“Out Of Africa Collector’s Series” on BLU RAY. A Review Of The 1985 Film Now Fully Restored And Reissued In A ‘Limited Edition BLU RAY Book Pack’ As Part Of Universal’s 100th Anniversary Celebrations in 2012.

"…He Began Our Friendship With A Gift…"

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE '2012' BLU RAY 

COLLECTOR'S SERIES BOOK PACK VERSION ***

In April 2012 Universal Studios was 100 years old - and to celebrate that movie-making centenary they had 13 of their most-celebrated films fully restored for BLU RAY. 1985's "Out Of Africa" is one of them and like the other titles in this series so far - the print quality of this beloved film is extraordinary and the presentation classy (a full list of titles in the 100th Anniversary BLU RAY Series is in the attached 'comment' section - including DVD releases).

Issued in the US 6 March 2012 (later given a UK release) - "Out Of Africa Collector's Series" comes in a gorgeous limited edition 44-page hardback 'Book Pack' (use Barcode 025192127793 on the Amazon search bar to get the right issue). It's a 2-disc set with the BLU RAY to the front and the Anamorphic Widescreen DVD to the rear. There's also a foldout insert included that has a code for a Digital Copy via download from Universal's website valid until 31 December 2013.

But the really great news for film fans everywhere is a stupendously good print and a REGION FREE release - so it will play on ALL BLU RAY machines and PlayStation 3 Consoles too (there was a preceding version on BLU RAY that received bad reviews re print - this version is not that one). 
Also note: there is a cheaper standard packaging version due 4 September 2012 in the USA with slightly altered front artwork - again it has a BLU RAY, DVD and Download - so check you're using the Barcode provided above to get the 'best' version).

PICTURE QUALITY:

Digitally remastered and Fully Restored from Original Film Elements - Universal are reputed to have stumped-up over $300,000 for the restoration - and the results have already received huge praise on web sites dedicated to the format. This overhauled 2012 "Out Of Africa" print is a full 1080p High Definition release with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. What that means is the picture fills your entire screen without stretching - and combined with the gorgeous transfer - the effect is truly cinematic. For example the movie opens with a sunrise on the African Plains - all yellows and gold and browns. With the natural heat haze the land would produce and the semi-lighting conditions - this is a very difficult moment to get right - yet it is fantastically clear and clean. But even this is aced a few moments later when a bi-plane flies over the open plains during the daytime and it's little short of gobsmacking (dialogue from it titles this review). There then follows a scene in Denmark in snowy fields at a shooting party where I swear it looks like Dr. Zhivago (it's that good). In fact it's in these outdoor scenes (of which there are many) that the beautiful 'look' of "Out Of Africa" really excels - and it does so right through to the very end when Karen (Streep) bids farewell to her trusty steward Farah (played by Michael Bowens) at the train station.

It should be stressed however that it isn't perfect at all times by any means - there is some shocking fuzziness and grain on indoor shots - sequences at night around campfires and tents with Redford. There's a scene where Michael Kitchen as the dapper Englishman Berkeley Cole is talking to Meryl Streep at dinner in her home - the camera cuts to Streep and the print is perfect - but it then flicks back to Kitchen and the shot is suddenly covered in speckles of grain. They were either filmed apart or on two cameras - but the cleaned up print has only made the discrepancy more apparent and not less so.

But for the most part this is a joy to look at and at last gives full reign to David Watkin's sumptuous cinematography and Milena Canonero's crafted outfits (aristocratic European fashions alongside the colourful garments of African tribesmen). Throw in John Barry's most magisterial score ever - and as you can imagine - the impact is properly beautiful. A good example of all three occurs when the credits role - a steam train trundles across the wide-open expanses of 1913 Kenya in East Africa as we see the Danish Baroness standing at the back of her carriage in her immaculate outfit - then John Barry's score just nails it as the title of the film goes up onscreen. It's both fabulous to look at and moving too...a rare combination indeed.

BOOK PACK:

The 44-page booklet inside the hardback outer is pure eye candy as you can imagine. It opens with a 2-page appreciation by film-critic and historian Leonard Maltin, has reproductions of several script pages, US, Polish and East German advert posters, a Cast of Characters, a piece on the political makeup of Kenya at the time - the British to the North and the Germans to the South and essays on the principal leads Streep, Redford, the Composer John Barry and Director Sydney Pollock. There's interesting trivia items dotted throughout the text - for instance Redford initially played the Englishman Denys Hatton with an English accent - but Pollock felt no-one would accept Redford as a Brit so he had him re-record all of the parts in American. Or that during the tender hair-washing scene wild Hippos were in the river nearby and they kill more people than lions if they feel their territory is threatened - so Streep was more scared of them than bullwhipping lions. The quality of the colour photos is top-notch too.

EXTRAS:

Clocking in a whopping 1 hour and 12 minutes Charles Kiselayk's "A Song Of Africa" is a substantial bonus feature that has charming, insightful and witty contributions from Streep, Redford and Pollock - intermixed with archive footage of the young, older and near-death Karen Blixen. It fills out a lot of the gaps as to what happened before and after the films' parameters where she left Africa in 1931 after 17 years - 46-years old, childless, penniless, divorced and broken-hearted. She then wrote over 10 books under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen between 1935 and 1996 and suffered from Syphilis all her life. This extra is also in standard 480p definition - so when you see the washed-out widescreen stock footage - you begin to realize just how astounding the cleaned-up 1080p fullscreen print really is. The only mild irritant is the overly wordy narration where the speaker wants to prove he's Kahlil Gibran every few moments, as he waxes lyrical about the lady's journey. The 15 or so Deleted Scenes (Widescreen and in Standard Definition) come fast and furious – they’re very short and although one or two with the Farah character are interesting - you can see why most were cut...

CAST:

With 18 Oscar nominations and 3 wins to her name - you can't imagine any other actress ballsy enough to take on such a difficult, willful and frustrated woman. Yet Streep chews it up. Her accented Karen Blixen is wholly believable - vulnerable, proud, literate, deep, religiously repressed yet wanting to be sensually liberated - and reaching for it with the man she grew to adore and love - the English and debonair African hunter Denys Hatton. This is a big and romantic canvas - and both principals have affection for each other and respect for their various skills - their on-screen chemistry being a lovely thing to see. The scene where Denys takes her up in the bi-plane and flies across the landscape of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, zebras, giraffes and a lake full of birds to show her the real beauty of Africa - is breathtaking and even a little spiritual. Pollock's use of the indigenous tribes is superbly done too. Klaus Maria Brandauer, Michael Gough, Leslie Phillips, Shane Rimmer and the sorely missed Irish actor Donal McCann as her Doctor - all wonderful. Blink and you'll miss IMAN - David Bowie's wife - nursing the Michael Kitchen character whose contracted black water fever...

To sum up - clocking in at 2 hours and 40 minutes - "Out Of Africa" may seem a tad indulgent by today's standards of chop-em-out-fast-and-leave-em-panting blockbusters - but it works precisely because its epic. It was a mammoth undertaking at the time made by maverick people (Pollock worked on the script with Kurt Luedtke for over a year - Pollock sadly passed away in 2008) and this BLU RAY reissue does it proud.

And as with the other titles in this series - it's also heartening to see Universal Studios finally throw some proper money at the preservation of their movie legacy and be proud about doing so too. I'm collecting the whole series and live in hope that other studios respect their past in the same glorious way.

BLU RAY and DVD Specifications:

EXTRAS:

1. Deleted Scenes - over 15 short segments (about 15 minutes)

2. A Song Of Africa - An Original Full-Length Documentary On The Making Of The Film and Karen Blixen's Life by Charles Kiselayk (72 minutes)

3. Theatrical Trailer

4. Feature Length Commentary With Director Sydney Pollack

5. My Scenes

6. BLU RAY Exclusive: Pocket BLU - For Tablets and Smartphones - take the content on the go

7. BLU RAY Exclusive: BD Live - Internet-Connected Feature

VIDEO: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen 1.85:1

BLU RAY AUDIO: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and French 5.1 DTS Surround

DVD AUDIO: English Dolby Digital 4.1 and French Dolby Digital 2.0

SUBTITLES BLU RAY: English SDH (Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing), Spanish and French SUBTITLES DVD: English SDH (Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing)

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PS: The 13 Restored Titles in this Limited Edition Book Pack 'Collector's Series' are:

1. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)

Released 13 Feb 2012 in the UK. Restored, Remastered and comes in a beautiful 40-page Book Pack. SEE DETAILED REVIEW.

2. The Birds (1963)

Release date to be advised...

NOTE: the UK 23 April 2012 'DVD' with Universal 100th Anniversary packaging does NOT contain a restored print - it will be in the BLU RAY book pack later in the year.

3. (Abbott And Costello in) Buck Privates (1941)

Released 17 April 2012 in the USA. A 2-disc Book Pack with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. It's fully restored and digitally remastered.

This BLU RAY has no UK release date as yet - but its a non-region coded disc so will play on ALL machines.

4. Dracula (1931)

Book Pack release date to be advised. Will contain both the English and Spanish versions. The restored print on BLU RAY is due in the USA and UK in Oct 2012 as part of the 8-film Box Set "Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection".

NOTE: the UK 23 April 2012 'DVD' with Universal 100th Anniversary packaging does NOT contain a restored print.

5. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial (1982)

USA release date Oct 2012 - November 2012 in the UK.

6. Frankenstein (1931)

Book Pack release date to be advised. The restored print on BLU RAY is due in the USA and UK in Oct 2012 as part of the 8-film Box Set "Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection"

7. The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)

Book Pack release date to be advised. The restored print on BLU RAY is due in the USA and UK in Oct 2012 as part of the 8-film Box Set "Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection"

8. Jaws (1975)

Released August 2012 in the USA/September 2012 in the UK. BLU RAY Book Pack. Fully restored print with Steven Spielberg's involvement - new extras.

9. Out Of Africa (1985)

Released 6 March 2012 in the USA-Only. A 2-disc set containing a BLU RAY, DVD and means to a Digital Download via Universal's Website (a REGION FREE release so will play on all machines). There is a 'standard packaging' 2-disc version due 4 September 2012. See DETAILED REVIEW... 

10. Pillow Talk (1959)

7 May 2012 UK release. BLU RAY in a 44-page hardback Book Pack. Fully restored print and remastered sound. SEE DETAILED REVIEW.

11. Schindler's List  (1993)

Release date to be advised...late 2012 (DVD released in Jan 2012).

12. The Sting (1973)

Released 11 June 2012 in the UK. Restored and remastered and in Book Pack.

NOTE: There's also a 'card-wrap' version of this BLU RAY in the USA - so check which issue you're buying.

The Amazon code for the card wrap version is B007N31ZLA - the 'Book Pack Collector's Series' is B007UOWM6E. SEE DETAILED REVIEW.

13.  To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

Released 10 January 2012. BLU RAY with 44-page Book Pack. SEE DETAILED REVIEW...

Universal 100th Anniversary Collection Reissues Series - BLU RAY and DVD - A List For 2012...

Universal's 100th Anniversary BLU RAY and DVD Reissues For 2012...
An Ongoing List..(June 2012)

USA BLU RAY:
Abbott and Costello – see “Buck Privates”
Abbott and Costello – see “Meet Frankenstein”

1. Airport (1970). 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
2. All Quite On The Western Front. 14 Feb 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Digitally remastered and fully restored print of the 1930 Black & White masterpiece. Special 40-page book pack... (SEE REVIEW)
3. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set, Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
4. American Pie. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
5. Apollo 13. 30 April 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
6. Atonement. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
7. Babe. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
8. A Beautiful Mind. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
9. The Big Lebowski. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
10. Billy Elliott. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Birds. Release date to be advised - restored and remastered and packaged as per "All Quiet On The Western Front"
12. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
13. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
14. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
15. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
16. The Breakfast Club. 10 Jan 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
17. The Bride Of Frankenstein. To be advised... (For DVD version see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set)
18. Bridesmaids. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
19. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
20. (Abbott And Costello in) Buck Privates. 17 April 2012. USA two-disc set. 1941 movie digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack.

Creature From The Black Lagoon (DVD-only at present – see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set in the list that follows this)

21. Casino. 5 June 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
22. The Deer Hunter. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
23. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
24. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
25. Dracula. 1931 Black & White. To be advised… (For DVD version see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set)
26. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital.
27. Erin Brockovich. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
28. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial. To be advised...
29. Eternal Sunshine Of The Mind. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
30. The Fast And The Furious. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
31. Fast Times At Ridgemont High. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
32. Field Of Dreams. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
33. The 40-Year-Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
34. Frankenstein. To be advised... (For DVD version see “Classic Monster Spotlight Collection” 3DVD Box Set)
35. Harvey. Release Date To be advised. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
36. Inglorious Basterds. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
37. Jaws. August 2012. 2-disc set – Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Card Wrap and Book pack… (two variants)
38. King Kong (Peter Jackson version). To be advised. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
39. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. 4 Sep 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
40. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray and DVD (No Digital Copy).
41. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
42. The Mummy. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
43. National Lampoon’s Animal House. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
44. The Nutty Professor. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
45. Out Of Africa. 6 March 2012. USA Digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack.
46. Out Of Africa. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy [Non Book Pack]
47. Parenthood. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
48. Pillow Talk. 1 May 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. Book pack.
49. Ray. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
50. Scarface. 4 September 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
51. Schindler’s List. To be advised…
52. Seabiscuit. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray & DVD (No Digital Copy).
53. Sixteen Candles. 5 June 2012. USA two-disc set – Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy
54. Smokey And The Bandit. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
55. Spartacus. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
56. The Sting. 5 June 2012. Blu Ray & DVD 2-disc set. Fully restored and Book Pack like “To Kill A Mockingbird”...
57. To Kill A Mockingbird. 31 Jan 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. See also UK release. (SEE REVIEW)
58. United 93. 5 June 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
59. Waterworld. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy - Theatrical and Extended cut (40 more minutes).

USA DVD:

Abbott and Costello – see “Meet Frankenstein”

1. Action Adventure Spotlight Collection [The Bourne Identity, The Fast And The Furious, The Mummy]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
2. Airport (1970). 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
3. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
4. American Pie. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
5. Apollo 13. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy
6. Atonement. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
7. A Beautiful Mind – Russell Crowe and Ed Harris. 6 March 2012. DVD.
8. Best Picture Winners Spotlight Collection [Out Of Africa, A Beautiful Mind, All Quiet On The Western Front, Going My Way]. 6 March 2012. 4DVD Box Set.
9. The Big Lebowski. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
10. Billy Elliott – Jamie Bell. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Birds. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
12. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
13. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
14. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
15. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
16. The Breakfast Club. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
17. Bridesmaids. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
18. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
19. Car Wash – Richard Prior. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
20. Casino. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
21. Charade. 6 March 2012. USA 2-disc set. 1963 movie
22. Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection [Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride Of Frankenstein and Creature From The Black Lagoon]. 6 March 2012. 4DVD Box Set. Note: The “Spanish Language” version of Dracula is also included on the “Dracula” DVD - effectively making this a 5-film box set although it doesn’t actually state it as such).
23. Coal Miner’s Daughter. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
24. Comedy Greats Spotlight Collection [National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, The Jerk, Car Wash]. 6 March 2012. 4DVD Box Set.
25. The Deer Hunter – Robert DeNiro. 6 March 2012. DVD.
26. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
27. Destry Rides Again – James Stewart and Mischa Auer. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
28. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
29. Double Indemnity. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy. 
30. Duck Soup. 6 March 2012. Marx Brothers. DVD & Digital copy.
31. Earthquake. 1974 film with Charlton Heston. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
32. The Egg And I. 6 March 2012 DVD. Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert 1947 film.
33. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
34. 80’s Comedies Spotlight Collection [The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
35. Eternal Sunshine Of The Mind. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
36. Fast Times At Ridgemont High – Sean Penn. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
37. The 40-Year Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
38. Frances The Talking Mule. 6 March 2012. DVD.
39. Harvey. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
40. High Plains Drifter. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy. (See also Westerns Spotlight Box Set…)
41. Hollywood Legends Spotlight Collection [Harvey, Spartacus, Touch Of Evil]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
42. Inglorious Basterds. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
43. Imitation Of Life – Two Movie Special Edition. 10 January 2012. Features both the 1934 version with Claudette Colbert and the 1959 remake starring Lana Turner. 2DVD set and Digital Copy.
44. The Incredible Shrinking Man. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
45. Inspirational Favorites Spotlight Collection. [Apollo 13, Field Of Dreams, Seabiscuit]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
46. It Came From Outer Space. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
47. The Jerk – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
48. Jesus Christ Superstar – Ted Neeley. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
49. Jurassic Park. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
50. Jurassic Park – The Lost World. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
51. Jurassic Park Part III. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
52. King Kong (Peter Jackson version). 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
53. The Last Temptation Of Christ. 6 March 2012. DVD.
54. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
55. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
56. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. DVD.
57. Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life. 6 March 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
58. The Mummy. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
59. Musicals Spotlight Collection [Mamma Mia! The Movie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Flower Drum Song]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
60. My Man Godfrey. 6 March 2012 DVD. William Powell and Carole Lombard 1936 Black and White.
61. National Lampoon’s Animal House. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
62. The Nutty Professor – Eddie Murphy remake. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
63. Out Of Africa. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
64. Parenthood – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
65. Psycho. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
66. Ray – Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
67. Scarface. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
68. Schindler's List. 10 January 2012. USA DVD and Digital Copy.
69. Screen Couples Spotlight Collection [Charade, Double Indemnity, Pillow Talk, My Little Chicadee]. 4DVD Box Set.
70. Seabiscuit – Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper. 10 January 2012. DVD.
71. Sullivan's Travels – Joel McCrae. 6 March 2012. DVD.
72. Three Smart Girls – Deanna Durbin. 6 March 2012. DVD
73. Touch Of Evil – Orson Wells. 10 January 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
74. Vertigo. 4 September 2012. DVD & Digital Copy.
75. Westerns Spotlight Collection [High Plains Drifter, Destry Rides Again, Winchester ‘73]. 6 March 2012. 3DVD Box Set.
76. Winchester ’73. 5 June 2012. DVD and Digital Copy. (See also Westerns Spotlight Box Set…)

Universal's 100th Anniversary Collector's Edition – UK RELEASES

UK BLU RAY Reissues For 2012 - An On-Going List…

Today’s Date: 12 June 2012.

1. Apollo 13 - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
2. Back To The Future – Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
3. The Blues Brothers – Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012. SEE REVIEW.
4. The Bourne Ultimatum - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
5. Despicable Me - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
6. Gladiator - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
7. Jurassic Park - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012. SEE REVIEW.
8. King Kong (2005) - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
9. Mamma Mia! - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
10. The Mummy - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
11. Nanny McPhee – Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
12. Paul - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.
13. Shaun Of The Dead - Augmented Reality Edition. UK-only issue. 23 April 2012.

ALL OF THE ABOVE – BUT THE FOLLOWING TWO ARE DVD-ONLY

1. The Birds (1963, Hitchcock)
2. Dracula (1931, English Language Version – NOT RESTORED)

UPDATED - 12 June 2012

"To Kill A Mockingbird" on BLU RAY. A Review Of The 1962 Film – Now Fully Restored And Reissued On Blu Ray In 2012.

"…Fairness…Stubbornness…Courage…Love…"

In April 2012 Universal Studios is 100 years old – and to celebrate that movie centenary - they’ve had 13 of their most-celebrated films fully restored for BLU RAY. But it doesn’t stop there. As many as 80 other titles will be given re-launches across the year as well - each featuring distinctive "100th Anniversary" card-wrap packaging and in many cases a host of new features. Most (not all) of these re-issues will be two-disc sets containing the Blu Ray, the DVD and also means to obtain a Digital Copy via download.

1962's "To Kill A Mockingbird" is one of the thirteen singled out for full restoration (see list below) – and an absolute peach it is too.

Released 10 January 2012 - it comes in a gorgeous limited edition 'book pack' (Barcode 5050582881844). The outer hardback holder has a card-pouch wrapped around it at the base and a 45-page booklet contained within. The book has interviews with Veronique Peck (his wife of 40 plus years), Harper Lee (author of the 1960 novel), pictures of the Shooting Script, Original Storyboards, Original Posters and Lobby Cards (from around the world), Press Book Excerpts and even Correspondence surrounding the movie (telegrams of congratulations from Fred Astaire, Betty Bacall and Charlton Heston). It’s a visual feast with loads of photos peppering the wonderful memorabilia. Universal are to be praised for this because it absolutely looks the part. But the real fireworks comes in the other two elements at play here – the extensive extras - and the glorious new print…

Digitally remastered and Fully Restored from Original Film Elements – Universal are reputed to have stumped-up over $300,000 for the restoration – and the Lowry results are BEAUTIFUL. Even from the opening logo and credits of a child drawing - there are no lines of scratches of any kind – and the black and white cinematography of 1930’s Alabama is fantastically clear. Stand-out clarity - the scene where the accused black man Tom Robertson is sweating in the courtroom as he relays his side of the story (a superlative Brock Peters – he read the Eulogy at Peck’s funeral in 2003 at Peck’s request), Atticus’s son Jem is in his dad’s car outside the family home of the black Robertson family as the hateful Bob Ewell looks on, the three children watching from the bushes as the mob try to take the jail with Atticus guarding the doorway, Atticus explaining what happened to Tom Robertson after the trial as the moonlight shines on his suit, the young girl Scout pointing out the simpleton Boo Radley behind the bedroom door (Robert Duvall’s stunning cinematic debut where he doesn’t utter a word but leaves an indelible mark) – it’s all suddenly gorgeous. And the sound is rounded and clean too. An exemplary job.

The extras are equally superb – the centrepiece of which is a near one and half-hour documentary called "A Conversation With…". It’s a feast for Peck fans – interviews with Barry Norman in 1974, Terry Wogan in 1979 and other notables throughout the years are peppered with home movies and footage of Peck giving a one-on-one show to a Virginia audience in 1999. It's a raconteur tour-de-force a la David Niven – an 83-year old Peck is generous, charming, witty, responsive – full of anecdotes about Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and Harper Lee. We get stories about meeting his wife in Paris just before shooting for "Roman Holiday" began – there's footage of dinner in Paris with the President of France Jacques Chirac and his family in Paris – US President Bill Clinton giving Peck the National Medal Of Arts and dropping it! But most of all you 'get' why Gregory Peck was greeted with such staggering affection everywhere he went in the world – he exuded 'good guy' – that old style Hollywood class that didn’t have a mean bone in his body. It's joyful stuff to watch.

The movie itself has entered into folklore – released in 1962 and filmed in Black and White – it primarily centres on a black man accused of raping a white woman and the trial that follows. Such was the power of the story – and especially Peck’s central performance as the principled lawyer Atticus Finch (his only Oscar win) it literally inspired members of the public to take up the law as a profession and even impacted on America’s turbulent and changing racial landscape of the time.

The performances by the children as innocents are particularly superb too – but it’s Peck who dominates the whole thing with a gravitas and sincerity that few actors could match. His stand against bigotry is magnificent and filled with a quiet decency that has touched audiences for decades. As if sensing the importance of the part, Peck’s scrawl is all over the shooting script – to the point that it often obliterates the text - the four words he scribbled on the last page describing the character he plays title this review – and describe the great man himself.

To sum up - with the 1930 anti-war masterpiece "All Quiet On The Western Front" also being amongst the first vanguard of these 'restored' releases – it's heartening to see Universal Studios finally throw some proper money at the preservation of its movie legacy – and be proud about doing so too. I for one will collect the whole series - and live in hope that other studios respect their past in the same glorious way.

An absolutely first-class release – and then some.

BLU RAY Specifications:
EXTRAS:
1. "Fearful Symmetry" – A feature-length documentary on the making of "To Kill A Mockingbird" with cast and crew interviews and a visit to Harper Lee's home town
2. "A Conversation with Gregory Peck" – an intimate feature-length documentary on one of the most beloved actors in film history with interviews, film clips home movies and more
3. "Academy Awards Best Actor Acceptance Speech"
4. "American Film Institute Life Achievement Award" – Gregory Peck’s memorable remarks upon receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award.
5. "Excerpt From Tribute To Gregory Peck" – Cecilia Peck's heart-warming farewell to her father given at the Academy in celebration of his life
6. "Scout Remembers" – Actress Mary Badham shares her experiences working with Gregory Peck
7. "Theatrical Trailer" – Original Theatrical Trailer of the film
8. "Feature Commentary" – with Director Robert Mulligan and Producer Alan Pakula
9. "100 Years Of Universal: Restoring The Classics" – An in-depth look at the intricate process of preserving the studio's film legacy
10. Blu-Ray Exclusive – U-Control
11. Pocket Blu – download content to your Smartphone and Tablet

VIDEO: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen 1.85:1
(Print Digitally Remastered and Fully Restored from Original Film Elements)
AUDIO: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese DTS Mono 2.0
SUBTITLES: English SDH, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Traditional Mandarin

PS: The 13 'restored' Blu Ray titles in Universal's 100th Anniversary series are:

1. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930). Released 13 Feb 2012 in the UK. Restored, Remastered and a beautiful 40-page book pack...
2. The Birds (1963). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as per “All Quiet…” and the packaging probably the same...
3. Abbott And Costello’s Buck Privates (1941). The Blu Ray is USA released 17 April 2012 (see Amazon.com for artwork) - a 2-disc "Collector's Edition" with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. It's fully restored, digitally remastered and in a book pack.
4. Dracula (1931). Release date to be advised. Packaging probably as per "All Quiet On The Western Front" - restored/remastered etc. Will include both English and Spanish versions.
5. E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial (1982). Release date to be advised.
6. Frankenstein (1931). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as per 1 above, packaging probably the same...
7. The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935). Sequel that's better than the 1931 original - release date yet to be advised and will probably be in the same packaging as "Western Front" and "Mockingbird"...
8. Jaws (1975). And about time too - Spielberg's masterful 1975 shark-movie finally gets to Blu Ray. Release date to be advised (probably June 2012) and as above....
9. Out Of Africa (1985). Many will be pleased to see this picturesque romance finally get the Blu Ray makeover. 6 March 2012 release in the States.
10. Pillow Talk (1959). 7 May 2012 UK release - two-disc set – Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. In a beautiful book pack.
11. Schindler’s List (1993). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as above, packaging probably the same...
12. The Sting (1973). Release date to be advised. Restoration and remastering as above, packaging probably the same..
13. To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) 10 January 2012 - reviewed above.

THE FULL LIST
Universal's 100th Anniversary Collector's Edition BLU RAY and DVD Reissues For 2012...An Ongoing List

BLU RAY:
1. All Quite On The Western Front. 14 Feb 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Digitally remastered and fully restored print of the 1930 Black & White masterpiece. Special 40-page book pack...
2. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set, Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
3. Apollo 13. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
4. Babe. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
5. A Beautiful Mind. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
6. Billy Elliott. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
7. The Birds. Release date to be advised - restored and remastered and packaged as per "All Quiet On The Western Front"
8. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012 USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
9. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
10. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
12. The Breakfast Club. 10 Jan 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. 1985 classic - but early word is that the print isn't any better than DVD?
13. The Bride Of Frankenstein. To be advised...
14. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
15. Abbott And Costello's Buck Privates. 17 April 2012. USA two-disc set. 1941 movie digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack.
16. The Deer Hunter. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set with Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
17. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
18. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital Copy.
19. Dracula. 1931 Black & White. To be advised…
20. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD & Digital.
21. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial. To be advised...
22. Fast Times At Ridgemont High. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
23. Field Of Dreams. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
24. The 40-Year-Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
25. Frankenstein. To be advised...
26. Harvey. Release Date To be advised. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
27. Inglorious Basterds. 4 March 2012 USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
28. Jaws. To be advised...
29. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray and DVD (No Digital Copy).
30. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. Two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
31. The Nutty Professor. 6 March 2012. Two-disc set Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
32. Out Of Africa. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Digitally remastered and fully restored. Book pack
33. Parenthood. 6 March 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
34. Pillow Talk. 1 May 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. Book pack.
35. Ray. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
36. Schindler’s List ???
37. Seabiscuit. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray & DVD (No Digital Copy).
38. The Sting. To be advised...
39. To Kill A Mockingbird. 31 Jan 2012. Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Fully Restored and Digitally Remastered. See also UK release.
40. Waterworld. 10 January 2012. USA two-disc set - Blu Ray, DVD and Digital Copy - Theatrical and Extended cut (40 more minutes).

DVD:
1. Action Adventure Spotlight Collection [The Bourne Identity, The Fast And The Furious, The Mummy]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
2. American Graffiti. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
3. Apollo 13. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy
4. A Beautiful Mind – Russell Crowe and Ed Harris. 6 March 2012. DVD.
5. Best Picture Winners Spotlight Collection [Out Of Africa, A Beautiful Mind, All Quiet On The Western Front, Going My Way]. 6 March 2012. 4DVDs.
6. Billy Elliott – Jamie Bell. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
7. The Blues Brothers. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
8. The Bourne Identity. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
9. The Bourne Supremacy. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
10. The Bourne Ultimatum. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
11. The Breakfast Club. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
12. Brokeback Mountain. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
13. Car Wash – Richard Prior. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
14. Charade. 6 March 2012. USA 2-disc set. 1963 movie
15. Classic Monsters Spotlight Collection [Dracula, Frankenstein, The Bride Of Frankenstein and Creature From The Black lagoon]. 6 March 2012 4DVD box set - all restored prints.
16. Coal Miner’s Daughter. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
17. Comedy Greats Spotlight Collection [National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, The Jerk, Car Wash]. 6 March 2012. 4DVDs.
18. The Deer Hunter – Robert DeNiro. 6 March 2012. DVD.
19. Despicable Me. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
20. Destry Rides Again – James Stewart and Mischa Auer. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
21. Do The Right Thing. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
22. Duck Soup. 6 March 2012. Marx Brothers. DVD & Digital copy.
23. The Egg And I. 6 March 2012 DVD. Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert 1947 film.
24. 8 Mile. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
25. 80’s Comedies Spotlight Collection [The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Fast Times At Ridgemont High]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
26. Fast Times At Ridgemont High – Sean Penn. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
27. The 40-Year Old Virgin. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
28. Frances The Talking Mule. 6 March 2012. DVD.
29. Harvey. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
30. Hollywood Legends Spotlight Collection [Harvey, Spartacus, Touch Of Evil]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
31. Inglorious Basterds. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
32. Imitation Of Life – Two Movie Special Edition. 10 January 2012. Features both the 1934 version with Claudette Colbert and the 1959 remake starring Lana Turner. 2DVD set and Digital Copy.
33. The Jerk – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
34. Jesus Christ Superstar – Ted Neeley. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
35. The Last Temptation Of Christ. 6 March 2012. DVD.
36. Mamma Mia! The Movie. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
37. Meet The Parents. 6 March 2012. DVD.
38. Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life. 6 March 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
39. Musicals Spotlight Collection [Mamma Mia! The Movie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Flower Drum Song]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.
40. My Man Godfrey. 6 March 2012 DVD. William Powell and Carole Lombard 1936 Black and White.
41. The Nutty Professor – Eddie Murphy remake. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
42. Parenthood – Steve Martin. 6 March 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
43. Ray – Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington. 10 January 2012. DVD and Digital Copy.
44. Schindler's List. 10 January 2012. USA DVD and Digital Copy.
45. Screen Couples Spotlight Collection [Charade, Double Indemnity, Pillow Talk, My Little Chicadee]. 4DVDs Box Set.
46. Seabiscuit – Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper. 10 January 2012. DVD.
47. Sullivan's Travels – Joel McCrae. 6 March 2012.
48. Three Smart Girls – Deanna Durbin. 6 March 2012. DVD
49. Touch Of Evil – Orson Wells. 10 January 2012. DVD & Digital Copy
50. Westerns Spotlight Collection [High Plains Drifter, Destry Rides Again, Winchester ‘73]. 6 March 2012. 3DVDs.