"Opera" Anchor Bay Entertainment (Limited Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Arrow Entertainment - Region 2

(aka "Terror at the Opera" )

directed by Dario Argento
Italy 1987

Poster

Theatrical Release: Italy 19 December 1987

DVD Comparison:

Anchor Bay Entertainment (Limited Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Arrow Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Eric Cotenas for all the Screen Caps!

(Anchor Bay Entertainment (Limited Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Arrow Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
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Distribution	Anchor Bay Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC	Arrow Entertainment Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:47:20	1:42:48 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	2.34:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.90 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	2.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.6 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Anchor Bay Entertainment (Limited Edition)
Bitrate: Arrow Entertainment
Audio	English (Dolby Surround 2.0); (Dolby Digital Surround EX 5.1); DTS	English (Dolby Digital 2.0); Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	None	English
Features	Release Information: Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.34:1 Edition Details: • Italian Theatrical Trailer • Orion US Theatrical Trailer (not released) • Music Video • Dario Argento Bio • Claudio Simonetti CD Soundtrack DVD Release Date: October 8, 2002 Amaray Chapters 27	Release Information: Studio: Arrow Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.33:1 Edition Details: • Dario Argento Biography and Filmography • Still Gallery DVD Release Date: March 24, 2003 Amaray Chapters 24

Comments

The film was shot in Super 35mm hardmatted at 1.85:1 with the intention of 2.35:1 theatrical screenings. Both discs are letterboxed at 2.35:1 while the Italian DVD from Cecchi Gori is letterboxed at 1.85:1 and reveals information meant to be matted over. It is said that Argento himself has screened the film at 2.35:1 at festivals.

Of the two discs, Anchor Bay contains the most realistic image with the Arrow disc being a tad too warm though not unpleasant. The English track contained on the Arrow disc is the first version which was reportedly laughed off the screen. The Anchor Bay disc contains a revised dub track which replaces the original English dubbing of actor Urbano Barberini. The other voices on the track appear to be the same. The Arrow disc also features the Italian track with English subtitles. The Italian disc does not feature English subtitles. The music sounds a bit low on both discs though this may have been intentional despite the use of heavy metal music on the soundtrack along with the opera.

For Argento fams, I would recommend both discs.

- Eric Cotenas

DVD Menus

(Anchor Bay Entertainment (Limited Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Arrow Entertainment - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)