JFK Re-issue?

[blakely614]

has anyone heard any news about a jfk special edition re-issue in time for the 40th anniversary of the assasination? it supposedly will include an additional documentary. this is one of those titles i always intended picking up but never got around to.

[wahlers]

I would probably rebuy it (again).

This would be my 3rd copy, but I really couldn't understand why they hadn't included the documentary (that was on the LD and VHS releases) on the last 2-Disc DVD.

But, oh well. My original copy is signed by Oliver Stone, so I don't mind so much.

[papibear]

I haven't heard about a re-issue of this, but I'd probably rent this before deciding on a double-dip, if it's just for a single additional documentary (unless the packaging is better this time). I have the existing 2-disc now, and I'm quite pleased with it, so we'll have to see. It's one of my favorite films, and I have about 3 copies of it on VHS, so I won't rule it out, but....

By the way, I've been to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, and let me tell you - it's a very strange feeling walking around there. Both relaxing (because it's a nice little area) and difficult at the same time (because of all the history). And if you do walk around there, you see very quickly just how impossible it would be for Oswald to have walked where he supposedly walked in as short a time as the Warren Commission claimed he did. Anyway, if anyone goes there, avoid the shucksters wanting to sell you cheap "newspapers" for $5.00 that discuss the assassination, but if you're there on a weekend and you see Robert Groden's display of his books and videos near the Grassy Knoll, be sure to stop and say hi to him. He's one of the most incredibly dedicated (some would say obsessive) truthseekers (and finders) I've ever met. Nice guy and quite intelligent and knowledgable (and not a nut).

[Marq]

Hmmm, I haven't heard a thing about this. If it's true I'll definitely buy it as I've been procrastinating on buying the existing 2-disc for far too long. If that case is the real deal as well, it should be a nice improvement on the supposedly inconvenient scratch-inducing "sleeve" on the previous one.
Hope this is true!

Where'd you get the info and cover, blakely?

[Avid]

This is from The Digital Bits:

"Finally this morning, and speaking of Warner, the studio has sent word that they're planning on re-releasing Oliver Stone's JFK on 11/11 (MAP $19.95). This 2-disc JFK: Special Edition will include the film in anamorphic widescreen video with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio (the 205 minute cut). Also included will be the Beyond JFK feature-length documentary, 12 extended/deleted scenes and audio commentary with director Oliver Stone. We believe that this is basically the same disc as before, simply with the addition of the documentary."

If the above is true this will not be the theatrical cut, which has never been released on DVD.

I've been waiting and waiting for JFK theatrical to be released and if they do indeed release the 205 minute version again, I will be waiting some more.

[deltau922]

Yeah I never understood why there wasn't a documentary on the last DVD of this, but if that's all that's different, I'll just try to rent it somewhere. The problem is that most rental places don't get the third release of a disc when they already have another one.

[papibear]

Originally Posted by Avid

This is from The Digital Bits:

"Finally this morning, and speaking of Warner, the studio has sent word that they're planning on re-releasing Oliver Stone's JFK on 11/11 (MAP $19.95). This 2-disc JFK: Special Edition will include the film in anamorphic widescreen video with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio (the 205 minute cut). Also included will be the Beyond JFK feature-length documentary, 12 extended/deleted scenes and audio commentary with director Oliver Stone. We believe that this is basically the same disc as before, simply with the addition of the documentary."

If the above is true this will not be the theatrical cut, which has never been released on DVD.

I've been waiting and waiting for JFK theatrical to be released and if they do indeed release the 205 minute version again, I will be waiting some more.

Trust me, good as the theatrical cut was, the director's cut is actually much better. It's not terribly different, just some scenes that had run a bit long were trimmed (ostensibly for time) in the theatrical cut. One of the most glaring omissions was made by the theatrical cut, however - the fact that the mayor of Dallas at the time of the assassination, Earl Cabell, was the BROTHER of Major General Charles Cabell, one of those "sacred cows of intel" that Kennedy had fired from the CIA along with Allen Dulles and others after the Bay of Pigs fiasco. That's a pretty important connection there to the conclusion that there was a conspiracy. Why Stone chose to leave that particular part out I'm not sure.

As it is, the Director's Cut is not significantly longer than the theatrical cut. The previously deleted scenes actually help clarify some aspects of the story where the theatrical cut had left some loose ends.

[FurryHumanBeing]

Yeah, I've got the gigantic Stone Box set, so I'd be paying $20 for the documentary. And I couldn't seel off the one I already own, cause then there's be a gap in the box, or an incomplete set. No thanks Warner. But if they were to release the theatrical cut of it, I might consider.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by papibear

As it is, the Director's Cut is not significantly longer than the theatrical cut. The previously deleted scenes actually help clarify some aspects of the story where the theatrical cut had left some loose ends.

Yeah, I've the the 2-disc Director's Cut as well and I'm not sure I'll pick up this re-release or not.

I agree with papibear's assessment of the Director's Cut release.

Peace...

[disclover]

Well, I just got around to upgrading to the existing two-disc version (haven't even opened it yet). So an additional documentary is not really enough to sway me to an upgrade at this time. Maybe down the road sometime.

[Avid]

Originally Posted by papibear

Trust me, good as the theatrical cut was, the director's cut is actually much better. It's not terribly different, just some scenes that had run a bit long were trimmed (ostensibly for time) in the theatrical cut. One of the most glaring omissions was made by the theatrical cut, however - the fact that the mayor of Dallas at the time of the assassination, Earl Cabell, was the BROTHER of Major General Charles Cabell, one of those "sacred cows of intel" that Kennedy had fired from the CIA along with Allen Dulles and others after the Bay of Pigs fiasco. That's a pretty important connection there to the conclusion that there was a conspiracy. Why Stone chose to leave that particular part out I'm not sure.

As it is, the Director's Cut is not significantly longer than the theatrical cut. The previously deleted scenes actually help clarify some aspects of the story where the theatrical cut had left some loose ends.

My point is we don't have a choice to which version we can buy. JoeSixPack gets a choice to buy a "modified" film to fill his TV screen but movie lovers don't get a choice to buy the movie they paid money to see in the theater.

There is so much whining about DTS and insert tracks on the board, it amazes me that people never blink when the theatrical cut is not released on DVD (unless it is Roger Rabbit). We are talking about the actual movies here, the reason we supposedly buy DVDs in the first place.

Most of the mainstream films that are getting director's cuts are very popular award winning films. Film is subjective and not everyone is going to like the same version. Having a good quality transfer of each version available gives all of us the choice to buy the movie we want.

Btw, I have seen the director's cut and we disagree on which is better; I think the theatrical cut is PERFECT. I saw a brand new print (original version) in the theater about two months ago and that version still floors me. If theatrical JFK was also being released we would both be happy and it would be a win/win situation for all consumers.

[larphillips]

I always prefer when you have the option of both... theatrical and director's cut, and I don't mind if they are separate purchases. I have both versions of The Exorcist and Natural Born Killers. Or better yet, the second release of T2 which had 3 cuts! Even Spielberg relented (thankfully) and put the original cut of ET on with the new one. But I agree that we shouldn't be denied the theatrical version of a film. That should take priority over all director's cuts. Look at the argument with Lucas over the Original Trilogy. And I still have a personal jones to have a DVD version of the original cut of Close Encounters.


....ramble,ramble,ramble.... :flush:

[papibear]

Avid, I don't really disagree with you in general. Sure, original theatrical cuts certainly are desirable in the majority of cases. I agree, it's often better to have a choice of edits. I personally wouldn't mind having the theatrical cut released; I'm just saying that, personally, in relation to this particular title, I like the director's cut, and the only real difference as far as I can tell is the inclusion of scenes previously deleted. It's not like Stone has Greedo shooting Kennedy first from behind the fence on the grassy knoll ("Gu ta du da, Meestah President?" ), or Jim Garrison walking behind Clay Shaw and stepping on his tail, jerky movements and all. He hasn't altered the essence and the flow of the film to a degree (IMHO) that it detracts from my enjoyment (although it does to you). I loved the original theatrical cut, of course; saw it two showings in a row the first time I saw it in December 1991 just because I was so blown away by the incredible volume of information I was having to process. I have the theatrical cut on the first VHS release; for me, that's sufficient, but I do see your point. Yes, it would be wonderful if Stone also requested the original theatrical cut be released (if nothing more than to allow viewers to compare and contrast, much like they do with the LOTR movies). Same goes for Natural Born Killers, another Stone film that's only in the director's cut on DVD (as far as I know). Nothing's wrong with director's cuts, and they're often better, but considering that original theatrical edits are often included in OTHER DVD releases, it certainly would stand to reason that these titles should see a similar dual-version release.

I was just trying to get across that, if you either don't have the DVD of this film, or if you've never even seen the film, that you shouldn't avoid this DVD release simply because the theatrical edit isn't there.

But, hey, keep making noise about it. Hopefully one day somebody in Stone's camp will mention it to him and he'll request a new release with both versions.

[larphillips]

Originally Posted by papibear

Same goes for Natural Born Killers, another Stone film that's only in the director's cut on DVD (as far as I know).

Papi, NBK is available on DVD in both versions... theatrical and directors.

[deltau922]

I like the Director's cut a little better just for the extended scenes and little things they added in. I can probably do without the Johnny Carson thing or that airport bathroom scene (and most of that extra stuff with Broussard, for that matter), but isn't that what the chapter skip button is for?

[papibear]

Originally Posted by larphillips

Papi, NBK is available on DVD in both versions... theatrical and directors.

Oh! Whoops! Thanks for the correction! Separate releases or the same package?

[larphillips]

Seperate releases... and even different distribution companies! WB put out the theatrical, and Trimark put out the directors cut. It was a weird deal where WB wouldn't touch the unedited version with a 10 foot pole after all the heat they got for releasing it in the first place. Luckily, Trimark swooped in and got video distribution rights for the Director's Cut. I own both, since I like to see it in it's original presentation as well as what was obviously overdone in order to get the cut they wanted by the MPAA. But I think there were some moments that Stone dug enough to fight for the additional release.

[THXHEYNOW]

1

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by THXHEYNOW

It’s almost like a Michael Moore type docu with more facts and theories on assassination.

Wait a minute.. are you saying Oswald got that rifle by simply opening a bank account?

Peace...

[wahlers]

The Theatrical Version of NBK also has some supplements that are not on the Director's Cut version. (There's even an old thread around here somewhere started by me about the NIN song "Burn" missing from both versions... or is it?!?! mwah-ha-ha).

The weirdest thing about them is they have different commentary tracks, that sound like they are both edited from the same batches of raw materials, but are put together into two different commentary tracks.

Oh yeah, and with all the mention of how they should put out the theatrical version of JFK, I'm surprised that nobody's brought up the very easy solution of everybody's friend "seamless branching".

[Monster]

info is also listed at dvdaficionado..

JFK - Two-Disc Special Edition
+ Beyond 'JFK': The Question of Conspiracy (1992) (1991)

i will be buying this when it comes out.. been wanting to buy it...an it will be a keep case i bet... so will be better then a snapper..

[Oscar Antonio M]

I dont have any edition of this, so ill definetly be getting this one. Just more to the expensive last half of the year.

[disclover]

Originally Posted by Monster

info is also listed at dvdaficionado..

JFK - Two-Disc Special Edition
+ Beyond 'JFK': The Question of Conspiracy (1992) (1991)

i will be buying this when it comes out.. been wanting to buy it...an it will be a keep case i bet... so will be better then a snapper..

Actually I would bet on a digipak with outer sleeve, similar to the rest of their two-disc line.

[Marq]

Originally Posted by Monster

...an it will be a keep case i bet... so will be better then a snapper..

Warner hasn't released anything in a keep case yet, so I doubt they'll start now. Expect the same digipack packaging as Casablanca, True Romance, Citizen Kane, etc... as disclover mentioned.

[larphillips]

Originally Posted by wahlers

I'm surprised that nobody's brought up the very easy solution of everybody's friend "seamless branching".

Please explain.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by larphillips

Please explain.

He's saying seamless branching should be used to make the theatrical and director's cut versions available on the same disc and minimizing the space required.

So, if you watched the Director's Cut, you would start with the theatrical version and the scenes in the Director's Cut would "seamless" appear and then the DVD player would go back to the theatrical version for the "common footage".

T2:UE uses seamless brancing.

Peace...

[larphillips]

Oh, I see. Wasn't the first release of X-Men like that too?