Official Release.
I am in the UK and I have the version released in Australia. Its a PAL format movie, encoded for regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. There hasn't been an NTSC version yet. As the theatrical release of the film in the UK was practically none existent, I was desperate to see this much talked about doc. I managed to see the one with subtitles, but thats a shorter cut than the theatrical release. The DVD version is the Directors Cut 1 hour 53 minutes. The Swedish TV version was 1 hour 32 minutes.
It is an official release, produced by
Shock Records.
I ordered mine from an Australian DVD retailer. Was reasonably priced but took a while to arrive.
There are no subtitles on this release. Maybe the French one has optional subtitles, but couldn't be certain.
Both the Australian and French versions have been on e8ay. Often reaching crazy prices. People should try to think before they bid.
Back in October John Dullaghan told me that he was "currently working on distributing the film in Britain on DVD." That was the last I heard tho.
The Bukowski footage was good and the home movie in the extras is worth watching. Filmed in 1992, Hank reads a few poems in his home while Linda works the camcorder. The clips from old reading were great.
So I look forward to this '
Boxed Set' of live readings... Then again, will they actually appear? Anyone else think the Barbet Schroeder Bukowski Tapes deserve a proper DVD release? How about the whole of Taylor Hackfords 1970s doc? Or a compilation of all the TV interviews that Hank was subject to... Unlikely, I know. If I could quote JD again - Bukowski fans are in "nooks and crannies" which represents "a challenge to most distributors".
My breath is bated [sic].
'