When 'Dances With Wolves' was first released to home video in 1991, a collector's edition containing an extended version of the film was promised. However, ongoing financial troubles for the distributor, Orion Pictures, as well as a reported tiff between Kevin Costner and the studio became insurmountable obstacles to a release of this 'director's cut'. Three years after the initial video release, the promise of an extended version of this film was fulfilled. At 236 minutes, this cut of 'Dances With Wolves' adds 55 minutes to the already long 181 minute theatrical version of the film. Though the additional material does not change the basic narrative, it does provide more story and character developement without the time constraints imposed by theatrical exhibition.
The video transfer used for this new edition is superior in every respect to the previous letterboxed disc. Though not a 'bad' transfer, the first transfer suffered from relatively weak color and occasional graininess, as well as a severely compromised aspect ratio, about 2.05:1. The image on this new disc is very smooth, loosing the graininess yet retaining very good detail. Colors are vivid without oversaturation and appear very accurate. In fact, the overall appearance of this presentation may well be superior to what I originally saw in the theater (albeit a poor one). The Panavision ratio has been rendered far more accurately at about 2.30:1. New yellow subtitles have been generated for this transfer. Single line dialog is placed in the lower letterbox band with two-line dialog placed at the bottom of the image and in the letterbox band.
The soundtrack, though never a problem, is excellent. Wide frequency response and dynamic range make good use of the digital capabilities of the laser format. Dialog is always clear and the Dolby mix provides good definition of directional effects and effective use of the surround track.
The film has been spread to five sides in CLV with 43 chapter markers. Following the feature on side five is a documentary on the making of the film. The documentary runs about 21 minutes and consists of location and interview footage shot on video intercut with scenes from the film (full frame). Image quality is very good. The three discs are packaged in a tri-fold jacket. Included with the discs are a picture CD of the John Barry score, a large soft-cover book titled 'Dances With Wolves: The Illustrated Story of the Epic Film' and six 11" X 14" color lobby cards. All of this is housed in an oversize box (a la 'Fantasia'). List price is $124.95.
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