Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Entertainment and Media  ›  SD DVD - Film and Documentary  ›  The Big Blue US version
Hey There!

Thanks for checking out our community! We've got lots of great stuff going on around here... why don't you create an account and join the fun? Why?

Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread

The Big Blue US version

#1
Rating: 0
1/2/08 at 6:41am
  • Joined: September 2005
  • Post Count: 926
I have been searching for the US version of the Big Blue on dvd for years now and have only been able to find the directors cut on dvd. Does anyone know if the US version is even out on dvd.

I first saw this movie back in 89 and when I found the dvd of it in 2000, I was suprised at the way it was edited. With all the new added scenes, it becomes a completely different story than the US theaterical version.

I have the version I first saw on VHS, but I would really like to have it on dvd.

Also, I really enjoy Bill Conti's score to the US film and cannot find it anywhere.

NO SHIRT

NO SHOES

NO SHELDON

Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0
1/2/08 at 8:02am
  • Joined: September 2002
  • Post Count: 2,160

Re: The Big Blue US version

Apparently, we are alone in preferring the US version.

I wrote this about it a while back.

The Moviezzz Blog: FORGOTTEN FILMS: BIG BLUE: THE US VERSION (1988)

I too love the Bill Conti score more than the Eric Serra new age thing.

Besson wasn't happy with the US cut (which bombed in theatres), so there is no hope for a DVD release. Or, even a CD release of the soundtrack.
Click Here to Visit My Blog
Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0
1/2/08 at 8:47am
  • Joined: September 2005
  • Post Count: 926

Re: The Big Blue US version

Jon: I absolutely agree with everything you wrote in your blog. The US version was the first version I ever saw and it became my favorite movie ever. The score (Conti's version) is amazing. I remember when HBO aired The Big Blue, I ran to find a tape to record it and I would rewind the opening sequence over and over just to hear the music. I still have that tape (made when I was a freshman in highschool).

I was shocked when I purchased the directors cut dvd to see how different the two films ended up being. They are really two very different stories all together I think. The score by Eric Serra, although decent, really didn't have the same impact as the Conti score. I liked shy and unassuming Jacque from the US version. The added footage with him and Enzo really changed the characters personalities from the US version. Completely different people.

I don't know. I guess we are alone in our love for the US version.

Here is where I found Conti's Version: 7 Black Notes

Scroll down to the Wednesday January 3rd entry and click on the picture of the Big Blue.

Track titles are as follows:

1. Main Theme
2. Call Of The Deep
3. Danger Below
4. Caribbean
5. Plans
6. A Tender Moment
7. Love In The Moonlight
8. Don't Worry
9. Interlude
10. Sadness
11. Love Theme
12. Fun In The Sun
13. The Dive
14. Under The Sea
15. The Next Day
16. Playful Love
17. Serious Love
18. Love On The Piano
19. Choral Love
20. Back To The Sea
21. Last Dive
22. Finale

NO SHIRT

NO SHOES

NO SHELDON

Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0
6/26/09 at 4:52am
  • Joined: June 2009
  • Location: Toronto
  • Post Count: 6

Re: The Big Blue US version

Hi Lucia and Jon,
I loved reading your thoughts about The Big Blue and I wish I had been able to watch the movie when it was first released like you obviously were able to...along with my husband...and hopefully others too. This is my husband's favourite movie....the movie he believes truly captures his own relationship to the big blue. He was thrilled to find a VCD version of the original US release when we were in Taiwan so that he could share it with me. We watched the movie over and over again, even made a WMV rip of it somehow. Unfortunately we simply had no idea this version would disappear the way it has. Or else we would have brought the VCD back to Canada with us. Grrr!! The WMV version we have has deteriorated like CDs tend to do and the disc is no longer recognized by any of our players. Although it is nice to have a DVD of the Director's cut....neither of us can bring ourselves to watch it because it is an entirely different experience in our opinions. My husband is heartbroken about this and I wish I could find him a copy.
Export to Wiki
#5
Rating: 0
6/26/09 at 4:58am
  • Joined: July 1997
  • Post Count: 20,071

Re: The Big Blue US version

Roux,

Welcome to HTF. I had to edit your post to remove comments that
would be considered "bootlegging" which is against forum policy.
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
Export to Wiki
#6
Rating: 0
6/26/09 at 9:01am
  • Joined: June 2009
  • Location: Toronto
  • Post Count: 6

Re: The Big Blue US version

Oops sorry!
Export to Wiki
#7
Rating: 0
6/26/09 at 4:35pm
  • Joined: September 2004
  • Post Count: 676

Re: The Big Blue US version

I might be wrong, but wasn't the U.S cut released on Laserdisc? If so, that might be worth seeking out.
Export to Wiki
#8
Rating: 0
6/26/09 at 10:26pm
  • Joined: May 2004
  • Post Count: 20

Re: The Big Blue US version

Hi. I am a pretty big fan of Besson and The Big Blue. I even have the old 1997 LD Box Set Import. I prefer the director's cut, but I also enjoy Conti's score from the 1988 U.S. cut.
However that cut has been released on DVD a few times. Check out the region 2 Japanese, French and Korean Ultimate Editions of Le Grande Bleu. Look for descriptions at dvdcompare.net. I have a region2 Japanese advetisment with a picture of one of these limited sets in a steelbook type case.
Best Wishes,
Export to Wiki
#9
Rating: 0
6/26/09 at 11:56pm
  • Joined: June 2004
  • Post Count: 1,230

Re: The Big Blue US version

Wish I knew where to find the South Korean edition released by Platinum that offers both versions of the film plus a CD soundtrack (Serra's, I suppose). I've bought some South Korean DVD's that are officially licensed and the equal to any USA or UK edition.

Lovely film in both versions and worth seeking out.

Here are some imports:

Le grand bleu [Blu-ray]: Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Rosanna Arquette, Luc Besson: Amazon.fr: DVD

The Big Blue [DVD] [1988]: Amazon.co.uk: Rosanna Arquette, David Brisbin, Marc Duret, Andreas Voutsinas, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Paul Shenar, Kimberly Beck, Griffin Dunne, Valentina Vargas, Sergio Castellitto, Jean Bouise, Luc Besson: DVD

LE GRAND BLEU (1988) DIRECTOR'S CUT (Region 3): Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Luc Besson: Amazon.co.uk: DVD

But it looks like the region B Blu-ray is the one to buy:

The Big Blue Blu-ray Grand bleu Rosanna Arquette Jean Reno
http://www.3dfilmpf.org/
"... little by little the look of the country changes because of the people we admire."
dialog in HUD (1963)
Export to Wiki
#10
Rating: 0
6/27/09 at 5:22am
  • Joined: May 2004
  • Post Count: 20

Re: The Big Blue US version

I do have the French Bluray. It looks incredible, but unfortunately it does not include the English audio track. It also does NOT have the old 1988 U.S. cut either.
FWIW: Anyone interested in tracking down a copy of these ultimate editions on DVD should be advised that the bonus DVD of the 1988 U.S. cut is supposed to be in 4x3 pan and scan!
Export to Wiki
#11
Rating: 0
7/3/09 at 9:14am
  • Joined: June 2009
  • Location: Toronto
  • Post Count: 6
Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooo much! I hope I can track one down
Export to Wiki
#12
Rating: 0
7/3/09 at 9:30am
  • Joined: June 2009
  • Location: Toronto
  • Post Count: 6
They are all excellent looking releases of the movie but still not the version I'm looking for. Thanks for all your help.
Export to Wiki
#13
Rating: 0
7/7/09 at 12:10pm
  • Joined: November 2006
  • Post Count: 62

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard--W View Post

Wish I knew where to find the South Korean edition released by Platinum that offers both versions of the film plus a CD soundtrack (Serra's, I suppose).

I have that Korean edition, and just to be clear, the "theatrical cut" is the euro version with the Serra score. No Conti there either.

The US laserdisc with the Conti score is up on eBay at the moment.



...and Butterflybabe5, you've got a PM.

Export to Wiki
#14
Rating: 0
7/7/09 at 1:16pm
  • Joined: September 2005
  • Post Count: 926
Went VHS hunting a few weeks back and found myself at an Edward McKays. I was browsing through the VHS tapes when lo and behold I found a VHS Big Blue US version. Edward McKays doesn't keep actual items in the box on the shelf so I went to the counter as excited as could be and the guy went back to get it. Came back empty handed. Couldn't find it. I was so bummed. He said he is not sure how it got misplaced or lost, but he would call me if he ever located it. Never heard back.

:(

NO SHIRT

NO SHOES

NO SHELDON

Export to Wiki
#15
Rating: 0
7/19/09 at 7:12am
  • Joined: July 2009
  • Post Count: 1
Hi all,

Well I stumbled across this post and joined to add my $0.02. I've been a big fan of this movie for a long time. Like most others I have the directors cut on DVD as well as the blue ray version (beautiful version). My first exposure to this movie was the US version so like others it hits home more than the directors cut (not that there's anything wrong with the directors cut). Anyways I have the Conti score and its a gem. I also have the US version but on laserdisc only. My laserdisc player has long since died so I'm stuck with having it but cannot view it. I did try to convert it from my laserdisc to DVD with no luck unfortunately from a friend who had an older laserdisc player. I doubt there will ever be a US dvd release, Besson has clearly stated he hated it.

brill19

Export to Wiki
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread