Close Encounters of the Third Kind (US - DVD R1 | BD RA)
Sony sends over revised and highres art for the new 30th Anniversary release
Title: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (IMDb)
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss
Released: 13th November 2007
SRP: $39.95 & $49.95
Further Details:
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced the upcoming release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition for 13th November. This package will be released on DVD and Blu-ray formats containing three seamless branched versions of the film, from the first ever home video release of the original theatrical cut, and the re-edited 1980 special edition, to Spielberg's definitive director's cut as featured on the 1998 collector's edition. In terms of special features, both the DVD and Blu-ray releases will offer a new interview with Stephen Spielberg talking about the film, and a 'making-of' retrospective documentary. The Blu-ray Disc will also provide: a new storyboard-to-screen comparison, a 'Watch the Skies' featurette from 1977 and the original theatrical preview. The artwork is attached below:
News by Malcolm Campbell
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss
Released: 13th November 2007
SRP: $39.95 & $49.95
Further Details:
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced the upcoming release of Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition for 13th November. This package will be released on DVD and Blu-ray formats containing three seamless branched versions of the film, from the first ever home video release of the original theatrical cut, and the re-edited 1980 special edition, to Spielberg's definitive director's cut as featured on the 1998 collector's edition. In terms of special features, both the DVD and Blu-ray releases will offer a new interview with Stephen Spielberg talking about the film, and a 'making-of' retrospective documentary. The Blu-ray Disc will also provide: a new storyboard-to-screen comparison, a 'Watch the Skies' featurette from 1977 and the original theatrical preview. The artwork is attached below:
Revised Artwork
Original Artwork
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News by Malcolm Campbell
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ALL RIGHT!!!
Artwork added...
Blu-ray is pretty sweet! Classic!
Nice Artwork.Very simplistic but it works.
Love the artwork. Only just noticed: the Blu-Ray has more extra`s than the standard dvd. WTF ?!?!
I think this is the best artwork I've seen all year. Hooray!!
EDIT: Well, of course, next to that of the "Blade Runner" megapack that's coming out soon...
EDIT: Well, of course, next to that of the "Blade Runner" megapack that's coming out soon...
AWESOME!!!
Something that's bothered me about most CE3K releases is they keep putting the mothership prominently on the front cover.
The reveal of the mothership is what the whole film is leading up to (IMO). When I was a kid, the first shot of the mothership rising above Devil's Tower, silently, with no music, was such a powerful, goosebump-inducing experience. Seems kind of a waste to shoot their wad on the front of the package.
Just like how they keep using the image of Heston kneeling in front of the Statue of LIberty on almost every cover of Planet of the Apes. I mean, that's the money shot right there and it's blown on the cover!!
For CE3K, the classic poster image of the dark highway leading up to Devil's Tower with the eerie glow behind it was enough for me. Or even the pic of little Barry opening the door with the orange glow pouring from it. Use one of those!
There ARE some people who haven't seen these films, like my children for instance. When they're old enough to appreciate them, I'd like them to be just as awed as I was.
The reveal of the mothership is what the whole film is leading up to (IMO). When I was a kid, the first shot of the mothership rising above Devil's Tower, silently, with no music, was such a powerful, goosebump-inducing experience. Seems kind of a waste to shoot their wad on the front of the package.
Just like how they keep using the image of Heston kneeling in front of the Statue of LIberty on almost every cover of Planet of the Apes. I mean, that's the money shot right there and it's blown on the cover!!
For CE3K, the classic poster image of the dark highway leading up to Devil's Tower with the eerie glow behind it was enough for me. Or even the pic of little Barry opening the door with the orange glow pouring from it. Use one of those!
There ARE some people who haven't seen these films, like my children for instance. When they're old enough to appreciate them, I'd like them to be just as awed as I was.
Wow this must be the 20th DVD edition of this movie
Clavius wrote: Just like how they keep using the image of Heston kneeling in front of the Statue of LIberty on almost every cover of Planet of the Apes. I mean, that's the money shot right there and it's blown on the cover!!Quote: There ARE some people who haven't seen these films, like my children for instance. When they're old enough to appreciate them, I'd like them to be just as awed as I was.
I never understood that. I agree with you 100%, I can't believe that they put the final scene on the bloody cover. People who've never seen it know the twist right away, and don't bother with it. I don't care how much of an iconic image or universally known it is, you shouldn't put it on there. I was so glad when I got my 35th Anniversary DVD that there was no sight of the Old Girl anywhere on the packaging or discs.
While I personally think that this art works, I understand exactly what you mean, and was expecting the road poster you mentioned.
I never understood that. I agree with you 100%, I can't believe that they put the final scene on the bloody cover. People who've never seen it know the twist right away, and don't bother with it. I don't care how much of an iconic image or universally known it is, you shouldn't put it on there. I was so glad when I got my 35th Anniversary DVD that there was no sight of the Old Girl anywhere on the packaging or discs.
While I personally think that this art works, I understand exactly what you mean, and was expecting the road poster you mentioned.
Yeah, that's messed up to ruin all these films before whole new generations even have the chance to see them. Bad enough the endings are discussed willy nilly, but this--you can't avoid seeing it unless you blindfold yourself when you pick the thing up!
That said...anyone able to figure out WTF is going on with the packaging for the DVD? the front and back seem to be hanging.. o.O
That said...anyone able to figure out WTF is going on with the packaging for the DVD? the front and back seem to be hanging.. o.O
Artwork is nice enough, I will be looking to buy this for sure. I do admit they could have been more creative with the artwork. It works though.
Will get the Blu-Ray Set
Hmm. So Spielberg (who notoriously exercises a good deal of control over how his films are released) has given the personal go-ahead for one of his movies to be released as a Bluray exclusive. And all the Spielberg films on HDDVD were hurriedly withdrawn after announcement. I know CE3K's a Sony release anyway, but everyone remembers how reticent Spielberg and Lucas were about their films being released on DVD, years ago, waiting to see how well the format progressed.
In light of Spielberg allowing a Bluray exclusive release, I think that when it comes to my choice of the Blade Runner set, I'll go for Bluray and accompany it with CE3K. I'm a very nervous DVD owner, with a massive library of films, who wants to upgrade, but has been put off by the format war. I suspect, though, that Spielberg allowing a Bluray exclusive will probably lead to Lucas doing the same for Star Wars.
Sets like Blade Runner are ones where you have to buy the best possible edition. Buying a DVD of that or CE3K in 2007 would be like opting for a VHS box set in 2001 - nice to have but of rapidly diminishing worth.
Have seen both the earlier versions of CE3K, but not the final cut, so really looking forward to this!
In light of Spielberg allowing a Bluray exclusive release, I think that when it comes to my choice of the Blade Runner set, I'll go for Bluray and accompany it with CE3K. I'm a very nervous DVD owner, with a massive library of films, who wants to upgrade, but has been put off by the format war. I suspect, though, that Spielberg allowing a Bluray exclusive will probably lead to Lucas doing the same for Star Wars.
Sets like Blade Runner are ones where you have to buy the best possible edition. Buying a DVD of that or CE3K in 2007 would be like opting for a VHS box set in 2001 - nice to have but of rapidly diminishing worth.
Have seen both the earlier versions of CE3K, but not the final cut, so really looking forward to this!
I take it from that promotional poster that the "collectable movie sc**pbook" is only available inside the standard DVD edition?...which is a bummer, as I want to buy the Blu-ray edition which has the extra features...AAAARGGHHH! 
As a designer, I too have always hated the fact that the "payoff" main ufo "Mothership" is revealed on the cover...and think these particular covers are very poor and even a bit misleading about the actual look of the Mothership...but then I had always hoped that the new fangled High Definition DVD covers would have the original theatrical poster artwork ( which were usually the best ) on them...wishful thinking which proved not to be the case once they came out. Just as an aside...am I the only one who thinks the RED HD-DVD cases usually look NICER than the BLUE Blu-ray ones?
And finally...although the collector's edition director's cut is great, I look forward to having the re-edited 1980 version with the added on inside of the "Mothership", as I always liked that little bit extra of John Williams' fantastic score included for this scene...
Oh that's quite funny...look what happened when I try to type "sc**pbook" as written on the promotional poster...
As a designer, I too have always hated the fact that the "payoff" main ufo "Mothership" is revealed on the cover...and think these particular covers are very poor and even a bit misleading about the actual look of the Mothership...but then I had always hoped that the new fangled High Definition DVD covers would have the original theatrical poster artwork ( which were usually the best ) on them...wishful thinking which proved not to be the case once they came out. Just as an aside...am I the only one who thinks the RED HD-DVD cases usually look NICER than the BLUE Blu-ray ones?
And finally...although the collector's edition director's cut is great, I look forward to having the re-edited 1980 version with the added on inside of the "Mothership", as I always liked that little bit extra of John Williams' fantastic score included for this scene...
Oh that's quite funny...look what happened when I try to type "sc**pbook" as written on the promotional poster...
oooh goodie.
The artwork is beautiful, might get this, hopefully we'll get a new E.T. release soon...
Haha check out that spine, the top and bottom don't meet correctly...what is this, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The M.C. Escher Edition" or something??...
Nevunder wrote: Haha check out that spine, the top and bottom don't meet correctly...what is this, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The M.C. Escher Edition" or something??...
I imagine it will be in a tin, much like Oldboy where the front and back cover overhangs the center.
I imagine it will be in a tin, much like Oldboy where the front and back cover overhangs the center.
Yep, I'm sure you're right. It's just a really grainy image so it makes it look funky...it is rather nice packaging, I have to admit...
Gabriel wrote: Hmm. So Spielberg (who notoriously exercises a good deal of control over how his films are released) has given the personal go-ahead for one of his movies to be released as a Bluray exclusive. And all the Spielberg films on HDDVD were hurriedly withdrawn after announcement. I know CE3K's a Sony release anyway, but everyone remembers how reticent Spielberg and Lucas were about their films being released on DVD, years ago, waiting to see how well the format progressed.
Yeah, I'm starting to think this way too about the Bluray. Speilberg seems to have made a call...
Yeah, I'm starting to think this way too about the Bluray. Speilberg seems to have made a call...
By the way...are these release dates the same for the R2 versions?...
If I'm not mistaken the old Criterion laserdisc contained the original theatrical edition.
Also, is this really true that the regular DVD has little or no extras? Are we starting to see a shift?
Also, is this really true that the regular DVD has little or no extras? Are we starting to see a shift?
This film needs A LOT of work to look good. The original DVD release looks abysmal.
wow this blade runner pirates 3 and spiderman 3 rattatouie im sure will be out on blu ray i think blu ray may be offically anounced the winner after the hollidays are done
According to IMDB: "An ABC television version aired that ran 143 minutes. It incorporated all the scenes from the O.V. as well as all the new scenes from the S.E. This version has never been released to video."
Now THAT'S the one I'd like to see.
yankeemike81 wrote: wow this blade runner pirates 3 and spiderman 3 rattatouie im sure will be out on blu ray i think blu ray may be offically anounced the winner after the hollidays are done
I'm not disagreeing with your assessment, but to be fair, Blade Runner is also coming out on HD DVD.
Now THAT'S the one I'd like to see.
yankeemike81 wrote: wow this blade runner pirates 3 and spiderman 3 rattatouie im sure will be out on blu ray i think blu ray may be offically anounced the winner after the hollidays are done
I'm not disagreeing with your assessment, but to be fair, Blade Runner is also coming out on HD DVD.
I kinda think that's the point. Which way do we all swing with the super-dooper Blade Runner set? The other major releases on Bluray, around the same time, are pushing me to choose Bluray. Once I do make an HD choice, that's pretty much it, cos I can't afford two machines!
What a great movie, some people dont know what they are taling about..
To be honest, I think this DVD (the DVD, not the Blu-ray) is less guilty of revealing the mothership than all other versions released previously.
It gives no idea of the scale of the thing, and if they keep the color-scheme as red as it is, you might even argue they're showing one of the smaller ships instead of the big porcupine.
If this picture is all you see before putting in the disc, the final reveal will be awesome as always.
I saw it on VHS twenty years ago and when it happened I went "Holy sh...".
It gives no idea of the scale of the thing, and if they keep the color-scheme as red as it is, you might even argue they're showing one of the smaller ships instead of the big porcupine.
If this picture is all you see before putting in the disc, the final reveal will be awesome as always.
I saw it on VHS twenty years ago and when it happened I went "Holy sh...".
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I see you are a crazy arse fan for Hard Boiled too.I want that shot on mine!LOL, yeah in my opinion, along with the killer, Hard Boiled is the finest action film ever assembled. Did you manage to get the new Dragon Dynasty 2 disc Ultimate Edition?
I share the same idea.Hard Boiled is the epitome of action cinema.Yes I did buy the Dragon Dynasty disc.The image quality of the movie is the clearest I have ever seen.But they changed the subtitles a little bit and I don't like it.The subtitles just seem dumbed down.In the part where Tequila tells his boss off when he is getting to close.He says "John" instead of "toilet," stuff like that. I still need to watch the bonus disk.I am such a huge fan for Hard Boiled that I even own a poster for it.Hopefully Dragon Dynasty will do more classic Woo films like The Killer and A Better Tomorrow 1 & 2.Still need to see Bullet in the Head.Yeah, I heard about the whole "dubtitles" issue and that is pretty disappointing, but like you mentioned, the picture quality is amazing! I also hope DD releases the other Woo hong Kong actioners- Especially The Killer. A better Tomorrow 1 and 2 definately need a DD release aswell because the current R1 releases from Anchor Bay have definately run their course. The Picture quality is quite poor. You haven't seen Bullet in the Head? Well, your certainly missing out. I suggest getting the R2 2- disc Platinum Edition from Hong Kong Legends off of Ebay if you don't want to wait for an R1 release. It's a great set!