Anyone have any advanced word on this release? It's from Johnny Legend's DVD label, and, according to the web site, will be struck from a "brand new pristine transfer." I'm not familiar with any of Legend House's other DVDs, so I'm just wondering how much of an official Region 1 release this would be.

http://www.legendhouse.net/barninfo.html

I have the okay German X-Rated Kult release of BARN, but am curious if this new DVD will be any kind of an upgrade.

I've also read that there are several different cuts of BARN. I don't know how uncut or complete the X-Rated disc is, but I find it quite a trippy little flick.

I believe the X-Rated Kult version is the longest version released to date. And I heard that Code Red is working on an authorized release. You and I are in the same boat (have the X-Rated, looking for an upgrade.) I plan on waiting for a while. Code Red hasn't managed to crap out much so far despite an amazing acquisitions list, but hopefully a change in distributor is about to fix that.

The artwork at the link has a Ryko Distribution logo on the back. Is that any indication of its legitimacy?

Well some reviews are out for this, one at DVD Drive In and another at DVD Maniacs. Neither mentions that Legend House has no rights for this title and that Code Red does, which really helps no one ( 'cept maybe LH ). A Legend rep posts at Maniacs, and has flat out side stepped and avoided answering a simple querry on how they are legally the worldwide distributor for this title ( their terminology).
It does seem to be sourced from tape, and from what I have seen the X Rated disc has the clear edge in image. It is not known yet if the LH release contains all the footage found in the X Rated release either.
I find Johnny Legend's business saavy ( or lack there of ) to be most disheartening and my 2 cents says steer clear of this shameless bootleg adorned with Johnny's likeness on the front and valuable info ( like how he went to the premiere in 1973 ) on the back.
It also pains me that they have two interesting Euro Cult titles paired for a March double bill release. Haven't we had enough shady releases masquerading as legit DVD's? ( I know they aren't going away anytime soon, if ever, but one can always hope )

* edit *
DVD Drive In has ammended their review with the following, which makes me want to stand up and applaud!
Code Red is working on their own version of this film on DVD, with an anamorphic transfer from the original negative with superior picture and sound and improved (different) extras. Fans of the film might want to hold off buying this version in favor of Code Red's forthcoming release, which promises to be definitive.

If Code Red ever puts it out. They've announced a couple dozen titles for release, but who knows when/if any of them will ever come out. Believe me, I hope they do--where else am I ever going to see THE FARMER or SWEET SIXTEEN or FORCED ENTRY? But they haven't released anything in what seems like ages, and the last time I checked the Code Red Web site, no release dates were listed.

(As an aside, I'm not advocating supporting the Legend House release, if it is actually unauthorized).

I had little interest in BARN OF THE NAKED DEAD until reading Stephen Thrower's long chapter about it in NIGHTMARE U.S.A. Now, yeah, I need to see it (and a few others I read about).

Until companies start issuing all their legal documents and deeds of ownership as part of the press packets, I really wish DVD reviewers would stay out of the business and just comment on the quality of the discs. If the DVD looks like a dog's ass, just say so and move on. DVD Maniacs actually took the high road for once and let the thugs from another board get on and make asses out of themselves over someone else's legal hassles.

I believe their previous distributor ( Media Blasters ) is gone and they are now being handled by BCI ( who have done great things with the Deimos line of Spanish Horror, geting them onto shelves in Best Buy ). There is a possibilty of a Best Buy deal for Code Red too, if my memory is fuinctioning properly.
This should really help them get rolling in 2008. The Code Red blog is getting regular updates and is worth a peek.

http://codereddvdblog.blogspot.com/

I am still reeling from reading about the 108 min print of THE VISITOR screened by Code Red in LA recently.

Code Red changed distributors. That's why there haven't been any new releases for a while. You know, sometimes business takes time. Wrapping up an old contract and signing up with a new distributor doesn't happen overnight. I think it was pretty clear to anyone interested that Code Red was going through all of that last year. It was no secret. They've updated their blog continually and now have concrete streetdates on some of their first titles. Patience is a virtue.

As far as reviews never mentioning anything about a DVD's legitimacy or legal issues, that's a crock. We're not even supposed to discuss bootlegs here, but reviews everywhere else should just skirt over that issue? If an unauthorized release looks like crap - I want to know it looks like crap, but I want to know even more if it's an unauthorized bootleg off an old tape. I despise bootleggers and want to know in advance so I don't line any of their pockets with my money. I've been competing with bootleggers for years on ebay, Amazon, and elsewhere. I'm legit, they steal. And they probably make more money. This Legend disc is not only unauthorized and apparently looks like crap, but it also may damage the chances of Code Red even bothering with their release. That is why it is important to get the word out there that Code Red is the official rights holder of the film, and to alert fans so that they don't buy this rip-off Legend disc now, but instead wait for the legit Code Red one instead. Once again, patience is a virtue.

George Reis at DVD Drive-In did a nice job of mentioning the upcoming Code Red disc without getting into the stupid backstage soap opera of who owns what. I wish more reviewers would follow his lead.

I think Patrick's point (jump in to correct me if I'm wrong) is that DVD reviewers really don't know who the legal rights holders are. In this thread, I'm reading that Code Red owns the rights and Legend House doesn't, but unless someone here has inside information the rest of us aren't privy to, none of us actually knows for certain whether this is true. Maybe the Legend DVD looks like crap (if it does) just because it looks like crap, not because it's a quickie bootleg. It might be, but I don't know that, and I think Patrick's point is neither do the reviewers.

I'm not defending Legend House (or Code Red), just stating that I don't have enough information to declare which (if either) is a bootlegger. Jeff, you say the Legend disc is unauthorized. Not to put you on the spot--and certainly not to criticize you--but do you know for sure if it is?

Yes, I know for a fact that the Legend disc is a bootleg and unauthorized. Code Red owns the rights. I have done some work with the Code Red people as I've known them for years and knew about their acquisition of this title long before Legend announced his release. I am not at liberty to discuss anything that's gone on behind the scenes as I am no one's spokesperson, but it is a fact that Code Red has the legit rights to the film and the Legend disc is a bootleg.

In any event, I do understand that reviewers may not know legal or rights issues going on behind the scenes and therefore such information shouldn't be included in a review. This was just a case where the Legend House spokesperson's obvious and clumsy evasion of a direct question opened up a whole can of worms. I haven't looked back at that thread, but I think she said something like "We couldn't find anyone who owns the film so basically it was up for grabs." I don't think she said it as blatatly as I just quoted, but it sure raised some huge red flags for anyone reading such nonsense.

If anyone hasn't seen it, their blog has been updated today and mentions you can pre-order SOLE SURVIVOR (4/1) and BOARDING HOUSE (4/29) at Amazon.

This is the Nov. 29, 07 Code Red blog that announced their TERROR CIRCUS and provides a couple of details. It's too bad Andrew Prine declined to participate in the CR release!

http://codereddvdblog.blogspot.com/2007/11...-circus_29.html

And this is info CR provided over at Latarnia:
This is what the rights owner of TERROR CIRCUS (BARN OF THE NAKED DEAD) has for the film:
original camera negatives
original optical negatives
CRI
original trailer
alternate title card

In a nutshell, yes, that was my point -- you cut your way through the irritation very nicely, Mr. Mckee. Thanks!

I agree, a reviewer should review the disc and be done with it. Certainly mention if it's simply a copy of a tape. If they want to add something like "look for such and such a disc that may be an improvement," put that on your forum in a post about the review or the film itself.

That said, having been on the recieving end multible times with "grey market" releases of titles popping up that I've tried to get a company to release legit, it bothers me to no end when folks comment: it's okay, I'll buy this version and if a legit DVD out, I'll get that one too. We are not living in the 80s and 90s anymore and fans of genre films need to get out of that mentality. It's not like when fans of euro films were buying boots at a stall in some fleamarket for $10 each. Hell, it's not even like it was just a few years ago and everything on DVD was getting on the shelves. If anyone's been to Best Buy lately, you know what I mean.

The question is not what you've bought in the past, and it's not what you horde in your basement, it's what's making it in stores and online. I've got tons of old tapes, dvd-rs too, they had there place and still do in some cases. But I haven't bought a release I knew was a "grey market" release being sold in the legit marketplace in years and don't plan to. Another release of the same title competing in the same market place DOES make an impact on if a legit release ever comes out. Once a PD, grey market, etc release of a film comes out in retail stores (if it makes it there at all) and takes up the sales space, that's often it. Depending on how much a niche title it is and the amount of effort and money involved for the legit company trying to release it. Once a buyer for a store has something in their database as already on hand or ordered from a certain company, it's nearly impossible to get them to do a re-order for the same title for a couple of years unless you're talking about a major studio film that's getting a new double disc rerelease, uncut, etc.

The store often will not order another version of the same title unless it's:
A. A cheaper version of the title in question.
B. A different title the store doesn't realize is the same title AKA a re-title.
C. A title that sold better than what they're expecting.
D.A title bought in a batch that usually is meant to be just marked down and sold off.

The problem is, A and C are usually out the window because it's a niche title, and a legit release is ALWAYS going to be more expensive than something someone put together at home and sent off to be printed on DVD. Let alone the fact another disc is out and taking up first time buyers who may or may not buy the film again. All these factors make it less likely a small company will take the time with the release. And certainly less likely the company will make money on the project, meaning you see the film you want, but not the dozen or so other titles the company want to put out. So, the legit company folds up its plans and moves on. You might see a good release of the film you like in a couple of years, or you may not. But as a fan of film, I can never understand supporting a substandard release and the company that releases it when there's a question it may not be legit, when at the very least it's taking money out of the pockets of the rightful owner or distributor of a film you say you're a fan of.

A local store that usually carries the Legend House titles didn't have any copies of BARN OF THE NAKED DEAD for sale. I didn't ask about it, because I had no idea that the Legend release of BARN was controversial at all. Having read this forum, I'll avoid purchasing it if I see it, and just hope that the Code Red version will reach the marketplace.

I do think that other Legend House releases have been legit, such as the Stephen Apostolof stuff. Most of their releases are the same materials that Johnny has owned forever. Much of it came out on Rhino Video in the 1980s.

One title that was a problem was ON HER BED OF ROSES, which Johnny owned on 35mm. It briefly surfaced on Something Weird Video VHS, but I believe that it was eventually pulled from release.

I don't see any mention of the Code Red version at DVD Drive-In, just a shorter review of the Legend House version of BARN OF THE NAKED DEAD. It appears that their original review has been shortened.

I just checked DVD Drive In and it is there, the last paragraph of the review mentions the Code Red edition.

There's still no mention of Code Red, at least on my computer. The last paragraph is about actress Jennifer Ashley. Below that, only the word "Legend" appears. Am I seeing a different version of the DVD Drive-In page?

Yes, something is wonky with your display. Legend is the first word in the next paragraph, which covers the A/ V review. Then another graph covers the extras, and then the final one brings up Code Red and then you have Geroge's name at the bottom.

What you describe doesn't appear on my computer. I will need to access the site another way, I guess.