My 2nd DVD review:

Of course Frank Darabont's SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is now a pretty popular drama that became a cult hit(literally) on VHS/DVD, compared with its box-office failure in 1994(which despite its many Oscar nominations). I'll add that I first caught this movie at 3 AM in the morning on TNT(during one of the 1 billion airings the network must have had) and while I had vaguely heard of the movie, I was quite surprised by what a good movie this is. Now the 10th Anniversary SE DVD came out last tuesday and here it is:

The anamorphic wide-screen and audio are superb, truely Warner Brothers payed a great deal of attention to one of their biggest catalog hits ever. The special features are good, beginning with Frank Darabont's excellent audio commentary where he goes over the techincal matters, the obstacles(like the prison they were shooting at so unhealthy to work in), how the project came together(Darabont buying the film rights from Stephen King in the matter of $1), and other matters. Truely one of the better commentaries I've heard lately. I can't wait to hear Darabont's commentaries on his other/future films(and yes, even THE MAJESTIC believe it or not).

Now there are two Docs, both of which cover the same material but are on their independent self are very good. Then a Still Gallery and Storyboards and theatrical trailer round out the rest of the DVD. Unfortunately, Darabont killed the idea of putting the film's numerous deleted scenes onto the DVD because he felt they were so s*it that they embarras him. Umm...

Neverless, if you dig the movie, the $20 price tag and all......come on, its a fucking must-buy!

Is this the 3 disc SE? I saw it (the 3 disc) for the first time today; it's the first 3 disc SE I've seen. How many extras can you include on a DVD without telling fans what they already know?

Mick

You must be confused with the Limited Edition Gift Boxset that has the film's soundtrack on CD and a 95 page book on the film.

I only got the 2-disc SE DVD, but its quite good neverless.

I only have the original one disk dvd in the case where you snap the thing down on the side. I want to get the special edition though.

You're right Capo, we have a 3-disc edition in the UK. My copy was lost in the post so I'm still waiting for it, but here's the disc listing:

Disc 1:
Audio commentary from director Frank Darabont
Audio description track
Biographies
Memorable quotes
Theatrical trailer

Disc 2:
'Hope Springs Eternal': a look back at 'Shawshank Redemption'
'Shawshank: The Redeeming Feature' documentary
Stills gallery
Behind the scenes footage
Storyboards
'The Charlie Rose Show' with director Frank Darabont and stars Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman (2004 US broadcast)

Disc 3:
Interview with Tim Robbins (Andy Dufresne, Inmate 37927)
Interview with Morgan Freeman (Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding)
Interview with William Sadler (Heyward, Inmate 32365)
Interview with Clancy Brown (Capt. Byron Hadley)

I bought the 3 disc UK edition a few weeks ago when it came out, bargain at only £13.99

Stunning copy of the film on disc one and more interviews that you could wish for on the others.

Amazingly good film.

I love that movie! I guess it was more of a hit on video than on the big screen. I only saw it on tv, and don't really remember it being released in the theaters. It is an excellent movie and one of my favorites.

TIS

I forgot to mention that the 3-disc set also comes with a 24 page "definitive guide".

Well worth the £13.99 I paid for it.