Warner Home Video has revealed the full details for its Blu-ray release of 'Heat'. As expected, the special features include all the content available on the 2005 two-disc edition, but there is something new. The Blu-ray will feature "New content changes supervised by director Michael Mann." The exact nature of those "changes" is unconfirmed, but the Blu-ray release lists a running time of 170 minutes, It can be noted that, whereas the previous DVD versions were 172 minutes long.
Special features include:
Commentary by writer/producer/director Michael Mann
11 additional scenes
Five documentaries:
True Crime: Recalling the real-life Chicago Cop and criminal whose exploits inspired the movie
Crime Stories: The screenplay's 20-year history and how the movie finally got greenlit
Into the Fire: Filming in L.A., cast training, shooting the climactic downtown heist and post-production
Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation: anatomy of this historic on-screen showdown
Return to the Scene of the Crime: revisiting the film's real-life L.A. locations years later
I'm getting really tired of director's using the Blu-Ray release of a film to withdraw the cut that everyone had liked, and replace it with some other version. If both are on the same disc, fine. But a number of films have vanished in the form that fans had been waiting for in Blu-Ray. Tony Scott's "Revenge" is a prime example of a great film that was destroyed by its own director for Blu-Ray.
Oh no! Recut! Anyone remember The Last of the Mohicans recut? Many great lines and violence where cut out. I really think both versions should be on the disc so the fan can pick which to watch. I'll still check it out and hopefully it's good.
Why edit the film at all, and just release the movie in its original theatrical, or Director's Cut version (if applicable,) to the audience preference. What's the purpose? Leave the movie in it's original content, and release it on Blu-ray, without any additions, or deletions of scenes. Heat is already a fantastic movie as is, so why ruin it with contemplating alterations to the film!
I see a growing collectors market for murky DVDs of "original" and no longer available versions of many films. Like the Exorcist, for example. No matter its techical flaws, the now very old DVD of the original theater cut of the film is still the best. Then of course, years from now, we'll get to buy the films all over again when the "classic" versions are issued on Platinum Ray Super Ultra Ultimate HD, or whatever...
Why do I sense this will be a director's cut with no theatrical version? It seems Michael Mann is one of those director's who makes a director's cut and only allows that version to be released as opposed to having a choice of both.
Michael Mann really worries me sometimes. As someone pointed out, he's released so many versions of The Last of the Mohicans that I can't even remember what the original version was like. He would constantly both add new scenes, and delete/shorten old scenes. I hope Heat isn't the same way. It's like the guy doesn't even like his own movies he makes (read all about The Keep - that will never see the light of day again).
The question is, why is he taking out 2 minutes of the movie? If there is something he didn't like about it, then why didn't he do that with either of the previous dvd releases of Heat? He's quickly turning into George Lucas.
Well, crap: time to go cancel my pre-order. Mann has already burnt me once by including only the (considerably weaker) director's cut on the R1 DVD editions of _The Last of the Mohicans_ - I had to get the R2 disc in order to have the superior theatrical cut.
And here we go again: regardless of whether the new cut is any good in its own right, it's not the movie I wanted on Blu-ray. So I'll wait and see what's on the disc before I consider buying. If they include the theatrical cut, I'll happily spend the money; if they don't, I won't.
I've already steered clear of Warner's _Amadeus_ Blu-ray release for the same reason. But I hope I don't have to ignore this release of _Heat_.
Please force Warner to use DTS-HD MA on this one!! Day one pick up for me regardless as this movie is up in my all time faves. This is a GREAT year for Blu and me. Braveheart, Heat, Forrest Gump, Gladiator...yes!!!
Just as long as these cuts do NOT involve the face-to-face between DeNiro and Pacino or the incredible downtown L.A. shootout, which is still one of the best in film history!
oH boy I can't wait for this! The street battle outside the bank with all 6 channels blasting in hi-def is enough reason to replace my old dvd. But like others have said, I don't want it to be some abreviated version, however if it's only a couple of minutes I won't lose any sleep.
Michael Mann really is losing the plot. I've already lost a lot of respect for him due to the rudeness and ill-tempered manner he displays in interviews, and his new reliance on awful digital cinematography. Get your head together, Mann!!
Shame the sound's not DTS, but hey, I'll be buying this immediately that it's available - love the film! Not bothered by a couple of missing minutes, let's not forget it's nearly a 3 hour film. If there's a scene or two that didn't feel right to the director, why not let him trim some fat off?
Blu ray is fast becoming confusing in my eyes, I thought a directors cut is usually, extra scenes, more gore, more swear words etc etc, more funnier, more rude etc etc. Directors cut is now cutting a movie?? does not make any sense. Im really annoyed with blu ray at the moment. First there was no lossless audio (sometimes still is) then there was including film extras on dvd, or a commentary on dvd.
I hope holographic disc comes out sooner now, so you could have the best picture, best audio, alternate movie versions etc etc all on one disc. maybe also support for up to 6k resolution. HDMI 4.0 will support 4k.
Or if blu ray get moving on that 200gb or 400gb prototype.
What some people failed to notice is that, even though it's two minutes shorter, it includes ELEVEN NEW SCENES. That means Mann is cutting a LOT more than 2 minutes out of the previous versions, he's potentially cutting a full 15-20 minutes out to add 13-18 more minutes of new scenes.
Wholly unacceptable, IMHO. I'd rather hang on to and watch a 2-tape VHS copy than pay for a BD that doesn't include the original theatrical cut.
There is a scene where Ashley Judd was clearly not working and she could barely keep a straight face. One can only hope Mann edited that better. I don't know what her problem was during filming, but she nearly ruined every scene of hers in Heat.
Good lord, all the negative posts about Mann re-cutting the film. Since no one knows WHAT he is re-cutting, perhaps taking something brief out, and adding something brief back in, or changing a few scenes, let's all wait until we actually know more. Also, it isn't as if he is cutting 20 minutes or so from the film, we are talking about TWO MINUTES and we don't even know what the scenes are. I loved the film, every second on if, yes, even the Natalie Portman thread of the film which really wasn't needed, and the Blu-ray release is going to be awesome hands down, but let's all wait before we start bashing it. I suspect every single person who has already jumped on the negative bandwagon will be picking it up regardless.
"And here we go again: regardless of whether the new cut is any good in its own right, it's not the movie I wanted on Blu-ray. So I'll wait and see what's on the disc before I consider buying. If they include the theatrical cut, I'll happily spend the money; if they don't, I won't."
So wait, you want the inferior version of the movie, not the full directors cut the way it should be?
What kind of dumb statement is that? So you mean to tell me that with all the added Footage in Last of the Mohicans, which was ADDED FOOTAGE ONTO THE THEATRICAL release, you thought it made the movie worse?
Are you stupid? Just curious. I suppose you bought the non director edition of the Watchmen too right?
There is ONE Last of the Mohicans that matters on DVD, the extended Director's Cut. How hard is that to understand.
I suppose you morons only bought the theatrical version of Lord of the Rings too right?
If they include the original cut on the same disc - would be fine with me, but I highly doubt this will happen. Most people moan about Mann's DC for "The Last of The Mohicans", which was inferior to the Theatrical Cut (TC). But "Manhunter" was much better in DC, than the TC regular release. With "Ali" I can not be sure which one is better, and with "Miami Vice" the DC kicks the living hell out of TC. All in all, I would much rather prefer to have both cuts on the same disc, otherwise - we may be in for an interesting experience.
why change anything? it was a great film as is. hopefully he doesnt cut anything from the heist shootout scene, it may be long, but its great as is, gives you the feeling its really happening
It's refreshing to see directors cutting things out of a movie rather than the usual adding things which often don't add to a film and breakes it's rythm.See apocalypse redux.Should be called redundant rather than redux;)
Never liked this movie.Thought it was rather superficial which is rather typical Mann.Maybe it will get better with this:)
As posted in the forums, the DVD was NOT 172 minutes. Check the disc and it comes out to 2:50:30. Which is 30 seconds over 170 min. The packaging was wrong.
