Gladiator - New Deluxe DVD Edition

[PoochJD]

Hi,

Some of you may be aware that Ridley Scott is preparing a new multi-disc version of his amazing historical drama movie "Gladiator". Well, I've just been perusing the BBFC website, and some of the extras look amazing! At the moment, the line-up looks to be as follows:

Disc 1:
- Expanded Edition of the movie, with 17 minutes of never-before-seen footage reinstated back into the film. In 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, with a DD5.1 (or possibly with DTS) soudntrack.
- Original Theatrical Cut
- Introduction to the Extended Edition by director Ridley Scott
- An "Are You Not Entertained?" audio trivia track with Historical References
- All-New Audio Commentary with Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe
- Deleted Footage Marker. Guide to help identify the newly restored footage.

Disc 2:
- Gladiator: Deleted Scene - "Choose Your Weapon" (47s)
- Gladiator: Strength And Honor Documentary (Parts 1-3) (66m 30s)
- Gladiator: Strength And Honor Documentary (Parts 4+5) (85m 59s)
- Gladiator: Strength And Honor Documentary (Parts 6+7) (71m 36s)
- Tale of the Scribes: Crafting the Story
- The Tools of War: Weapons and Vehicles
- Attire of the Realm: Costume Design
- The Heat of Battle: Production Journals
- Shadows and Dust: Resurrecting Proximo
- The Glore of Rome: Oscar-winning Visual Effects
- Echoes in Eternity: The film's release and global reaction

Disc 3:
- Production Design Featurette and Gallery
- Storyboard Demonstrations, Comparisons and Gallery
- Abandoned Sequences
- Ridleygrams: Ridley Scott's Own Sketches
- Costume Design Gallery
- Photo Galleries
- Abandoned sequences including Alternate Opening Titles, Blood Vision, Rhino Fight, and a newly discovered deleted scene
- Letters From the Front: Authentic memos on the challenges of production
- Commodus Screen Test (Joaquin Phoenix)
- Visual Effects Explorations (Germania & Rome)
- An Evening with Russell Crowe

As you can see, we'll have over 3 hours of documentary and behind-the-scenes footage alone, plus another 2-3 hours of other extras on the third disc!

All I can say is that this is going to be a handsome DVD set to own, when it comes out - which will probably be in 25th August 2005, on both R1 and R2! Don't go selling your original 2-disc version though, as these extras are different to the new ones mentioned above, meaning you'll have 4-discs worth of Gladiator to wade through! The original extras disc, plus the three mentioned above!


Pooch

[Gary D]

lets not forget that the new ones doesn't have the dts-es soundtrack either.

Gary

[Razor]

The extra 17 minutes of footage is a good bonus but the loss of DTS is a silly move as the DTS soundtrack was very good in the editon I own.

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by Gary D

lets not forget that the new ones doesn't have the dts-es soundtrack either.

Gary

Good point if it does appear DTS-less.

S'pose they may be experimenting to see if people will indeed shell out more money on a film they already have even if the new version is inferior in some respects...PJ

[Gary D]

i'll get it even though i have the R1

Gary

[PoochJD]

Hi,

I'll still buy the new version, but simply retain my original Region 1 version as well, for the DTS soundtrack.


Pooch

[Battlestar]

sounds good,
what sort of stuff is in the reinstated footage ?

[Gary D]

Originally Posted by Dave-S

sounds good,
what sort of stuff is in the reinstated footage ?

Hi Dave,

that the question isn't it - word round the campfire is that it might be the deleted scenes from the first dvd. but we'll have to wait and see.

Gary

[Battlestar]

Originally Posted by Gary D

Hi Dave,

that the question isn't it - word round the campfire is that it might be the deleted scenes from the first dvd. but we'll have to wait and see.

Gary

Hi gary,
I have just done some checking, ( I dont own the DVD at the momenet as I had a feeling this was going to get a super special edition) but I have found somew info on deleted footage from the film. Perhaps this is what is going to be reinstated?




1. Battle Aftermath (1:13; 8 shots; no dialogue):
Maximus surveys his wounded soldiers at a battlefield hospital following their devastating victory against the Germanian forces.

2. Looking for Strength (:44; 10 shots; no dialogue):
With a monumental decision to make, Marcus prays to his ancestors.

3. Dye Market (1:50; 30 shots):
Unsure of his recent acquisitions, Proximo is challenged to bet against his own gladiators.

4. Stage Direction (:55; 20 shots):
A frustrated Proximo instructs Maximus to entertain the mob and not kill his opponents so quickly.

5. Fed to the Lions (:55; 14 shots; no dialogue):
Maximus observes a grim scene as lions are let out into the Coliseum to devour innocent Christians.

6. A Meeting at Gracchus' House (3:54; 38 shots):
Lucilla, Gracchus and Gaius discuss the cost of the games on Rome's future...and what's to be done about Commodus.

7. Father and Son (1:42; 13 shots):
Vexed by the reappearance of Maximus, Commodus takes out his anger by defacing a bust of his father.

8. The Execution (2:48; 55 shots):
Commodus demonstrates his power by testing Quintus' loyalty and ordering the execution of two Praetorians.

9. Spies Close In (1:13; 15 shots):
A suspicious Commodus has ordered that surveillance be kept on potential traitors. Proximo realizes that he is being watched.

10. Another Enemy (:56; 9 shots; no dialogue):
As she is tested by Commodus, Lucilla realizes that Falco is in league with her brother.

11. Fighting with Fire (:30; 15 shots):
The Praetorians wreak havoc as they raid Proximo's compound to seize Commodus.



Also, wasn't the ending of the film originaly supposed to be more upbeat with maximus army invading the city? I heard this did not happen due to money and time problems.
Dave.

[Gary D]

Thanks Dave

Some of that rings bells in my head (i.e. ive seen the that footage) and some doesn't. i'll check the dvd when i get home.

its one of my fav movies so i'll buy it anyway, shame about the DTS though.


Gary

I'll keep the edition i have and not buy this extended edition for 2 reasons

1) No DTS soundtrack
2) I'm fed up with special extended editions and think this will just be the deleted scenes from the original DVD.

I will probably give it a rent though.

[PJTX100]

Originally Posted by FoxyMulder

I'll keep the edition i have and not buy this extended edition for 2 reasons

1) No DTS soundtrack
2) I'm fed up with special extended editions and think this will just be the deleted scenes from the original DVD.

I will probably give it a rent though.

Totally agree.... until the R3 appears on CDWOW for less than a fiver...PJ

[Gary D]

the DTS isn't really an issue for me - yes its nice but its not the end of the world - i sometimes think that people get far to wound up by NO DTS. at the kind of volume levels most of us watch at it doesn't make that much differance its not like the DD track is mono or anything.

i'll probably get it for £10-£12 so its not like its going to cost the earth and that "making of" looks like it will be worth the price on its own.

Gary

[Tejstar]

I was a big fan of the original film and will be double dipping when this comes out later in the year. I’m not bothered about the extras but very much looking forward to the extended scenes!

[Razor]

I'm going to wait for the HD version of this film. No more SD re-buys for me.