Gladiator -- extended/director's cut.

[Nachokoolaid]

Hey guys,
I'm a big fan of the film GLADIATOR. I own the original theatrical release DVD. I noticed that there's an "Extended Director's Cut" and I was wondering if it was worth picking up. Also, is the extended stuff just the deleted scenes from the first DVD?

Also, are there any other extended or director's cuts that you would recommend (other than the LOTR, I have those).

So I guess this thread is to discuss your favorite director's cuts, and the ones that improve upon the theatrical version the most.

Thanks.

[The Hellboy]

I'm a bit biased, but the GLADIATOR EE is well worth the cash. While the majority of the new footage may be seen in the Treasure Chest on the first GLADIATOR 2-disc - here it has been fully and correctly integrated into the film. There also a few bits never-before-seen, also.

Add one of the most comprehensive Making-of's - STRENGTH & HONOR - and a gazillion other things and you have a really excellent package.

If you're interested in other Ridley Scott alternate cuts, check out the 2-disc LEGEND DVD.

[Oni]

Nice, I'm tempted to get the Extended Edition now.

[sonnyboo]

Yeah, additionally - a NEW commentary track with Ridley Scott & Russel Crowe together, and the bons material is entirely seperate.

In the new "TEXT" commentary, they actually address "double dipping" and say that they purposely avoided any of the same material so that you can keep your first DVD set and make it your own "4 disc edition".

FYI - the really kick ass DTS soundtrack from the first DVD is NOT on this one at all. Not enough room for that & decent picture quality with the extra running time.


It's worth every $$$. I went and bought back my old DVD set because of that.

[unikrunk]

As long as it is at least little more homoerotic, I am all over it.

/Although, I don't see how it could be
//kidding, I love this movie

[The Vicar]

Don't you mean studlyerotic?
Surpreezed the word replacement goons didn't see that one coming.

Well, you guys talked me into this one - and I too recommend the Legend Extended Cut. Much richer take, although the disjoint between music on the original & Jerry Goldsmith's score on the DC might give you pause.
But there is a symphony of little touches here & there that will reward the astute viewer.
( Like in one scene, where Gump orders one of his buddies to do something dangerous, Billy Barty mutters "foreigner" under his breath, hinting at a more complex & tangled relationship between the fairy type folk.)

Studlyerotic.

[unikrunk]

@Vic - The Legend directors cut is far better than the original; I picked it up recently, and loved it.

[monorail77]

Thanks for the Legend recommendations. I had all but forgotten about this visually sumptuous film. I remember thinking it was a tad longish, but I was young when I saw it. Does the 2-disc SE address the longishness?

[RaulMonkey]

How about the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Director's Cut? I seem to remember Moriarty saying it was a vast improvement over the theatrical version, which I thought was relatively weak (and extremely politically correct.) Has anyone seen the new version?

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

Not sure it really qualifies as a director's cut because it was the theatrical version most everywhere but the US, but Leon: The Professional is made better by the extra 24 minutes. It just adds so much more to the characters of Leon and Mathilda.

[RaulMonkey]

For real? KOH was dumbed down a la THE SORCERER'S STONE for US audiences?

And we no doubt got stuck with the American version in Canada, just like we got the EYES WIDE SHUT with the inconveniently placed digital figures in the orgy.

[monorail77]

I think everybody got the edited Eyes Wide Shut, not just US and Can, no?

[RaulMonkey]

Maybe... I thought it was just us, but then again one wonders why there hasn't been a director's cut on DVD.

[FCEEVIPER]

No DTS soundtrack? Count me out.

[The Hellboy]

No room on the GLADIATOR: EE for DTS. You've got the Theatrical & Extended versions, and a pretty robust new Dolby 5.1 track. There's also a new commentary with Scott & Crowe, plus a trivia track. It's pretty packed.

Thread on KOH DC:
http://zone.aintitcool.com/viewtopic.php?t=44028

[RaulMonkey]

Thanks, Hellboy. That was some informative shizz.

[raasnio]

Sometimes I'd rather have the DTS than some of the extras. For instance, I like documentaries, but deleted scenes I can almost always do without. Still, how many documentaries does one need? Just use another disc, if you have to, but give me audio options, please.

[sonnyboo]

How about the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Director's Cut? I seem to remember Moriarty saying it was a vast improvement over the theatrical version, which I thought was relatively weak (and extremely politically correct.) Has anyone seen the new version?

see this thead - http://zone.aintitcool.com/viewtopic.php?t=44028

Lots of info on KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, technically not a "director's cut" because Ridley had the final cut contractually, so it's a "special edition".

I think everybody got the edited Eyes Wide Shut, not just US and Can, no?

Nope, the Japanese DVD and other countries have the unedited Orgy.

[FCEEVIPER]

Sometimes I'd rather have the DTS than some of the extras. For instance, I like documentaries, but deleted scenes I can almost always do without. Still, how many documentaries does one need? Just use another disc, if you have to, but give me audio options, please.

Ditto.

[The Hellboy]

Lots of info on KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, technically not a "director's cut" because Ridley had the final cut contractually, so it's a "special edition".

I must correct you - it is a "Director's Cut". That is what he wanted - it's his preferred cut of the film. Watch his intro - he's quite clear.

I should know - I'm the associate producer of the DVD.

[raasnio]

I agree. It couldn't be any clearer.

[sonnyboo]

You're right, I was thinking of GLADIATOR. It's called a "special edition" or "extended cut" ... KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is a Director's Cut. My bad.

[iamthevillain]

I loved both movies, but I must agree about Gladiator. The DTS sound really helped make that movie seem larger than life to me.