Thief UK blu ray...new extras and artwork
Picked up the UK release of the new Thief blu ray yesterday (officialy released on Monday).
Quite a few differences from the US Criterion release, which I also have.
The contents are listed below -
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
•
•Limited Slipcase Edition [3000 units] featuring two versions of the film
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the director s cut from a new 4K film transfer, approved by director Michael Mann, with uncompressed 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
•High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the original theatrical cut [Limited Edition Exclusive] with original uncompressed 2.0 Stereo PCM audio
•Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
•Optional isolated music and effects track on the theatrical cut
•Audio commentary by writer-director Michael Mann and actor James Caan
•The Directors: Michael Mann a 2001 documentary on the filmmaker, containing interviews with Mann, James Belushi, William Petersen, Jon Voight and others
•Stolen Dreams - a new interview with Caan, filmed exclusively for this release
•Hollywood USA: James Caan an episode of the French TV series Ciné regards devoted to the actor, filmed shortly after Thief had finished production
•The Art of the Heist - an examination of Thief with writer and critic F.X. Feeney, author of the Taschen volume on Michael Mann
•Theatrical trailer
•Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by maarko phntm
•Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Brad Stevens
and a shot of the cover here -
http://www.arrowfilms.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/THIEF_OCARD_3D_V1.jpg
The interview with Caan is different to the Criterion one, and is very good. Caan still cites it as his favourite role.
The Art Of The Steal is kind of a commentary using various scenes from the movie, overlaid by an interview with Critic F X Feeney, and though it is not a doc or making of as is implied, it is actually a very detailed description of the background and making of the movie. The Hollywood USA interview is an older interview which is very informal taking place on Caan's yatch with his family present, and the interviewer is a French lady who Caan seems to shamelessly flirt with.
And if I am not mistaken, I believe this is the first time the movie has come with English subs...very useful, because as much as I know and love this movie there have always been a few scenes where the dialogue has been a little obscure.
Other than that, the transfer is the same as the Criterion, though it seemed to me that the DTS track on the directors cut seemed a little clearer and better defined than the Criterion.