The Region 1 DVD that is currently available in the US, is a full-screen (1.33:1) pan-and-scan atrocity.
Since the film was shot in Panavision (2.35:1), it begs for better treatment.
Is there a good quality anamorphic OAR release available anywhere? I'll take any Region Code.
I don't believe it's ever been released on region 1 in anamorphic, which is a real shame. This is very neglected picture that deserves a special edition. There's a clip on YouTube of the opening sequence in the proper aspect ratio, and it's absolutely stunning in comparison to the pan & scan. I believe this was culled from the Laserdisc release, which right now is your best bet (this will, of course, require a little work on your part!).
I'm not sure about other region releases.
The british region 2 release of "the Deep" is the widescreen version and enhanced for 16.9 viewing and is a pleasure to watch.
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I have a region one copy that is both and scan and widescreen. I found it at Big Lots for $4.00. I have a 61' tv and it is beautiful. It was the first movie that I went to date with. I was 12. So a special place for it. I also like the soundtrack which includes Donna Summer singing the title track.
shareI'm watching it right now in 2.35 : 1 on Moviepix HD on Bell ExpressVu...
shareThe original release in the States was in widescreen but that one is quite hard to find now. Sony has really screwed up with this one by discontinuing the widescreen version and putting out a lousy 'pan and scan' version in its place. 'The Deep' isn't the only Sony title to have received this horrible treatment. Try 'Body Double', 'Suspect', and 'The Toy' as well. Shame on Sony!
"You give me back my ball... I'll give you yours" - Viggo Mortensen in Renny Harlin's 'Prison'
Sony have since released a Special Edition DVD of Body Double, in widescreen.
shareWell, that's all good and fine, but Sony still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I still would like to see the COMPLETE version (yes, including the extra TV footage) of 'The Deep' in anamorphic widescreen and Sony ceasing its silly practice of screwing over consumers with lousy 'reissues'.
"You give me back my ball... I'll give you yours" - Viggo Mortensen in Renny Harlin's 'Prison'
I found one! The only version half.com offers up for everyone to sell is the later full screen version. I scrolled down to the acceptable dvds and found one description that said full and WS! I bought it. I had just watched it as full screen on spike tv and rented it from netflix (also full screen). I got the 2.35:1 widescreen and OH MY GOD! What a difference. It was beautiful. So much better than full screen. Just keep searching half.com & ebay, read the complete descriptions and one of these old 1998 releases will pop up. You can buy the FS dvd from deepdiscount.com for $6.09. That includes free shipping too.
shareIt was shown on UK TV last night in "widescreen", which means it was zoomed in and cropped at the sides. Ugh. Not quite 2.35:1.
shareThe Blu-ray has the correct aspect ratio and beautiful picture quality.
shareTHE DEEP has been treated poorly on home video. A decent DVD needs to be released that includes the film in anamorphic widescreen, the almost hour-long THE MAKING OF "THE DEEP" tv special, as well as the deleted footage.
shareI searched long and hard for a DVD version that had anamorphic widescreen - like the one I rented that has both FS & WS - and finally got one off eBay last summer; used, but in great condition. If I couldn't find one, I would have had to make the jump to Blu-ray.
shareBlu-Ray even included the TV documentary about the making of the film...long overdue. Like many of Columbia's older titles, the film got short-changed in the DVD format.
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