Agreed.

excellent news!!! I will definitely get this one.

DVDAnswers has the cover art up.

Back cover art:

i just hope they do something special in tulsa for this...

Very nice!

What does "All-New Soundtrack Score" mean exactly?

I believe it simply refers to the fact that it will be DD 5.1.

No, not really. Posted earlier in this thread:

Coppola has also added a brand new rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack with six songs from Elvis Presley and from Van Morrison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, The Marketts, Sandy Nelson and others. "I had always hoped the film could have an all Elvis Presley score," noted Coppola, "which turned out not to be possible at the time. Now we have reconceived the score, based on what these characters would be listening to, while still retaining the movie’s great original song, ‘Stay Gold’ by Carmine Coppola and Stevie Wonder."

Looks like a great release. However, since they're altering the soundtrack, I guess I'll also have to hang onto the original DVD.

You'll also need to keep the old release for the original cut of the film.

Hard to see for sure,...but it looks like disk 2 is another one of those we don't have that many features but we're going to put them on a second disk anyway....

^^^yah i was hoping for the original cut on disc two

Got an early peek at this one last night. Quick impressions: The new soundtrack gets rid of Carmine Coppola's beautiful score and replaces it with a LOT of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis tunes. Other scenes that played out without music in the theatrical cut now have music playing in the background as well. It's like watching an entirely different movie and it is NOT, in my opinion, an improvement. BTW, the Stevie Wonder and Van Morrison tunes are still there. The transfer is OK, although the flesh tones seem a little too pale.

The reinstated footage is fascinating, especially for fans of the novel (there is a LOT of new stuff), but Coppola was wise to have cut it the first time around, since most of it just slows down the narrative (and a lot of it isn't very well acted, either, especially Rob Lowe's scenes).

Haven't listened to the commentaries yet or watched the main retrospective documentary on the second disc, but I did check out a few of the other extras, including a GREAT 15-minute segment on the casting process (which includes a lot of the original audition videotapes; see Anthony Michael Hall reading for Ponyboy, etc.) and another very cool, recently filmed extra in which some of the cast members (Howell, Lane, Dillon, Macchio, Garrett and Swayze) read passages from the novel. There is a neat little featurette with S.E. Hinton revisiting the filming locations and another compilation of additional scenes which includes an alternate opening and closing sequence. That section also includes a scene from the theatrical cut that is not in the new version (classy of WB to throw that in).

Basically, if you're a fan of the film and the novel, you'll definitely want to check this set out. But you'll also want to hang on to the original version. That's the one I'll be pulling off my shelf next time I feel like watching the movie.

Thanks for the quick review - I'm a huge Outsiders fan and can't wait to see this.

Wow. I knew that I'd probably also be watching the theatrical cut more often than the new cut. Glad I never got rid of it.

Rusty James, could you tell us by chance what scene from the theatrical cut was removed from this new version?

It's a scene that comes while Ponyboy and Johnny are hiding out in the church and have bleached/cut their hair. The church sequence is MUCH longer in the new version, but it omits a previous shot that began with the upside-down reflection of the two boys standing by a lake, with Ponyboy complaining about his hairdo.

Another thought: A lot of the restored footage is VERY melodramatic - lots more crying and hugging - to the point where I found myself rolling my eyes at times (and I am someone who adores the book and film). The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that editing the movie was the best thing Coppola ever did.

I really liked that reflection scene in the water. In fact, I liked every scene shot outside of that church (or on a set made-up to be outside the church). What a shame.

I don't get it Rusty James - if you adore the book, then you should understand why these scenes were added, they make it much more of a family story now than that of a dark, almost Rumble Fish-like film. At the core of the text, it is a story of heart, brotherly love, blah, blah, blah. And please, don't refer to this as just "another director presenting his original vision" thing. Coppola was happy with the original, save for the score, of which the new one, ironically enough, was played while the scenes were being filmed, but the rights couldn't be acquired, leaving only the score, Stevie and Van in '83. In reality, other than the obvious cash-in factor, is that the book is just as popular today, and people see the film and wonder why so many important scenes are left out. I think that the extra brothers hugging and holding, talking in bed scene is definitely balanced out by the extended church scene, the jumping of Ponyboy at the beginning and the courtroom scene.

Personally, I think it is done very well. Some of the extras are great, such as the archival NBC footage of the librarian and students who originally petitioned to have the flick made. The casting call segment is great (Anthony Michael Hall!). But some of the other stuff is filler and doesn't really require the 2nd disc.

I'm actually glad Emilo and Tom Cruise aren't a part of the commentaries or the interviews, as they were such minor characters. Although, the added footage of Emilio in the hospital is a jaw dropping scene which left me saying out loud, "Wow - how did THAT one get left out originally?"

.... an added rock soundtrack..... this sounds like a show stopper to me. whats wrong with the original musical selection? I was just about to preorder this, but think I will hold off now until I hear some reviews come in.

Jim

Agreed - I like that scene as well.

Unfortunately, the water scene is indeed cut, but appears in the "deleted scenes" section on disc two.

Again, I want to stress that this isn't a Lucas-like directors cut - much bettter and much more interesting. Coppola cut a 30 second pond scene and added more enhancing footage...it's not like he makes Leif Garrett stab Ralph Macchio first

I find it interesting that there is so much complaining about the "rock and roll soundtrack" when hardly any of you have given it a chance and seen how it is incorporated. All I can say is that it enhances the film greatly. The Carmine Coppola score is still there, it's just been cut down for the music that Francis originally wanted in the film, but couldn't logistically put in at that time. Also, I wonder if the cut scenes were ever scored in the first place? Perhaps that's another reason for the additional music, otherwise, there may've been gaping holes in the score anyway.

This is definitely a DVD highlight of the year as far as I'm concerned. I say give it a chance - you'll be pleasantly surprised I think.

UNCLE--- you've convinced me! :-)

I gather that the disc has already hit the streets? I thought it was due for release on the 20th. You know I shouldn't be so reactionary to the changed soundtrack. Coppola is certainly capable and i'll give a shot. So who did punch first, the greasers or the soshes. :-)

I have been looking forward to this disc since it was first announced some years back. (or at least it seems like years)... I guess i have just been eating piss and vinegar all day, and my initial reading of the new score left me with a bad taste. I did say after all that I'd wait for reviews, based on yours, what the heck, i've dropped more money on lesser things.

On a related subject, i've always said that there should be a directors cut of Lady Hawk, a film for which I'd insist there be a new musical score.

grin

Jim