THX 1138 (1971) (The George Lucas Director's Cut)

[SpaceMind]

I haven't seen the original so I can't comment on that. That being said...

The Blu-ray looks spectacular and I really enjoyed the film. Watched it last night.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

It's people reflecting their anti-anti-SE fatigue.

Granted, I was a bit dramatic earlier in the thread (insert "A bit dramatic?" cue), but my feelings were/are genuine in that I felt so let down as I read this thread. However, if this were any other film, and only a director's cut with substantial alterations (people above are saying scenes are re-arranged?) was made available, no one would defend that decision. People wouldn't say, "It's his, he can do what he wants..." etc., the director would be the last person they would blame.

Because it's Lucas, though, who himself is a corporation just like the studio system he once espoused bucking (even more so because of his toy ideals, which even they hadn't thought up to the extent he took it), it's "OK" by some people because they are burnt out on people being upset over Star Wars.

If any other studio/director attempted to put only an altered version on the market, it would make Predator-gate look like a "Care Bears meets The Brady Bunch" after-school special.

I have the Blade Runner Collector's Edition, and I have only watched the final cut so far, because this is the director's true vision, and that's how I like it best too.

Fearless is another example where I have not once watched the theatrical cut, only the Extended and Director's cut.

However, Dumb and Dumber is one movie which I really prefer in its theatrical cut.
The new scenes in the unrated version make the film more serious and disgusting in some ways. I was pretty disappointed, and I do want to see the theatrical cut released on BD sometime soon, but that film is an exception, and it's not because I am so attached to the theatrical version, but because the unrated version quite dramatically shifts in tone, in a bad way.

See below.

Originally Posted by puffyrock2

Popped in the SD card and the movie works like a charm

There is nothing very special about the menu though. Not sure why this one would require external space.

Glad it's working now. It sucks that a SD card is required though, I hope that
won't become the norm!!
A BD should work with just the player and nothing else, no internet connection, or external storage etc.

Originally Posted by billzfan

I just got the disc and popped it in. The video quality is fantastic, particularly for a 40 year old film on a tiny budget. I also wanted to comment that the additional special effects added help and don't hinder the experience. the story is still there but everything is fleshed out a little more and the world feels bigger. Anyway, my only disappointment is that most of the bonus materials are ported over but if you're a fan of the film I highly recommend it.

I agree with you. The film doesn't change in tone at all. The additions/alterations only enhance and broaden the cope of the movie in a very beautiful and subtle way. Sure not all effects are flawless, but overall it's much better than what was there before, so I am more than happy. I can't wait to see it again on BD!!!

[al cos.]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

I have the Blade Runner Collector's Edition, and I have only watched the final cut so far, because this is the director's true vision, and that's how I like it best too.

I think the new cut of THX works better, as does Blade Runner. But I'm not going to act like theatrical versions should only be released when I like them better. It should always happen, without exceptions. Otherwise the blu-ray is incomplete and not good enough.

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by Bluyoda

I have the Blade Runner Collector's Edition, and I have only watched the final cut so far, because this is the director's true vision, and that's how I like it best too.

Fearless is another example where I have not once watched the theatrical cut, only the Extended and Director's cut.

However, Dumb and Dumber is one movie which I really prefer in its theatrical cut.

Oh, lots of people prefer certain films in different cuts. I usually see an extended cut when I can - and usually prefer them. And, sometimes, extended cuts may be the primary release.

The point was, though, if any other director substantially changed a film (rearranging scenes, adding visuals that aren't just longer cuts or cut scenes but actually painting cartoons over them, etc.) and didn't give the OPTION of the theatrical cut, people would scream bloody murder. But because it's Lucas, and so many people are burnt out on anti-anti-SE sentiment, it's somehow excusable.

Now when we are talking "unrated" versions with extra swear words or extended adult-oriented scenes, that's one thing (think "American Pie" movies), but when you substantially change a film, especially one with as much historical value as this, it's just pretty much inexcusable to only release that new version.

I would love to see the vision of George Lucas at 20 in the original cut of this film. If he had included both, I would have watched both. But I have little interest in only watching the 55-year old man version, because no matter what it is it's going to be far less impressive from a 55-year old billionaire with unlimited resources than it would have been from a 20-year-old on a shoestring budget.

[P@t_Mtl]

I have the same problem as others did with my Sony-360, just see the loading screen and nothing happen. Just load and load, waited for 10 minutes. So what did you guys do to fix this?

[Weirded Wonder]

Originally Posted by al cos.

I think the new cut of THX works better, as does Blade Runner. But I'm not going to act like theatrical versions should only be released when I like them better. It should always happen, without exceptions. Otherwise the blu-ray is incomplete and not good enough.

+1

I do not mind the SE of THX-1138 or Star Wars. But I would also like to see it as I did when I first saw it in the theatre or on VHS (THX-1138), what's wrong with that?

[danielsan4610]

Has anyone seen this for sale anywhere other than online? Best Buy doesn't appear to carry it and there aren't many other options past Target and Walmart.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by danielsan4610

Has anyone seen this for sale anywhere other than online? Best Buy doesn't appear to carry it and there aren't many other options past Target and Walmart.

I found my copy at Best Buy for 19.99 the day it came out and they only seemed to have the one copy.

You could also try Barnes & Noble their price would be retail 24.99 however. Same with Borders unless you have a membership and a coupon you can use with the purchases.

[Jhouston]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

You could also try Barnes & Noble their price would be retail 24.99 however.

More like $34.99 at B&N

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Jhouston

More like $34.99 at B&N

The disc has a retail price on it of 24.99. WB's set that price NOT Barnes & Noble. Yes it sucks they usually don't do much for sale prices on these titles, however when I picked up Forbidden Planet it was 24.99 and I used my membership card and a 5.00 coupon and got the title for under 20.00.

Meanwhile Best Buy is charging 24.99 which is oddly not what they normally do but lately for catalog WB's titles Best Buy hardly discounts. Oddly THX-1138 had the everyday sticker price of 19.99 which surprised me.

[halda]

I've decided not to purchase this. Maybe my tastes have changed, but I think my initial attraction to the film comes from the fact that it's so much more thematically and visually interesting than Lucas's recent output.

But as I said earlier, it's good, not great sci-fi. I don't watch my DVD version much, either. And I don't want to have to buy a memory stick to watch it maybe a handful of times on BD.

[Weirded Wonder]

I'm watching THX right now with the commentary track on. I've listened to it before with the DVD release, but love commentary tracks and behind the scenes. A+ for the extras on this disc.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Beard Esquire

I'm watching THX right now with the commentary track on. I've listened to it before with the DVD release, but love commentary tracks and behind the scenes. A+ for the extras on this disc.

I did the same last Friday night, very good commentary track

[PBR]

My Blu-ray of THX 1138 will not play on my Panasonic DMP-BDT350. It will play on my PS3.
It shows the WHV logo and the loading disc then it just goes to the blu logo screen.
Anyone else have this issue?

[ImportFanatic]

Originally Posted by PBR

My Blu-ray of THX 1138 will not play on my Panasonic DMP-BDT350. It will play on my PS3.
It shows the WHV logo and the loading disc then it just goes to the blu logo screen.
Anyone else have this issue?

Memory stick required.

[PBR]

Originally Posted by ImportFanatic

Memory stick required.

how so?

[Weirded Wonder]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I did the same last Friday night, very good commentary track

I really enjoy Walter Murtz and his technical speak.

[Duffy12]

Originally Posted by PBR

how so?

Check out the last two pages of this thread.

[PBR]

Originally Posted by Duffy12

Check out the last two pages of this thread.

USB didn't work but the Panasonic has a SD port in the front, that worked.
Thanks for the suggestion.

[Bluyoda]

I finally got my THX BD today, along with "Forbidden Planet" and "A Traveler's Guide to the Planets".

I watched it this evening, and am very happy with the quality.

I didn't even notice the banding on Duvall's face.

I noticed it on some walls in one or two shots, but I thought the PQ was very solid and sometimes spectacularly detailed.

The A was nice too, especially during the climax.

The last scene gave me the longest lasting goose bumps ever!

This movie has so many great messages, and it's such an evocative peice of art!

Thanks, Mr. Lucas for giving us this wonderfully experimental film, and I hope you will give us some more, now that you are done doing SW, and thank you WB for putting out such a nice disc, with great PQ and a really sweet DTS-HDMA track, although the extras could have been in HD and on a 2nd disc. That would have made it perfect!

My friend also really enjoyed the film, and was surprised by George Lucas' "other side".



Great BD!