The 'Burbs

[antnield]

Arrow Video to restore The 'Burbs.

Arrow Video is very happy to reveal that their upcoming Blu-ray release of Joe Dante's The 'Burbs will feature a new and exclusive restoration of this much-beloved cult classic. This restoration will be produced by Arrow, overseen by our own Head of Restoration James White, and will be sourced from the film's original elements held by Universal.

[EddieLarkin]

A month ago it was revealed that Carlotta rejected the master they had received for their June 11th release. They said at that point they were going to look into doing a new scan/restoration with Arrow again, like with The Fury. Very happy to see that this has come to fruition. Though I notice that Arrow haven't pushed this back, so maybe it was their plan all along?

[domino harvey]

Awesome, should look ridiculously superior to the single layered Universal DVD

[tenia]

The issue with Carlotta is that they pushed back the title to somewhere in 2015, leaving to believe plenty of work was left to do. It seems it's not the case at all, since the new restoration will be used in June by Arrow. I thus don't know why Carlotta wrote something like this since, clearly, there should be some very material available already, or in the worst case in a few weeks.

The only possibility I know of is that Carlotta wasn't aware yet of this new restoration being prepped up, but that would be strange considering the good communication they seemed to have these past months.

[L.A.]

The 'Burbs - full specs video announcement!

[EddieLarkin]

"This is the Blu-ray world premiere for The 'Burbs"

Nope. I know it doesn't matter but there's no excuse for labels to keep making this mistake. It's not hard to check Blu-ray.com, which basically lists everything. Anyway, nice that the VHS work print cut is being included. Has it ever been released before?

[domino harvey]

So, that's a commentary by the screenwriter, the complete workprint, a video explaining the difference between the workprint and the original with commentary by Joe Dante, the alternate ending, a full length doc on the making of the film, and a booklet! Pshew! Cute video, you can tell the producer is a real fan of the film

[EddieLarkin]

And don't forget the best "special feature": the new 2K transfer. Arrow posted a cap of it yesterday.

Gorgeous.

[MichaelB]

- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Theatrical cut, newly-restored from the original film elements
- Original uncompressed 2.0 Stereo PCM Audio
- Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- New audio commentary with writer Dana Olsen, moderated by author Calum Waddell
- There Goes the Neighbourhood: The Making of The ’Burbs - A new feature-length documentary including interviews with Dante, actors Corey Feldman, Courtney Gains and Wendy Schaal, director of photography Robert M. Stevens and production designer James H. Spencer
- The original Workprint cut of the film transferred from Director Joe Dante’s personal copy, on home video for the very first time - includes deleted and alternate scenes!
- A Tale of Two ‘Burbs – Video featurette comparing the differences between the Workprint and Theatrical cuts of the film, with optional audio commentary from Dante
- Alternate ending, presented in HD for the very first time
- Original Theatrical Trailer in HD
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
- Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kenneth J. Souza, author of Scared Silly: The Films of Joe Dante, and an article looking at the collaborations of Joe Dante and composer Jerry Goldsmith, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.

[repeat]

new writing on the film by Kenneth J. Souza, author of Scared Silly: The Films of Joe Dante

Apparently that brilliantly titled book is planned to be published later this year, making it already the second book-length study of Dante within a short time: he certainly seems to be enjoying a well-deserved critical renaissance!

The 'Burbs is a film I remember watching again and again on video as a kid, but haven't seen it for at least 20 years, so really looking forward to this release. Hopefully this sells like hot cakes and paves the way for more Dante on Arrow

[MichaelB]

Hopefully this sells like hot cakes and paves the way for more Dante on Arrow

At the end of his commentary on the A Tale of Two 'Burbs featurette, Dante openly calls for Arrow to pick up more of his back catalogue!

But sadly, he doesn't own the rights to any of it, so it's not ultimately down to him.

[EddieLarkin]

That's not surprising; Dante must be very impressed with the efforts Arrow have afforded this film. The Howling would make a perfect Arrow release, and it's in need of a new transfer, but sadly it appears it is a StudioCanal property over here.

[manicsounds]

Dante openly calls for Arrow to pick up more of his back catalogue!

Besides another Universal film "Matinee", what other Dante films have a chance with Arrow? "Explorers" is a Paramount release, does Arrow have any relationship with Paramount for licensing?

[domino harvey]

Matinee is what I immediately thought of. Dante's already said he has deleted scenes he wants to put on the Blu-ray, it's arguably Dante's best film, and there's already a French Blu-ray so an HD master exists. Go for it, Arrow! You know you want to!

[colinr0380]

That's not surprising; Dante must be very impressed with the efforts Arrow have afforded this film. The Howling would make a perfect Arrow release, and it's in need of a new transfer, but sadly it appears it is a StudioCanal property over here.

Another potential issue with a UK edition of The Howling being a comprehensive one is that one of the extra features from the US DVD was rejected outright on previous submission - the full versions of scenes playing in the background of the porno theatre opening scene of the film.

But any more Dante would be great! Matinee especially, but I would love to see Small Soldiers get similar care and attention paid to it.

[PfR73]

I second Domino, Matinee would be a great release, especially with the bonus features Dante would like to provide!

[manicsounds]

The Howling is Studio Canal property in the UK. Most unlikely for Arrow to license.

[MichaelB]

Besides another Universal film "Matinee"

It's not a Universal property in the UK.

[domino harvey]

Does/would Pathe deal with Arrow?

[manicsounds]

Pathe is part of Fox in the UK right? Arrow have dealt with Fox in the past, so chances are good?

[Altair]

Is there any word on how long the workprint cut is/any major differences between it and the theatrical cut (presumably it's been floating around on the web at the usual places)?

[MichaelB]

Crude running-time comparisons don't mean much because the final version also includes three scenes that were reshot wholesale. So while the workprint is several minutes longer than the theatrical cut, it also contains several minutes more previously unreleased footage on top of that.

The featurette A Tale of Two 'Burbs, which was completed last week and which explores the differences scene by scene (sometimes via split screen), runs just over 23 minutes.

[Altair]

Thanks - is it too much to hope that the workprint will be in HD (just to see it in SD would still be amazing)?

[MichaelB]

Thanks - is it too much to hope that the workprint will be in HD (just to see it in SD would still be amazing)?

It's sourced from Joe Dante's personal VHS copy, with all that that implies.

[manicsounds]

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