Multi Retailer Dr. No - 60th Anniversary (Blu-ray Special Edition Steelbook) [UK]

Boilersteel · September 29, 2022

4 minutes ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

I'm curious to hear from you Bond collectors. What editions do you think are the best out there? I have all the original DVDs from waaaayyyyy back in three boxes. But I haven't kept track of any special editions that have come out in the last 15 years. Is this release as good as it gets for Bond?

You have come to the right place. I have almost all the Bond steelbooks, and posted them all in another thread. Let me grab those pictures and let you see some of the wonderful releases out there. Unfortunately, some of them are duds.

Boilersteel · September 29, 2022

Actually probably won't be able to post until after work, but then will show you the vast array. If you are a Bond fan consider joining @R1s1ngs0n club for Bond fans "Shaken, Not Stirred", if you haven't already.

Fortis93 · September 29, 2022

15 minutes ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

I'm curious to hear from you Bond collectors. What editions do you think are the best out there? I have all the original DVDs from waaaayyyyy back in three boxes. But I haven't kept track of any special editions that have come out in the last 15 years. Is this release as good as it gets for Bond?

I'm not saying this because he's here, but I think @R1s1ngs0n's custom-made steelbooks are the best that I've seen for this franchise.

R1s1ngs0n · September 29, 2022

4 hours ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

I'm curious to hear from you Bond collectors. What editions do you think are the best out there? I have all the original DVDs from waaaayyyyy back in three boxes. But I haven't kept track of any special editions that have come out in the last 15 years. Is this release as good as it gets for Bond?

If you’re only referring to artwork then the special edition dvds are easily the best looking packages. Even the dvds’ menus are my favorites.

But the image quality is nowhere near the blu-rays, so in that department they lag behind.

Fortis93 · September 29, 2022

4 hours ago, R1s1ngs0n said:

If you’re only referring to artwork then the special edition dvds are easily the best looking packages. Even the dvds’ menus are my favorites.

But the image quality is nowhere near the blu-rays, so in that department they lag behind.

The DVD-era far outshined everything else when it came to interactive menus and bonus features.

Boilersteel · September 30, 2022

22 hours ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

I'm curious to hear from you Bond collectors. What editions do you think are the best out there? I have all the original DVDs from waaaayyyyy back in three boxes. But I haven't kept track of any special editions that have come out in the last 15 years. Is this release as good as it gets for Bond?

Here are nearly all the official Bond steelbooks released (other than the new ones just released and some unusual dvd steelbooks from overseas in a different language that I have seen before):

1st and 2nd picture

-Top row: 2008-2009 Best Buy Bluray steelbooks

-2nd row: 2015 Best Buy bluray themed steelbooks

-3rd: 2015 Goldfinger European steelbook, 2021 Goldfinger Zavvi steelbook, 2012 Goldeneye Play.com steelbook, 2010 Casino Royale German steelbook, 2013 Skyfall UK steelbook, 2016 Blufans spectre lenticular, 2016 Kimchidvd Spectre full slip, 2022 No Time to Die Taiwan full slip and steelbook next to it

-4th row: 2020 UK and Best Buy 4K Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre steelbooks (Best Buy are full gloss, UK matte)

3rd and 4th picture

Top row: 2021 No Time to Die Walmart special edition amaray with box and Safin mask keychain, No Time to Die other Taiwan full slip with steelbook below it, Titans of Cult Casino Royale with steelbook below it, 2015 Best Buy The Daniel Craig collection steelbook

2nd row: 2021 No Time to Die Target special edition fullslip amaray, rest in that and next row are parts of the printing ones listed

My favorites are the Play.com Goldeneye steelbook, the Blufans Spectre lenticular edition, and the 2015 European Goldfinger one that has the whole steelbook in gold and the title embossed (unfortunately the back is the exact same artwork). As stated the customs from @R1s1ngs0n are the best hands down and blow all of the economy ones away, except Goldeneye because that is one of my all time favorite steelbooks 😎

Boilersteel · October 8, 2022

Steelbook is matte although not streaky and the circles have a little shimmer to them. Have to say that although the steelbook title scenes are ok, I am pretty much done with title scenes after these last releases, and they really need to not make anymore slips with title scenes on them. This Dr. No slip is not terrible, but it is just lazy art that very few really ever asked for or wanted. Also, the slips artwork should have been on the steelbook.

Fortis93 · October 8, 2022

9 hours ago, Boilersteel said:

Steelbook is matte although not streaky and the circles have a little shimmer to them. Have to say that although the steelbook title scenes are ok, I am pretty much done with title scenes after these last releases, and they really need to not make anymore slips with title scenes on them. This Dr. No slip is not terrible, but it is just lazy art that very few really ever asked for or wanted. Also, the slips artwork should have been on the steelbook.

You reckon it's worth the price given the quality of everything?

Boilersteel · October 8, 2022

3 hours ago, Fortis93 said:

You reckon it's worth the price given the quality of everything?

With Reddit code it's 12% off and with shipping total comes to $40 from Zavvi. The shipping was poor, was put in big box that came partly squashed with no padding, and it just kind of bounced back and forth in the box. Steelbook is weak but if Bond fan and collecting the rest it definitely beats the steelbook alone. So for price and extras, yeah I say worth it, although secure shipping is questionable as always with Zavvi.

Edited October 8, 2022 by Boilersteel

BreakBeatDJ · October 8, 2022

On 9/30/2022 at 9:32 AM, Boilersteel said:

Here are nearly all the official Bond steelbooks released (other than the new ones just released and some unusual dvd steelbooks from overseas in a different language that I have seen before):

1st and 2nd picture

-Top row: 2008-2009 Best Buy Bluray steelbooks

-2nd row: 2015 Best Buy bluray themed steelbooks

-3rd: 2015 Goldfinger European steelbook, 2021 Goldfinger Zavvi steelbook, 2012 Goldeneye Play.com steelbook, 2010 Casino Royale German steelbook, 2013 Skyfall UK steelbook, 2016 Blufans spectre lenticular, 2016 Kimchidvd Spectre full slip, 2022 No Time to Die Taiwan full slip and steelbook next to it

-4th row: 2020 UK and Best Buy 4K Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre steelbooks (Best Buy are full gloss, UK matte)

3rd and 4th picture

Top row: 2021 No Time to Die Walmart special edition amaray with box and Safin mask keychain, No Time to Die other Taiwan full slip with steelbook below it, Titans of Cult Casino Royale with steelbook below it, 2015 Best Buy The Daniel Craig collection steelbook

2nd row: 2021 No Time to Die Target special edition fullslip amaray, rest in that and next row are parts of the printing ones listed

My favorites are the Play.com Goldeneye steelbook, the Blufans Spectre lenticular edition, and the 2015 European Goldfinger one that has the whole steelbook in gold and the title embossed (unfortunately the back is the exact same artwork). As stated the customs from @R1s1ngs0n are the best hands down and blow all of the economy ones away, except Goldeneye because that is one of my all time favorite steelbooks 😎

What a great survey of all these Bond titles. Thanks so much for doing this. And, the photos are big enough I can zoom in and really see them.

I'm curious, do you know the difference between the 2nd row Best Buy versions and the current offerings on Zavvi? Is it just gloss vs matte? It's a shame there hasn't been just one series for all these. I know it's an active series so would be hard to keep it current. Such great movies though.

I'm very intimate with the first 15 scripts. I was hired to write/direct a James Bond spoof by an advertising agency back in the late 90s, I had a month to write the script, so I was neck deep in these movies for while. It was fun, . . . actually it wasn't fun at all, it was hard as hell and I hated doing it. hahahahahaha, but I loved it when it was done!!!! It left me with a love for these movies though.

I'm probably gunna start grabbing the Best Buy versions, I like the vintage feel.

Boilersteel · October 9, 2022

2 hours ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

What a great survey of all these Bond titles. Thanks so much for doing this. And, the photos are big enough I can zoom in and really see them.

I'm curious, do you know the difference between the 2nd row Best Buy versions and the current offerings on Zavvi? Is it just gloss vs matte? It's a shame there hasn't been just one series for all these. I know it's an active series so would be hard to keep it current. Such great movies though.

I'm very intimate with the first 15 scripts. I was hired to write/direct a James Bond spoof by an advertising agency back in the late 90s, I had a month to write the script, so I was neck deep in these movies for while. It was fun, . . . actually it wasn't fun at all, it was hard as hell and I hated doing it. hahahahahaha, but I loved it when it was done!!!! It left me with a love for these movies though.

I'm probably gunna start grabbing the Best Buy versions, I like the vintage feel.

That is incredible to hear that you actually wrote and directed a Bond spoof! I am just a fan and a collector, so can't imagine all of the work involved in that, definitely requires a creative mind.

The 2nd row of Bond films from Best Buy are all gloss finish. So far I only have the Dr No steelbook from the new releases (rest I expect in next two weeks from dvdstore.it and I will post those when they arrive). The Dr No new release is matte, but not a streaky matte almost a shimmery matte and doesn't look that bad. The new releases are missing the 007 symbol on the front that the Best Buy ones had, the 007 on the spine is smaller on the new releases, the MGM logo is different, there is no Bluray emblem on the spine, and the artwork wraps around the spine. Inside is pretty much the same, although UK bluray is just plain blue. So as far as matching not great, but I guess we take what we can get. Feel free to let me know if any other questions anytime.

Edited October 9, 2022 by Boilersteel

BreakBeatDJ · October 12, 2022

On 10/8/2022 at 9:27 PM, Boilersteel said:

That is incredible to hear that you actually wrote and directed a Bond spoof! I am just a fan and a collector, so can't imagine all of the work involved in that, definitely requires a creative mind.

The 2nd row of Bond films from Best Buy are all gloss finish. So far I only have the Dr No steelbook from the new releases (rest I expect in next two weeks from dvdstore.it and I will post those when they arrive). The Dr No new release is matte, but not a streaky matte almost a shimmery matte and doesn't look that bad. The new releases are missing the 007 symbol on the front that the Best Buy ones had, the 007 on the spine is smaller on the new releases, the MGM logo is different, there is no Bluray emblem on the spine, and the artwork wraps around the spine. Inside is pretty much the same, although UK bluray is just plain blue. So as far as matching not great, but I guess we take what we can get. Feel free to let me know if any other questions anytime.

Well, don't be too impressed, we used C list actors and shot in a studio in New York, with projected plates on a cyc wall. We built some cool sets, though. No exotic locations or Bond girls for me. But, it was a lot of fun and was a success for the client.

Thanks for breaking these down for me. I looked on eBay for some of the Best Buy versions but there aren't many listed.

Did you receive any of your new Bonds from Dvdstore.it yet? Well, I guess it's only been a few days, so probably not. Just eager to hear your thoughts.

I decided to grab all the ones in stock at Zavvi. Looks like there are 17 in this style total, if you include Dr. No 60th. I'm excited to get them and see what they're like. And to watch these films again.

Edited October 12, 2022 by BreakBeatDJ

Boilersteel · October 12, 2022

1 minute ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

Well, don't be too impressed, we used C list actors and shot in a studio in New York, with projected plates on a cyc wall. We built some cool sets, though. No exotic locations or Bond girls for me. But, it was a lot of fun and was a success for the client.

Thanks for breaking these down for me. I looked on eBay for some of the Best Buy versions but there aren't many listed.

Did you receive any of your new Bonds from Dvdstore.it yet? Well, I guess it's only been a few days, so probably not. Just eager to hear your thoughts.

I decided to grab all the ones in stock at Zavvi. Looks like there are 17 in this style total, if you include Dr. No 60th. I'm excited to get them and see what they're like. And to watch these films again.

Just paid for them today, they allow you to wait to pay until they come in stock so did that. Dvdstore.it packaging has been phenomenal, so they are my go to when purchasing a bunch of items. Shipping is just too expensive for single items. Anticipate they will be sent today, and will probably receive by Monday or Tuesday.

BreakBeatDJ · October 12, 2022

6 minutes ago, Boilersteel said:

Just paid for them today, they allow you to wait to pay until they come in stock so did that. Dvdstore.it packaging has been phenomenal, so they are my go to when purchasing a bunch of items. Shipping is just too expensive for single items. Anticipate they will be sent today, and will probably receive by Monday or Tuesday.

I'm assuming you mean DVD-Store.it? dvdstore.it doesn't seem like the right site.

Boilersteel · October 12, 2022

1 hour ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

I'm assuming you mean DVD-Store.it? dvdstore.it doesn't seem like the right site.

Correct, it is dvd-store.it, just got my email and package is on the way. Have made multiple purchases from them. Shipping and customer service have been top notch.

Edited October 12, 2022 by Boilersteel

Boilersteel · October 18, 2022

Just arrived today from dvd-store.it. These are the Italian ones, but should be same finish and everything so will post pics here. Have to say that whatever supplier put these steelbooks together put as much effort into it as MGM with the designs. Almost every single one has a fine scratch on the back upper right area in the about the same spot. The finish is streaky matte and multiple ones have additional paint spots where it streaked even more. Multiple also have hairline scratches to the front artwork, with some having other scratches on the front causing the paint to be removed at spots. Best to not look at these under a bright light, as it might not be pretty.

On the bright side, from far away and in plastic cases the fronts don't looks that bad. I won't mention the back artwork.

BreakBeatDJ · October 19, 2022

55 minutes ago, Boilersteel said:

Just arrived today from dvd-store.it. These are the Italian ones, but should be same finish and everything so will post pics here. Have to say that whatever supplier put these steelbooks together put as much effort into it as MGM with the designs. Almost every single one has a fine scratch on the back upper right area in the about the same spot. The finish is streaky matte and multiple ones have additional paint spots where it streaked even more. Multiple also have hairline scratches to the front artwork, with some having other scratches on the front causing the paint to be removed at spots. Best to not look at these under a bright light, as it might not be pretty.

On the bright side, from far away and in plastic cases the fronts don't looks that bad. I won't mention the back artwork.

Hmmmmmmmmm . . . not promising. Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts.

I ordered the 10 available from Zavvi. Should be here next week. I'll post a similar pic and look to see if everything is as you describe with mine.

Now, the other 7 that seem to be in this style, on Zavvi they're listed as sold out, or have they not been released yet?

They are :

From Russia With Love

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Casino Royale

Diamonds Are Forever

You Only Live Twice

Thunderball

Goldfinger

It's difficult to know for sure if the Zavvi Skyfall and Quantum of Solace are meant to go with these. Thoughts?

Boilersteel · October 19, 2022

35 minutes ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

Hmmmmmmmmm . . . not promising. Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts.

I ordered the 10 available from Zavvi. Should be here next week. I'll post a similar pic and look to see if everything is as you describe with mine.

Now, the other 7 that seem to be in this style, on Zavvi they're listed as sold out, or have they not been released yet?

They are :

From Russia With Love

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Casino Royale

Diamonds Are Forever

You Only Live Twice

Thunderball

Goldfinger

It's difficult to know for sure if the Zavvi Skyfall and Quantum of Solace are meant to go with these. Thoughts?

Hopefully mine were just a bad batch with all those hairline scratches and you will have better luck as far as imperfections. Due to Best Buy my standards are low for economy steels, so I can live with these.

Thunderball, YOLT, DAF, OHMSS, For Your Eyes Only, CR, QOS, Skyfall, and Spectre were Best Buy and Zavvi steelbooks released in 2015 around the time Spectre was released. I have never personally seen the UK ones but they are supposed to be full gloss just like the Best Buy ones. All are out of stock and have been for years. Ebay is probably the best place to look for these. They are full gloss and from Best Buy so most have some kind of dings or dents but mor all. The Zavvi ones were probably in better shape, but I have never seen many available on Ebay, so Best Buy ones would be easier to obtain. They don't usually sell for very high on Ebay.

The Zavvi Skyfall with the Aston Martin is a separate release, and amazingly it says it is still available on Cede.com for 18.99 euros, otherwise that can be bought cheap on Ebay as well. Cede.com doesn't charge for shipping and they ship in cardboard mailers like Zavvi used to do that usually arrive safe.

The Goldfinger also a separate release is also still available from Cede.com (either the Italian or the French version, looks like they have small differences). There is also an older 50th anniversary one from Zavvi and Japan that is embossed and has the whole steelbook in gold. Although the front and back artwork on that edition are exactly the same. That can be found on Ebay, but would cost more than the CeDe.com ones.

The Goldeneye steelbook was a Play.com one and is phenomenal. Every once in awhile they pop up on Ebay and sometimes are reasonably priced. Let me know if I can help with anything else.

BreakBeatDJ · October 22, 2022

On 10/18/2022 at 9:26 PM, Boilersteel said:

Hopefully mine were just a bad batch with all those hairline scratches and you will have better luck as far as imperfections. Due to Best Buy my standards are low for economy steels, so I can live with these.

Thunderball, YOLT, DAF, OHMSS, For Your Eyes Only, CR, QOS, Skyfall, and Spectre were Best Buy and Zavvi steelbooks released in 2015 around the time Spectre was released. I have never personally seen the UK ones but they are supposed to be full gloss just like the Best Buy ones. All are out of stock and have been for years. Ebay is probably the best place to look for these. They are full gloss and from Best Buy so most have some kind of dings or dents but mor all. The Zavvi ones were probably in better shape, but I have never seen many available on Ebay, so Best Buy ones would be easier to obtain. They don't usually sell for very high on Ebay.

The Zavvi Skyfall with the Aston Martin is a separate release, and amazingly it says it is still available on Cede.com for 18.99 euros, otherwise that can be bought cheap on Ebay as well. Cede.com doesn't charge for shipping and they ship in cardboard mailers like Zavvi used to do that usually arrive safe.

The Goldfinger also a separate release is also still available from Cede.com (either the Italian or the French version, looks like they have small differences). There is also an older 50th anniversary one from Zavvi and Japan that is embossed and has the whole steelbook in gold. Although the front and back artwork on that edition are exactly the same. That can be found on Ebay, but would cost more than the CeDe.com ones.

The Goldeneye steelbook was a Play.com one and is phenomenal. Every once in awhile they pop up on Ebay and sometimes are reasonably priced. Let me know if I can help with anything else.

Look what came in the mail yesterday from Zavvi @Boilersteel!! My USPS carrier was driving an Aston Martin, and I thought, aaaaaaahhhhh, I know what that is.

Won't have a chance today to open, but will get to it tomorrow during the football games. I'll respond to your informative post above after I take a look at these.

I'm curious if I will find some of the same issues you describe.

Edited October 22, 2022 by BreakBeatDJ

Boilersteel · October 22, 2022

2 minutes ago, BreakBeatDJ said:

Look what came in the mail yesterday from Zavvi @Boilersteel!! My USPS carrier was driving an Aston Martin, and I thought, aaaaaaahhhhh, I know what that is.

Won't have a chance today to open, but will get to it tomorrow during the football games. I'll respond to your informative post above after I take a look at these.

I'm curious if I will find some of the same issues you describe.

Please also let me know how Zavvi protected these during shipment. They used to send everything individually in cardboard mailers. Recently they have combined things in boxes. I know FNAC just lumps them all in the same box with no protection. Interested to see if Zavvi is different.

BreakBeatDJ · October 23, 2022

On 10/22/2022 at 8:05 AM, Boilersteel said:

Please also let me know how Zavvi protected these during shipment. They used to send everything individually in cardboard mailers. Recently they have combined things in boxes. I know FNAC just lumps them all in the same box with no protection. Interested to see if Zavvi is different.

@Boilersteel Here is a pic of how Zavvi packaged them up. Loose with some bubble wrap. They put 5 in two different boxes (10 total + Hobbit trilogy steels). I had minor dings, hardly visible, on 3 steels, mostly on the backs. I have none of the defects you describe. These are all in great shape, with a consistent matte finish, good color, no scratches, no damage but the few minor dings I note above. Sorry you didn't get so lucky.

BreakBeatDJ · October 23, 2022

@Boilersteel gives a great overview of this release above. But I want to add my pics and give a few more thoughts.

I'm not hating on this design as much as others. Could it be better, yeah, of course, but I'm okay with finishing out the title sequence themed art series with Blu-Ray only.

Like others, I'm hoping for a new series with new art and 4K now that MGM seems to be winding up these BR steels.

One of my disappointments in this steelbook hobby so far has been the low quality of the images/printing on the included postcards or character cards. Sometimes the image source and/or printing is so bad, it doesn't matter what art/design they use.

This release is not that.

It's not all perfect, but the included booklet and the postcards are much better quality than others I've seen. Also, I love the fact that there are behind the scenes photos and the booklet isn't simply a bunch of random 1080 screen grabs from the movie (talking to you multi-retailer Dark Knight trilogy).

The back and inside art of the steels in this Bond series is basically non-existent, as @Fortis93 noted above, so no need to address here.

The foldable Dragon Tank is a great idea, but Zavvi admits on their release page that the instructions are missing. So, hope you have a 6 year old to figure it out.

I didn't shoot these photos in the studio, they are just iPhone photos, which has limited gamma and adds some contrast. But for those of you in to the goodies, like I am, here you go.

Oh, and the spine matches all the newer Zavvi Bonds. As @Boilersteel notes, it has the small 007 on the spine.

Thanks @Boilersteel, who is the expert, for setting me on this research and these wonderful purchases.