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SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY) - Page 4

post #91 of 126
11/14/07 at 3:32pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulP
So there are deleted scenes not carried over in any of the three cuts?
Yeah there's stuff like Lacombe's original first meeting with Laughlin at the airport (originally Lacombe was on one of the planes heard from durring the scene with the air traffic controllers, when the Sonora sequence was added late in shooting this scene became redundant) that was cut early and subsequently never reincorporated into the film. The bulk of the deleted scenes however are from the two prior versions of the film.
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post #92 of 126
11/14/07 at 5:42pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

I haven't seen this mentioned, so just in case anyone is interested -- Wal Mart is packaging a free CD of the soundtrack along with the DVD.

Mark
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post #93 of 126
11/14/07 at 6:18pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_TB
I haven't seen this mentioned, so just in case anyone is interested -- Wal Mart is packaging a free CD of the soundtrack along with the DVD.

Mark

Good deal, but useless to me--I have two different CE3K soundtrack releases, so I'm already covered on that front.
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post #94 of 126
11/14/07 at 6:40pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

^Same here, but just for the sake of interest which version is it?
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post #95 of 126
11/14/07 at 6:49pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

The sticker on the package says it's the "complete original soundtrack," so I would assume it's the same as the latest Arista "Collector's Edition" release. (I didn't buy my DVD from WalMart since I, too, already have the previous CD releases.)

Mark
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post #96 of 126
11/14/07 at 7:16pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Where are all the reviews for this? I guess it's taking extra time to watch all 3 versions.
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post #97 of 126
11/14/07 at 7:34pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnie G
Where are all the reviews for this? I guess it's taking extra time to watch all 3 versions.

You can't ask for much better than http://www.dvdmg.com/closeencounters30.shtml.
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post #98 of 126
11/15/07 at 9:11am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Dalek
Well, the deleted scenes are but only five of those don't appear in any other cut.

By my count there are 9 total deleted scenes that weren't in any cut of the film...the Blu Ray release eliminates the repetitious scenes that were found in various versions (i.e. the SE ending) and offers the ones that were never incorporated into any version:

-In the desert (additional footage of the opening that's not in any other cut)
-Roy on the job (additional footage of Roy in the field, not in any other cut)
-Roy gets directions (ditto)
-At the airport (discarded opening with Lacombe)
-At the police station (Roy about to file a police report with the cops)
-At the barbeque (add. footage of Roy, Ronnie at a picnic that was cut)
-English lessons (Lacombe outtake)
-On the roof (outtake of Dreyfuss on the roof of his house looking up at the sky)
-At the gas station (outtake of Roy and Jillian watching helicopters go by while they fill up)

None of these scenes made it into any released or broadcast version of CE3K. I'd say it's a shame Sony didn't include them on the standard-DVD version -- but I'd hang onto my older release just for that reason.
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post #99 of 126
11/15/07 at 9:23am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_TB
The sticker on the package says it's the "complete original soundtrack," so I would assume it's the same as the latest Arista "Collector's Edition" release. (I didn't buy my DVD from WalMart since I, too, already have the previous CD releases.)
Well if it is "complete" as they say I might find it worth investing in since the previous CE soundtrack omitted one small piece heard as Roy and Ronnie make out at Crescendo Summit.
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post #100 of 126
11/15/07 at 10:11am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Dalek
...since the previous CE soundtrack omitted one small piece...

More than that--it's missing the entire end credits track as heard in the original 1977 edit and the Collector's Edition/Director's Cut, opting instead to give us the "When You Wish Upon a Star" suite ending the Special Edition from 1980.
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post #101 of 126
11/15/07 at 10:27am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Travis Brashear
More than that--it's missing the entire end credits track as heard in the original 1977 edit and the Collector's Edition/Director's Cut, opting instead to give us the "When You Wish Upon a Star" suite ending the Special Edition from 1980.
The original master recording has When You Wish Upon A Star as the finale. The suite is a hastily produced edit job put together after the original version tested negatively in advanced screenings. It also sounds notably worse than the original version from using multigenerational tape copies as it source.

Nowadays you could probably recreate the thing using MP3's of the original source material (TV Reveals, Roy and Gillian on the Road, and "Bye" respectively) edited together in SoundForge and get the same results. It would even probably sound better than the version on the original LP.
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post #102 of 126
11/15/07 at 1:22pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

I sure wish they had used the blue poster art for the cover art on the DVD set.
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post #103 of 126
11/15/07 at 1:53pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Gotta upgrade to BD for that. Almost makes me want a PS3, but I can't bring myself to do it.
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post #104 of 126
11/16/07 at 6:43pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Just finished watching all 3 versions after getting this set on Tuesday. What a great movie. I've haven't seen it in years. I'd have to say the Special Edition felt very disjointed. The removal of the scene where Roy rips up the plants and throws them in the kitchen ruins this version for me. I'll probably never watch the Special Edition again.

The Original version and the Director's Cut were much better. If I'm comparing these two I'd have to give the nod to the Directors Cut. I love the longer introduction to Roy's family. The scene where the kid beats the doll against the crib breaking off the head and arms is classic. I don't think I could watch Close Encounters without that scene. I wonder if Spielberg scripted that or if the kid just did it.

Most of the scenes that were cut from the original I am fine with. The only scene I wish he'd left in is the Power Plant scene at the beginning. This was a good scene and gave some background on Roy's job as well as the crisis the power company was facing that evening. I was sad to see this scene go.

However, the longer introduction, Roy's meltdown in the shower, and the Gobi Desert scene outweigh the power plant scene and other cuts from the original as far as I'm concerned. The Director's Cut is the version I will be enjoying from now on. But I'm glad I now have all 3 versions just in case I change my mind.
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post #105 of 126
11/17/07 at 3:48am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by David W
I'd have to say the Special Edition felt very disjointed. The removal of the scene where Roy rips up the plants and throws them in the kitchen ruins this version for me.

To give a counter-opinion -- I thought the removal of that ridiculous, slapstick scene was the best thing about the SE, and my main reason for buying this new set!
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post #106 of 126
11/17/07 at 5:47am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by James David Walley
To give a counter-opinion -- I thought the removal of that ridiculous, slapstick scene was the best thing about the SE, and my main reason for buying this new set!

BLASPHEMY!
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post #107 of 126
11/17/07 at 1:35pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Spielberg has flip-flopped on that scene, too. According to the Criterion Collection laserdisc, he removed that scene because it was too "kitsch". However, he still needed a scene to show why Neary's wife would leave him, so the shower scene (originally left out for who knows what reason) was put in to replace it. But, years later, Spielberg reinstated the scene for his Director's Cut, evidently realizing that, as "kitschy" as it may be, it is a beloved scene by many and works well in the film, as it shows just how deep Neary's obsession goes.

I love the Director's Cut because I think both scenes are excellent, especially for Teri Garr, as they are perhaps her two best scenes. You really begin to feel sorry for her seeing what she is put through by Roy. In the 1977 and 1980 cuts (especially the '80 cut), she comes off as more of a bitch.
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post #108 of 126
11/24/07 at 2:18pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

After finally getting around to checking all three versions, I was pleased to find that the 1977 version is absolutely accurate.

However, very surprising... the 1980 S/E is NOT. At the very beginning when the planes are discovered in the desert, the S/E changed the sound mix so that some of the background dialogue was considerably louder ("Check for landing marks and taxi trails," "Hey, these are Navy TVMs" etc.) and also added in some additional dialogue from Bob Balaban when the team leader climbs into the cockpit and looks at the 1945 calendar ("Listen to me, will ya?") I confirmed this with the old Columbia/Tristar widescreen LD of the S/E. The new release uses the same audio in this scene for all three versions, which makes the 1980 version incorrect here.

The audio for the depot evacuation scene, which was incorrect on the previous 1998 C/E version, has now been fixed, however.
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post #109 of 126
11/25/07 at 1:26pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carter of Mars
At the very beginning when the planes are discovered in the desert, the S/E changed the sound mix so that some of the background dialogue was considerably louder ("Check for landing marks and taxi trails," "Hey, these are Navy TVMs" etc.) and also added in some additional dialogue from Bob Balaban when the team leader climbs into the cockpit and looks at the 1945 calendar ("Listen to me, will ya?")

I thought I was the only one who noticed this, but I didn't have the old laserdisc anymore to go back and check. I always feel like something is missing every time that "Listen to me!" line is not there.
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post #110 of 126
11/28/07 at 8:27am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Today I have just received the Close Encounters. Funny, I ordered other things including Xmas Carol from Amazon that was sent at the beginning of December and that hasn't arrived.

One question that I have - is the "Director's Cut" EXACTLY the same of the DVD release of 2001 "Collector's Edition"?

I am not too crazy with the packaging. The box cover opens up to the back. Pasted on the rear are the details. It will not fit in the box without folding it. I will have to photocopy it and make it slightly smaller. The big documentary which is split into 3 parts, unlike the "Collector's Cut" version has no chapters. The booklet about the production and cast did not include the little boy.
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post #111 of 126
11/28/07 at 10:37am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
One question that I have - is the "Director's Cut" EXACTLY the same of the DVD release of 2001 "Collector's Edition"?

No. The sound editing goof at the train station (Jillian calling for Roy) has been fixed. Otherwise it's the same.
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post #112 of 126
6/3/08 at 11:44am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

I just picked up the SD set from Amazon, and it had 2 copies of Disc 1, no Disc 3. I emailed Sony, got a reply the NEXT day, return info the next, and a replacement disc (in an amaray case) in less than 2 weeks. Really, REALLY impressed by this customer service!
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post #113 of 126
3/19/09 at 4:42pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lyle_JP
Can anyone confirm if the 1977 version is truly the theatrical cut, or if it's the Spielberg-approved Criterion cut?

I have not seen the Criterion version of CE3K. However, I did see the original theatrical cut about 6 times in its initial release, the special edition about 4 times, and the director's cut once. (This is not counting TV or home video.) I very distinctly recall a line that Truffaut had during Roy's escape from the helicopter: "Run, Mr. Neary!" (uttered sotto voce). I always liked that line, because of what it said about Lacombe's belief that Neary is very special. I noticed its absence in the special edition, and have never seen it since. What I have noticed is what seems to be the audio equivalent of a jump cut in the musical score during that sequence, but I don't know if that's the result of excising Truffaut's line or if the music has always been that way (is that where there was a reel change for projection prints?)

This piece of dialogue is not in the new release, and that makes me think that it is not the truly original theatrical cut. I am very, very sure that I am not imagining having heard that specific piece of dialogue. Can anyone else confirm this?
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post #114 of 126
3/20/09 at 8:15am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Question: I haven't seen this movie in many, many years. In fact, I am not entirely sure that I've ever even seen the entire film. Can anyone comment on its appropriateness for small children? Will they even get it?

Also, which version is the one to watch first? (I've got the BD.)

Thanks!
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post #115 of 126
3/20/09 at 8:24am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Question: I haven't seen this movie in many, many years. In fact, I am not entirely sure that I've ever even seen the entire film. Can anyone comment on its appropriateness for small children? Will they even get it?
I think it might be a little boring to small kids. I don't think there's anything objectionale though but keep in mind that I don't have kids so you might have a different view.

Quote:
Also, which version is the one to watch first? (I've got the BD.)
I'd say the Director's Cut.
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post #116 of 126
3/20/09 at 8:26am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Thanks. I doubt my son would sit through the whole movie but I know he'd enjoy some of the parts involving planes or trucks or UFOs.
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post #117 of 126
3/20/09 at 10:24am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
I think it might be a little boring to small kids. I don't think there's anything objectionale though but keep in mind that I don't have kids so you might have a different view.

Well, the part where the Aliens abduct the kid, might seem a little scary for small children. As for the boring for kids part......maybe. A lot of the movie is dramatic and the effects surely aren't going to have the same impact as they did back then, but you could say similar things about E.T. (although there is a "loveable" character there)
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post #118 of 126
3/20/09 at 5:15pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Well, I can tell you the new dvd is not the Criterion version. In that version of the Theatrical cut, there was one scene that Spielberg still wanted changed. It was after Roy's encounter at the railroad crossing...he drives away and in the theatrical cut we see shots of him driving through a tunnel and hitting a road barrier on a sharp turn.

In the Criterion version we see a shortened version of this with the added scene of an overhead view of Roys' truck driving with the Shadow of a UFO passing over it. Spielberg has said they were days away from completing this shot and just ran out of time and it always bugged him. So it was completed for the special edition in 1980. The new DVD of the 1977 version does not have this scene. Just the driving. So it's certainly closer to the original then the Criterion version.

I can't speak to the Truffaut dialogue; I personally don't recall those lines.
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post #119 of 126
3/20/09 at 7:38pm

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

Quote:
there was one scene that Spielberg still wanted changed.

There were a couple of other minor trims on the Criterion Theatrical LD. One, I think was when Roy was looking out his window as he was building his huge sculpture, there was original two shots of the neighborhood. One of them was cut as it now appears in the SE and the DC. There was another cut where after Roy, Jillian and the other guy escape from the helicopter, Roy shouts "Go for the mountain" that was also omitted from the Criterion LD. Both now appear in the Theatrical cut on the current DVD/BD release. So as far as we can tell, the current release does indeed contain the true Theatrical cut (barring what KMR claims)
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post #120 of 126
3/21/09 at 4:58am

Re: SPHE Press Release: Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniv. (DVD,BLU-RAY)

A bit of CE3K trivia. I'd read Julia Phillips notorious autobiography "You'll never Eat Lunch in this Town Again" recently and Phillips was a producer on Close Encounters. She said of Francois Truffaut -

Quote:
"Of all the dead people I know, Francois Truffaut wins the prick award hands down... he was an arrogant, famous French director and I couldn't help but feel he was fucking with us all the time".

According to Phillips, Truffaut claimed that he was deaf in one ear so he would make them repeat things over and over, so she and Spielberg hatched up a plan to test his deafness, took him to a restaurant and while he was talking to Spielberg she whispered "Francois" and he turned minutely in her direction.
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