Criterion Bootlegs...let's amass our knowledge...

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Well at one time I was in the same place at you but later on I just decided not buy the movie at all,because I though couldnt handle all the **** in it.

Anyway from what I read criterion has a ****ty release of Salo.The picture is off and its even missing a scene(which is only a few seconds)get more info here http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare/salo.htm

I hoped this helped, if not Im sorry for wasting your time.

When I worked at the video store we had numerous dealings with shady bootleggers. The owner was great at taking advice about potential purchases from knowledgeable employees and through the staff had amassed an almost complete CC catalog. We acquired Salo, for example, from Kino video a good and reputable DVD retailer and wholesaler. As he was ordering it, it went out of print.

That single copy is the prised possession of the store. We were one of the few brave enough to carry it and actually rent it.

Basically if you are looking for certain CC OOP DVD releases (geez thats a lot of acronyms) you will be paying through the nose for them, if they are cheap then caveat emptor, they are definitely boots. Especially Salo, I have seen copies go for just under a grand and they were through legit sellers.

Last I checked Silence Of the Lambs was about the cheapest OOP CC edition to be sold regularly, Robocop was a close second. I actually own both and save a major financial disaster, will hold on to them.

As to the quality of Salo, I can say this. The print they used was the best possible one available. I don't remember if there was damage to the original negs or if there was some intentional damage done to them, either could be possible. But the print itself is not up to the standards of CC but it is one of the best and possibly ONLY ones available.

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"You have to believe in God before you can say there are things that man was not meant to know. I don't think there's anything man wasn't meant to know. There are just some stupid things that people shouldn't do." -David Cronenberg

thanks guys for contributing to the thread...but my question still stands...how can we authenticate them???

(I only mentioned Salo because it the only OOP CC DVD that I could find a detailed description on how to authenticate an original one)

Maybe the spine number? I dont really know.

Look for evidence of high quality photocopying, paper weight and such. I know this is impossible when making ebay purchases, but it really is one of the only ways to do it. Until they start placing Microsoft style reflective stickers on them. There is really no way to tell unless you can actually hold it, touch it and see it.

Not having Criterion over here i know them only by name really but i did get Seven Samurai on Criterion and was quite suprised at how shoddy the DVD package seemed. I think that a way to check any DVD for authentication is the centre ring of the disc (as in just outside the hole, should be see through). Something about that i think anyway.

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JBriscoe...please tell me you didnt buy Salo on ebay cause I just read that it will be released by Criterion in 2007 and it will be in HD.

nope, never bought it...I argued over whether or not I should buy a bootleg copy...but never was close to actually doing it...

...and yep, youre right...I read on Criterion's website that they recently re-acquired their rights to distribute Salo (and also that it will be an HD version)

...I can only imagine how much HD Criterion's will cost $$$$$$$$$$...I have a feeling they will eventually re-vamp and re-issue their reg. DVD version, so I will probably hold out until then

Im wondering what kind of cover it will be?