I think Universal might have just thought it was too long and had some trims done for the theatrical release like five years ago. But the point is, this, as a "Director's Cut" would be the longer version, so there's nothing to worry about buying this one that is coming out.

Hmmm... I could do without yet more releases of this film, as I've bought this several times over the years. But I'm guessing this upcoming release will have nothing to add to the France R2 4-disc Ultimate Edition I bought in '02? (besides English options, of course.)

Correct. You should stay with the book Dazza.

Pro-B

No.

The Universal version was indeed a version that was released in theaters worldwide.

In France, the shorter version was released theatrically at first, then the director's cut was released on DVD.

In sum, Universal didn't had any trim done for this movie. However, Universal did re-edit another StudioCanal movie "Harrison's Flowers" for its US release.

(In 2001, Universal Pictures acquired the US rights of three movies from StudioCanal: "Mulholland Drive", "Brotherhood of the Wolf" and "Harrison's Flowers". )

Cool - thanks, Pro-B; at least I'm spared having to buy this release, then!

Dazza.

Universal's website lists these not-very-well-defined special features.

- Documentary
- "The Guts of the Beast"
- "Legend"
- Deleted Scenes
- Storyboards
- Theatrical Trailer

I wish it had the commentaries, but I might still get it.

I bought the 3-disc Canadian version about 5 years ago and was very happy with it. Last summer I saw a used copy of the domestic release for $7 and decided to grab it just to see how much better the picture was.

To be honest, I couldn't see much difference on my 50" plasma (using HDMI upconverting and component video outputs). I've held on to the domestic release simply because it wasn't comanding OOP prices anymore on Amazon.

My recommendation - get and/or hold on to the 3-disc release until after reviewers start chiming in on this new release...even then, this is a very visual movie, and would probably be best waiting for a Blu-Ray release.

Peter

DVD cover + more info

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=68289

The art is nice. I'll get it, although I wish it was on Blu.

axelmusic.com has the back cover of this DVD; it looks good. (sorry....I'm not allowed to post link now....)

this movie literally screams out for lossless DTS-HD MA on bluray - come on Universal, I have the Canadian DTS edition (which is a sonic assualt on the senses), I don't see a reason to buy this version, there's not even a DTS soundmix on this 'new' DVD... ugh, some studio really seem so aloof and stupid half the time.

I absolutely love this film...so I created my own ultimate edition - 3-Disc Canadian Edition, and the HD-DVD (which despite packaging errors, has the director's cut on the disc). The PQ on the HD disc is fantastic...bright, colorful, sharp. It just has no extras.

Any early reviews for this new disc?

If it's bad, I might just go ahead and get the HD-DVD import.

I own this Universal 2-disc DVD.

The video/sound quality of this Universal 2-disc DVD is as good as the previous version ( Universal single-disc DVD ). This DVD has several very watchable extras.... and I think the director's cut is definitely better than theatrical release version. Plus, this Universal 2-disc DVD is low price.

For the people who don't have the Canadian 3-disc DVD, this Universal 2-disc DVD is a great pick-up.

Thank you Giles, as you saved me some money. I don't have Blu Ray yet, but do own the Canadian DTS edition, which is excellent. No DTS = No Sale!

If you've got the capability for HDDVD, it's worth it, especially if you really like the film. The HD transfer is very very different than anything I've seen before from this film. The palette is just incredible, compared to the SD-Versions. Now, I have not seen this new release, but there is no way it's as good, in the picture quality and sound department, as the HD.

I wrote a review for the HD one that never got posted here (supermallet!), which I can paste at some point when I get home tonight.

Zeppelin, how large is your screen? I didn't find the Brotherhood of the Wolf HD DVD very impressive at all. The picture has a lot of filtering and edge enhancement, and muddy oversaturated colors.

Here's the review I wrote of it a while back:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29480...directors-cut/

I have a 60" SXRD set...
I'll agree that it's far from the best HD-DVD Transfer I've seen, but it was such an improvement over either of the previous NA releases in the color and detail. The overall hue of the film is much brighter than the old 3-disc, but I'm not so sure that the green being overly filtered wasn't on purpose. Compared with my 3-disc, it literally popped off the screen, and was much brighter.

I didn't particularly notice any compression artifacts, so I'm going to have to watch it again. And be a bit more critical this time as opposed to just enjoying one of my faves. I have an odd love for this film..

dvdempire.com has posted this "Brotherhood of the Wolf" 2-disc director's cut DVD's back cover, and Focus Features' logo is on the back cover.

It is very strange! I got this DVD few days ago, and my DVD doesn't have the Focus Features' logo on the back cover. (Maybe my DVD's back cover was a mistake?)

Furthermore, in my DVD, only Universal's logo appears at the beginning of the movie (no Focus Features's logo)

Today, this DVD is released in the stores in the United States....... Does anyone see Focus Features' logo on the back cover of this DVD? (In the DVD, does Focus Features' logo appear at the beginning of the movie?)

BTW, does anyone see this DVD in the big stores? (like Wal-Mart, Best Buy)

Thanks.

I didn't see a copy at Best Buy during my lunch break.

Just checked Best Buy store availabilty and it says every store within 50 miles has it.

Just picked this up at Best Buy in Marlborough, Massachusetts:
$14.99, they only had 1 copy that I could find.
The Focus features logo is on the back -- it looks just like the picture at DVDEmpire.

Mine has the Universal logo on the back too, where there's a Focus Features logo on the DVD Empire back scan. Odd.

Mine has both universal and focus features logo. Picked up one of only 2 copies on the shelf at BB.

No Focus Features logo appeared in the opening credits of the theatrical version. The Focus Features logo only really deals with their DVD line with this specific film...nothing really to do with the overall production of the film.