The Wicker Man - Region 2 w/commentary!

[carryonline]

Details are coming in about a R2 release of the Wicker Man due on 25 Feb 2002. So far, it's looking like being an exact copy of the R1 release *but* with a commentary by Christopher Lee, Edward Woodward, producer Peter Snell & director Robin Hardy.

Yow :clap:

[Dagada]

Which cut will it be, though?

C4 are saying they'll be showing "The Director's Cut" on new years eve - quite what that means is unclear seeing as there are about three or four versions all claiming to be just that.

[carryonline]

Extended cut; the director approved 102 minute version, same as in the R1 box set

[GregB]

Looks like I'll be in the same quandry as with my wooden box as I am with my Akira tin. Do I sell them and but the apparently superior R2 release, do I keep both or do I just stick with my the existing discs. :confused:

[carryonline]

Eh, I'm just adding this to the collection. So far -

VHS release of the butchered 84 minute cut (PAL)
VHS release of the 102 minute cut (NTSC)
R1 box set

Sure, there's duplication but isn't that what being obsessive is all about?



:D

[Apex]

Details coming in? Full press release was up here (http://www.bulletsnbabesdvds.com/article.php?sid=682) yesterday... :)

[carryonline]

Aha! I got my rather sketchy info from the Wicker Man mailing list. Thanks for the link

[Dagada]

Isn't the region one box set the 99 min version? I'll have to double check my copy of it......

[Narshty]

The 99-minute version is, shot for shot, exactly the same as the 102 minute version (and is in fact slightly longer - there was a jump cut during the courtyard scene on the old fabled NTSC VHS).

I'll be keeping my R1 box set for the cooler-than-cool packaging and the original theatrical version, since it's the first time I saw the film.

I'll be getting the R2 for the commentary, of course.

[Morpheus2000]

Unlike the wooden-box version will the extended scenes be remasterd on this Region 2 version?

[Michael Brooke]

Unless the only surviving 35mm print of the full version comes to light (assuming it stil exists), the Anchor Bay disc is about as good as you're ever likely to get.

They were forced to work from an NTSC tape master made in the Seventies, because that was the highest-quality known source of the additional footage. The end result is far from ideal, but it's hard to see how it could be improved upon given the poor source materials.

[Neil Irving]

For the record, Channel 4 are showing an extended 50-60 minute documentary on THE WICKER MAN which by all accounts will exceed the 'Enigma' doc. currently available on R1 AB DVD.
It will have an interview with Mr. Deeley which will be the icing on the cake (I think he worked at British Lion at the time of the film's original 1973 release).

Screening towards the end of December a few days before the terrestrial premiere of the 102 minute cut.

[Dan Druff]

Originally posted by Neil Irving
For the record, Channel 4 are showing an extended 50-60 minute documentary on THE WICKER MAN which by all accounts will exceed the 'Enigma' doc. currently available on R1 AB DVD.
It will have an interview with Mr. Deeley which will be the icing on the cake (I think he worked at British Lion at the time of the film's original 1973 release).

Screening towards the end of December a few days before the terrestrial premiere of the 102 minute cut.

Excellent, thanks for the info! Tape this.
I have the Anchor Bay wooden box edition, and absolutely love this movie, don't think I'll be buying it on R2 just for the commentary, I know someone who will though, and I'll get a loan. :)