8/5: Casablanca 2-Disc SE w/New Footage! (1 Viewer)

[Tim Glover]

Sounds great!

 

[Patrick McCart]

Dan:

The original DVD seemed to be from the restoration Turner already did. I think it's safe to imply that the new DVD would use a further restored transfer (to be honest, the only problems are a lighter contrast and two tears in the old transfer) and would be perfected.

Video transfering has come a long way in 6 years, so they'll be able to use the excellent film elements AND make it into an up-to-date transfer.

 

[Peter Kline]

I seem to remember reading that the sequence in Ricks office was very dark and contrasty because they did not have decent elements. Perhaps they have found a better source or have done some more digital work. An interesting bit of trivia. Dooley Wilson, who sang "As Time Goes By" was asked by his agent if he would like to do some night club work. His agent thought he played the piano as well as sang. He did not (play the piano) so they dropped the idea.

 

[EdHoch]

This may take this topic off on a tangent, but I have heard rumors of a similar two disc SE of another classic film "It's a Wonderful Life." I already have this on DVD, but would probably bite on the double dip if they dug up additional footage etc. Anyone seen anything official?

Incidentally, this Casablanca DVD will definitely be on my Santa list this year! (along with Indy Jones, The Sure Thing, Bend in the River...)

 

[Carlo_M]

Way cool. I was nearly about to buy this disc (tired of doing the SE Waiting Game) and lookie here!

 

[Mark-W]

As for "double-dipping," and complaints about repurchasing, this is what eBay is for.

I often sell my "first version" DVDs on eBay to a usually more than happy buyer. In fact, upon first hearing this rumor a few weeks ago, I sold my first copy to a pal who really doesn't care about extras.

Glad to see Warner Bros offering this newer version.

Cool!

Mark

 

[andrew markworthy]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes !!!

The original DVD was far from bad, but this looks wonderful, and an Ebert commentary as well.

I am moderately pleased.

 

[Matt Goddard]

The original version was one of my first DVD purchases. This definitely sounds like a worthy upgrade.

It seems that any movie that's 60 years old and considered a classic should have plenty of supplemental material for a second disc. I applaud Warner Brother's efforts on this and their other upcoming classic two-disc releases.

 

[Ray H]

Sounds great. The Ebert commentary is a nice bonus as id the Carrotblanca cartoon and the 10 minutes of new footage have me interested. I thought deleted scenes, etc would have been destroyed back then. Guess I was wrong. The inclusion of an episode of the tv show also surprised me.

And the cover looks pretty classy.


http://www.dvdexclusive.com/HTMLNews/NewsCasablanca.htm

 

[Alfonso_M]

Great news! I'm just about ready for another spin...

 

[oscar_merkx]

this is fantastic news indeed. Looks like WB are on to several winners already this year

 

[Peter Kline]

The cover art reminds me of the colorized version of the film! Why are studios afraid of the truth about black and white films. (Or is it the consumer who can't accept the fact?) I hope there is no surround sound track with bogus 5.1 music and sound effects.

 

[Michael Harris]

Time to finally put my Criterion LD to rest.

BTW, check out the book "Making of Casablanca" AKA "Round Up The Usual Suspects". One of the best "making of" books written.

 

[Kajs]

I would recommend checking out the book "Casablanca: As Times Goes by: 50th Anniversary Commemorative." I think it is also one of the best "making of" books written. A lot of info and a ton of BTS photos, posters, etc...

 

[Patrick McCart]

Peter Kline...

That cover art is based on one of the original posters. The original DVD used the poster art from one of the Turner re-releases into theaters.

Even for B&W films, they'd have full color posters. Check out the DVD covers for Arsenic and Old Lace, The Maltese Falcon (Warner version), and The Thin Man. Those are all original posters.

It's kind of ironic that the colorized VHS would feature the original poster artwork while the B&W tape would have the Turner artwork.

 

[Nathan*W]

Wonder if it's gonna be...dare I say it...a snapper?

 

[Ray H]

Wonder if it's gonna be...dare I say it...a snapper?

I doubt it.

 

[Malcolm R]

In the Warner chat, they said multi-disc releases would be in digi-packs. As a two-disc release, I'd expect it'll be the same as last year's "Singin' in the Rain" and "True Romance," as well as the "Harry Potter" movies.

 

[Rain]

There are 2 WB films that I've been wishing for SEs of for a long time.

Casablanca is one of them.

(The Seachers is the other)

 

[Dharmesh C]

Thought Casablanca was a terribly overrated picture, looks like I'll be buying the 2 disc set to give it another chance.