Heat (1995) (Director's Definitive Edition)

[BluraySe7en]

I believe the Blu ray is scheduled for release early next year. I wouldn't be surprised if some more theatrical presentation come about before then.

It would be strange if this only gets the odd screening considering it's legacy and reputation.

[4Dblu]

about damn time lol its only been 90 years I really hope the AQ is top notch

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by thompsonjohn

Pretty sure only Mann's cut of "Miami Vice" was released on blu-ray (maybe there was a DVD released of the other cut) .

Miami Vice has a complicated home video history.

Both cuts were released separately on DVD in the US, on the same day, with very confusing identical cover artwork, just different wording.

The director's cut was also released in the US on HD-DVD that same day, with a DVD of the theatrical cut as a bonus feature on the flipside of the disc.

Only the director's cut was eventually released on BD in the US.

However, as is somewhat common with Universal, presumably since they don't have all the necessary foreign dubs for the added scenes, they have released the theatrical cut on BD in most foreign markets. (They did the same with TOPAZ, 1941 on DVD, and a few other titles I'm forgetting.)

This region-free UK BD is the theatrical cut:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Miami-Vice-Blu-ray/1369/

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by thompsonjohn

I think there may have been a theatrical and director's cut of "Ali"... Speaking of "Ali" Mann's cut could use a Sony or Criterion release on blu-ray, it's about that time.

There's a special edition BD coming out early next year, there's a thread for it. There were indeed two cuts, each released on DVD. Hopefully both will be on the BD.

Originally Posted by thompsonjohn

the only film of his that keeps getting re-issued time and time again was "Manhunter" really

Last of the Mohicans has had three distinct and very different cuts - 1992 theatrical cut (not released in the US since VHS/laserdisc), 1999 DVD cut, 2010 BD cut.

[BluraySe7en]

It's strange that different versions exist of Mann's other films when Heat remains at least from theatrical perspective his longest film.

It's not unlikely to imagine that Heat could have been released in a shorter cut for the cinema and then a directors cut then released for home release.

I'm certainly glad it wasn't but the sub plot I always thought could have been removed and not affected the flow of the film at least on the surface was the Dennis Haysbert ex con's back story and his struggle to acclimatise to civillian life.

His character could have just popped up that moment and other such Hollywood cop thrillers would have likely gone down that route.

I'm not saying it happened but you can imagine studio executives suggesting a shorter cut with that element removed and then Mann putting it back for home release.

For me this is testament to Mann wanting this in the film and as I said on the surface it might not have affected things too much.

Although something I feel gets levelled at Mann by some people is that his films are cold and emotionless. I personally think this is BS especially in the case of Heat and The Insider.

Watching it again yesterday it struck me that Heat has such emotional intensity to it and you really invest in the characters and when Haysbert dies as part of the robbery we aren't just seeing some plot device we are seeing a living breathing human being that we know was trying to change but inevitably turned back to his old ways and tragically died and watching his Wife see it on TV is heartbreaking.

There are more moments in Heat that show a real emotional content that Cop thrillers of the 80's and 90's didn't deliver. Heat feels more of the 70's, influences would be Friedkin's French Connection, Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Cercle Rouge, or possibly earlier than that with Jules Dassin's Rififi.

A reason it has endured with the obvious point of De Niro and Pacino on such top form and stunning supporting cast is that the film feels real and not like a number of cop thrillers of the time that lack dimension and intelligence.

I would also say that The Insider is another I have argued about with friends in the past. I know Crowe's performance in Gladiator is more obviously the Oscar likely candidate but his Jeffrey Wigand in The Insider is on another plain, and in a fair and just world that is far more deserving such a reward. I believe this still to be Russell's finest performance and this is down to Mann's direction as well as being alongside Pacino on dynamite form.

The moment when Lowell is trying to get Jeffrey to answer the phone in his hotel room after being let down over the content of the 60's Minutes broadcast for me always gets me in a way that other more obvious emotional manipulation in cinema leaves me cold and defiled that they'd try such cheap tricks.

I know some don't get this from Mann's films and these 2 in particular, incidently a Mann pupil gets the same criticism namely Christopher Nolan but Prestige and The Dark Knight while not on the same level as Mann's show a similar trait that because it's subtle and not obvious it's dimissed as cold, personally I can't subcribe to this.

[Arawn]

The Insider bored me to tears.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by BluraySe7en

I must admit I was looking out for both those moment because I'd remembered this thread and the discussion that the original theatrical presentation by some should be the new restoration.

I personally wasn't surprised they weren't there but to answer your question as someone I would say very familiar with the film I saw nothing that made me think anything else had changed.

If you get a chance thought to catch it on the big screen I'd grab it, Heat is never going to experienced in a better enviroment.

I've always loved this film from the moment I saw it and having watched it over the years on VHS, DVD and Blu ray seeing in it's big screen glory was like experiencing the film as new.

It seems to have aged brilliantly and would argue that crime films since have not surpassed it, it is undoubtedly for me Mann's finest film closely followed by The Insider.

I've seen it numerous times on the big screen, but that was 1995 when it was released

[BluraySe7en]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

I've seen it numerous times on the big screen, but that was 1995 when it was released

So did I see it then but this new print was like seeing new again after catching it so much on the small screen over last 20 years.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by BluraySe7en

So did I see it then but this new print was like seeing new again after catching it so much on the small screen over last 20 years.

I generally find that to be the case with seeing a cherished favourite embiggened onto a cinema screen with a proper presentation, it's like seeing them again...for the first time (™ and © Star Wars Special Edition trailer).

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by Arawn

The Insider bored me to tears.

[tylergfoster]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Miami Vice has a complicated home video history.

Both cuts were released separately on DVD in the US, on the same day, with very confusing identical cover artwork, just different wording.

The director's cut was also released in the US on HD-DVD that same day, with a DVD of the theatrical cut as a bonus feature on the flipside of the disc.

Only the director's cut was eventually released on BD in the US.

However, as is somewhat common with Universal, presumably since they don't have all the necessary foreign dubs for the added scenes, they have released the theatrical cut on BD in most foreign markets. (They did the same with TOPAZ, 1941 on DVD, and a few other titles I'm forgetting.)

This region-free UK BD is the theatrical cut:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Miami-Vice-Blu-ray/1369/

If you use digital streaming services, the theatrical cut is also available in HD on at least Vudu in the US, and I would imagine others.

[flyonthewall2983]

It was also recently on Showtime, also in widescreen. Whenever it's on HBO it's usually cropped.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Miami Vice has a complicated home video history.

Both cuts were released separately on DVD in the US, on the same day, with very confusing identical cover artwork, just different wording.

The director's cut was also released in the US on HD-DVD that same day, with a DVD of the theatrical cut as a bonus feature on the flipside of the disc.

Only the director's cut was eventually released on BD in the US.

However, as is somewhat common with Universal, presumably since they don't have all the necessary foreign dubs for the added scenes, they have released the theatrical cut on BD in most foreign markets. (They did the same with TOPAZ, 1941 on DVD, and a few other titles I'm forgetting.)

This region-free UK BD is the theatrical cut:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Miami-Vice-Blu-ray/1369/

Thanks for the heads up.

Wasn't too crazy for the director's cut, so I am curious to see what the original theatrical cut is like.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by GasmaskAvenger

Thanks for the heads up.

Wasn't too crazy for the director's cut, so I am curious to see what the original theatrical cut is like.

It's essentially the same film, minus the speedboat opening and different music over the end shootout, with little additions or subtractions from scenes along the way. I prefer the director's cut myself.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by GasmaskAvenger

Thanks for the heads up.

Wasn't too crazy for the director's cut, so I am curious to see what the original theatrical cut is like.

I prefer the theatrical, the way it just launches you into the movie is great.

[StingingVelvet]

Definitely prefer the DC. The opening is very Miami Vice and really introduces you to their world. Song over the gunfight is great nostalgia for the show.

[Geoff D]

Sure, but if someone's not hung up on nostalgia (I never saw the show when I was a kid) then the theatrical works like gangbusters.

[JohnCarpenterLives]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I prefer the theatrical, the way it just launches you into the movie is great.

Yeah, it's literally the opening of the show! How cool is that?

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Definitely prefer the DC. The opening is very Miami Vice and really introduces you to their world. Song over the gunfight is great nostalgia for the show.

I too prefer the DC. The TC starts too abruptly in my opinion, and I also like the tweaks here and there over the TC.

Full list of changes here which is interesting for those who would like to compare the two cuts:

http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=3741

[thg]

Shame L.A. Takedown didn't have a theme, then we could have argued who preferred that opening for Heat