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The Hobbit AUJ: worldwide Blu, DVD and Steelbook overview

TheHutt
Gondor


Feb 17 2013, 1:01pm


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The Hobbit AUJ: worldwide Blu, DVD and Steelbook overview Can't Post

In March and April 2013 the worldwide release of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" on discs will start. Aside from the standard DVD edition, the movie will be also available as a 2D and 3D BluRay version. As the worldwide distributor is Warner Bros., there will be no significant difference between the contents of the release (except for different language dubs and inclusion/exclusion of extra discs). Therefore, for collectors there is a wide field of choice: which version to pick according to motif and packaging type. Therefore I decided to make an overview for the most interesting collector's editions of the discs worldwide (as far as I could find them).

About disc regions: Warner releases its BluRays region-free, so you can play all their BluRay discs in any country; the DVDs, however, will be likely locked to their corresponding regions (1 for USA, 2 for Europe, 5 for Russia etc.).

USA




The US will get "The Hobbit" prior to all the other countries - on March 19th 2013. Three editions are listed so far: DVD, BluRay Combo Pack and 3D BluRay Combo Pack. The BluRay versions contain one disc more than all the foreign editions, because a DVD version of the film is included as well. There are no special packaging listed so far (except probably for slipcases); the 3D version will likely have a lenticular motif of Gandalf (known from Empire magazine). The cover art of the 2D BluRay seems to be unique to USA so far. The DVD discs will be probably locked to Region 1.UK



In Great Britain "The Hobbit" will be released a bit later: on April 8th 2013. Except for the standard 2D BluRay edition (2 discs), 3D BluRay edition (4 discs) and DVD (2 discs) there will be an Amazon-exclusive 2D Steelbook edition (see above). The steelbook motif is Bilbo with Gollum.
Also remarkable is the motif of the UK 3D BluRay version. It's different from all the other countries in the aspect that the cover will not have a lenticular Gandalf but a lenticular picture of Bilbo turning into Gollum depending on the viewer's perspective. Somehow it makes sense including a hobbit on a film cover for "The Hobbit".


GERMANY



Germany is "blessed" with a rather late release: April 19th 2013
, a whole month after the US. Nevertheless, the Germans have some nice exclusive packaging choices there. There will be actually two steelbook versions of the first film: the Amazon exclusive 2D steelbook (same motif as the UK one), as well as a MediaMarkt-exclusive 3D steelbook with a magnetic lenticular image of Gandalf. Also there will be a standard 2D BluRay, a 3D BluRay (also with Gandalf on it) and a DVD version. Note that the German non-collectible versions will have a non-removable green FSK 12 logo on the cover.

The MediaMarkt-exclusive 3D steelbook is only available for pre-order for pickup in a local MediaMarkt store. It will be probably available on eBay, however.

RUSSIA



In Russia "The Hobbit" is listed for April 11th 2013
in two BluRay versions: 3D BluRay and 3D BluRay. The 3D version will be in an additional cardboard slipcase.


Also, there will be exclusive versions in Kazakhstan: the 2D version will be in a lenticular slipcase; the 3D version will be in a steelbook. The Kazakhstan steelbooks are extremely rare: both versions will be limited to 100 pieces. There is no preorder for them yet.
FRANCE


If there is a country with a lot of choices in terms of packaging, then it's France. There, The Hobbit will be released on April 19th 2013 in a total number of four different BluRay steelbooks. There will be three 2D BluRay versions with different covers: Bilbo, Gandalf and Gollum. Also, the 3D Blu version will be in a lenticular steelbook, also featuring the Gandalf motif. However, there are no standard BluRay versions listed as of yet: as the steelbook versions are listed as limited, the normal versions will probably come when they are sold out.


ITALY


In Italy, "The Hobbit" will be released on April 9th 2013. There are no special packaging versions; however, Italian Amazon offers exclusive releases of the 2D and 3D BluRay including a "booklet". Judging by the Amazon pictures, this will be the book "The World of Hobbits" - however, probably, in Italian language. The 3D version shows Gandalf as in other countries; the 2d design is still TBA and likely to change. Also, the Italian 3D version seems to be cheaper than elsewhere.

CZECH REPUBLIC


Czech Republic lists a whole bunch of The Hobbit released, scheduled for April 19th 2013. However, their artworks are likely to be changed, as they are mostly self-made in Photoshop. There are two steelbooks involved: a 2D BluRay version as well as a 3D BluRay version.


Anything I missed out?

(This post was edited by TheHutt on Feb 17 2013, 1:03pm)

Subject User Time
The Hobbit AUJ: worldwide Blu, DVD and Steelbook overview TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 17 2013, 1:01pm
    Good post Shagrat Send a private message to Shagrat Feb 17 2013, 1:30pm
        Thanks! TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 17 2013, 1:40pm
    Norway CathrineB Send a private message to CathrineB Feb 17 2013, 2:22pm
        DVD cover... TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 17 2013, 2:32pm
        Platekompaniet also shows several Blu-ray covers Carne Send a private message to Carne Feb 17 2013, 3:21pm
    2D cover Glorfindela Send a private message to Glorfindela Feb 17 2013, 4:40pm
        In fact Glorfindela Send a private message to Glorfindela Feb 17 2013, 4:48pm
    Addition: Netherlands TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 17 2013, 5:39pm
    UK Content Turambar Send a private message to Turambar Feb 17 2013, 6:59pm
    Thanks for this - great to have it all in one place... Eleniel Send a private message to Eleniel Feb 17 2013, 7:52pm
        Indeed Elessar Send a private message to Elessar Feb 17 2013, 7:59pm
    Great compilation! Roheryn Send a private message to Roheryn Feb 17 2013, 8:02pm
    Nice overview-- well done. sauget.diblosio Send a private message to sauget.diblosio Feb 17 2013, 8:48pm
        German steelbook TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 17 2013, 10:31pm
    I really hope that there will be... Owain Send a private message to Owain Feb 18 2013, 1:49am
    no news on the EE MouthofSauron Send a private message to MouthofSauron Feb 18 2013, 3:42am
        It's coming Elessar Send a private message to Elessar Feb 18 2013, 4:04am
    Geeze, nice MrCere Send a private message to MrCere Feb 18 2013, 5:32am
        Front page TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 18 2013, 8:16am
    Correction for first UK link TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 18 2013, 8:19am
        New addition: Canada Walmart Exclusive Digibook Shagrat Send a private message to Shagrat Feb 19 2013, 7:27pm
            Really nice one! And uses the UK DVD artwork. TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 19 2013, 7:49pm
    Mexico... TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 22 2013, 10:51pm
    US Special Blu Releases TheHutt Send a private message to TheHutt Feb 28 2013, 6:18am
    Spain ElAnilloUnico Send a private message to ElAnilloUnico Mar 6 2013, 10:05am

 
 
 

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