I'll have to wait for reviews to decide whether to double dip.

It's not likely as I'm happy with the original and the deleted scenes on it weren't really ones that made me think "gee I wish he'd left those in the movie."

Would it be possible to include DTS? The extended cut will be 172 mins. long. Add in a Dolby track and a commentary, and it doesn't seem like there will be much room for a DTS track. The current edition looks a little compressed as it is.

Well the first Signature Series version did come out several years ago. Compression technology has improved since then. If the LOTR-EEs can have both DD-EX and DTS-ES tracks plus 4 commentaries, then I'd say that this 172 minute cut could hold a DTS track and a commentary at least.

question (im too lazy to get out my dvd), but are the deleted scenes on the current dvd anamorphic? I ask because we all know what universal is cappable of when it comes to 2 versions of a movie on the same disc (remeber Ray)

I will have to rewatch some of those deleted scenes again - wasn't there more than 17 minutes worth? I guess I was expecting atleast 25 min worth...

The 200min doc would be the big selling point for me here ....I wasn't expecting that. Here's hoping the packaging is cool.

I may double dip via Columbia House. I love the movie, but the current 2 disc set is already great.

I've got Ray, but haven't watched it yet. What are you saying? Are the new scenes not anamorphic?

But with regards to the deleted scenes on Gladiator, some weren't even finished shots. Some look like rough dailies. Very grainy and hard to make out even.

DTS and extra minutes is enough for me to DD

I hope the DTS track is NOT on the disc as I am hoping for improved video quality.

Not anamorphic and not even close to the level of picture quality of the rest of the film... the transition to the new scenes is extremely jarring. It's basically unwatchable.

Universal also did this with the expanded "explosive" edition of The Bourne Identity. The extra scenes are non-anamorphic and have terrible picture quality.

So will the extended version include any extra graphic violence? I heard some bits were cut to avoid an NC-17 at the time.

I haven't seen the entire film since it was in theaters. I would love to pick up the new dvd though,since I've been meaning to pick up the original for years.

thanks for the good news, maybe i'll stick with the 2-disc, unless it has a nice cover or other.

Unless they somehow magically are able to create the rhino scene, I'll pass

Well, going on memory here, as I've only watched the deleted scenes once, but I remember the opening barbarian battle was extended and I do believe several shots were a bit more graphic than what was in the TC, (think the difference between the TC of King Arthur and the UR DC version), and during at least one of the gladiatorial games there was some quick camera cut-aways that occurred to prevent the audience from seeing the "end result" of the action that were actually filmed. For example, during the African gladiator scene, one of the "slave guys" throws a champion fighter up onto some spikes on the wall. In the TC, the camera cuts away leaving you only with the impression that that was actually done. The cut scene shows the guy being impaled by the spikes.

I feel that if these scenes are restored into this film that it'll have the feeling that I always wanted it to have. I felt the original cut was a bit shy in the dramatics in the violence. It didn't have that "Woah...Wow!" factor that I was hoping it would've.


Now as far as the "fact" that the deleted scenes on the first disc run longer than 17 minutes, that could be true as to some of them may contain footage that's already in the film, (ie. extended scenes). I'll check the deleted scenes myself shortly to check for sure.

Well, that sucks. Wonder why they did that? Why make that a big selling point on the package and have mediocre presentation?

I will wait for some reviews to come out. The orginal 2 disc version is pretty close to perfect already!

Take care all!!

Does CH currently offer any 3-disc sets for enrollment? I know they used to have the Deluxe Editions of Black Hawk Down and Mystic River for enrollment, but not any more.

Or the scene with massive ship battles in the arena!
That would be sweet! Maybe in Gladiator 2...

Funny that its not up for pre-order yet if the release date is June 7

PS I didnt know about Alien Quadrilogy (thanks to Mike for pointing that out). I have Alien/Aliens from that set, but not Alien 3.

No, but it will make a nice fulfillment.


Also, from http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html#0412:
We've checked with our sources and learned that, because this title is still in production, this list isn't entirely correct (although the final release should be very close to this). For one thing, the 3 hour and 20 minute Strength and Honor: Creating the World of Gladiator documentary takes up virtually the entire second disc in the set. The other "extras" you see listed under this on Disc Two are actually the titles of chapters of the documentary, some of which have changed since this list was issued. We've learned that a couple of the special features listed were from an early disc proposal and are not part of this set, while you should also expect a few additional special features not yet revealed. Finally, we've learned that there will be no DTS track, owing to the disc space demands of including two versions of the film on a single DVD disc via seamless branching, while still keeping the presentation quality high (an unfortunate but understandable sacrifice that will nevertheless likely be a sticking point with some fans). We'll update you as things become more finalized on this release. Look for an announcement from DreamWorks and Universal on this title sometime in the next few months, along with final disc specs and the official release date.

Still no mention of the old commentary or new. The more I think about this the more I think I'll just stick with my 2-Disc. It's not like it's a movie I watch a lot.

? Was this a deleted scene?

Yes, they used storyboards to show the deleted scene.

I'll have to break out my 2-Disc sometime and check that out.

No dts....I will pass on this for sure. But I would love to watch that 200min doc over and over again. Lame.

As this is one of my favorite films I'll be al over this.