It seems our mention of TCM"s broadcast of
55 Days at Peking has unleashed a lot of pent up enthusiasm about the film among readers. Here is a subscriber from the UK's update on what the alternatives are for those who are seeking the film on DVD:
Interesting to see you featuring
55 Days At Peking. I have five different DVDs of this now, all with their
own shortcomings. But I just got the best of the bunch – a Swedish Region 2 pressing.
Correct ratio (even though it says otherwise on the box), good picture and
sound, and complete except for the Overture/Intermission/Exit music. It has
subtitles (Danish and Norwegian), but you can easily turn them off, and bingo –
you have a straight English version !
And you’re right to
say the latest Miriam DVDs of El Cid and Roman Empire are
excellent – but dear oh dear ! Why did they put the Intermission Music on the
end of the first disc ? They clearly didn’t understand how these movies were
shown. The intermission music is the Overture to the second half, not the
playout to the first. Which makes it impossible to play the Intermission music,
dim the lights and open the curtains (assuming you have them, which of course I
do !) and go straight into the movie. Grrr !!!
 Sadly none of the above area as good as the LD versions (which I also
have, of course).
Dick Budgen (UK)