hmm.... i wonder if its a new commentary.Can't see it being much cop on BD. The picture quality is pretty shocking.

I recently bought a second hand copy of the 4 Disc UK boxset which I am delighted with. But Army of Darkness does have poor video quality on some of the added scenes. I think the best option will be to get a cheap R3 version of ED3 which will have better PQ, and the bodice ripping scene reinstated.

Not that having that included bothers me too much

For those interested, Universal recently placed its long-standing "Theatrical Cut" DVD of the movie (that's been around since 1999) out of print, and Anchor Bay, from what I understand NO LONGER CONTROLS THE LICENSE on Army of Darkness, which is why Universal is putting this version out at long last (so those, like myself and the guy above me who were hoping for a "Book of the Dead" are out of luck). It doesn't necessarily look like there's anything new here, unless this is an R1 release of the much nicer R3 transfer of the Director's Cut (which this presumably is -- the audio commentary is for the DC).

The runtime is listed as being 1 hour 21 minutes

Quote: TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD

Street Date: May 19, 2009
Copyright: ©1993 Universal Pictures
Selection Number: 61106402
Price: $19.98 SRP
Running time: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
Layers: Dual layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Rating: R for violence and horror
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF:

Selection Number: 61109066
Price: $29.98 SRP
Running Time: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
Layers: BD-25
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: DTS HD Master Audio 5.1, DTS Surround 5.1

I have the non-anamorphic Universal release, and the Anchor Bay Bruce Campbell vs Army of Darkness Directors Cut with slightly shoddy video. The UK Blu-Ray looks good, PQ wise, this is one of my favorite movies, will buy it.

This has been released so many times on DVD now. However if improvements are made, perfect. I'm guessing very little will rebuy it if msrp isn't $9.99 for DVD and $19.99 for BRD. The lower the msrp, the better the odds of getting more buyers since this has been released plenty of times before.

Come on Universal, don't you want my cash? I have the Hong Kong DVD, which NO western distibutor has beaten yet in terms of PQ for the Director's Cut. Do the right thing this time, eh?

Ill pass on the steal your money edition. I have the MGM DVD which is uncut and has the best transfer...
Yes I also have the Boomstick edition because it has both versions of the movie, but thats all I own I promise

So is this the 6th or 7th (R1) version of this film?
That's gotta be a record?

enough already....people?  dont let these schmucks take all of your hard earned money.   we as consumers deserve the best and all the c**p they can find for each release.   I am so sick of those companies...yanking my crank and getting nothing back.  JUST SAY NO, and say "BUCKLEUP BONEHEAD YOUR GOING ON A RIDE"

Can I please get some clarification here? Is this Universal's "theatrical cut" that will be released?

If I'm not mistaken, these will be the transfers from the Universal HD-DVD / SD-DVD Combo disc.

There's yet to be a definitive quality version of the theatrical cut on DVD. Universal's original DVD had nice color and looked relatively good, but was only 4:3 letterbox. The subsequent Anchor Bay 16:9 release had poor color and looked dull.

I believe the theatrical is clearly the best cut of this film. It has the best quality print, best lines/jokes and overall flow and rhythm. Listening to Raimi's commentary on the Director's Cut, he appeared to inadvertently feel the same way.

Hopefully, this looks like the Universal's definitive cut and transfer.

So... about a million years ago I did a comparisson..

http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/arm...

Those who want all of these - some of them now are very expensive, even tho the actual content is duplicated in several other instances of the discs.

edit - that wasn't my one. this was my one:
http://www.dvdactive.com/editorial/articles/arm...

Thanks dbeamish.

Clearly, the theatrical cut looks the best.

However, if you compare the color to the other versions, you can see it's a little too pink/purple.

The original Universal DVD had better color, which is why I believe this new release will be THE definitive version.

This has more releases then Star Wars.  Its also pretty over-rated.  Some memorable lines, sure, but a pretty terrible film as a whole, I simply don't get, nor will ever understand, the appeal of this movie.

Well, after some research, I think I'll just stick with my Bruce vs. Army of Darkness The Director's Cut Official Bootleg Edition.  It's longer, has commentary by Sam, Bruce and Ivan.  It's 15 minutes longer and widescreen and original ending.  I see no reason to purchase this.  I've heard a lot of scuttlebutt about different versions but this one seems to be the one to have.  Plus, I'm happy with it and it sums up the trilogy very nicely.