Dirty Harry Collection (US BD) in June
11-03-2008 18:50 | 8889 views | Dave Foster | Show Backlinks
Warner Home Video have announced the US Blu-ray Disc release of the Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition on 3rd June 2008. Paying homage to Clint Eastwood and the films that gave birth to the modern action hero this set brings together all five Dirty Harry films, plus hours of all-new enhanced content, unique memorabilia, a film-inspired map of San Francisco and more.
Dirty Harry, the renegade Harry Callahan armed with his ubiquitous .44 Magnum and famous lines that changed the American lexicon forever, will be released as a Dirty Harry Special Edition (the only film in the collector’s set available separately to consumers in Blu-ray Hi-Def format), Magnum Force Deluxe Edition, The Enforcer Deluxe Edition, Sudden Impact Deluxe Edition and The Dead Pool Deluxe Edition will also be released separately in standard definition.
“Clint Eastwood and Dirty Harry have made our day for 37 years,” said Jeffrey Baker, SVP/GM Theatrical Catalog. “What better way to celebrate Warner Brothers’ 85th anniversary than by re-releasing this iconic film franchise. Clint and the Harry Callahan anti-hero character he created are indelibly etched into the consciousness of movie-goers everywhere. His five Dirty Harry films look as fresh and contemporary today as ever. And now, thanks to their timeless staying power and new digitally re-mastered DVD formats, they will continue to resonate with old fans and new generations for years to come.”
The UCE set is priced at $129.95 SRP on Blu-ray Disc with the separate release of Dirty Harry Special Edition priced at $34.99 SRP.
Tech Specs: The main features are all 1080P 2.40:1 Widescreen with the exception of The Dead Pool which is 1080P 1.85:1 Widescreen. Extras are all standard definition.
The main audio formats for each film are English Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround, English DD5.1 Surround, Japanese 1.0 and Portuguese 1.0 mono. Additionally each film includes French, Spanish (both Castilian and Latin), German and Italian audio in either 2.0 (The Dead Pool) or 1.0 (all other films with the exception of the Latin tracks on Magnum Force and Sudden Impact which are 2.0 and 2.0 Surround respectively).
Subtitles on the main features and select bonus material are English, French, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese and Swedish.
Dirty Harry Special Edition
Set in San Francisco in 1971, Dirty Harry is the gritty and suspenseful film that follows the story of Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), who earns the moniker ‘Dirty Harry’ for his reputation of handling the dirtiest homicidal cases. The City by the Bay faces the terror of a serial killer known as Scorpio (Andrew Robinson), who viciously snipes at innocent victims and demands ransom through notes left at the scene of the crime. Callahan is assigned to the case along with his newest partner, Inspector Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) to track down Scorpio and stop him. Using humiliation along with cat and mouse type games against Callahan, Scorpio is put to the test by the cop with the very dirty attitude.
Special Features:
Magnum Force Deluxe Edition
Magnum Force, which was released in 1973 as a sequel to Dirty Harry has Eastwood reprise his famous role as Inspector Callahan, which has him face crooked cops and a traitorous boss as well as suffering re-assignment from homicide to stakeout duty after his handling of the Scorpio case. Callahan and his new partner, Earlington “Early” Smith (Felton Perry), are called off a case in which a man acquitted of murder is found dead along with his chauffer, lawyer and bodyguard. Soon after, a mafia figure, and several of his family and friends are also gunned down. Then, a well-known pimp is murdered too. Callahan and ‘Early’ are soon re-assigned to investigate the homicides.
Special Features:
The Enforcer Deluxe Edition
Released in 1976, The Enforcer marks the third installment in the Dirty Harry franchise. The film’s plot has Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) paired with a new partner, policewoman, Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly), as they hunt for a group of terrorists that are blackmailing the city of San Francisco for two million dollars. Callahan, none-too-pleased by being teamed up with a woman, must put his job first and the two attempt to shut down the terrorists. Moore, however, proves herself after she and Callahan pursue the terrorists to their hideout in the prison of Alcatraz.
Special Features:
Sudden Impact Deluxe Edition
Sudden Impact is Eastwood’s fourth Dirty Harry film. Released in 1983, follows Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) as he’s shipped to San Paulo, a small town down the coast to investigate a murder. The killer is Jennifer Spencer (Sondra Locke) who out for revenge is murdering all the rapists that gang-raped her and her little sister 10 years ago. During his investigations, Callahan becomes entangled in Jennifer’s own troubles - all the while never suspecting that she’s the killer.
Special Features:
The Dead Pool Deluxe Edition
The final film in the collection is The Dead Pool, which was originally released in 1988. The Dead Pool finds Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) investigating an unusual betting game played by a film director and his crew, which has the players create a list of 10 celebrities they think will die. The winner is the one with the highest number of dead celebrities. Soon, however, people on the list begin to die under mysterious circumstances. Callahan is assigned to the case and discovers his name has made the list.
Special Features:
Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition
(5-disc Blu-ray Hi-Def format)
Includes all five Dirty Harry films; all special features on the Dirty Harry Special Edition and Deluxe Editions, plus additional special features and contents specific to the Ultimate Collector’s Edition.
UCE Special Features and Contents:
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Dirty Harry, the renegade Harry Callahan armed with his ubiquitous .44 Magnum and famous lines that changed the American lexicon forever, will be released as a Dirty Harry Special Edition (the only film in the collector’s set available separately to consumers in Blu-ray Hi-Def format), Magnum Force Deluxe Edition, The Enforcer Deluxe Edition, Sudden Impact Deluxe Edition and The Dead Pool Deluxe Edition will also be released separately in standard definition.
“Clint Eastwood and Dirty Harry have made our day for 37 years,” said Jeffrey Baker, SVP/GM Theatrical Catalog. “What better way to celebrate Warner Brothers’ 85th anniversary than by re-releasing this iconic film franchise. Clint and the Harry Callahan anti-hero character he created are indelibly etched into the consciousness of movie-goers everywhere. His five Dirty Harry films look as fresh and contemporary today as ever. And now, thanks to their timeless staying power and new digitally re-mastered DVD formats, they will continue to resonate with old fans and new generations for years to come.”
The UCE set is priced at $129.95 SRP on Blu-ray Disc with the separate release of Dirty Harry Special Edition priced at $34.99 SRP.
Tech Specs: The main features are all 1080P 2.40:1 Widescreen with the exception of The Dead Pool which is 1080P 1.85:1 Widescreen. Extras are all standard definition.
The main audio formats for each film are English Dolby True HD 5.1 Surround, English DD5.1 Surround, Japanese 1.0 and Portuguese 1.0 mono. Additionally each film includes French, Spanish (both Castilian and Latin), German and Italian audio in either 2.0 (The Dead Pool) or 1.0 (all other films with the exception of the Latin tracks on Magnum Force and Sudden Impact which are 2.0 and 2.0 Surround respectively).
Subtitles on the main features and select bonus material are English, French, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese and Swedish.
Dirty Harry Special Edition
Set in San Francisco in 1971, Dirty Harry is the gritty and suspenseful film that follows the story of Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), who earns the moniker ‘Dirty Harry’ for his reputation of handling the dirtiest homicidal cases. The City by the Bay faces the terror of a serial killer known as Scorpio (Andrew Robinson), who viciously snipes at innocent victims and demands ransom through notes left at the scene of the crime. Callahan is assigned to the case along with his newest partner, Inspector Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) to track down Scorpio and stop him. Using humiliation along with cat and mouse type games against Callahan, Scorpio is put to the test by the cop with the very dirty attitude.
Special Features:
- New Commentary by Richard Schickel -- Filmmaker and Eastwood biographer Schickel examines the landmark film that revolutionized cinematic crime drama for all time.
- New Featurette The Long Shadow of Dirty Harry -- An examination of the influence and legacy of Dirty Harry.
- Featurette Dirty Harry: The Original -- Clint Eastwood and the film’s creators look back at the birth of the modern action hero: Dirty Harry.
- Featurette Dirty Harry’s Way -- A promotional short on the movie Dirty Harry focusing on the toughness of the movies’ main characters.
- Interview Gallery -- Includes interviews with Patricia Clarkson, Joel Cox, Clint Eastwood, Hal Holbrook, Evan Kim, John Milius, Ted Post, Andy Robinson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Urich.
- 1993 TV Special Clint Eastwood: The Man from Malpaso -- A look at the life and career of actor/director Clint Eastwood, including scenes from his past film and television work and interviews with friends, fellow actors and crew members who have worked with him over the years.
- Trailer Gallery -- Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool
Magnum Force Deluxe Edition
Magnum Force, which was released in 1973 as a sequel to Dirty Harry has Eastwood reprise his famous role as Inspector Callahan, which has him face crooked cops and a traitorous boss as well as suffering re-assignment from homicide to stakeout duty after his handling of the Scorpio case. Callahan and his new partner, Earlington “Early” Smith (Felton Perry), are called off a case in which a man acquitted of murder is found dead along with his chauffer, lawyer and bodyguard. Soon after, a mafia figure, and several of his family and friends are also gunned down. Then, a well-known pimp is murdered too. Callahan and ‘Early’ are soon re-assigned to investigate the homicides.
Special Features:
- New Commentary by writer John Milius -- In this gritty, entertaining commentary, legendary Hollywood screenwriter Milius discusses Eastwood, the world of Dirty Harry and the rugged resilience of crime drama in American cinema.
- New Featurette A Moral Right: The Politics of Dirty Harry -- Filmmakers, social scientists and authors take a provocative look at the moral, political and ethical themes of the Dirty Harry films.
- The Hero Cop: Yesterday and Today
- Trailer Gallery
The Enforcer Deluxe Edition
Released in 1976, The Enforcer marks the third installment in the Dirty Harry franchise. The film’s plot has Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) paired with a new partner, policewoman, Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly), as they hunt for a group of terrorists that are blackmailing the city of San Francisco for two million dollars. Callahan, none-too-pleased by being teamed up with a woman, must put his job first and the two attempt to shut down the terrorists. Moore, however, proves herself after she and Callahan pursue the terrorists to their hideout in the prison of Alcatraz.
Special Features:
- New Commentary by director James Fargo. Director Fargo takes an entertaining look at the film that launched his career as a director, including the day Clint Eastwood nonchalantly let him know he had the job.
- New Featurette The Business End: Violence in Cinema An unflinching look at the ongoing debate on violence in cinema.
- Featurette Harry Callahan/Clint Eastwood: Something Special in Films
- Trailer Gallery
Sudden Impact Deluxe Edition
Sudden Impact is Eastwood’s fourth Dirty Harry film. Released in 1983, follows Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) as he’s shipped to San Paulo, a small town down the coast to investigate a murder. The killer is Jennifer Spencer (Sondra Locke) who out for revenge is murdering all the rapists that gang-raped her and her little sister 10 years ago. During his investigations, Callahan becomes entangled in Jennifer’s own troubles - all the while never suspecting that she’s the killer.
Special Features:
- New Commentary by renowned film critic Richard Schickel -- Author and longtime Eastwood associate Schickel uncovers layers of meaning in this, the only Dirty Harry film directed by Eastwood himself
- New Featurette The Evolution of Clint Eastwood -- An examination of the film in the context of Eastwood’s broader career as a director.
- Trailer Gallery
The Dead Pool Deluxe Edition
The final film in the collection is The Dead Pool, which was originally released in 1988. The Dead Pool finds Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) investigating an unusual betting game played by a film director and his crew, which has the players create a list of 10 celebrities they think will die. The winner is the one with the highest number of dead celebrities. Soon, however, people on the list begin to die under mysterious circumstances. Callahan is assigned to the case and discovers his name has made the list.
Special Features:
- New Commentary by producer David Valdes and Cinematographer Jack N. Green, who discuss the challenging and rewarding experience making this the final chapter in the Dirty Harry series.
- New Featurette The Craft of Dirty Harry -- A look at the cinematographers, editors, musicians, production designers and other talent of the Dirty Harry series.
- Trailer Gallery
Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition
(5-disc Blu-ray Hi-Def format)
Includes all five Dirty Harry films; all special features on the Dirty Harry Special Edition and Deluxe Editions, plus additional special features and contents specific to the Ultimate Collector’s Edition.
UCE Special Features and Contents:
- Bonus Feature-Length documentary Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows
- 40+ page hardcover book
- Wallet w/metal badge and removable laminated I.D. card
- Five 5”x 7” Reproduction Lobby Poster Cards plus an exclusive UCE card
- Scorpio Portrait of a Killer Poster-Sized (19” x 27”) map of San Francisco detailing Harry’s hunt for the killer
- Never-Before-Seen Production Correspondence
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Comments
Member
Posts: 40
Wow, really hope this gets a UK release!
It swims, it eats and it makes little sharks!
Posts: 94
Sorry, but someone has to ask...
Will this now only BLU Warners release be region free?
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You catch a shark, cut off its fins and tail, throw it back into the water ALIVE, but now unable to swim - so it slowly drowns - only to dry then boil those fins down to make a tasteless watery broth that costs the earth and is nothing more than a status symbol.
Ignorance personified.
Member
Posts: 402
Well I suspect it will be as Warner really do not like region encoding. I doubt a big studio like them will have to do as the BDA tell them and I doubt the BDA will tell them to enforce region encoding.
Member
Posts: 402
I will be getting the boxset, I hope the original soundtracks are included for all the films.
Member
Posts: 847
I don't think any Warner BD is Region Locked so why would it suddenly be now?
They may use it one day though, their DVDs are Region Locked.
It swims, it eats and it makes little sharks!
Posts: 94
Originally Posted by tonyleung:
I don't think any Warner BD is Region Locked so why would it suddenly be now?
They may use it one day though, their DVDs are Region Locked.
Just me being a little paranoid. I have several US Warner Blu titles and they are all just fine, but well....
Really like these films though. DH is the best but all (even DEAD POOL) have their moments.
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You catch a shark, cut off its fins and tail, throw it back into the water ALIVE, but now unable to swim - so it slowly drowns - only to dry then boil those fins down to make a tasteless watery broth that costs the earth and is nothing more than a status symbol.
Ignorance personified.
Member
Posts: 38
Acctually Warners DVDs have never been region locked. It says Region 1 on their covers but they have allways been region free. I, at least, have never come upon a US warner DVD I couldn't play in a reg. 2 player.
Contributor
Posts: 1651
Originally Posted by rodrigo obon:
Acctually Warners DVDs have never been region locked. It says Region 1 on their covers but they have allways been region free. I, at least, have never come upon a US warner DVD I couldn't play in a reg. 2 player.
A lot of their recent releases have been coded for regions 1, 2, 3 and 4, but until recently most of their releases were Region 1 only.
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Reviews | DVDs | My Web Site
Member
Posts: 38
I stand corrected. I just played some warner titles that were released around 2001-2002 and they played without a problem in my reg2 PS3 but when I put in Sharkey's Machine wich was released in 1998 it wouldn't play. So once again, I stand corrected.
Member
Posts: 38
I got caught up on this region code thing that I forgot to mention how incredibly happy I am that Dirty Harry is finally getting a decent release. I love this movie and it has was one of the first laserdiscs I bought and one of my first DVDs and now I will own it on BD an I couldn't be happier. Having said that, Iam the only one who thinks Richard Schickel is one the dullest comentators out there?. He is certanly an authority on Eastwwod but listening to him is like watching paint dry. But whatever, the movie is coming out on BD and that's what's important
It swims, it eats and it makes little sharks!
Posts: 94
Eastwood is one of the few 'old school' Hollywood stars left today. There are a decreasing number, the likes of which just don't seem to appear anymore.
Now don't get me wrong. There are many interesting, famous and talented stars around but few with the overal charisma and presence of Eastwood. He has had his western days, his tough cops days and now his directing days (which fed straight out from his acting), the man is talent, and modest to boot.
A Hollywood Star from the classic meaning of the term.
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You catch a shark, cut off its fins and tail, throw it back into the water ALIVE, but now unable to swim - so it slowly drowns - only to dry then boil those fins down to make a tasteless watery broth that costs the earth and is nothing more than a status symbol.
Ignorance personified.
Gun crazy
Posts: 127
The RKO releases are R1 (and maybe R4) only, as Warner only owns distribution rights in a few countries. Universal is the British distributor, Éditions Montparnasse in France, etc.
Almost all their other recent (since 2003-2004) catalog titles can be played on a R2 player.
What about this story I had heard about new releases on BD being tied to a region while movies older than 12 or 18 months getting a region-all release?
Member
Posts: 402
Originally Posted by Robert Thomas:
The RKO releases are R1 (and maybe R4) only, as Warner only owns distribution rights in a few countries. Universal is the British distributor, Éditions Montparnasse in France, etc.
Almost all their other recent (since 2003-2004) catalog titles can be played on a R2 player.
What about this story I had heard about new releases on BD being tied to a region while movies older than 12 or 18 months getting a region-all release?
In North America I have noticed that Sony in particular sometimes do just that. However in Europe bar Fox region encoding is really not enforced. Take Pirates 3, I have a Region A player but did not want to wait the 3 extras weeks for the identical US release so picked up the UK version from Tesco(used clubcard points so got it for a tenner) and despite it being a new release it was region free. The same goes for lots of new release titles. I think only Fox are really interested in it and again their Europe division has let it slide sometimes as AVP 1 is region free. Sony Europe I know for a fact are not interested in region encoding titles.
With regards this set I am really looking forward to it, looks a great all around package.
Member
Posts: 10
to filmfan316uk:
US version of Pirates are 24bit audio, UK versions are 16bit
Marek
Administrator
Posts: 2301
Added info on the audio/subtitle options for each film.
Member
Posts: 402
Originally Posted by MarekM:
to filmfan316uk:
US version of Pirates are 24bit audio, UK versions are 16bit
Marek
I have the US versions of Pirates 1 and 2 (Disney USA kindly sent me the corrected disc as well to the UK, email them with the serial numbers on the underside of disc 1) and know that they were 24bit but 16 in the UK.
However I thought this would be fixed for the UK release of the 3rd one but sadly as you say its 16bit. Thanks for the info anyway, I might get the US release cheap one day.