the internet sites.
My last conversation in person with one re seller was right before the release of "Spiderman"
I was interested in that title but I was told it was not coming out due to lack of interest. I was told different by another re seller so I had no idea what was going on. 2 weeks later (not a month so someone missed the boat and was not up to date) it was out.

Theres also some titles not available in english or with no sound. I bought one of the Indiana trilogies not on the list with no sound.
Something else not on that list that was availble is ET. I was sent a print by one of the resellers and it was unreal but I passed on it at the time. Another title that missed getting the word out and I dont think its available any more.

Some of these can be bought in 16mm as well if they have the sound track from dvd in english. It costs more of course.
I was told this is possible by one party and told its not possible by the other.
I took the gamble and ordered Titanic in 16mm. What a beautiful print. Worth every dime.
After I got it I went back and asked the other party again how much for the same title in 16mm as I new it could be done, a few days later they got back to me and their price was twice (yes double) what I just paid for my print including exchange rate.

I was also offered at the same time Rambo: First Blood in 16 or super8 but I took Titanic.

After getting Titanic and happy with the quality I went back and inquired about FB to the second party and they said thats not a title thats available so I went back to the other party for it.

There is obviously some confusion going on and resellers are getting different information from there sources or some are just guessing in stead of making the effort to get the latest update.

Ether way my personal experience has been a battle to get any updated info on this stuff in the past. I have some stuff not on the main list. There are titles available not on the main list and other titles become available on a limited basis at times as well but if we are not told about it the opportunity passes us by and the German company thinks no one wants it so they pass on it.
I think theres more interest for this stuff then the German company knows but getting the up to date word out is lacking.

Yes a direct connection would benifit everyone:)

Case in point..the list of titles has been the same for awhile. I bet the German company is not sitting still and has made or tested other titles in the meantime as well as made plans for more. Give us an update someone. Turn those ideas into money,which in turn will help drive the efforts to print more new titles.

There are more title available that are not on that list as well as titles that become available on a limited time basis that we never hear about because we have no one getting up dates on a regular basis.

Happy holiday to everyone. [Smile]

[ December 24, 2003, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: Alan Gouger ]

Posted by D'Arcy More (Member # 50) on December 24, 2003, 01:59 PM:

So does this mean when we purchase our weekly groceries we should cut out the middle man and wait for the delivery trucks to roll in behind the supermarket and buy straight off the skids? Me thinks not. Our dealers such as CHC and Derann work hard to get us the rare stuff and we should support them as much as we can. Are we collectors or tire kickers? CHC is putting out amazing stuff. In regards to the wishy washy answers about titles, my suggestion is this.....send a down payment. Money talks and I am sure you'll get an invoice about the balance owing. I have noticed that Steve is a bit old fashioned when it comes to responding but he has a full time job and a family to raise on top of The Reel Image. Cut him some slack and you'll see him treat you royally. If any of you fellas collect Universal Horror....I strongly suggest you buy yourself a print of Ghost Of Frankenstein and/or Karloff's version of The Mummy. Worth every penny. D'Arcy

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 31) on December 24, 2003, 07:16 PM:

Our dealers such as CHC and Derann work hard to get us the rare stuff and we should support them as much as we can. Are we collectors or tire kickers? CHC is putting out amazing stuff.

Agreed.
Im not saying the problem is the fault of any one of our dealers. It could very well be the fault of the film makers not getting back to the dealers but fact is regarding the marketing of German titles there is room for improvement. I have several collector friends all with the same complaint.
Nothing wrong with commenting about it. Sometimes good things (improvements) come from it. Hopefully this is being taken as "constructive" criticism and not bashing.

In regards to the wishy washy answers about titles, my suggestion is this.....send a down payment. Money talks and I am sure you'll get an invoice about the balance owing.

Where did this come from. Who said anything about putting or not putting money down as a deposit. How can you put money down on something when you cant even get an answer if the title exists.
By the way every title I inquire about I buy if it is available so not to waist the dealers time. I am a business owner and know and respect the time someone puts into customer service.

With that said I also want to say the hobby would not be here if it were not for CHC, Derann,Steve and all the other dealers. It would have dried up a long time ago.
With the advancements in technology and with the internet allowing us to voice our opinions its easy for us to complain but we should also find time to thank those who do work hard to keep us spoild ones happy. Its a tough job [Smile]

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on December 25, 2003, 01:56 PM:

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Alan- I completely agree with you and I think it is important for us super 8 collectors to voice matters of concern in the appropriate manner, which you have done.

In reference to Joe's comment, I agree that retailers are generally concerned with making a sale (and shouldn't they be?), but I must also say that Steve Osborne and Phil Sheard are certainly much more than mere businessmen. I have met Steve personally and know him as a great super 8 hobbyist to the truest form, with a passion for the home movie business and one who is very considerate of his customers. I have not met Phil, but I think the simple fact that he is releasing excellent super 8 material in a market that is VERY DIFFICULT to turn a profit, speaks for itself.

Guys, I know it is frustrating with all of the conflicting information about releases and the waiting....and waiting...and waiting sometimes for stuff we order, but this has actually been a part of the super 8 hobby since the 70's and probably before that (unless you wanted a 200 foot Star Wars digest, which was available in practicaly every store back then [Wink]

. I'm not saying that there isn't room for improvement, but I have been seeing improvements in the super 8 business for the last several years.

This is an excellent forum where we can voice our opinion and as long as we do, I think the hobby will continue to improve.

Nick.

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2