Once Upon a Time in America (1984) (Extended Director's Cut)

[CobraVerde]

Originally Posted by diceman89

Unless you guys are looking at a press release of better quality than the one posted here, the number above the rating is too blurry to read with any level of certainty. It very well could say 229.

Except that you can see it starts with a 1, so it can't very well say 229. Not to mention the 229 cut WAS NEVER the theatrical cut. I don't know why some of you keep coming back to that.

The only REAL question is: it looks like it says 124 minutes, but the theatrical cut was 139 min.

[KRW1]

Originally Posted by CobraVerde

Except that you can see it starts with a 1, so it can't very well say 229. Not to mention the 229 cut WAS NEVER the theatrical cut. I don't know why some of you keep coming back to that.

The only REAL question is: it looks like it says 124 minutes, but the theatrical cut was 139 min.

It was the theatrical cut for Europe. We never got to see the short version. I don't consider any other version to be the theatrical cut asides from the 229 minute version.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by KRW1

It was the theatrical cut for Europe. We never got to see the short version. I don't consider any other version to be the theatrical cut asides from the 229 minute version.

Indeed.

And even in the US the film was theatrically re-released in its 229 minute version a few months after the 139 minute version tanked on its initial release.

[Stanlore]

Oh man... digibook... i'm itchin for this one !!

Actually.. although i've bought the first release, i dont think i even took the time to rewatch it on blu ray. Might as well pop it in soon, and give it one watch, before i never use it ever again.

[diceman89]

Originally Posted by CobraVerde

Except that you can see it starts with a 1, so it can't very well say 229. Not to mention the 229 cut WAS NEVER the theatrical cut. I don't know why some of you keep coming back to that.

The only REAL question is: it looks like it says 124 minutes, but the theatrical cut was 139 min.

It could start with a 1, but it's too blurry. Not saying that you're wrong, but it could be something else.

[MifuneFan]

...

[chris1234]

All I hope for is that, in the new extended and theatrical versions, the color and contrast will be correct, i.e. the same as Leone's 1984 version, there will be no obvious compression artifacts and dnr will not be over-used.

It would also be good if the 32-page book with rare photos and production notes contains something interesting or useful such as details of the missing 18 minutes and why these can't be made public, but this is probably too much to ask for.

[NolanvsNathan]

Does anyone know if this blu-ray will be making it to Australia (fingers crossed JB-HI FI exclusive??)

Any light shed on this will be greatly appreciated, as this is my favourite film of all time we're talking about here.

Also, I'm really interested seeing the 124 min theatrical cut and hope that's what's in the collector's edition (as a historical document, ala criterion's Brazil release). Since I already own the OOP (but not in Aus) old blu-ray with the 229 min European cut, it'll be nice to have all three.

And yes, I'm heartbroken over the still not included 18 mins (to make the complete 269 version). I think the footage is out there, just considered too damaged to restore

[Rz_Samurai]

Anyone know the diffrence between this version and the basic version? Not sure if it is worth the extra cost?

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Rz_Samurai

Anyone know the diffrence between this version and the basic version? Not sure if it is worth the extra cost?

That's pretty much what most of this thread is about

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Rz_Samurai

Anyone know the diffrence between this version and the basic version? Not sure if it is worth the extra cost?

The regular version doesn't include the theatrical cut, and is in a standard amaray case. The other has both cuts, and is either a Digibook, or comes with a book in the package.

[MifuneFan]

I just noticed WBshop lists this as 269 mins. That's probably not surprising since, Amazon has that same time, and they got their info from Warner. I just wonder if it's an error or not? Their press sheet specifically mentions there being 22 mins extra which works out perfectly to 251 mins, I have to imagine it is 251, and the 269 is an error.

http://www.wbshop.com/product/once+u...fType=&from=fn

[Jobla]

I think most of us are expecting a 251 minute cut, not a 269 minute cut.

[Drifter]

I'll be holding off on this until I see some reviews about the quality of the added footage. If it's halfway decent, I'm in. However, the Italian extended cut got some poor reviews for the added scenes, so let's see how it looks upon release.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by Drifter

I'll be holding off on this until I see some reviews about the quality of the added footage. If it's halfway decent, I'm in. However, the Italian extended cut got some poor reviews for the added scenes, so let's see how it looks upon release.

I have no interest in the butchered theatrical cut but Ill be buying that digibook no question as long as this new extended cut looks up to scratch (or as much as it can be).

Looks like its worth keeping hold of the existing blu-ray too to have all 3 cuts I suppose.

[bigbadwoppet]

Originally Posted by KRW1

Not in Europe. We've always had the longer cut as our theatrical cut, I've only ever read about the short version. I wouldn't have thought anyone now would think I meant the short version as the one to see first as, as you say, it's not available in any shape or form, but in case it did cause doubt -

If you've not seen the film in any shape or form, watch the 224 minute cut first, don't bother with the longer extended version as the shape it's in, it's more of a curio than anything else and a lot of the new stuff detracts. The extended version is not a directors cut, its a cut with some new stuff they found edited in regardless of the state of the negative. The 224 minute cut is a masterpiece. A flawed masterpiece but..oh you get the idea.

Not only Europe. Latin America also got the longer cut. The film was distributed by Fox internationally, same as Milchan's other productions, Brazil and Legend. I find it funny how Americans always see the cut released in their country as the theatrical cut, even when the film is foreign.

[CobraVerde]

Originally Posted by diceman89

It could start with a 1, but it's too blurry. Not saying that you're wrong, but it could be something else.

A 1 is always a 1. And that's clearly what it says.

[Randall Flagg]

I wonder if I should just get the original Blu Ray release.

[chris1234]

Originally Posted by Randall Flagg

I wonder if I should just get the original Blu Ray release.

You're probably joking but I can't think of many good reasons to buy the original Blu-ray release at the present time.

For the region B locked Italian extended version WB did a new 4K scan and whilst the Italian version has color, contrast and compression problems, the detail in it is more distinct and there is extra detail at the sides.

The colors and contrast of WB's 2011 Blu-ray look more like those in Leone's original but some parts seem a bit blurred and whilst many of us would have preferred it to be put on 2 discs, the forthcoming release should be better.

In any event I would expect that comparisons and reviews will be widely available once the new version is released.

[Drifter]

Amazon has pulled the pre-order. Any ideas what is going on with this, or is it simply part of the Amazon-Warner pre-order issue/dispute? Let's hope there's no delay.