# Best DVD Packaging **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 18, 2002, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283 "2002-04-18T07:57:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/1 "2002-04-18T07:57:14Z")
Kind of an odd question/poll here… I’ve noticed that while most DVD packaging are fairly straightforward (and sometimes hopelessly generic, like the DVD package for **The Shining** ), there are a few where the manufacturer went the extra mile to create a really nice looking package. I’m not talking about extras like deleted scenes or audio commentaries; I’m talking about the actual physical packaging. In my collection, the best DVD packages are: **The Godfather DVD Collection**. Very well done, high quality work. **Almost Famous: Bootleg Edition** **The Sixth Sense** …I’m referring to the two-disc set that was recently released, not the single-disc DVD package. **Citizen Kane** **Fight Club** **Gladiator** …I’ve always liked the cover design in particular. Some poor package designs: **Close Encounters of the Third Kind**. I’m a big fan of the movie, but the package design here is really…_odd_. Both **Austin Powers** DVDs. The covers are a visual mess. \*\* **Planet of the Apes** …the Charlton Heston version. I don’t actually own this DVD, but I’ve seen the cover art for it…and how dumb is it to [give the ending away on the cover](http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_2/planetoftheapes.htm) of the frickin’ DVD? Never mind that a lot of the people who are likely to see this DVD have probably already seen it or know of the ending…I just think it’s bad principle to spoil the ending on the DVD’s cover. I’ve noticed that I tend to like package designs that are understated, instead of the ones that are excessively splashy or overdone. This obviously doesn’t explain my liking **Fight Club** ’s packaging. 😉 Anyone else wanna chime in? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/2 "2002-04-18T12:17:22Z")
I prefer the boring, generic packaging, so long as it is an Amaray or Alpha keep case and not a snap case. All those wonderfully-designed nonstandard cases fit oddly on the shelf where I store my DVDs and those made entirely of cardboard will have very limited lifetimes given that the cardboard will ultimately fail from being repeatedly opened and closed along it’s hinges. For cases such as those, I buy replacement Amaray cases from [inetdvd](http://www.inetdvd.com/store/cases.asp) and store the fragile originals away for safekeeping. But to each his/her own. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/3 "2002-04-18T13:52:44Z")
I just got [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/dvd/B00005UO5M/pictures/qid=1019137546/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-6425997-4913424). You can’t get the hard shell case in Noth America. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/4 "2002-04-18T14:10:08Z")
The packaging for the _Evil Dead: Book of the Dead edition_ is quite a conversation starter. I think the packaging for the new SE of _The Usual Suspects_ is pretty snazzy. Even though it doesn’t fit neatly into a bookcase and the packaging is otherwise kinda flimsy, I like the little wooden box that _The Wicker Man LE_ came in. And _Brazil_’s Criterion packaging is still mighty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/5 "2002-04-18T14:32:00Z")
The best DVD package (inside _and_ outside) I’ve seen belongs to [Moulin Rouge](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005QZ7U/qid=1019140232/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_71_4/103-9300789-7133409). ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/6 "2002-04-18T14:32:17Z")
For artistic merit, I nominate the _Twin Peaks - The Complete First Season_ DVD. It actually makes a point with its somewhat elaborate packaging. Spooky. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/7 "2002-04-18T16:28:35Z")
Yeah I would second **Fight CLub**. Best packaging out of the 30 or so dvds I own. ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/8 "2002-04-18T16:35:12Z")
Boogie Nights and Se7en also ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/9 "2002-04-18T16:43:36Z")
Well, _Akira_ came in a nifty metal case. The special edition of _Total Recall_, comes in a metal case which is supposed to be Mars. It even includes the Cydonia ‘face’. The limited edition collector’s set of [_2001: A Space Odyssey_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005B8LW/qid=1019147958/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/102-9234184-7024108) comes in a nice box with a soundtrack CD and a frame of 70mm film from the movie. There are several other titles that are packaged this way. Add another vote for the Criterion version of _Brazil_. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/10 "2002-04-18T16:59:07Z")
Tombstone (the Vista collection) Nice Sepia tone, folds out nicely with decent pictures. I’m not too sure on the Godfather collection, I wished for something a little hardier. TWO Huge Thumbs up for Evil Dead! You can’t walk by it without touching it at least once. ---
**Author:** ![friggae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/45deac/32.png) [@friggae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friggae)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/11 "2002-04-18T17:26:09Z")
I thought the Basic Instinct DVD was pretty cool - It comes in a clear case that looks like a block of ice and comes with a ice pick shaped pen. How cool is that? ---
**Author:** ![pbrtallboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f475e1/32.png) [@pbrtallboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbrtallboy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/12 "2002-04-18T18:32:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*I just got [this](http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/dvd/B00005UO5M/pictures/qid=1019137546/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-6425997-4913424). You can’t get the hard shell case in Noth America. \*\* [hijack] How can you watch a dvd that’s been coded for Region 2? Are there players available now that can read discs from multiple regions? Is there a way around it? [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/13 "2002-04-18T18:41:30Z")
In short, **pbrtallboy** , yes, there are so-called “region-free” players out there. You might want to check out the message forums at [DVD Talk](http://www.dvdtalk.com) or [Home Theater Forum](http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum) for more info. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/14 "2002-04-18T18:47:24Z")
I like the **Ultimate Toy Box** packaging (it’s both **Toy Story** movies and an extras DVD) – three individual DVD cases, a silvery box to hold 'em, and a transparent slipcase to hold that. Really tickles me, for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/15 "2002-04-18T19:48:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pbrtallboy \* > \*\* > > [hijack] > > How can you watch a dvd that’s been coded for Region 2? Are there players available now that can read discs from multiple regions? Is there a way around it? > > [/hijack] \*\* Using the software that came with my DVD-ROM drive, I was able to change it to view R2 (or any region for that matter). ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/16 "2002-04-19T02:46:11Z")
Repo Man–it comes in a big tin and the front is a California license plate that says REPO MAN. Dogma Special Edition–the case is designed to look like a bible. The metal case that used to come with Terminator 2 Oh, and be careful with DVD-ROM drives–they can only be switched from region to region a limited number of times, then you’re stuck. My suggestion: if you are that into R2 DVDs, get a stand-alone and leave your DVD-ROM always on R2. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2002, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/17 "2002-04-19T12:35:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ElwoodCuse \* > **Oh, and be careful with DVD-ROM drives–they can only be switched from region to region a limited number of times, then you’re stuck.** Unless, of course (rubs chin, looks warily around the room), there’s a program that allows you to reset that feature. > [@](#): > > \*\*My suggestion: if you are that into R2 DVDs, get a stand-alone and leave your DVD-ROM always on R2. \*\* That’s what I’ve done. I’m looking into getting a new video card that has a video out feature so that I can watch DVDROMs on my TV. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2002, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/18 "2002-04-20T13:44:14Z")
Just got an e-mail from someone who was curious as to what a snap case is and why they’re bad. For more info on this, I would refer the curious reader to [this thread at Home Theater Forum](http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42729&highlight=snapper) for a discussion of snapper cases that is at least a little pro-and-con. Most discussion of them at that site tend to deteriorate into rants pretty quickly. 🙂 Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![BooBoo316](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@BooBoo316](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BooBoo316)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/19 "2002-04-21T01:18:13Z")
Gotta second (third?) the mention of _Evil Dead: Book of the Dead_. Love the ear on the back. Freaky texture also. ---
**Author:** ![Caesar\_s\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/73ab20/32.png) [@Caesar\_s\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caesar_s_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2002, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dvd-packaging/104283/20 "2002-04-21T06:38:03Z")
‘Moulin Rouge’. I like the cover art, the inside of the package and what’s on the DVD itself (check out all the easter eggs; there are dozens and they’re amazing ones). Also, ‘Evil Dead’ is pretty weird. Never seen the movie, but the DVD caught my eye immediately.