I'd buy the Blu-ray, except I already own the movie in the two best formats: the original OST and the LLL expansion. Adding anything more 1941-related, including picture, dialogue, and sound effects, can only subtract. Man was that movie bad.
Well, not to stir the pot, but I kind of think Spielberg intended 1941 to be a noisy mess. Similar to Mad Mad World. The question is whether the mess suits one's taste.
Now to the point. One of the best things about these extensive score restorations is that people like Mike M. can fix the music in extended versions of movies with talent, skill, and the right music!
Yup this. It is a style of comedy that has mostly fallen out of use now but it works pretty well. I also really like the soundtrack and particularly like the La La Land extended edition.
Correct me if I'm wrong, Mike, but it sounds as if fans will finally be able (more than previously, anyway) to experience the film the way the original Cinerama Dome premiere audience did -- music and all -- before Universal panicked and chopped the film to a shorter running time for the remainder of its theatrical run.
All these years, on tape and disc releases of the film, we've made do with some well-meaning music editor's approximation of what the score might have been like for the restored scenes. Is the original music for those scenes now finally going to be heard?
Also: Is any of this "new" music not already heard in the LLL set?
Well yeah it was trying to be like IAMMMMW but failed. The material simply wasn't amusing sans a few scenes. Acting all nutty without a funny script wasn't going to save the film. Music and effects where top notch and the real highlight of the film.
BTW, I have owned 1941 on vhs, laserdisc, dvd and now Blu-ray. I also can't wait for the other seven movies in the set. Four of them, 1941, DUEL, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS and ALWAYS have never been released on Blu.
I will have the STEVEN SPIELBERG DIRECTOR'S COLLECTION on Blu-ray in two days! I can't wait!
Can you tell us if the 2 cuts of 1941 are in 2 discs or 1? I'm worried because the US set is 8 discs as they say, but the Japanese set is 9 discs, with 1941 covering 2 discs.
Curious to get your take on the changes to the score on the extended 1941 cut. I just watched the (crappy looking) DVD about a month ago so it's fresh in my mind.
Mike was kind enough to field some specific Q & A's in an interview that runs below my review of the new Spielberg Blu-Ray anthology. He outlines the various musical adjustments in detail -- while it's technically not "live" on the frontpage until Thursday, you can check it out now --
Now the only Spielberg film not on Blu is MUNICH. I also hope his tv work is released like AMAZING STORIES, MARCUS WELBY, COLUMBO and NIGHT GALLERY! You guys can probably tell he's my favorite director.
