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Pearl Harbor fans will be treated to no less than
three versions of this movie on DVD, with two of these versions releasing on
December 4, 2001, just in time for the 60th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor
attack on December 7, 1941. Then, on July 2, 2002 (delayed from May
14), an all-new
R-rated director's cut will be released as a Vista Series 4-disc set.
The R-rating is for more explicit war scenes and vulgar language.
There are even plans to build new movie sets just for the DVD animated menus
for this Vista Series! And there's tons of other value-added contents
planned.
Will it be worth the seven-month wait and the extra $10 for
the Vista Series? Read on and figure it out for yourself. We have to credit Buena Vista Home Entertainment for
clearly announcing their intentions for a follow-on Vista Series
release. (Some studios release a standard version, only to announce
there will be a special edition to follow several months later after
consumers bought the standard edition.)
Here are the preliminary
(i.e., subject to change) disc specifications and bonus features:
Specifications
All three editions of the DVD will be THX digitally mastered
for superior sound
and picture quality. The picture will be presented in anamorphic
widescreen with 2.35:1
aspect ratio. The sound is presented in Dolby
Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1, and features
the world's first Dolby Headphone
soundtrack
Bonus Features
Pearl Harbor: 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition.
This 2-disc set is released on December 4, 2001, and includes the
following bonus features:
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"Journey to the Screen: The Making Of Pearl
Harbor": the
typical making-of featurette, with a documentary on the real- life Pearl Harbor veterans and
their return to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial for the film's premiere
-
"Unsung
Heroes of Pearl Harbor", the History Channel documentary: a very inspirational
documentary on the real-world surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and
that fateful day's unsung heroes.
-
Faith Hill music video "There You'll Be"
-
Theatrical trailer and teaser trailer
-
Preview: National Geographic Beyond the Movie: Pearl
Harbor
-
DVD-ROM features
The movie runs over 3 hours
and spans the two discs, so you'll have to get up and swap discs after
the first two hours or so. But with both the DTS and Dolby Digital
tracks, it's probably not possible to keep the whole movie on one
disc. (That's too bad.) To read our full
review of the Pearl Harbor: 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition,
click here.
Pearl Harbor: 60th Anniversary Commemorative Gift Set.
This version comes with everything above, and adds the 53-minute feature: National
Geographic Beyond the Movie: Pearl Harbor and a National Geographic
60th Anniversary Commemorative map. One one side of the map is a
detailed overview of what happened at Pearl Harbor, and the other side
features an authentic replica of a world map from this time period,
displaying the political boundaries of that time. It is also
released on December 4, 2001.  Pearl
Harbor: Director's Cut - Vista Series DVD. The following are preliminary
information on the bonus features of this 4-disc set being released on
July 2, 2002. All content and running times are tentative, and
therefore subject to change:
This version will feature a THX Optimode picture
calibration and the Dolby Headphone
soundtrack feature, as did the DVD releases on December 4, 2001. Additionally, THX is hoping to produce an animated logo
specifically designed for the Pearl Harbor Vista Series release. (Cool!)
Disc One:
-
PEARL HARBOR-THE DIRECTOR'S CUT (PART 1)
-
ANIMATED MAIN MENU - The tentative plans for the menus
on all 3 discs are groundbreaking. If we proceed with the plan, several
brand new sets will be built, and scenes will be shot just for vignettes
incorporated in the innovative menuing system.
-
INTRO AND LETTERBOX EXPLANATION BY MICHAEL BAY
(Approximately 2 minutes)
-
INTERMISSION SEQUENCE (with score)
-
SELECTABLE AUDIO COMMENTARIES (THROUGHOUT FILM) ·
Michael Bay with TBD · Technicians, including the DP, Production
Designer, and Costume Designer · Jerry Bruckheimer with stars Ben
Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett, and Alec Baldwin.
Disc Two:
Aside from commentaries, bonus will be split between discs
2 and 3.
Discs Two & Three (Bonus):
-
MAKING OF PEARL HARBOR SEGMENTS (Approximately 45
minutes) Each segment will let DVD viewers be a fly on the wall and
actually listen in as the film's technicians, actors, and the director
makes a blockbuster. These are compelling segments cut without narration
or interviews. Segments will be; a) BATTLESHIP ROW ATTACK b) SANDBAG
EXPLOSION c) DORRIE MILLER AT THE GUNS d) THE AIRFIELD ATTACK e) THE
SCRAMBLE TO THE PLANES f) THE DUD BOMB g) THE OKLAHOMA GIMBLE h) THE
DOOLITLE RAID
-
THE SURPRISE ATTACK - A MULTI-ANGLE BREAKDOWN OF THE
FILM'S MOST EXCITING SEQUENCE. (Approximately 30 minutes)
Includes:
-
Video intro by Michael Bay
-
Multiple video tracks that will include
pre-visualization: storyboards, artwork, animatics, effects plates,
green screen, and final sequence--all accessible by switching
angles.
-
Various selectable audio tracks, including; o
English Composite (5.1) o Production Audio (1.0 or 2.0) o Sound
Effects (5.1) o Music (2.0 or 5.1)
-
Commentaries from veterans, potentially moderated
by an ABC NEWS personality (Peter Jennings, Sam Donaldson, Ted
Koppel or David Brinkley)
-
PEARL HARBOR HISTORIC TIMELINE - A set-top interactive
feature produced by documentarian Charles Kiselyak. Through an
innovative animated timeline, viewers will be able to select historic
videos, audio clips, text, or photos that set the stage for the events
in Hawaii, or follow how they impacted world events that transpired as a
result of the conflict. (Approximately 30 minutes)
-
Faith Hill music video "There You'll Be"
(same as on the 12/4/2001 versions)
-
BOOT CAMP - this segment follows the actors as they
take preparation for their roles to an extreme. In the first
entertaining segment, Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and their co-stars are
put through grueling paces by an over-enthusiastic drill sergeant. We
hope to have Josh and Ben supply a selectable audio commentary for this
segment. The second segment follows Alec Baldwin through his officer
training. (Approximately 30 minutes)
-
SUPER-8 MONTAGE - A collection of unseen super-8
footage shot for potential use in the movie by Michael Bay's visual
assistant, Mark Palansky.
-
ANIMATIC - Early computer concepts from Michael Bay
Yes, it's jammed packed for a total of 12 hours worth of
bonus programming! And if Buena Vista Home Entertainment can deliver
as promised, this version should live up to the original promise of Buena
Vista's premium Vista Series DVD brand, where Vista stands for "Vision,
Imagination, Style, Theme, Artistry".
After the disappointing lack of adequate value-added bonus features in Buena
Vista's first Vista Series title, Unbreakable,
let's hope they deliver something worthwhile of such a coveted series.
The Vista Series edition of Pearl Harbor seems to be worth the wait and the
extra $10. The choice is yours...
These specifications are based on the original
announcement of the Vista Series as a 3-disc set for release on May
14. Subsequent to this announcement, the Vista Series was delayed
until July 2, 2002, while the disc count increased to 4!
Unfortunately, we do not know the additional details associated with this
fourth disc yet. Stay tuned...
Pricing & Pre-Order Information
Suggested retail are:
For more details on this title, read the full
press
release.
Keep in mind that the release date, disc specifications,
and content are subject to change by the studio.
Visit the "Pearl
Harbor" DVD web
site, Disney DVD
web site or the Disney
DVD technical assistance web site (or call 1-800-723-4763).
Did you find this DVD preview helpful? Let us
know your thoughts, send an e-mail to us at Staff@TimeForDVD.com.
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