Posted over at HTF:

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=11500

for the lazy:

"Universal Studios Home Video have announced the R1 releases of two new special edition DVDs for 14th September 2004. Continuing with their imaginative naming policy Dazed and Confused: Flashback Edition will debut alongside a Fast Times at Ridgemont High: Special Edition, retailing at $19.98 each or available in The Ultimate Party Collection for $27.98. Each release will be available in separate anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions. Full details and artwork will follow at a later date."

EDIT: 9/22/04 UPDATE

a letter from Linklater has been posted on Wiley Wiggins blog

"Hi Wiley,

Just to let you know - there has been some trouble with Universal regarding their upcoming release of the DAZED AND CONFUSED DVD. I feel like I'm in an 11-year echo chamber with these idiots. There was a cool disk in the works with extended interviews, Kahane Corn's documentary MAKING DAZED, footage from the reunion, etc. but it turns out that these won't be on it any longer because, after all these years, they're rushing the title out to make some sort of deadline. Because of this I will not be doing a commentary or helping with anything else.

I wanted everybody to know the scoop and that I am pushing Universal to license the title to the Criterion Collection in a year or so and they would put out a fantastic disk.

I am withholding doing any press on the Universal disk and will not be affiliated with it in any way because of their continuing lameness toward this title.

Hope all's well in your world. Take care,

Rick"

EXCELLENT!!!!! And a new FTARH to Boot... Truely Excellent News!!!

It's about damn time. This is a double dip I have no problem with. Here's hoping we get DD and DTS 5.1 audio, audio commentary, deleted scenes, a retrospective documentary, and NO FORCED TRAILERS!!!

Wonderful. I just bought the 2 pack at CC with Fast Times and Dazed and I've been in the process of updating old versions of movies to the new versions...seems I'll have to do it with these too, and I've owned them a whole week now.

Universal

Isn't this just the R2 UK SE?

About freakin' time!

Alright Alright Alright!

Yay forced trailers!

Awesome!

I want commentaries on the Dazed and Confused SE DVD. Won't buy it without it.

Will it be the original cut?

I remember a few years ago, there was definite talk that Linklater was preparing a longer cut for a theatrical release, because Universal (I think; whichever studio it was) recognized that it was more popular now and wanted to make back some of its money on the film.

Anyway, good news ... I expected it sooner or later, but it's good news.

Very good news. With better versions of this, Happy Gilmore, and Billy Madison, Universal could be creeping out of the "you suck asscrack" category.

Yeah!!!

Awesome news - I hope the Fast Times... DVD includes scenes from the TV version.

"Doing the Happy Dance, doing the Happy Dance..."

Later.

RJS

If you read the column, he quite clearly states the following:

I'll double dip on this one as well. This film is a classic if there ever was one. I'll probably get the 2 pack with FTARH SE since I never picked up the first one.

Yes Donnacha, I read the column. There is a R2 UK SE release of this title, which this seems to be (albeit NTSC). So thanks for your snippiness, but perhaps you could be more aware of what posters are asking before you jump on them.

Never thought it would happen (or at least not anytime soon), but I am all over this release. As this is literally one of my top 10 favorite movies ever I will definitely double dip. I wasn't really expecting a new edition of this, but held out as long as humanly possible (pretty much till it dropped below the $20 price-tag at Best Buy, and still just decided to go the CH route). Guess I'll sell the one I have now or just give it to a friend.

I guess the success of School of Rock brings with it good things. Now if only Before Sunrise could get a new edition (with the sequel coming out next month, I thought it would be guaranteed).

K

Perhaps a good Universal DVD collecting strategy to save some time and money is to wait to buy any Universal titles once I'm on my deathbed, so that way I'm not constantly upgrading their titles.

Oh well, done it before will do it again.

Actually, I'd reccommend not buying any Universal title that isn't anamorphic or a SE/CE/UE. There's bound to be an upgrade on the horizon.

You can all thank me for this, since just last week I recieved the anamorphic R2 version of D&C.

Oh, and the R2 is NOT and SE, it's just anamorphic, but otherwise, bare-bones.

What else are you looking to get from R2? My waitlist for Universal titles is pretty long

Great news! I will definitely pick this up as I was hoping for a new release of some sorts.

Wow a lot of sweet DVD news recently. Thanks. No way I'll be passing this up if the extras are nice.