'West' blu ray May 31

[Walton]

DVD Savant (at dvdtalk.com) mentioned that Paramount will release a blu ray of Once Upon a Time in the West on May 31st. 

[LITTLE BIG MAN]

OUATITW Blu - ray May 31st 2011
From Digital Bits

Paramount Home Entertainment has just announced ANOTHER of our favorite films here at The Digital Bits for Blu-ray release: Sergio Leone's legendary western Once Upon a Time in the West will officially arrive on Blu-ray Disc on May 31st! No, I'm NOT kidding! SRP is just $19.99! The set will include BOTH the theatrical cut and the extended version of the film, English 5.1 DTS HD-MA audio (along with restored English Mono, and French and Spanish mono), and all the extras from the previous DVD release, including audio commentary (with contributions by directors John Carpenter, John Milius and Alex Cox, film historians Sir Christopher Frayling and Dr. Sheldon Hall, cast and crew), 5 featurettes (An Opera of Violence, The Wages of Sin, Something to Do with Death, Railroad: Revolutionizing the West and Locations Then & Now), a production photo gallery and the film's theatrical trailer (we suspect in HD).

Press Release
Arriving May 31, 2011, Blu-ray Includes Both a Fully Restored Version and the Original Theatrical Version Along with Over an Hour of Illuminating Special Features

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. – A motion picture as big as its Monument Valley locations, director Sergio Leone’s glorious and acclaimed Western ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST makes its Blu-ray debut on May 31, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment.  Henry Fonda plays the blackest character of his long career, and he’s utterly convincing as Frank, the ruthless and murderous psychopath who suffers no conscience pangs after annihilating an entire family at the bidding of a powerful railroad tycoon. Jason Robards is the half-breed falsely accused of the terrible slaughter who embarks on a journey with the young widow left behind to seek the real killer.  Charles Bronson plays a mysterious man with a harmonica and a brutal past who joins forces with them on their quest.  Populated by rich and fascinating characters and driven by an intricately woven plot, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is a classic that deserves to be savored and appreciated in high definition.
The ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Blu-ray includes both the fully restored version of the film and the original theatrical version, as well as commentary featuring film historians, directors and members of the cast and crew, multiple in-depth featurettes exploring various aspects of the film and the filmmaking process, a production gallery and more.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Blu-ray
The ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Restored Mono Dolby Digital, French Mono Dolby Digital and Spanish Mono Dolby Digital with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  Disc contents are as follows:

•Feature Film: Restored Version
•Feature Film: Theatrical Version
•Commentary with contributions by directors John Carpenter, John Milius and Alex Cox, film historians Sir Christopher Frayling and Dr. Sheldon Hall, cast and crew
•An Opera of Violence
•The Wages of Sin
•Something to do with Death
•Railroad: Revolutionizing the West
•Locations Then & Now
•Production Gallery
•Theatrical Trailer
About Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  PHE is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, Paramount Famous Productions, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

[dave jenkins]

"the fully restored version of the film and the original theatrical version."

Why the original version--for historical interest? And I'm guessing that "fully restored version" is code for "not the Scorsese-restored version."

[moviesceleton]

And I'm guessing that "fully restored version" is code for "not the Scorsese-restored version."

That's a funny thing... Is the Scorsese restoration available on any kind of disc currently?

[Jordan Krug]

The Scorsese restoration hasn't been available on home video yet...the difference between the two versions on the new blu-ray is apparently 39 seconds (according to their press release specs)....I wonder if it's the "resurrection" scene of Harmonica rising from the platform or something else?

[T.H.]

A lot sooner than I imagined.

[Cusser]

The "resurrection" scene of Harmonica rising from the platform was in the restored version I saw in a theater in 1985, and on DVD. 

[Novecento]

A lot sooner than I imagined.

After the French release was mentioned a few weeks back, it was bound to happen soon.

Why the original version--for historical interest?

I don't see why anyone would be interested in the original US theatrical release either. I'm quite sure Leone wouldn't approve of this inclusion!

[Novecento]

The "resurrection" scene of Harmonica rising from the platform was in the restored version I saw in a theater in 1985, and on DVD.  

And I'm guessing that "fully restored version" is code for "not the Scorsese-restored version."

Interestingly the Paramount press release here lists running times of 165.10 for the theatrical and 165.49 for the restored version.

This is either a spelling mistake for 145.10 in the theatrical release, or they are referring to the later 1984 US theatrical re-release at 165 mins and possibly the Scorsese restoration for the restored version?

[stanton]

The Paramount DVD is at least wrong in parts.

1. There is alone in the first scene 1 min missing compared to the European release version (imo the reaL DC). Haven't compared the whole film if there are other bits missing too.
(There are btw another 30 sec for the first scene in the longer version)

2. The closing music is wrong. Cheyenne's theme shouldn't return (stupid idea), instead the America theme runs until the end.

3. The already mentioned "Harmonica Rising" scene shouldn't be in the film.

[T.H.]

Interestingly the Paramount press release here lists running times of 165.10 for the theatrical and 165.49 for the restored version.

This is either a spelling mistake for 145.10 in the theatrical release, or they are referring to the later 1984 US theatrical re-release at 165 mins and possibly the Scorsese restoration for the restored version?

I'd much rather have that be the case. Essentially having two transfers to choose from instead of the inclusion and unnecessary restoration of a studio hack job.

I thought it was going to be released sometime after the French date because it was so popular in that country and there wasn't any news about a potential US release date - as far as my knowledge.

[Novecento]

A member of the blu-ray forum just posted the following good news:

According to another site, what we're getting is the version previously available on home video (165.10), and the film as restored by Scorsese's Film Foundation and released theatrically a couple of years back (165.49), containing: "Several shots not included in previous presentations were added, making this restoration the most complete version to date".

I saw it, but I have to admit there was nothing new that really smacked me in the eye at the time. When it comes to Leone, trying to define 'definitive cut' is almost impossible...

I wonder where they got that information from   Sure would like to confirm.

[dave jenkins]

Curiouser and curiouser.

[dave jenkins]

You can pre-order it at amazon for $15.99.

[Groggy]

I'll pass.