I think this could see the light of day this year, because Terrence Malick's The New World is coming out soon, and Paramount might jump on the early-American-history bandwagon with a DVD when Malick's film arrives on DVD.

The fact that Paramount may have archived a ready to go Hi-Definition transfer of 1492: Conquest Of Paradise, and has failed to issue a dvd, is quite disturbing, just my 2 cents.

it aint' disturbing - it's a tad dumb. Paramount should release on standard DVD and Blu-Ray/HD or whatever format Paramount has decided on.

A little of both ya know, and I agree they should release this already.

question - have the HDNet broadcast version been the PG-13 US Theatrical prints or the longer Euro cut of the film? I would assume ther former - right?

Their website listed it as being PG-13 and having a runtime of 2:25.

It's the US theatrical cut and not the international version. Paramount previously announced this for release as a catalogue title on dvd for November 16th 2004, and than mysteriously pulled it from their release schedule. A listing on DVDEmpire appeared briefly for preorder and it's running time was listed at 2 hours and 25 minutes, rated PG-13. I would assume that the studio would have used the master that HDnet always airs for any forthcoming dvd release.

Some recent Paramount catalog titles were just announced, and unfortunately this was not on that list. Would have been nice to see this get a release date in June. Maybe this still could sneak in there somehow. This needs to be released by Paramount so bad it hurts. Got to have some hope.

Ok, felt the need to dig this thread up again to link to a video for Vangelis theme song, Conquest Of Paradise: http://www.zippyvideos.com/4727578694374296/conquestpa/

The few of us that regard 1492 as a great film welcome any release news, rumor or not.

That rumor is a possibility. Since the dvd has taken forever to get released there may be complicated rights issues with the international co-production and the distribution rights for release in North America. Criterion could have acquired the rights to the film. I wouldn't place a safe bet on Paramount actually still owning the rights to distribute the film in North America. However, I will believe it when I see it.

I just logged into imdb and found the rumor that was posted:

Criterion Collection of 1492 Coming!?!
I have been told by a very good source that in August/September 1492 Conquest of Paradise will be coming to Region 1 DVD by the Criterion Collection. I can't find it on the site but I trust this source. (A dvd specialty store owner)

Sounds to me like just a rumor, his source is a dvd specialty store owner?

August and September, as well as October Criterions have been announced.

Sounds like a "rumor" alright. Granted, a CC release would be widely welcome (and feasable).

Truly, CC would love to preserve this film and they could do wonders with it. I hope this rumor one day turns out to be true.

Since PARAMOUNT is just thrilled with the big money they are making off tv show sets. theyve all but forgotten catalog. I think REDS is coming out and thats it...except for new titles

In a recent interview for DVD Review of the UK, Ridley Scott mentions that he is apparently looking into putting together a four-hour long cut of 1492 with the intention of premiering it on HBO. Here is what he said in the interview:

And the other project?

"Well there's a film I did with Gerard Depardieu, 1492. There's definetely a four-hour-long film in that one, so we're looking at digging out all the old material with a view to doing it on HBO first".

Unless Scott just get's lazy here, judging by that interview, it appears he is looking into working on a 4 hour long cut of 1492 to premiere it on HBO first and than later on DVD I would assume.

let's hope he has some clout and can get HBO to air in it's full aspect ratio of 2.35 - if and when it's gonna look great in HiDef (HBO)