My prayers have been answered "The Thing" in Anamorphic

[theDVDfreak]

I was checking Universal's website and behold

http://homevideo.universalstudios.com/catalog.php?Category=ReleaseDateKey&Keywords=10%2F01%2F2004

October 5th

Looks the same as last one, no DTS darn.

[Johnny Zhivago]

-eek- Please, please, please, please, please be true.

[scott1598]

was the other non-anamorphic?

[bboisvert]

This being Universal, I won't believe this until I'm actually watching the disc on my system.

But this is (tentatively) great news.

[RobCA]

From DVDTimes (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=11829): Universal Studios Home Video have announced the Region 1 DVD release of John Carpenter's The Thing for 5th October 2004 with a retail price of $19.98. Arriving as part of the promotional push Universal are giving several horror titles alongside the debut of Dawn of the Dead (2004), the big news here is that rather than a simple re-release, fans will at long last get John Carpenter's classic in anamorphic widescreen!

Features on this new set look largely the same as the current special edition, bar that new anamorphic widescreen transfer...

• 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• English DD5.1 Surround
• French Dolby Surround
• English, French and Spanish subtitles
• John Carpenter's The Thing: Terror Takes Shape
• Feature Commentary with Director John Carpenter and Kurt Russell
• Production Background Archives
• Cast Production Photographs
• Production Art and Storyboards
• Location Design
• Production Archives
• The Saucer
• The Blairmonster
• Outtakes
• Post Production
• Theatrical Trailer

We'll bring you a look at the artwork soon...

[Johnny Zhivago]

Originally posted by RobCA
From DVDTimes (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=11829):

Out-friggin-standing.

[shill66]

Oh. God. Yes.

[QuiGonJosh]

dont own a 16:9 TV...dont care...love the current disc... :D

[tdirgins]

You've gotta be f'ing kidding me!
:johnwoo:

I mean :)

[Hammer99]

GREAT news, WOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[tenaciousdave]

The disc I own now says it's anamorphic. I don't have a 16:9 set so I can't check it. Was there some kind of mislabel?

I got mine for free from some promotion from Gamestop. It came in a clear jewel case, but the disc say anamorphic.

[DVD-ho78(DTS)]

Awesome news. I have been waiting a long time for this. :up:

[BlackBeauty92]

:eek: i'm.... wetting.... myself.... :eek:










WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

[theDVDfreak]

The disc I own now says it's anamorphic. I don't have a 16:9 set so I can't check it. Was there some kind of mislabel?

The latest run of "The Thing" was mislabeled. The Jacket was correct and just said "widescreen", but the disc itself, said Anamorphic. I got in an argument a while back and won by buying the thing just to prove someone wrong, I sold it again.

Universal got an E-mail from me about once a month. This is my favorite movie of all time, sorry Im a John Carpenter nut. I begged them for an Anamorphic version of "The Thing". They always use to put me off, but the last reply was not so negative. I had a feeling this may come up soon. I was hopping mad for a while that I would get Star Wars on DVD (my second favorite film) before a decent version of "Thing". Now I just have to wait a couple of weeks.

Now what do I do? I have over 400 DVD's that filled the void for not having Star Wars or Thing. I may actually have to stop buying so many of them. Wait, nahh...

[RichardW]

:up:

[shizawn]

Yay! I'll be upgrading for sure.

[Josh-da-man]

I'm not surprised, since the current disc has been out of print for a while now.

Glad to see they're porting over all of the extras, and I hope they keep the same cover art.

[Robert]

This new anamorphic edition will <b>definitely not</b> have a chapter list or the theatrical trailer.(even though DVDTimes lists the trailer).

[MSD]

I'm fine with my current disc, no need to buy it again.

[Rammsteinfan]

*faints*

Oh okay, Im fine now. I am soooo happy this is finally coming. I have watched my non-16x9 copy at least 50 times since it originally came out. Time to retire it and get me a new one!

[Mr. Cinema]

So what are the other horror titles they are going to push with Dawn of the Dead?

[Shroud]

I'll buy for the Anamorphic transfer. Hopefully we will get DTS this time too.

[Rammsteinfan]

I doubt a DTS will be present

[mdc3000]

SWEET... I've been holding out on this forever...finally I can buy it!

MATT

[Mr. Salty]

Originally posted by tenaciousdave
The disc I own now says it's anamorphic. I don't have a 16:9 set so I can't check it.

Sure you can. Set your DVD player to output 16:9. If the picture appears vertically stretched on your 4:3 TV, it's anamorphic. If the picture stays the same (appears in the correct aspect ratio with no distortion), it's non-anamorphic.

Yes, the current version of "The Thing" is mislabeled.

[Mountain Biker]

Originally posted by Robert
This new anamorphic edition will <b>definitely not</b> have a chapter list or the theatrical trailer.(even though DVDTimes lists the trailer).


I could care less about a chapter list, but it's unfortunate they're leaving out the trailer, as it's one of the best ever, IMO. Being this is my all-time favorite horror movie, I'll definitely be upgrading (and keeping the current version as well).

[Rammsteinfan]

The Universal Page says it has the trailer...
http://homevideo.universalstudios.com/details.php?childId=34777

BTW: Universals site says digipack with slipcover? and maybe we can get some new menus too.

[Tyler_Durden]

Good news. I'm always willing to retire a non-anamorphic DVD.

[aam1]

I wont bother with this, the old version looked as good as this film could get. Anamorphic wont make enough difference to warrant a double dip. If it had dts and was really cheap though. . .

[babka]

I hope the music during the menus are still there... i love that

[Butch Coolidge]

Hope it is true. This title was re-released several times in various R2 countries. Always the same story. Universal claims it is now anamorphic and at the end of the day it is always the same disc repacked.

Shame.

[gorgo99]

This is an all-time favorite; the current disc is quite impressive, as I don't have a WS TV, but I plan on getting one soon, so I'll upgrade....

I hope it also still has the undocumented music-only track.

[RockyMtnBri]

About finger lickin' time! Another test for anamorphic discs is your PC. If you have a DVD ROM, just put it in and see what shape your player window assumes. If it's rectangular, it's anamorphic; if it's squarish, it's not.

[dgc]

Hey, guys.... anyone else reluctant in letting the original release go before seeing the new release?

I'm worried Universal will some how screw up the new release. There most certainly will not be an insert, but that's the least ofmy worries. Are we certain that we will be getting all the original extras?

If I sell off or give away the original I think I'll keep the fold out insert/booklet containing the production notes and chapter listings.

[TomOpus]

Yep, hanging onto mine until the new one comes out and the dust has settled.

[HyPyke]

Originally posted by aam1
I wont bother with this, the old version looked as good as this film could get. Anamorphic wont make enough difference to warrant a double dip. If it had dts and was really cheap though. . .

You must not have a widescreen set. For people on 4:3 sets, even those with an "anamorphic mode", The difference may be negligable, but I can assure you if you do ever upgrade to a 16x9 set you will want the new version.

[Rammsteinfan]

Yeah, i am so in it for 16x9. I was watching it the other day and its soooo small on a ws tv. I am holding on to mine as well until this one comes out. I am planning on keeping the insert if there isnt one and the cover if I dont like the new cover since the features are the same.

LIke I said before, did anyone else notice that it says DIGIPAK w/ SLIPCASE? Wonder what thats gonna be...

[BlackBeauty92]

i've been bitching about this since day 1... so now it's available.
defitnetly gonna get it...

[Tom Woodward]

We've just posted the artwork here (http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=1&c=4146)

[d2cheer]

Originally posted by Tom Woodward
We've just posted the artwork here (http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=1&c=4146)


Not bad but I will put the new DVD into the old case...I like the old artwork better.

[Rammsteinfan]

Yep same here, old artwork for me too!

[shill66]

I like it.

[TomOpus]

That looks like it might be a slipcase.

I'll have to check out the artwork underneath before I decide if I put the disc in the old case.

[demonio]

I like the new artwork a lot better!!

[Bricks II]

Wow, a re-release artwork that doesn't have big-head-syndrome and actually looks good.

However, the "ice" does look a little like the ice on a Nestea can.

[Mountain Biker]

Not bad, but original poster art is still much better.

[BlackBeauty92]

it looks decent...
but yeah, the original still look a whole lot better

[DVD-ho78(DTS)]

I think it looks cool.

[scott1598]

Ugh!! That new artwork is horrible compared to the old! What is that.
Nothing beats this...
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0783227507.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Snowmaker]

I still don't completely understand the difference between anamorphic and non-anamorphic.

Of course, I only have a regular 36" TV.

[DavidH]

I still don't completely understand the difference between anamorphic and non-anamorphic.

Anamorphic gives you 33% more resolution if you have the proper monitor.

[Josh Z]

Originally posted by Snowmaker
I still don't completely understand the difference between anamorphic and non-anamorphic.

Explanation of Anamorphic Enhancement (http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/welcome.html)

[Rammsteinfan]

I http://forums.ps2fantasy.com/images/smilies/heart.gif http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/anamorphic/anamorphicbutton.gif

[Josh-da-man]

Originally posted by Snowmaker
I still don't completely understand the difference between anamorphic and non-anamorphic.

Of course, I only have a regular 36" TV.

In a nutshell, it means that the image has more vertical information for improved resolution on widescreen TVs. If you're viewing on a standard 4:3 set, then if the player is adjusted properly, you won't see any difference, but on a widescreen television, the image would be sharper. If your player isn't set properly, the image would appear vertically stretched and people on the screen would appear elongated and too thin.

[stinkeye]

The great dvdanswers.com has menu shots up now. Looks like this confirms the only changes are the new cover art (ugh) and the transfer. Those menus are the same as the original release.

http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0&s=1&c=4146&n=1&burl=

[natevines]

Love this movie, but as I don't have a 16:9 TV, I don't need this new DVD.
If there are any other improvements, however, I might get it.
Besides, I like the new cover art :)

[Rammsteinfan]

I finally saw the recut TV version last night on TNT. It had the voice overs for each character giving background info. It was very intresting to see. While I prefer the original version, it would have been nice to have that extra character info in text form or something. Anyone else seen this TV version?

[Tyler_Durden]

My god, that new art is horrendous. Well, life's too short to get worked up over stuff like this. I just wished these studio hacks had at least some taste.

[Johnny Zhivago]

Not a huge fan of the new artwork... Really wish I would have hung on to the old edition now, for the cover art and the insert. I may have to pick up a used copy for cheap at some point and swap em' out.

[ENDContra]

Whats the chance the artwork we see is a slipcover, and that inside is maybe something like what the current release has? The 3D pic of the cover doesnt look like a keepcase, more like a slipcover or digipak.

[Johnny Zhivago]

Can't think of any Universal releases that have a slipcover...

Anyone?

[matome]

The new <i>Duel</i> disc has a slipcover as did <i>The Rundown</i>, if I remember correctly.

[Rammsteinfan]

Universals DVD site still says: Digipak with Slip Sleeve

So it must be coming that way...

[TomOpus]

Cool... back on page 2 when the artwork was posted I mentioned it looked like a slipcover.

Now that I'll have a widescreen TV soon, having movies anamorphically (is that a word?) will definately become an issue. :up: to this release.

[Rammsteinfan]

I have watched the current disc at least 50 times since getting it back in 98-99, whenever it came out. It has been driving me crazy that I cant watch one of my fav horror movies in 16x9. I cant wait to get the new disc and see it in all its enhanced for widescreen glory! Thankfully I still have the old disc just in case I want to keep the cover and insert.

[rasalas]

Originally posted by Rammsteinfan
Thankfully I still have the old disc just in case I want to keep the cover and insert.

And the "easter egg" isolated score. It's highly unlikely that it will be reproduced on the new DVD.

Isolated scores have slowly been disappearing as a bonus feature on DVDs over the past few years. On top of that, no special-edition re-release of a DVD that previously had an isolated score has ever repeated that feature. That includes other titles from Universal, such as The Mummy and Field of Dreams, which dropped their isolated scores when they were re-released in revamped special editions.

Originally posted by matome
The new <i>Duel</i> disc has a slipcover as did <i>The Rundown</i>, if I remember correctly.

And the Pitch Black re-release, among others.

[Rammsteinfan]

Oh damn, your right... that may be a reason to hold onto it just for kicks. I would have forgotten about it and its on of my fav dvd's. hehe, how silly do I feel? ;)

[aam1]

Originally posted by HyPyke
You must not have a widescreen set. For people on 4:3 sets, even those with an "anamorphic mode", The difference may be negligable, but I can assure you if you do ever upgrade to a 16x9 set you will want the new version.

No, I have 16:9 but the PQ is great for such an old film (for a non anamorphic disc) - sometimes the enhancement doesn't do a hell of a lot (ie armagedon)

Originally posted by rasalas
And the "easter egg" isolated score. It's highly unlikely that it will be reproduced on the new DVD.

Isolated scores have slowly been disappearing as a bonus feature on DVDs over the past few years.

But this score is on the extras only - never heard of that on any other film.

Personally I reckon this'll pan out to be yet another non anamorphic re-release, Universal won't cover the costs of a new transfer. It would only only appeal to me if it also came with dts and dropped the extras for max PQ.

[rasalas]

Originally posted by aam1
But this score is on the extras only - never heard of that on any other film.

The isolated scores on the original DVDs for Apollo 13, Field of Dreams, Fried Green Tomatoes, Patch Adams and The Mummy don't play during the movie either. They all are options among the various menu screens and extras. And--no coincidence, surely--all of these DVDs are from Universal.

Personally I reckon this'll pan out to be yet another non anamorphic re-release, Universal won't cover the costs of a new transfer.

Sure, it will. Virtually all of the non-anamorphic Image discs, even low-profile titles, have been given new anamorphic transfers for their Universal re-releases. The new transfer for The Thing is one of the few expenses of this new disc--aside from obvious manufacturing costs--since there are no new supplements.

[scott1598]

Is the definite release 10/26? because I saw one reputable site as 10/5. Thanks for answer.

[bboisvert]

... and Columbia House doesn't seem to be listing it at all (they still have the old release only). Strange.

[Rammsteinfan]

http://homevideo.universalstudios.com/title.php?titleId=1452

Still says 10.26.04

[Bill Needle]

Originally posted by bboisvert
... and Columbia House doesn't seem to be listing it at all (they still have the old release only). Strange.

This thread addresses that comment to some extent:

Has CH Stopped Universal Pre-Orders? (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=385459)

[scott1598]

So is the only difference the anamorphic picture? all the other extras: the commentaries by John and Kurt, the featurette, the outtakes all seem to be on the old one as well. can anyone confirm?

[clappj]

The Thing was on Voom in HD this weekend.
Damn, it looked good!
Can't wait to upgrade my disc! :)

[Josh Z]

Originally posted by scott1598
So is the only difference the anamorphic picture? all the other extras: the commentaries by John and Kurt, the featurette, the outtakes all seem to be on the old one as well. can anyone confirm?

We're hoping the release is actually anamorphic. In a worst case scenario, Universal may just be reissuing the old disc, which was labelled anamorphic but actually wasn't.

[scott1598]

well, i don't think it would be labeled "Remastered" if something wasn't new on it. something has got to be different..what that is i wish someone knew...

[Kant]

I Really hope it is 16:9!!! Or I will be very upset!

[Rammsteinfan]

Well the Universal website says it is so.... ;)

[TylerDurden_73]

I sold mine in preparation for this release, so it better be.

[BJacks]

I just got off the phone with Universal, and their director of publicity told me it is in fact a new digitally remastered anamorphic widescreen transfer.

[bboisvert]

Originally posted by scott1598
well, i don't think it would be labeled "Remastered" if something wasn't new on it.

Clearly, you've never dealt with Universal before. ;)

They have done stranger things in the past.

[scott1598]

Originally posted by BJacks
I just got off the phone with Universal, and their director of publicity told me it is in fact a new digitally remastered anamorphic widescreen transfer.

then is everything else from the CE just repackaged and is the release indeed 10/26?

[BJacks]

Originally posted by scott1598
then is everything else from the CE just repackaged and is the release indeed 10/26? I didn't ask about the date, but he said the extras are the same.