Hello all, I've heard a couple of rumours regarding the release of the video and was wondering if those who are "in the know" would be able to shed some light on these.

1) When the video is released it will be sold for $100.00 or more

2) Paramount may not even release it on video for another 8 years, instead opting to re-release on the big screen during that time.

Anyone know if there's any truth to any of this?

-- Mike (foo@bar.com), June 08, 1998

Answers

As of Thursday, June 11th:

1) The *minimum* retail price set by Paramount is $19.95 {-e-}

1.a) www.reel.com is now pre-selling for an astounding $9.99.

2) Paramount is definitely releasing the home video (on VHS) on September 1st, 1998, in the USA (and presumably Canada, as well).

2.a) I have yet to see any news on a DVD version; perhaps for the follow-up 'Special Edition' early next year?

-- Thomas M. Terashima (tom@nucleus.com), June 11, 1998.

I believe both options would be really stupid. First, they already made more money they could swallow and the ones buying the tapes will most likely be repeated viewers who paid large chunks of money from their pockets to see this film again and again. It would not be fair to charge (another) 100 bucks! Second, people want to view a director's cut and watch the scenes that did not made into the movie. They deserve to see these cut parts. But not in 8 years, that would be stupid. This would only encourage piracy. Should we go to China to buy the tapes? Some older people won't even have enough days on Earth to wait for the tapes...

-- Dan Draghici (ddraghic@sprint.ca), June 08, 1998.

http://www.mrshowbiz.com/news/todays_stories/980608/titanic060898.html

-- Sally (sally@aol.com), June 08, 1998.

I have to say I agree with Dan. They've already made a small fortune out of the movie, so why charge $100 to it's loyal fans? And I really hope that they do release it on video, I for one know that I can't wait for another 8 years! It'll be hard enough waiting until Christmas (rumoured release date).

-- Emma (foo@bar.com.au), June 08, 1998.

What a crazy idea! 8 years?!! No, the date is September 1, 1998. It will be on two tapes, minimum price is 19.99 each.

-- Rose (rose364@earthlink.net), June 08, 1998.

Emma....a SMALL fortune??? LOL I have heard the release date is september.....I wish they'd just come out and tell us so we can stop guessing!!

-- Miranda Swearingen (Kylen1@hotmail.com), June 08, 1998.

I just checked out Sally's link to Mr. Showbiz....It's good and according to that site Titanic will be out September First. Anyone working at a place that sells movies should run and hide cause you will be selling copies, many copies...many many copies.....more copies than your store will have probably and then you'll get to deal with all the nice people who will think it's your fault that they didn't get there before you sold the last copy and you'll just have to smile even though you feel like ringing their little necks.....LOL Anyone else work retail???

-- Miranda Swearingen (Kylen1@hotmail.com), June 08, 1998.

James Cameron was in Niagara Falls, Canada (his hometown) this past week-end for the first Niagara Film Festival and on the news here in Toronto, they said that he will announce the home video release date to be September 1st. That's what I heard...

-- Courtney (greenlane@sprint.ca), June 09, 1998.

Thanks Miranda, I was wondering when someone would comment on my "small fortune" comment, the money made out of Titanic is anything but small, just like the ship itself. :-)

-- Emma (foo@bar.com.au), June 09, 1998.