[proposal] Lawnmower Man director's cut

[phoenixman426]

Actually the Lawnmower Man director's cut is infamous for making the movie from
a good movie to a great one. There's 40 MINUTES of new footage. I love this version
but the laserdisc is unfortunately like the only perfect version of it. I think it was put
out on DVD but if I recall something was wrong with it, maybe improper aspect ratio, etc.

I don't have the ability to rip laserdiscs but since I own these rare discs, I would be willing
to work with someone who can to get the job done. Dr. Caligari 1989 is extremely rare.
Lawnmower Man Director's Cut isn't as rare but it's good and if I remember, there are 2
director's cuts on laserdisc, one that's cropped/fullscreen and the other which is in the
correct aspect ratio. I have the one that's in the correct aspect ratio.

EDIT: Actually yes, the DVD of Lawnmower Man director's cut is absolutely terrible.
Here is a review of it. It's in 4:3 aspect ratio!!! WTF were they thinking?!?!?

http://dvd-fever.co.uk/the-lawnmower-man...d-release/

The widescreen DC laserdisc is the only proper version of the film.
As for the 35mm, it would be cool to have but it's still the inferior theatrical cut where they took
40 MINUTES out of the movie. Again, the DC laserdisc widescreen is the only version to see imho.

There have been numerous laserdisc versions as well.

I have this one: http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/07437/ID32...al-Edition
It's the only one that's uncut plus a special 1.85:1 widescreen transfer, THX audio and commentary track.

This one is seen alot but it's 4:3 (WHY would they put this out?!?!) -
http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/21675/7589...ctor's-Cut
as well as this one from Japan which is uncut but 4:3 as well -
http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/33367/MGLC...er-Man-The

And there are at least 3 laserdiscs of the theatrical version, including one widescreen version.

There are 2 dvd versions, one is widescreen but theatrical and the other is the uncut version
but 4:3 and also with horrible picture quality. (Reviewed above.)

I am willing to mail these laserdiscs to someone who can properly rip from fiber optic the digital
audio and from SVIDEO the best quality of video but I want to make sure it's someone who is
trusted by forum members and who I can therefore trust. This is what I'm able to contribute.

[post moved from PDB's Alien thread, because it was OT]

[spoRv]

phoenixman426, thanks for the info.

I must add something, though; there is at least a PAL DVD director's cut version 16:9 fullscreen; it is probably an open matte version of the 1.85:1 laserdisc; quality is quite good; even if I'm a laserdisc lover, I do not think it is essential to capture this one, as the DVD quality is probably a lot better. But a proper HD upscale, with cleaning, color correction and grain plate, will certainly help.

[edit]
The uncut German DVD released by Mawa/Starlight (director's cut version) is actually a p&s version, but starts as open matte (don't know if there are other open matte shots during the movie); I wonder if there is a complete open matte version available somewhere!
Also, there are two BD versions of the theatrical cut, one German and one Italian; three DTS-HD MA audio tracks - previous languages plus English; a source for an eventual HD restoration of the director's cut...
[/edit]

I encourage you to continue to write posts like this; they will be helpful for the whole community.

[Jetrell Fo]

phoenixman426, thanks for the info.

I must add something, though; there is at least a PAL DVD director's cut version 16:9 fullscreen; it is probably an open matte version of the 1.85:1 laserdisc; quality is quite good; even if I'm a laserdisc lover, I do not think it is essential to capture this one, as the DVD quality is probably a lot better. But a proper HD upscale, with cleaning, color correction and grain plate, will certainly help.

[edit]
The uncut German DVD released by Mawa/Starlight (director's cut version) is actually a p&s version, but starts as open matte (don't know if there are other open matte shots during the movie); I wonder if there is a complete open matte version available somewhere!
Also, there are two BD versions of the theatrical cut, one German and one Italian; three DTS-HD MA audio tracks - previous languages plus English; a source for an eventual HD restoration of the director's cut...
[/edit]

I encourage you to continue to write posts like this; they will be helpful for the whole community.

MrBrown would probably be the person to ask about the German releases. He is very knowledgeable about them.

[spoRv]

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the...-s-edition

[Evit]

Here's one of the first reviews http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3822/lawnmowerman.html pretty interesting. It's tempting me already.
SpoRv, do you own the Italian Blu Ray?

[spoRv]

Nope, just the ancient PAL laserdisc, along with the supa-dupa NTSC DC version!
The former was the first laserdisc I bought, on the far 1995 at 30000ITL (around 15€), a bit more than half the price new (49900ITL, around 25€)... oh, that ol' good days!

[Evit]

From Italian master I guess

[spoRv]

Can't remember, probably... I know that you are thinking about something, maybe I have the same idea... you go first!

[Evit]

I was asking about the Italian BR because it was released by 01 and they are knowing for always using Italian 35mm (but then again, I don't give anything for granted). I imagine the Italian LD would be from Italian 35mm too since also vhs releases are.
Just a curiosity. I want to buy the Italian blu ray but only if I'm sure it has localized credits from 35mm

[CSchmidlapp]

Just saw the Directors Cut after reading this thread.
It makes it a considerably better movie.
Its a weird experience, dated yet ahead of it's time.