BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?

Subject: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 11:40 AM

hi..

anyone know if there is a website that gives advance notification
of the titles and publication dates
of free DVDs given away in UK newspapers ?

most weekend, and now a few weekday, papers are including
such enjoyable little 'freebies'

but it would be handy to know in advance what may require
an 'earlierbird' trip to the local newsagents on some mornings
to avoid disapointment of being sold out.

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 12:39 PM

oh they got tons left. most of the sods make you take a voucher to whsmiths.

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 03:13 PM

I rather doubt if there is any such website - if it was I think it would be flagged up on this forum I came across where they appear to be veryb interested in such matters.

Maybe someone could pop across there and ask the question though. It'd be a useful resource to have.

Most of the better films seem to be supplied directly rather than via vouchers. I think there is a suggestion that vouchers, or keeping the DVDs behind the counter rather than tucked in the paper, may start to catch on more, as a way of avoiding legal restrictions on supplying films with PG or above classifications to under age children.

If they've sold out of the paper, and there's a film you know was included, it's worth asking the papershop if they've got any of the DVDs left - I was lucky that way a couple of weeks ago when I forgot to buy the paper on the day. The papers had been sent back for sale or return pulping, but he still had a DVD he let me have for free.

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Mar 06 - 05:57 PM

And here is another online forum where there appears to be an ongoing thread with people alerting each other to these DVDs, Anchor Bay

One thing that strikes me looking at both those forums is how clunky and narrow they appear, compared to the Mudcat. Which has invariably been how other online forums seem to me. As the old Great War cartoon put it it "If you knows of a better 'ole, go to it" - and I've never found a better 'ole so far.

Best quality DVDs, both for selection of film and technically, seem to be the Independent, the Guardian and the Telegraph. Which is as well, since they are the papers most likely to have something worth reading.

I don't imagine this free DVD thing is likely to continue all that much longer, so it's as well to take advantage of it to build up a collection.

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 09:42 AM

cheers..


just the kind of links i've been looking for..

a good serious higher level of movie/distribution info & criticism..

exellent !


[actually, i've been to roobarb before..
i must have found my way there researching a long lost uk tv show..
but long enough ago to lose the link and totally forget all about it..
so thanks again..]

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 12:35 PM

Having seen this thread I popped over to E-Bay quickly. Checking on "The Go Between" "The Eagle Has Landed" & "Ashanti", all of which I have noticed in recent papers, I see them all available at very reasonable rates.
It seems no-one is making a fortune from re-cycling these freebies, but they can be had.

CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 04:25 PM

It's a hook to try and get you to subscribe to the paper, rather than buying them occasionally.... you wait... soon it will be 'subscription only'.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: number 6
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 04:32 PM

Curious ... you guys are saying British newspaper give out free movie DVD's?

Nigel ... you say the "Go Between" was one of them ... interesting as I've been trying to buy a copy for some time now.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Free DVDs given by UK newspapers ?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Mar 06 - 04:53 PM

Of course it's an attempt to make you buy the paper. But if the DVD's worth the price of the paper, the paper goes in the bin unless it looks worth reading. Sometimes there is such a thing as a free lunch.


The other thing that is worth doing is checking in the charity shops, because these DVDs often turn up in with the compilation CDs also given out by papers, so you can buy them for 20p or so.

Here's a selection of giveaway DVDs I've picked up over the past few months:

Pelle the Conqueror
Orland
The Return of Martin Guierre
Let Him Have It
The Sky is Falling
Clockwise
How to Get a Head in Advertising
The Go-Between
The Wicker Man
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (The Peter Sellers/Spike Milliogan/Dudley Moore version)
The Madness of King George
Bagdad Cafe
Whuistle Down the Wind
East is East
Brassed Off
Prizzi's Honour
A Handful of Dust
The Millionairess
The Last Emperor
My Life as a Dog
Rebecca
Educating Rita
The Official Story
The Big Sleep
Donnie Darko
Dune
On Golden Pond
A Taste of Honey
Moby Dick
Strictly Ballroom.