"The Dead Zone" Original Pilot Disc Arrives -- FINALLY! (1 Viewer)

I finally received it...I had sent in the offer sheet with a check the day I purchased it back in June.

I was beginning to lose hope that it would arrive...

This is great news...I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive.

Please try and give us a SPOILER FREE review. I'm most interested in confirming who the different actors are.


H

I will take a look at it tonight...and post my comments.

I have already taken a quick look at the disc. First off, Bruce is pictured on the disc

In addition to the original 90-minuted unaired pilot that combined episodes 1 and 2 from "The Dead Zone," there are about 6 deleted scenes from the pilot with optional commentary by Exec Producer Lloyd Segan.

Also offered are season 2 lauch spots (teaser commercials) that aired on USA advertising that season. One is a behind the scenes 1-minute spot where the actors and crew are interviewed. The second and third show Jonny walking down the street bumping into people. The fourth is specific to the season premiere episode for season 2. The fifth shows scenes from multiple episodes from season 2.

One nice feature that you will enjoy is the selective commentary during the pilot by Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan. Neither participated in the original commentary on either of the first 2 episodes, or the previous release of the 83 minute "movie" on DVD. It is accessible from the "Special Features" menu on the disc (unlike the other discs in the season 1 set where you have to find the commentary option on your own).

Not too many spoilers I have noticed yet (emphasis on the word "noticed"), but let me say that initially, when the young John Smith bumps his head on the ice, the coach tells Johnny to go home and have his parents take him to get an X-ray. In the version of the first episode that actually aired, the coach told Johnny that the assistant coach would take him to the hospital for X-rays.

The sound on the disc I just received is Dolby Surround 2.0...not 5.1.

Michael Moriarty is pretty creepy as Reverend Purdy. But I will say that I prefer David Ogden Stiers in the role. Moriarty has this sort of Christopher Walken/Jon Voight thing going. To be honest, Moriarty makes you believe that that his character is evil from the beginning. Ogden Stiers is much more ambiguous with his version.

A different actress plays Dana...she has short blonde hair.

Some of the scenes are the same (obviously).

Once the rest of you receive it we can have a more in-depth discussion of the disc.

I hope that information helps. If you all have anymore questions, just ask!

sorry, i must have missed something.
what are you guys talking about?

Jonny,

Thanks for the info...this sounds like a great addition to the set!

Tony,

The disc we are referring to is and additional dvd offered as a free mail-in bonus with the purchase of the Season One Set (actually it's not completely free, as it asks for $5.99 to cover shipping and handling). The packaging actually comes with a blank slot for the disc to fit in.


Howie

Is this deal over (or does it expire soon)? The sealed set is in my closet awaiting it's unvieling on my mom's birthday.

This seems to be cheapest from Canada? Do I still get the original pilot mail-in offer if I order from Canada and is the packaging any different?

In addition to Dave's comments, this offer was unfortunately made available for U.S. residents only, so if you buy the set (and want the bonus disc), I would get it from a U.S. retailer.

Howie

Actually, if you order it from a Canadian company then you get an offer for Canadian residents only. That is sent to a Canadian address.

Luckily for US residents who ordered that way you can print out a pdf file which can then send it. Check the link at
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/thedeadzone/dvd.html

I got it from DVDSoon and did that. I don't know if they have cashed my check yet. I also ordered the CD soundtrack (that offer is only available to US residents and does not appear on the Canadian insert).

Talking about the actual bonus disc Jonny P said:

Michael Moriarty is pretty creepy as Reverend Purdy. But I will say that I prefer David Ogden Stiers in the role. Moriarty has this sort of Christopher Walken/Jon Voight thing going. To be honest, Moriarty makes you believe that that his character is evil from the beginning. Ogden Stiers is much more ambiguous with his version.

If you listen to the commentary on the regular first season disc you'll see that this is very much intentional and they decided to take a different approach for the series.

Neil

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I suppose you need the receipt... I dodn't seem to have kept it. Ah well.

Yes, they do ask for a copy of the receipt. You might be able to get a copy somehow.

Neil

I received my disc in the mail today. However, now I am condering where the other discs I ordered at the time time are. On the form you could pay $19.95 (i think) and get copies of Rose Red, Tommyknockers, and one other miniseries whose name escapes me right now.

If anyone still has the form, you you let me know if there is a number on it I can call.

Thanks

Kevin, there's no # on the card to call. It only mentions the address and the website (lionsgatefilms.com).

The commentary tracks on the boxed set are easily accessible. If you go to the Episode page on the main menu then click on anyone of the episodes' chapter listings you'll see a huge box on the left for the commentaries. It'll stay on for all the episodes until you turn it off or until you eject the disc.

Just so you all know, I received a check disc for the bonus pilot that's dated 8/05...so they probably just finished the disc before sending it out. It's not like they've been sitting on them for a long time. Good job they put the "6-8 weeks for delivery" message on the card

Gord

I just got my copy of the original pilot on Monday (sent for it on 9/12/2003). Annoyingly, on the commentary track, the audio seems to be out of synce. I mean really severely. Like a full second ahead of the video.

Thanks for the update. I think I sent off for my disc at about the same time so maybe mine is nearly here as well. I also sent in money for the CD soundtrack.

Neil

I finally received my copy of the bonus disc this week...but only because I got tired of waiting.

I sent for the disc back in July, and noticed that my check was cashed soon after it had been mailed. Finally, I called the on-line ordering number available from USA Networks web site, and subsequently was given the number for the warehouse. When I called, they informed me the disc had been shipped at the beginning of September. After telling them I never received it, they sent out a new disc the same day. The entire affair took over four months from the time I puchased the original Season One set.

Howie