Double Dipping For Gilliam: Which Is Best? The UK Or US Tideland DVDs?

The UK and US releases of Tideland on DVD will both be extras-heavy 2 Disc affairs, but they won't match up. What's the difference? And which to buy?

Well, the US set comes with the film, 2.35:1 and anamorphically encoded with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. There's an intro, interview and commentary from Gilliam, plus a brief making-of featurette and Vincenzo Natali's documentary Getting Gilliam. This itself comes with a commentary by both Gilliam and Natali.

As for the UK set - again, 2.35:1 anamorphic, Dolby Digital 5.1, the intro, interview and making-of featurette. The commentary track here, however, is confirmed to feature both Gilliam and co-writer Tony Grisoni. Once again, Getting Gilliam is on the list - sadly without a commentary this time. On the other hand, however, there's another interview included, with Gilliam and Mitch Cullin at the Guardian Literary Festival.

Which is best? Chances are, the UK will have the better transfer - PAL trumping NTSC - though I can't confirm this yet. I predict the Gilliam commentary to be excellent, though the Gilliam and Grisoni one will probably just have the edge. So sad that only one option offers a Getting Gilliam commentary... and again, only one offers the well-worthwhile Lit Fest interview.

There's only one thing for it. You'll need to buy both - starting, I think with the UK one which just wins... by a cute little button nose.

Should you wish to win a copy, instead of shelling out at all, then watch this space. Coming soon is The Great Tideland Giveaway in which I'll have five copies of the UK double disc set up for grabs, courtesy of Revolver Entertainment. Sign up to the daily e-mail update to be sure you won't miss out.