The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) - June/2013

[KingSimba]

The Last Temptation of Christ Blu-ray

Release Date: 3rd/June/2013
Distributor: Universal Pictures

[legendarymatt92]

Didn't expect to see this on Blu-ray at any time soon, but it's a welcome surprise! Love this film (it's among Scorsese's greats) and I'm hoping the transfer will be great -- the DVD was very grainy, as far as I remember.

Thanks for the heads up, mate!

[tenderheartbear]

I'd kill for a steelbook with the thorn design on it and the writing in white rather than putting the white block on it.

I had hoped that Universal might licence it out to Masters of Cinema but nevermind.

[indisposed]

I wonder if this will have all the Criterion extras. I've been meaning to pick that up for a while.

[Skog]

Originally Posted by indisposed

I wonder if this will have all the Criterion extras. I've been meaning to pick that up for a while.

Doubt it.
8 minutes has been cut from this release too,

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Skog

Doubt it.
8 minutes has been cut from this release too,

Nothing has been cut. You are looking at a PAL DVD speed running time (156 minutes) versus the film speed and 1080p running time (164 minutes). The film was never cut in the UK, and since this is a Universal release, it will be 1080p and run the full 164 minutes.

[MacEachaidh]

Originally Posted by tenderheartbear

I'd kill for a steelbook with the thorn design on it and the writing in white rather than putting the white block on it.

I had hoped that Universal might licence it out to Masters of Cinema but nevermind.

Both of those would have been worth pricking up ears at this release for.

Any word on extras, anyone? I've bought the Criterion release, but sometimes the studio release is worth having too. (Rarely, I admit, but even so ...)

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Any word on extras, anyone? I've bought the Criterion release, but sometimes the studio release is worth having too. (Rarely, I admit, but even so ...)

I believe the Universal DVDs only had a trailer, and given that this is a pan-European disc, I wouldn't expect anything else.

[Dr. Feelgood]

Finally!! Day one for me ! Though I was expecting a Masters of Cinema edition.

[MacEachaidh]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

I believe the Universal DVDs only had a trailer, and given that this is a pan-European disc, I wouldn't expect anything else.

Ta for the reply, McCrutchy. Will just stick with the Criterion, then.
(Yeah, it's a hard life. )

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Ta for the reply, McCrutchy. Will just stick with the Criterion, then.
(Yeah, it's a hard life. )

I've cancelled my pre-order of this in favour of buying the Criterion release, too. With more extras and a companion booklet, it seems like a no-brainer to me as someone who would like to learn more about the making of such a great film.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Ta for the reply, McCrutchy. Will just stick with the Criterion, then.
(Yeah, it's a hard life. )

Indeed it is.

[tenderheartbear]

Originally Posted by Dr. Feelgood

Finally!! Day one for me ! Though I was expecting a Masters of Cinema edition.

As I said, I wasn't expecting it but I was hopeful.

It seems odd that Universal had no faith in other 80's titles such as Repo Man and Rumble Fish, or even the 70's Silent Running and let MoC do such an incredible job (from the steelbook packaging, to the restoration, special features and booklets) yet decided to do this one themselves without (one assumes) any real features at all. The only thing preventing some people from picking up the Criterion release is that it's region locked, otherwise it would be a complete no-brainer.

This isn't the kind of movie one buys based on price (like many Hollywood blockbusters). Fans are willing to pay more for a great package, so making it a seemingly budget release to compete is pointless.

[oslouk]

Great soundtrack by Peter Gabriel on this film so decent audio will be essential for me....

[stepstone]

If you go to the BBFC website you'll see there's a 12 minute or so Martin Scorsese interview listed. Looks like that and the trailer will be the only extras.

[bowie72]

Only extras are the trailer and a 13min interview with Scorsese.

Picture quality (albeit only viewed a few minutes worth) looks great.

Seems to have a similar bit rate to Criterion but has been encoded with VC1 not AVC (as the Criterion one was so I don't know whether the picture is struck from the re scanned master used by Criterion...

[pro-bassoonist]

The Last Temptation of Christ Blu-ray REVIEW

[MacEachaidh]

Thanks, Pro-B!. That answers a lot of questions, then.

[pro-bassoonist]

You are welcome, Mac

[Oblivion138]

Well...that's unfortunate...if expected.