Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)

[Akijama]

Two-Lane Blacktop Blu-ray

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION:

Restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised by director Monte Hellman, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
Alternate 5.1 surround soundtrack, supervised by Hellman, presented in DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray edition
Two audio commentaries: one by Hellman and filmmaker Allison Anders and one by screenwriter Rudolph Wurlitzer and author David N. Meyer
Interviews with Hellman, actor James Taylor, musician Kris Kristofferson, producer Michael Laughlin, and production manager Walter Coblenz
Screen test outtakes
Performance and Image, a look at the restoration of a ’55 Chevy used in the movie and the film’s locations today
Color Me Gone, photos and publicity from Two-Lane Blacktop
Trailer
PLUS: Rudy Wurlitzer’s screenplay, reprinted specially for this release; new essay by Kent Jones, appreciations by Richard Linklater and Tom Waits; and a reprint of the 1970 Rolling Stone article “On Route 66, Filming Two-Lane Blacktop”; ; the DVD edition also features Wurlitzer’s screenplay

[bsmith6470]

First!

This is stellar news!! Day one for me! I already own the limited edition numbered tin box DVD with commemorative keychain. Will gladly buy this.

[Bad Sandwich]

Hurray. Though this is yet another situation where an import release (UK Masters of Cinema) has unique worthwhile extras, so big fans will need to splurge on both.

[MitchA17]

Definitly the standout of the January lineup for me. Rented this without expecting much, mainly just for my Dad to watch, becuase most "car movies" don't really appeal to me. To my pleasent surprise, it was definitly very existential and deep. Thus, my Dad ended up being the disappointed one.

As with most Criterion titles, probably not a Day 1 for me, but definitly a sale pickup.

[baheidstu]

I'm curious as to what the packaging is going to be like on this one. The 2007 DVD from Criterion included the screenplay, etc. and came in a remarkably bulky box which I wasn't too keen on, so I kept the Anchor Bay DVD I had. I'm hoping this will be like the Sweet Smell of Success blu which is a digipack "wrapped" around a thick booklet but is still quite compact.

[deltasun]

Gonna suck that this will have to be a July sale purchase at B&N, unless there's an earlier, comparable sale.

[Tom Servo]

Review, paragraph seven below first picture, you knew he'd get there eventually...

[Drewbee87]

Will this go down by release week? I'd like to get it for my Dad, but I'm not going to pay $34.99 for it....

[Magoo]

[DetroitSquirreL]

Same transfer as MoC ?

[brps3]

I thought it was an ok movie. Didnt get the ending.

[arcadeforest]

Watched this tonight - reviewer was right in how this film felt like a time capsule. Liked it - may have to pick this up next week with the B&N sale.

[bluthx]

This film brings back so many memories. In 1990 I bought a 1970 pontiac LeMans and spent two years restoring it. I remember my father recorded this movie for me off of cable on to Beta videtape and I fell in love with it. Two of my friends that I grew up with also had cars that we restored. One was a 1969 GTO and the other a 1969 LeMans. And when we would enter them in the local car shows we would set up a tv/vcr set and play this move over and over and so many people would stop and watch it. Aaahhh the "good ole days".

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by bluthx

This film brings back so many memories. In 1990 I bought a 1970 pontiac LeMans and spent two years restoring it. I remember my father recorded this movie for me off of cable on to Beta videtape and I fell in love with it. Two of my friends that I grew up with also had cars that we restored. One was a 1969 GTO and the other a 1969 LeMans. And when we would enter them in the local car shows we would set up a tv/vcr set and play this move over and over and so many people would stop and watch it. Aaahhh the "good ole days".

Great story! I love how films have the power to transcend their medium.

[ArnoldLayne56]

This has joined the Criterion Amazon price- drop boogie.
Starting mid-May at $28 now $19.61.
A little further, I'll bite.
==========
I chased it down to $17.73 - Nice! Can't wait to watch this one.

[Ray Jackson]

Thinking about picking this up at B&N as a blind buy.

Not sure how much replay value it will have, even if I really like it.

I've heard mixed reviews as far as the acting and the story.

...any strong opinions either way?

[PowellPressburger]

I watch it once each summer when I feel like going on a road trip via that time period. I also own the U.K. BLU steelbook.

It doesn't have a large amount of dialogue it's best to describe it as a time capsule of a period in America. You just have to let the film happen. It features a great performance by Warren Oates.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Thinking about picking this up at B&N as a blind buy.

Not sure how much replay value it will have, even if I really like it.

I've heard mixed reviews as far as the acting and the story.

...any strong opinions either way?

I really like the film, but I wouldn't call this a safe blind buy at all.

Still, Criterions retain value, so if you buy it at 50% off or lower, you can recoup all or most of that on the resale market if you don't like it.

[javi92]

If you've seen other Monte Hellman films and liked them, than yeah, this is an absolute must. If you've seen Vanishing Point and didn't like it, you probably won't like this.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by javi92

If you've seen other Monte Hellman films and liked them, than yeah, this is an absolute must. If you've seen Vanishing Point and didn't like it, you probably won't like this.

Haven't seen any other Monte Hellman films.

Saw Vanishing Point and liked it, but didn't love it.

I'm not a car guy...so this probably isn't a must-own for me.