From Russia with Love: Special Edition #131 (1963) [CC1266L]

NOTE: the original price listed for this set is wrong, when i would go to tower video back in the day
it was a 124.99 set, if it were that cheap my father would have bought this and not the connery box set.

review is just for the CAV from russia with love criterion release.
picture is nice, some scratches on the print and normal wear.

has cue dot reel changes. audio is nice with commentary on analog track.

one really odd feature that i have never seen on any LD before is:
at the side change from side 1 to side 2 There are around 40 seconds that are repeated on side 2
very strange to see this on a criterion or any LD release.

I am incredibly disappointed in these bond CAV releases.
if it wasn't for the commentary i don't think anybody would care for these releases.
with issues like the carryover of 40 seconds on this release.
commercial on side 2 of the CAV Dr No. and trailer on side 2 of the CAV goldfinger.

these issues just ruin the films and the continuity of them.
It’s harder to deal with such a short film run over 4 sides, but then to have strange
Additions stuck in the middle is really odd for criterion which I always thought to be
At a higher standard.

I wasn't sure about these Criterion Bond releases and gained some insight from your review. There was a "last batch" of Bond films released in '98 that were THX and AC-3. They didn't get to do them all. Only Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker were released this way. I have The Spy Who Loved Me (one of Moore's better ones) and the audio is nice. The pq is a bit too dark at times. I'd like to get around to doing some comparisons.

yes, i know the ones you are talking about.
didn't they release some of the older ones?? or was that just the special box sets for thunderball and goldfinger?

i only have the connery films and personally never cared for the moore films.
but if you can please post some pictures or a review.

Id really appreciate a review of TSWLM, as I've long wondered if it bettered the original 1991 letterbox release in picture of sound. That has been the biggest problem title overall for the series, as every transfer has been washed out and off looking, riddled with DNR until the new BD master which sadly lacks original audio and has timing that isn't fully accurate.

Note: The THX last wave releases managed to put out Doctor No, FRWL, Goldfinger, Thunderball, TSWLM and Moonraker. Goldfinger and Thunderball are merely CLV represses of their larger CAV boxset versions.

OK. You talked me into it. I am going to watch TSWLM one more time (THX version) and do a review of it. I haven't seen the 1991 LD though. Keep an eye out for the review.