Dark City coming to Blu-ray (date TBC)

[Ger]

Looks like Dark City is on its way to Blu-ray and DVD in a new version. IGN have some sparse details here. Not sure why they want to mess about with the structure of the film as I thought it was great to begin with, but should be interesting anyway.

There's no release date yet.

EDIT: Already a thread in the Movies forum 'Dark City' to get a new DVD make-over...

[Jakeh1969]

Result. A fantastic film and one that I hoped would get released sooner rather than later!

[wastedyuthe]

They want to 'mess' with the structure because it was the studio that wanted certain things in the film, so they had to put them in. For example, the voice-over at the beginning of the film was requested to be put in by the studio so people knew to expect a sci-fi twist later in the film, and so people wouldn't get too 'confused'. In other words, the studio wanted to spoon-feed it's audience as they thought we were all thick! The voice-over is totally un-necessary and imo spoils the film for anyone new to it. When I first watched it, I luckily missed the first five minutes and the voice-over, and so the twist later in the film was a total surprise, which is how it should be. Hopefully this is just one thing that has been rectified, and one thing a lot of fans, like myself, have been waiting for years to be removed. As for the rest of the film, I thought it was spot on, so I hope they don't mess the rest up. I am glad they are finally getting to release the film the way they envisioned though.

[wastedyuthe]

K people, check HERE for an interview with Alex Proyas and David Goyer regarding the film in general. It mentions a screening of the Director's Cut, and one question remarks on the opening voice-over-

"Question: Regarding the opening voice-over narration, which explains the plot, was that your decision, or was it something the studio wanted to avoid confusing the audience?

Alex Proyas: I think every director dreams of giving away his entire movie in a stupid voice over. [audience laughter] I believe there’s a certain cult of turning the soundtrack off until you see Keifer Sutherland at the beginning of the movie, and I think that really rocks, actually."

I am assuming then, that it is taken care of

[EDIT] This is also what someone posted on imdb in 2006(hope they won't mind me quoting them)-
'I've attached Alex's reply to my question on the directors cut. This is two months old:

"There is definitely a better version of DARK CITY possible than the one released theatrically and currently available on home video/dvd. It runs a good 15 minutes longer and has several deleted scenes, many expanded scenes, greater philosophical and narrative complexity. And no damn opening voice-over! Pretty much my much-loved version before the testing process forced me to make some very painful changes and deletions.

Will this version be released any time soon? I have to continue giving you the official "no comment" until we are ready to make an announcement. Sorry." '

And this is what someone else posted-
"According to Alex Proyas, the studios forced the changes, including the opening narration. He's made no secret of his frustration and disappointment with the final result."

[Ger]

Originally Posted by wastedyuthe

They want to 'mess' with the structure because it was the studio that wanted certain things in the film, so they had to put them in.

Thanks, I never knew this. Hopefully it will be a proper Director's Cut so.

[The_Wierd]

Excellent news - I can't wait for a new version of this. I remember importing this and buying a Creative dxr2 card for my PC specifically to watch it back in 1998 - first DVD I bought and I was blown away!