I got this boxset some time in 1993 probably from HMV as it was the first time all three films were released as widescreen letterbox editions and with a bonus tape, I had seen the films before on rental and maybe even TV, I don’t know how much I paid for it but I guess around £50
Four Tape Collection
The Box
The box has a ruff texture like parchment and is made to look like it’s wrapped in a map over all six sides
The measurements of the box are as follows:
- 200mm wide
- 120mm deep
- 110mm high
- weight 1.0Kg
The title and information on the lid is repeated on the front and right side apart from the widescreen logo on the front
Again the title and information on the lid is repeated on the back and left side with the addition of cover pictures of the tapes inside printed on the back
The box texture and the map design even fold around the bottom of the box with the statement:
“The three features films contained in this box are available for the first time as widescreen – letterbox editions”
With the lid removed you can see the tapes lined up with the back spines forming a picture.
The VHS Tapes
The back spines of the tapes form a picture of Indiana Jones, personally I don’t think the likeness to Indiana Jones is good but it’s a very good picture and looks very cool
Nothing special about the other side of the spines, just the normal title information and logos
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) VHS
The front cover of the slip case has very nice artwork spoilt with the UK classification logo, I guess the logo could have been moved to the space at the bottom with the other Paramount logo and widescreen splash or left off entirely.
The back cover has the usual film information with a few still images from the film
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) VHS
Colour / 110 mins, HiFi Stereo, Dolby Surround
TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. (L.F.L) 1981 / All Rights Reserved, Used under authorization
WARNING. All right in this cassette are reserved and it is strictly prohibited to use this video cassette other than for private viewing in the home.
MADE IN THE UK, NOT FOR SALE OR HURE IN AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) VHS
The front cover of the slip case has very nice similar artwork to Raiders above, but this time the artwork is bigger with elements falling outside the frame, again spoilt with the UK classification logo and the same Paramount logo and widescreen splash at the bottom.
The back cover follows the same design as the rest of the set with the usual film information with a few still images from the film
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) VHS
Colour / 113 mins, HiFi Stereo, Dolby Surround
TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. (L.F.L) 1984 / All Rights Reserved, Used under authorization
WARNING. All right in this cassette are reserved and it is strictly prohibited to use this video cassette other than for private viewing in the home.
MADE IN THE UK, NOT FOR SALE OR HURE IN AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) VHS
The front cover of the slip case of Last Crusade is very different to the rest of the set, The frame of the artwork blends to fill the full cover thus giving the cover a different colour to the rest of the set, not only to the rest of the set but also it’s own back cover and again spoilt with the UK classification logo, this also gives the Paramount logo a slightly different look and the widescreen splash even covers part of the main artwork.
The back cover follows the same design as the rest of the set with the usual film information with a few still images from the film
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) VHS
Colour / 121 mins, HiFi Stereo, Dolby Surround
TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. (L.F.L) 1989 / All Rights Reserved, Used under authorization
WARNING. All right in this cassette are reserved and it is strictly prohibited to use this video cassette other than for private viewing in the home.
MADE IN THE UK, NOT FOR SALE OR HURE IN AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND
The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) VHS
The front cover of the slip case differs from the rest of the set by having still images from the film and set
The techniques, Effects and daredevil stunts that went in to the creation of “Raiders”
The back cover follows the same design as the rest of the set but this time with the usual information and a few still images from the set.
The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) VHS
Colour / 58 mins, HiFi Stereo
© 1981 Paramount Pictures / All Rights Reserved
TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. (L.F.L) 1981 / All Rights Reserved, Used under authorization
WARNING. All right in this cassette are reserved and it is strictly prohibited to use this video cassette other than for private viewing in the home.
MADE IN THE UK, NOT FOR SALE OR HURE IN AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND
My Final Thoughts
I love the look and feel of this boxset, and as it’s made to look like it’s covered in a map I think any marks on the corners made due to handling make it look a lot better, I don’t remember but I have played the tapes a number of times and there is no need to play then now as there’s nothing special about the films or the making of in this set.
I don’t know how limited or rare this collection is, I have seen it selling on line for little money but ether way I wouldn’t sell it.
OUT OF MY COLD DEAD HANDS WILL I PART WITH THIS BOXSET