Fluch der Karibik 1-4 (BR) C.E. 8-Disc Pirates of the Caribbean Collectors Ed. Min: 597DD5.1WS [Import germany]

very enjoyable films

i thought it was like the American version, but it s ok.

I'm going to ramble a bit about my opinion on Blu-Ray vs. DVD. If you don't like it, skip to the next paragraph.I am a DVD purist all the way from the 5'7'' top of my head to my toes, balls to bones. This may be most evident in that my dad has a Blu-Ray player why I certainly don't. I have taken a stance, the reason for this being that I don't like the method they use to phase out DVDs, like releasing Blu-Ray exclusives that are no more exclusive, than the producers of the discs choose them to be. Even the in-movie-experience-mode-thing that many Blu-Rays boast, have been seen on DVDs and there is no reason why they can't be there.Blu-Ray has the better picture and sound, there is no denying it, but DVD has many of its otherwise boasted features from boot.Now, on to the review. As DVDs go, this set is the best there is. Even with 15 disc Blu-Ray release out there (including one DVD of "On Stranger Tides" and a digital copy of each movie, bringing the total of actual features down to 10 discs) this set is pure brilliance. It is the movies 1-3 in their originally released 2-Disc Special Edition plus the fourth movie "On Stranger Tides" in a two disc edition, the second disc being exclusive to this release (or at least other very limited releases). The first three movies are brilliant in these releases, even without the third lost disc of the first movie, or the best-buy exclusive third disc for the second movie, or without the third disc for the third movie released seperately in the U.S., these six discs contain almost all you'll ever want from a PoTC release.The fourth movies extras as normally released are limited to a couple Lego Pirates of the Caribbean shorts and a "Bloopers of the Caribbean" reel. The exclusive bonus disc adds another twenty or so minutes to the whole. This might not seem like much, but it is almost the entire stack found on the second disc of the Blu-Ray release, and it does include a look at the mermaid workshop, that for a five minute featurette is quite detailed. No fan will want to miss out on this on pupose.A nice bonus is that all five featurettes on this disc are in 5.1 surround (none of the other movies extras are in that format).Looking at picture and sound, the only movie falling short of DVD perfection is "The Curse of the Black Pearl" and it certainly doesn't miss a chance at reproducing the beautiful seas and sets of that movie, but only falters in few occurrences of pixelation and strobing, but it's not at all bad and completely forgivable for a movie reached just before the peak of DVD.The audio on the other hand is another matter. There is an important note to make in that these releases are the German releases, and as such the DTS soundtrack that appears on "The Curse of the Black Pearl" and "Dead Man's Chest" are in German. However each movie contains a more than adequate English 5.1 Dolby Digital sountrack.This, however, would be the only negative thing about this release, as everything else is really top notch.The packaging manages to be both superb, yet practical and simple at the same time. Each movie is packaged in its own case, with the first three movies being packaged as two disc sets, and the fourth movie being packaged alone, with the exclusive bonus disc in an ultra-slim keepcase, with it's own artwork (a duplicate of the "On Stranger Tides" cover). The four movies are packaged in eco-friendly, plastic-saving packaging, making each set approximately the weight of a single-disc DVD without really compromising the quality of the sets (The plastic is thinner, but also more durable and flexible, thus you might have an easier time breaking these by bending them over your knee than normal DVDs, but I suppose it could withstand more drops from the eigth floor). The collecting (and also very collectible) packaging is a solid cardboard box opening, opening from the front, like a two-piece lunchbox. Each movie inside is not sealed, so the only seal is around the outer packaging, thus being even more eco-friendly. The movies are easily removed by a (silk/ nylon) strap strapped to the bottom of the set lifting each of the DVDs from out of finger-reach to an easily removable position. The artwork, matching the "At Stranger Tides" silver skull artwork is quite appropriately glossy, along with the Disney logo. The chains also adorning the cover is slightly glossy too, and wraps around every corner continuously.Honestly I was stunned, first by the quality and neat, yet beautiful packaging, then by how easily and perfectly simply the discs are stored inside (fearing something as dangerous as the sleeves in the 15 disc Blu-Ray release.Missing from this set are only a few things released in big collector's sets, never the less, this is the most complete set of Pirates of the Caribbean released on DVD to date, and the best way to get you up to speed by far, if you have not had the pleasure of owning the franchise on a home media yet.Should you be in the comfortable position I am in, owning the first three movies in 2-disc versions on DVD already, you could also check out the 5-disc set also from Germany, containing PotC 1-3 in single disc versions and the exclusive "On Stranger Tides" disc. Should you however go by this route, know that there is only 1 Euro difference between the two sets, leading to me choosing this edition. Also, this set IS cheaper if bougth from the German Amazon site.