About the original PayBack. - Blu-ray Forum

BluChron · 08-08-2011, 09:26 AM

when is it ever going to come on blu-ray? and why the hell did they only release ONLY "straight up" director's cut? why not give both options of having original cut and directors? directors cut straight up SUCKS compared to the original. !

and i loved the original. i didnt like the straight up directors cut much.

slimdude · 08-08-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluChron

when is it ever going to come on blu-ray? and why the hell did they only release ONLY "straight up" director's cut? why not give both options of having original cut and directors? directors cut straight up SUCKS compared to the original. !

and i loved the original. i didnt like the straight up directors cut much.

I agree! I didn't like the "Director's Cut either. It didn't seem like the same movie at all. But I've got some good news! The UK Blu-ray release have both Theatrical, and Director's Cut on the same disc, and it's encoded with Dolby True HD. As a matter of fact, I've ordered, and have received mine in the mail, last week. The price was $16.00 USD.

BluChron · 08-08-2011, 10:03 AM

oh shit son. thank you very much! will be ordering from UK...along with expendables steelbook, and 2 other blu-rays that is only avaliable in the UK.

also hows the PQ in the original cut?

edit : just saw the cover, pretty ugly but meh. it'll do.

Patsfan123 · 08-08-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluChron

oh shit son. thank you very much! will be ordering from UK...along with expendables steelbook, and 2 other blu-rays that is only avaliable in the UK.

also hows the PQ in the original cut?

edit : just saw the cover, pretty ugly but meh. it'll do.

I got this 2 weeks ago and only watched the Director's Cut as I have never seen the movie. Afterwards I skipped through the Theatrical cut and it was REALLY POOR PQ. I don't think they've done anything to the transfer since the movie came out. It looks like a 10 yr old master. Its very muddy and soft. Doesn't look like HD at all.

DC has decent PQ, probably since its from 2007.

motorheadache95 · 08-08-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimdude

I agree! I didn't like the "Director's Cut either. It didn't seem like the same movie at all. But I've got some good news! The UK Blu-ray release have both Theatrical, and Director's Cut on the same disc, and it's encoded with Dolby True HD. As a matter of fact, I've ordered, and have received mine in the mail, last week. The price was $16.00 USD.

Well yeah, that was the point!

I like both cuts, but Paramount really should have included both versions from the start. Let us know if you agree with Patsfan123 about the PQ-- I may import the U.K disc, but probably not if the PQ sucks for the theatrical version.

steve_dave · 08-08-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluChron

when is it ever going to come on blu-ray? and why the hell did they only release ONLY "straight up" director's cut? why not give both options of having original cut and directors? directors cut straight up SUCKS compared to the original. !

and i loved the original. i didnt like the straight up directors cut much.

History of Payback...

The "Straight Up" version was Brian Helgeland's original vision (or as close to it as possible with the materials available). Helgeland was fired from the project and producer/star Mel Gibson helped with completing the film for theatrical release in 1999.

The "theatrical" version completely changed the film's tone, look, and even the final act. In essence, the "theatrical" version completely altered Brian Helgeland's original vision. Much like how Warner Brothers altered Blade Runner against Ridley Scott's wishes.

There was always a fanbase of people who wanted the original director's version not knowing until its actual release how varying the differences were. It was not like a few scenes were "added" or "altered" to create the director's cut, in this case an entirely new film was created. The stories for both verisons are the same but how the story is told is not.

If you want the best of worlds, you got the Warner UK release which not only has both versions, it has all the extras from the Special Collector's Edition Blu-ray & DVD and the original DVD release.

The theatrical version of Payback is supposed to look bad by the way. Gibson added a blue tint and turned the contrast significantly to get a stylized 1970s look from the film. Even the HD broadcasts of Payback (theatrical) look worse for wear.

Variable_Star · 08-08-2011, 08:38 PM

There's a great special feature on the Straight Up version that goes into more detail surrounding the development of the film and the two different versions. I can appreciate Helgeland's vision, but I'll always prefer the theatrical Gibson cut. Hopefully we'll see a domestic release of the theatrical version sometime down the line.

Ford · 08-08-2011, 09:16 PM

I prefer the theatrical version myself, but then again I've seen it more than the director's cut.

I wish they would have done something similar for "The 13th Warrior", with both John McTiernan's cut and Michael Crichton's.

Edword · 08-08-2011, 11:55 PM

The UK version will work on Region A players correct? Because I would like to get the UK version if it does work.

BluChron · 08-09-2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford

I prefer the theatrical version myself, but then again I've seen it more than the director's cut.

I wish they would have done something similar for "The 13th Warrior", with both John McTiernan's cut and Michael Crichton's.

wtf didnt know there was 2 cuts of the 13th warrior.

Sky_Captain · 08-09-2011, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edword

The UK version will work on Region A players correct? Because I would like to get the UK version if it does work.

Yes, it's like any other Warner title.

thelwig14 · 08-09-2011, 12:50 AM

This is the only non US blu-ray I own.

The tc of Payback is one of my all-time favs and the chances of it ever being released in the states is slim.

Dragon Lee · 08-09-2011, 12:53 AM

Payback TC is OK but the DC is much better. TC ending is too conventional and generic as hell imo.

slimdude · 08-09-2011, 01:31 AM

I've just watched Payback (Theatrical Version) and the picture does have a soft 1960's atmospheric image, which was intended by Mel Gibson, as the previous poster steve_dave has stated. I recalled the DVD looked similar, but only in 480p. At least, the UK blu-ray has lossless audio, when the U.S Director's Cut only featured standard Dolby Digital 5.1.

slimdude · 08-09-2011, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve_dave

History of Payback...

The "Straight Up" version was Brian Helgeland's original vision (or as close to it as possible with the materials available). Helgeland was fired from the project and producer/star Mel Gibson helped with completing the film for theatrical release in 1999.

The "theatrical" version completely changed the film's tone, look, and even the final act. In essence, the "theatrical" version completely altered Brian Helgeland's original vision. Much like how Warner Brothers altered Blade Runner against Ridley Scott's wishes.

There was always a fanbase of people who wanted the original director's version not knowing until its actual release how varying the differences were. It was not like a few scenes were "added" or "altered" to create the director's cut, in this case an entirely new film was created. The stories for both verisons are the same but how the story is told is not.

If you want the best of worlds, you got the Warner UK release which not only has both versions, it has all the extras from the Special Collector's Edition Blu-ray & DVD and the original DVD release.

The theatrical version of Payback is supposed to look bad by the way. Gibson added a blue tint and turned the contrast significantly to get a stylized 1970s look from the film. Even the HD broadcasts of Payback (theatrical) look worse for wear.

Perfect! You've hit the nail, right on the head.

shacmasta · 09-04-2011, 06:50 AM

I'd love for the Theatrical edition to be released, i've heard so much about it and wanna compare the two films. I picked up the "Straight Up" edition and thought it was ok. I'm not sure if I'm willing to import the original, I mean you'd think it would be released here in the states eventually, right???

thelittleprince · 09-04-2011, 06:55 AM

Yeah, it doesn't make sense that the US release didn't have both cuts of the film. I ordered the UK Blu, too, as well.

Agent Bond · 09-04-2011, 01:56 PM

In a repeat situation similar to Blade Runner, Payback is two sides of the same coin and its just a matter of taste when it comes to how you want the story to be told. Of course, people are going to prefer the theatrical version due to nostalgia as that's what they saw first and were used to.

Payback - is the "Hollywood" version.

Straight Up - is the "realistic" version.

I like them both, but if I had to pick, I have to go with the Director's Cut. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. And I prefer that way.

08-08-2011, 09:26 AM	#1
BluChron Banned Member since:Jan 2010	About the original PayBack. when is it ever going to come on blu-ray? and why the hell did they only release ONLY "straight up" director's cut? why not give both options of having original cut and directors? directors cut straight up SUCKS compared to the original. ! and i loved the original. i didnt like the straight up directors cut much.

08-08-2011, 10:03 AM	#3
BluChron Banned Member since:Jan 2010	oh shit son. thank you very much! will be ordering from UK...along with expendables steelbook, and 2 other blu-rays that is only avaliable in the UK. also hows the PQ in the original cut? edit : just saw the cover, pretty ugly but meh. it'll do. Last edited by BluChron; 08-08-2011 at 10:07 AM.

08-09-2011, 01:31 AM	#14
slimdude Banned Member since:Apr 2009 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Blu-ray reviews:8	I've just watched Payback (Theatrical Version) and the picture does have a soft 1960's atmospheric image, which was intended by Mel Gibson, as the previous poster steve_dave has stated. I recalled the DVD looked similar, but only in 480p. At least, the UK blu-ray has lossless audio, when the U.S Director's Cut only featured standard Dolby Digital 5.1. Last edited by slimdude; 08-09-2011 at 01:34 AM.

08-08-2011, 08:38 PM	#7
Variable_Star Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Madison, WI 4K collection:438 Blu-ray collection:2875 DVD collection:1337	There's a great special feature on the Straight Up version that goes into more detail surrounding the development of the film and the two different versions. I can appreciate Helgeland's vision, but I'll always prefer the theatrical Gibson cut. Hopefully we'll see a domestic release of the theatrical version sometime down the line.

08-08-2011, 09:16 PM	#8
Ford Active Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:In self-banned land	I prefer the theatrical version myself, but then again I've seen it more than the director's cut. I wish they would have done something similar for "The 13th Warrior", with both John McTiernan's cut and Michael Crichton's.

08-08-2011, 11:55 PM	#9
Edword Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jul 2011 Location:SoCal, CA 4K collection:246 Blu-ray collection:615 DVD collection:13 Digital collection:176 Trading Score:254	The UK version will work on Region A players correct? Because I would like to get the UK version if it does work.

08-09-2011, 12:50 AM	#12
thelwig14 Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2011 Location:Texas Trading Score:94	This is the only non US blu-ray I own. The tc of Payback is one of my all-time favs and the chances of it ever being released in the states is slim.

08-09-2011, 12:53 AM	#13
Dragon Lee Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Minneapolis, MN Home Theater Gallery:3 4K collection:738 Blu-ray collection:3729 DVD collection:357 Digital collection:142 Blu-ray reviews: 84 Trading Score:108	Payback TC is OK but the DC is much better. TC ending is too conventional and generic as hell imo.

09-04-2011, 06:50 AM	#16
shacmasta Active Member Member since:May 2011 Location:Queens, New York Blu-ray collection:613 Trading Score:2	I'd love for the Theatrical edition to be released, i've heard so much about it and wanna compare the two films. I picked up the "Straight Up" edition and thought it was ok. I'm not sure if I'm willing to import the original, I mean you'd think it would be released here in the states eventually, right???

09-04-2011, 06:55 AM	#17
thelittleprince Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2010 Location:wasteland 4K collection:211 Blu-ray collection:3467 DVD collection:56 Digital collection:490 iTunes collection:661 Trading Score:80	Yeah, it doesn't make sense that the US release didn't have both cuts of the film. I ordered the UK Blu, too, as well.

09-04-2011, 01:56 PM	#18
Agent Bond Blu-ray Champion Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Las Vegas, Nevada Blu-ray collection:227 DVD collection:33 Trading Score:3	In a repeat situation similar to Blade Runner, Payback is two sides of the same coin and its just a matter of taste when it comes to how you want the story to be told. Of course, people are going to prefer the theatrical version due to nostalgia as that's what they saw first and were used to. Payback - is the "Hollywood" version. Straight Up - is the "realistic" version. I like them both, but if I had to pick, I have to go with the Director's Cut. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. And I prefer that way.

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