Almost Angels : Is this movie available yet on VHS or DVD?

I remember watching this movie as a kid. The church rented it and showed it in 16mm. This is a fantastic movie. I want to get it to show my kids. Just wondering if it is available or not?

Randy

I've never been able to find it either.

I have recorded it on VHS many years ago in the Netherlands, when it was on Belgium TV. I just have transfered it to DVD (PAL).

It still is a great Movie.

FYI: I won the E-BAY bid on a VHS version of "Almost Angels" in June, 2006 for $37.00 US. Unfortunately, I never received the tape. Therefore, I think someone did have a copy, but they must be hanging on to it!

Try E-Bay!

So far as I've been able to find out, it's out of print, but was on VHS commercially for a short time. I'd be leery of buying one from Ebay, probably an illegal dub like the one I got - which Ebay did nothing about.

Copies are available; usually on eBay and from other VHS collectible vendors. However, about nineteen out of twenty you find or buy will be illegal, pirated copies. And, it's true, ebay does nothing about it. There are independent sellers working through Amazon who (claim to) sell authentic, original copies. Even there, the odds are against you. Most of these VHS sellers are of two ilks: (1) they are crooks selling illegal, pirated copies. (2) they are not crooks, but don't know the difference between a pirated copy and the real thing.

There are a number of ways to find out if a copy is authentic: The best way is to look at the case. First, the original cases were made with that fat, soft, bouncy kind of material. But, that is not how you detect a fake. The trick is to look at the printing on the box/case. Look at the color photos, and look at the very fine black print. Most all pirate copy's graphics are printed on ink-jet or color-laser printers. You will need about an 8x microscope or "loupe" to see the printing. What do you you look for? For that you have to google information about a process called: "process color." That refers to the printing process used to print the original "Almost Angels" box graphics. If it was printed with process color (millions of round, colored dots) then the case at least is authentic. If the printing was done with an ink-jet, or laser jet, the tape is bogus.

Also look on the cartridge itself. Absolutely original authentic copies have the name of the movie actually printed on the plastic. Not unusual; many movies have this. But, if it isn't there, and the cartridge has just a "T-750" or some generic recordable tape number on it, it's likely bogus.

One other thing to look for. When a tape is authentic, it was recorded on a duplicating machine. The duplicating machine doesnt not have a little finger or pin to check if the tape has been recorded before. You know the little tab that breaks out to prevent a tape from being recorded twice? Well, commercial authentic recording machines don't check to see if that tab is there or not. That is because it is recording brand new commercial-grade tapes. It is a given that these tapes will be recorded on, and never erased. So, they do NOT have the little breakaway tab. The tab is missing. The tape cannot be recorded on. Except the recording machine doesn't even bother reading the tab or not tab. It just records. This is not a problem in a production facility. No one is recording over someone's copy of "The Jackie Gleason Show." So, if the cartridge has the record/erase protection tab still attached to the cartridge, or if thre is evidence that the tab has been broken away, the copy is bogus. The "Real McCoy" will have an opening in the side of the cartridge that has no tab, OR ANY EVIDENCE THERE EVER WAS ONE. i.e. there will be no evidence a tab was ever there. The plastic in the area where the tab is broken off will be smooth.

Oddly, I got a bogus tape once that actually had an original box.

This is a great movie about great kids, a great choir, and great music. It really shold be made available on DVD for music lovers of the world. And the children who should be.

I got a copy of Almost Angels on DVD from ioffer.com.

Not yet available on disc, but I've managed to buy about 15 VHS copies..I think all authentic. I also have about 25 b/w photos from the film (most with the caption 'ALMOST ANGELS', but a few with the British title 'BORN TO SING') + lobby cards (some from Mexico) & posters (one from Japan). I am so keen on the young actors I also looked for other films with the young stars in. So Films with Sean Scully (Peter) Prince & The Pauper (Walt Disney, still only available on tape), Vincent Winter (Toni, yes it's spellt that way on his school report in the film), The Little Kidnappers; Girgo; The horse without a head; Greyfriers Bobby; And another film about a girl and her cat - but I forget the title. All of which I have on disc. I also have about 15 b/w photos from Girgo.
The Music Is of course great, some I've managed to aquire on various disc. Even the 'sacred hymn' sung by the choir in the church, before they go on the river trip. I've also put together a quiz for my own enjoyment, and a mistake list - so far I've found about 10 mistakes

Hi-
How have you managed to purchase 15 copies? Ive just looked at amazon as Im eager to purcahse a copy for my mum, and the prices for it are unbelieveable. Would you be willign to part with a copy?

Hi -
I agree this video is expensive, but after converting the $-2-£ it's not to bad....
As I don't know which country you're in, I can't say if I want to part with a copy.....however, if you're in the States, I could be easily tempted...
Contact direct at bd231148@yahoo.co.uk

Bryan

i have a uk pal video of this film which i will be selling on ebay in a week or so. cover has some wear to top edge but tape plays perfect. whats it usually sell for?

It's a shame that some of these older classics have never been released on dvd for the younger generations to enjoy. Instead, we see re-makes which I suppose the younger kids can relate to better. None-the-less, the older films left lasting memories.

I started collecting them when the kids were younger so that they could also appreciate them as they got older but they've become difficult to find over the years. Then again, we may find them on store shelves in the future? Films such as Love Leads The Way, Justin Morgan, Ten Who Dared, et al probably never made it big when they initially aired but they're still educational even in today's standards. I was thrilled to have found an excellent copy of Almost Angels which is still as good today as it was back then. santa-rita@cox.net

I saw it on sell.com

hey randy, i found 4 vhs copies at amazon.com (now only 3 are available) received it and had it transfered to dvd! am now very happy. good luck to you...jsutter2@woh.rr.com

I just happened across this movie on youtube. Someone posted the whole movie there. If you search the title on youtube it will come up. It's a great find. The music is great. Enjoy!