Product Details

• Actors: Saffron Henderson, Alec Willows, Lalainia Lindbjerg
• Directors: Michael Donovan
• Format: Full Screen, Color, NTSC
• Language: English (Stereo), Japanese (Mono)
• Subtitles: English
• Dubbed: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Funimation
• DVD Release Date: December 28, 2010
• Run Time: 48 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003H6KRKM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,343 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Fans from all over the world watched Goku grow from a mysterious bushy-tailed boy into the greatest hero humanity has ever known. Now, true Dragon Ball fanatics can go back to the beginning and experience the legend as few have seen it before. Greedy King Gurumes is destroying his kingdom – and his stomach – with an insatiable hunger born of his maniacal quest to collect the cursed Blood Rubies! His only hope for survival lies in harnessing the wish-granting power of the seven magic Dragon Balls. Standing in his way is Goku, Bulma, Master Roshi, and a cast of unlikely allies who will join forces to prevent the king’s sinister wish from being granted!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting introduction to Goku October 19, 2000

By Mark E. Summers

Format:VHS Tape

My nephew got my brother hooked on the Dragonball Z saga, and I got hooked by him. Wathching the series up through the Freiza saga, and now into the android saga, I became a faithful watcher, tuning in every day. On one of the episodes, they talked about an episode from when Goku was a child, when he first fought and defeated the Red Ribbon Army, and that got me interested in seeing how it all started, so I got this video.

The video is a good introduction to the world of Dragonball, giving a first look at Goku, and his introduction to other friends: Bulma, Yamcha, and Master Roshi. Plus, there's the introduction of Goku's first learning the Kamehame-ha, one of his most powerful attacks.

This video was the movie on which the original Dragonball series was based, since the series then starts off with Goku meeting Bulma for the first time again, and the other characters later. In it, Goku and friends are on a mission to rescue a kingdom from its king, who has become changed into a greedy monster from his passion for collecting blood rubies. He's also searching for the dragon balls to use for his own purpose, so our heroes are off to stop him. It's a fun filled, and quick adventure, so if you've liked any of the other shows, I recommend you pick up this video too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The first theatrical DragonBall film - finally uncut! January 3, 2011

By Zack Davisson HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

"Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies" (Japanese title "Doragon Boru Shenron no Densetsu" or "Dragon Ball: The Legend of Shenlong") was the first theatrical release in the popular "Dragon Ball" series by Toriyama Akira.

The film essentially repackages the first story arc in the "Dragon Ball" series, substituting out Emperor Pilaf for the much larger King Gurumes (King Gourmet). In "Curse of the Blood Rubies," King Gurumes is a gross monster who has devastated his kingdom in order to appease his colossal appetite. Once human, his desire for the Blood Rubies caused him to dig up the farms and houses of his people, and cursed him to be continually hungry but never satisfied. He learns of a legend that might give some relief, when he hears of the legend of the dragon Shen Long who will grant a wish to anyone who can gather all of the Dragon Balls. King Gurumes sends out his minions Pasta and Major Bongo to get the DragonBalls, which brings him into conflict with Dragon Ball holders Goku and Bulma, and their companions Yamcha, Oolong, Puer and Master Roshi.

If you are a Dragon Ball super-fan, then "Curse of the Blood Rubies" might be a little too familiar. The purpose of the theatrical release film was to give kids a chance to catch up to the Dragon Ball story that they might have missed on TV. If you are new to Dragon Ball and want to check out what all the fuss is about, then this is perfect. All of the main characters are introduced here for the first time in a self-contained story that gives a feel for the series.

Like all of the "Dragon Ball" series, "Curse of the Blood Rubies" took quite a butchering at the hands of editors trying to make it "kid-friendly" for American audiences (even thought it was originally produced for young Japanese children). On top of that, rights issues between Lions Gate and Funimation meant that an uncut bilingual release of the film was prohibited for many years. Now, Funimation has finally aquired the full rights to the film and the full movie can be released for the first time in the US.

Aside from the full release, Funimation has gone back and re-dubbed "Curse of the Blood Rubies" with their Dragon Ball cast including Colleen Clinkenbeard as Goku. This is good news to fans who like the dubbed version.

"Curse of the Blood Rubies" will also be available as part of the Dragon Ball: 4 Movie Pack that contains all of the DragonBall theatrical releases.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Buy November 13, 2010

By Erick P. Sitter

Format:DVD

If you love the direction of Dragon Ball (Z) Kai than you're just going to eat this up. This also hints that FUNimation plans on re-dubbing all the Dragon Ball Movies well just DB for now but it would not surprise me at all if they went to Z as that'd be just awesome!

Cast
GOKU Colleen Clinkenbeard
BULMA Monica Rial
OOLONG Bryan Massey
PANSY Cherami Leigh
ROSHI Mike McFarland
YAMCHA Christopher R. Sabat
GURUMES Jeremy Inman
PASTA Kate Oxley
PUAR Brina Palencia
BONGO Jonathan Brooks
SHENRON Christopher R. Sabat
NARRATOR John Swasey

If you're hoping for Dragon Box quality it may be iffy as it's unclear what source is used, it may be possible because this movie was NEVER released uncut but that's just a guess for now.