This made my week! Sony has an impressive PQ history. This is a beautiful film so I can't wait to get this.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4076

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced 'The Natural' for release on Blu-ray on April 6. This baseball movie, starring Robert Redford, was initially slated to come out three years ago, simultaneously with the director's cut DVD, but was pulled from the schedule. The Blu-ray will include the 138-minute theatrical cut of the movie.

Special features include:
When Lightning Strikes: Creating the Natural:
Part 1
Part 2, The Line-Up: Assembling the Moviemaking Team
Part 3, Let's Play Ball: Filming the Show
For the Love of the movie... and the Game
A Natural Gunned Down: The Stalking of Eddie Waitkus
Knights in Shining Armor: The Mythology of "The Natural"
The Heart of The Natural
BD-Live
movieIQ

So will this have both cuts or no? The wording is kind of confusing. It was supposed to come out with the DC DVD, but now will include the TC.

Either way it will be a purchase.

What is it with Sony and their vague press releases? First Leon omits the international version in its press release and now The Natural does the same.

Enjoyable movie. Didn't know about a different version. Hopefully will hit around $10 eventually.

Only a purchase for me if it includes the 144m DC version -- I've held off on purchasing the current DVD in hopes of it making it to the BD.

In this instance, the initial details are correct that it's the original Theatrical Cut of the movie.

I know it's the DC that's been shown on HDnet recently, but I can't imagine there isn't an HD master for the DC given the DVD just came out in the past couple years.

I hope it has both. I don't want to get flogged again. The original DVD only had 4.0 sound. I wonder what is instore for the Blu?

Someone at the HTF says the 138 minute running time in the press release is the PAL speedup of the director's cut running time of 144 minutes.

It's actually the Theatrical Cut only.

I can handle having the theatrical cut only if the transfer and encoding are both solid. Considering it was announced and mysteriously shelved previously, it would not surprise me if this release is just a held-over version of that original announcement.

I'm not sure if I even want a "director's cut." The movie has been out for over 25 years. It might be like Amadeus, where some people get to know the original cut so well that they don't like the longer version.

I mean, if it's a situation where he really was forced to cut stuff he wanted in back then, it might be different, but I don't want another extended edition where they just throw deleted scenes in like Gladiator or Donnie Brasco. Even if Levinson approves it, we know that directors don't have such a great track record when it comes to revising their work later.

If they have both on the blu, at least you can decide for yourself but it prob won't matter in this case.

I prefer the TC over the DC. But would be good to have both if possible.

I liked the DC, since those deleted scenes seemed to explain a few scenes in the TC version.

Amazon is listing this as the Directors Cut. Listing error?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/r...0MNOX7G&sr=8-1

Yes...note the updated packaging that does not have the "Director's Cut" banner.

For those of you buying in store, Bestbuy.com's price is $17.99, $2 lower than what's listed in the ad.

Saw this movie in the theater with my wife who was my girlfriend at the time. Much of it was filmed in Buffalo with extras from Rochester and Buffalo. A few friends at the time were taking a bus provided by the production company to Buffalo to be extras and got to meet many of the stars. One got a baseball signed by Robert Redford.

I always liked this movie but since I haven't opened the original since purchasing it I'm guessing a rental will suffice.

One of my top five movies, and definitely #1 sports movie, of all time. I'm glad it's not the Director's Cut, which IMO is inferior and unnecessary. I'll keep my DC DVD, but now I can finally get rid of the DVD of the TC.

The prospect of hearing Newman's magnificent score in lossless audio is particularly exciting.

I'm just sorry the release missed Opening Day.

I still haven't watched the DC but I'll be getting the Blu-ray. Has anyone seen a comprehensive list of the differences between the cuts? I didn't see much info in the reviews I read of the DC.

The director's cut is only about 6 minutes longer, but the first act has been re-edited, with some new scenes put in and others taken out, or trimmed. I prefer the director's cut. I've seen the theatrical at least 20 times, but the DC gives a bit more background on Hobbs and adds a little more meat to the first act. It provides a bit more explanation on Harriet Bird's character.

Sony does not get nearly enough credit for their (generally) outstanding catalogue releases.

The Natural is a poem. The Director's Cut has a tin ear for rhythm and pace, which is why I dislike it. It may have somewhat stronger story structure, but it no longer sings.