DVD Polizei

Ok, so I bought the Director's Cut Blu-ray on a DD sale, but come to find out (silly me) there was the Immortal Edition as well. Any differences in the transfers? Can't find any info online. Does the Immortal Edition come with a Queen CD or something.

Any info appreciated!

RocShemp

If it's like the Immortal Edition on DVD, it has a Queen Sampler CD and the soundtrack of the movie is totally redone (the Quickenings have far more oomph, there's a pretty loud - and rather silly - bass hit when MacLeod grabs the Kurgan's face in the church, and musical cues were removed in favor of "wooshing" sounds that are meant to be like the "buzz" heard in the TV series when immortals were in close proximity of one another).

DVD Polizei

Thanks for the info.

RocShemp

Keep in mind that the information I provided was for the US DVD release from a few years ago. I have no idea if this UK BD is anything like it at all.

PhantomStranger

That does not apply here. The UK Immortal edition on Blu-ray is just the normal UK Blu-ray in a steelcase, there are no differences or extra things with it. Most hardcore Highlander fans think the UK BD is superior to the US BD. The UK BD has less obvious DNR and the original soundtrack.

islandclaws

I grabbed the DC of this for $5 at Target yesterday. I've never seen the film.

RocShemp

It's a lot of fun. Will probably be the best $5 purchase you ever made.

horroru

I tried to post this before, but not sure what happened so trying again:
I'm a big fan of this film and I much prefer the Immortal British Optimum edtion over the US Lionsgate verison.
I actually sold my US copy and replaced it with the Immortal Edition, picked it up on Amazon for $15.00 shipped.
Here's why:
1. Better picture quality: I prefer Optimum's transfer on the Immortal edition over Lionsgate transfer which has weaker colors and blacks.
2. Immortal edition has both English Surround DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, while Lionsgate just has 5.1
3. Extras:Lionsgate has director commentary and deleted scenes.
Immortal edition has the commentary and deleted scenes plus:
Highlander Documentary --standard def but 85 minutes long!
Christopher Lambert interview -- 9 minutes
Trailer in high def

So there's my comparison, hope that helps!

RocShemp

How's the soundmix, horroru? Did they keep the original music cues and sound effects (as the Lionsgate BD does) or did they use the altered soundmix from the DVD?

horroru

I'm pleased to say this blu ray keeps the original music cues and sound effects, NOT that annoying Anchor Bay DVD sound remix!

And I actually prefer the 2.0 audio over the 5.1 remix, to me it just sounds more natural and truly is the original soundmix. And again, the Lionsgate version doesn't offer the 2.0, just the 5.1 remix.

I'm just not sure this movie will ever get a better treatment, and if you're a fan like me that will watch it once a year, the Immortal Edition is worth it for picture and sound quality. The documentary is icing on the cake.

rexinnih

And not sure if it's still available, but when I ordered mine from Amazon UK, it is a nice steelbook.

RocShemp

Is it region free or locked?

PhantomStranger

The UK Blu-ray is good in both Regions A and B; it is not good for Region C. So Russians should look elsewhere for Highlander.

DVD Polizei

Thanks for the info, horroru.

horroru

No problem, always nice when my OCDness about getting the best version of my favorite movies can help others!

MTRodaba2468

Thank you very much. With this knowledge, I will import the UK release.

Damn, ever since I imported the Superman box set, the floodgates have just opened for me...

rexinnih

Me too. Just dropped $150 on a bunch of BDs with Amazon UK.

AmityBoatTours

A little off topic but does anyone know if in their deal for distributing Mirmax/dimenson catalog titles, if Lionsgate picked up the distribution rights to Highlander Final Dimension, and Highlander End game for BD
or if they let Echos Bridge have them. I am hoping they did so that way we will get a somewhat decent release of those in the future not to mention possibly a boxset, since Lionsgate also owns the rights to Highlander the source.

Spottedfeather

Does the immortal edition have the Director Russell Mulcahy and producers Peter Davis and William Panzer doing the commentary ? The case just mentioned the director. If not, I have absolutely no interest in it. I don't care how much better the picture is. I love the group commentary.

MTRodaba2468

Just received my copy of the steelbook from Amazon. My heart almost stopped when I saw the packaging said "Region B", but I had no difficulties playing it on my PS3, so it turned out well.

And while I haven't checked out the commentary yet, Spotted, everywhere I've seen says it's just the director on it.

PhantomStranger

It would be Echo Bridge if anyone even bothered licensing the rights for those movies on Blu-ray. Lionsgate mostly got the titles with decent sales potential, ala whatever Walmart would actually carry in its stores. Echo Bridge mostly got Lionsgate's leftovers.