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Yes, there is a difference between the two releases.
First, you need to scroll back to about 1992, when Speed Racer Enterprises (SRE) was first formed by Jim & John Rocknowski (a father & son entrepreneurial team), proferring the licening rights to this Japanese cartoon classic. In more recent years, FHE was bought out by Artisan, and their licensed marketing rights were passed along in that corporate sale.)
Shortly after it's initial creation, SRE entered into a mass marketing licensing agreement with Family Home Entertainment (FHE) specifically with respect to releasing Speed Racer episodes to the home video market. During the early 1990s, FHE did release some episodes onto VHS, although not all of the 52 episodes were available at that time.
Fast forward to about 1999, and enter SRE's interest into releasing all 52 episodes into one comprehensive VHS library for the very first time. However. . .the nature of their licensing agreement with FHE prevented them from any immediate ability to do so, believe it or not. I do not know the specifics of this licensing agreement or why SRE was expressly prohibited from doing whatever they wanted in terms of video release where their own property was concerned. However, to quote Joe Castille, CEO of SpeedRacer.com. . .
"We fought and kicked and screamed to get internal permission to do 1,000 sets. We had to make it 'promotional'."
Make of that what you will, but it was only under these circumstances that SRE was able to provide their numbered, limited edition 52-episode VHS release in the spring of 2001 which ran about $150. Eventually, they were able to secure similar permission to produce a numbered, limited edition 52-episode DVD library which was priced around $250. The special features offered on these sets are distinct from those offered by Artisan, including things like an interview with Peter Fernandez, who effectively brought Speed Racer to the USA and served as the American voice of Speed himself.
Since that time, SRE has gone on to sell a few "archived" versions of these "limited edition" VHS and DVD sets, some for upwards of $400.
This weekend's recent offer for a small quantity of the 52-episode DVD library priced at $289 has been a real eye-opener for fans. More on why in just a bit. . .
Meanwhile, Artisan has recently exercised the licensing rights they've obtained when they purchased FHE in the form of this "first eleven episodes" DVD release. As for whether or not they'll be releasing any more remains anybody's guess. This is the most recent insight Joe Castille had to offer on the topic. (Do note that his commentary was offered in the greater context of fans complaining how much more they'd had to pay for SRE's "limited edition" 52-episode release.)
". . .this release was announced last summer for Christmas '02 distribution. They're just getting around to making it happen this April.
Second, as of this very moment -- February 11, 2003 -- we are not aware of any plans to do "the rest" of the series.
We are hoping that will be the case eventually, because it would be a very good thing -- but as of now, there is simply no news. If you know different -- please let us in on it.
That said, ANYTHING that makes Speed Racer more widely available is a good thing in our book."
Now. . .bear in mind that since the time of Joe's providing these comments, SRE has become engaged in several multi-million dollar lawsuits with the likes of media entity DIC, among others. Therefore, I believe this most recent offer for SRE's limited edition 52-episode library priced @ $289 which you've referenced, Iron-Cow, must be taken into it's proper context.
I do not know what kind of solicitation you received, but after months of non-communication from these SRE folks (another long, complicated story all it's own. . .), I was stunned to suddenly find I'd received this offer myself over the weekend (as I already own both the VHS & DVD libraries, as well as the Artisan DVD release). This offer was peppered with curious comments from Joe, including the following:
"It is my hope that the next year will see fans playing an even larger role in Speed Racer, including the possibility of assisting in a buy-out of Speed Racer Enterprises (you can email me for more information about that if you want to)."
And. . .
"The good news is that my partner Katy received an allotment of sets some time back in lieu of a paycheck (times have been tight). As a result, we are able to make available 23 sets under a special offer, and for a special price."
Once again, make of this what you will, but I think it speaks volumes.
As for any quality differences, I have heard some fans complain that the DVD set offered directly by SRE/SpeedRacer.com has not been of consistent quality. However, I've not really had any difficulty with my set, and I've not yet viewed my Artisan DVD, so I'm probably not the best resource there. And, of course, whether or not Artisan will continue to release any more episodes onto DVD remains to be seen. Without a doubt, their mass marketed offering would represent at a considerably lower price point, episode for episode, but the motivation and purpose behind their release vs. that of SRE is also distinct. And frankly. . .under the present circumstances, it almost appears as though these DVD sets offered by SRE could truly become a collectible in the sense that SRE appears poised for a major transformation, if not an end to their very existence.
At least that's my present spin on things. . . |
