Search - THX 1138 - The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition) on DVD

This DVD? I was just issued it!

Patrick J. Mccart | Georgia, USA | 11/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I have never seen the original 1971 cut of the film. In fact, the only reason I purchased the new 2-disc THX 1138 DVD set is because George Lucas' other two 1970's films are masterpieces (American Graffiti and Star Wars).



George Lucas' talent as a director is really underrated as THX 1138 shows off his knack for a "pure art" film. American Graffiti showed how well he could make a film focused entirely on characters and the interactions between them. Star Wars was his epic.



THX 1138 isn't for everyone, yet it has much to admire. On the surface, it seems to be a psychedelic sci-fi movie. To be honest, it's more of a very dark comedic satire. To me, the drug dependacy the society in THX 1138 had is a parody of the drug culture that was popular in the 1960's. The drugs, which give the look of being the savior just imprison the mind. As another reviewer stated, religion is run by the state in THX 1138. To be honest, the film really does have a lot of darkly comic moments. The "hologram" television switched between pornography and violence... not too different from our own TV broadcasting. A swipe at communism appears when a very awful comedy duo discuss a car one of them was "issued." The narration is often ironic. After an explosion in one of the robot factories, the group Thx works in happily exclaims their lack of casualties.



As for the CGI additions, they give the feeling of completing an otherwise unfinished film. The revised factory scenes look less like they were trying to hide budgetary problems. The car chase near the end feels right. Overall, I think that if the 2004 version was possible in 1971, THX 1138 would have become a more well known classic rather than a cult classic.



Warner's DVD is a flawless effort. The newly restored film (digitally restored by Lowry Digital Services at 4K from the 2perf Techniscope original camera negative) looks spotless. However, nothing has been done to alter the film to look "standard." The film still maintains the Techniscope "look" by keeping a hint of grain on the image. Colors are highly stylized as skin tones are often pale, as intended. The new Dolby Digital 5.1 remix shows off Walter Murch's stunning sound design. Dialogue occasionally sounds dated, but it's not that obvious.



As for extras, the commentary with Lucas and Murch is excellent. A 5.1 isolated music & effects track is wonderful, since it's one of the best parts of the film. There's also a seamless branching feature that lets you view clips of Walter Murch discuss the sound design of THX 1138.



Not on the single-disc edition are a lot of facinating featurettes. There's an hour-long documentary on American Zoetrope, a 30 min. documentary on the making of THX 1138, a one-reel vintage featurette on the film, the original student film (which is an amazing piece of short/low-budget cinema), originial and re-release trailers, and even an easter egg.



Zoetrope Studios' DVD Lab authored the DVD and they did a great job. The two documentaries are both 16x9 enhanced, as are the Master Sessions clips. The menus are tasteful and the cover art is perfect for the film.



This is an essential DVD to anyone with a DVD player."

New Director's Cut only strengthens the story...

Jon B. | San Francisco, CA United States | 10/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lucas may be obsessive or insane about making sure his films are perfect in his opinion. I for one love all the changes he's made to the Star Wars Trilogy. It's his story, his baby, he can change it all he wants. In my opinion he hasn't taken away from the spirit of the films...yet.



THX-1138 is another story, after funding had dropped out of the project (which was American Zoetrope's first production) Mr. Lucas had to leave holes in the plot and in the scenery in order to save some dough. This meant a shorter less elaborate car chase, less characters and less character development.



Now in his Director's Cut he's opened up his brave new world, made it more ample and he's shown us that this underground society is much bigger than previously shown. The extra shots at the policeman factory detailing the explosions, the subway, the station with all the elevators, the hoards of people in the background when they exit into the "people traffic", the prison of endless white, extra footage of the cops and the new beasts on the outskirts of the city all make this world easier to take in without losing the artistic and innovative feel of the original cut.



Not to mention the restoration of the film is gorgeous and much needed. You will not be disappointed with the new effect shots and the meaning and narrative of the film is still very much spared."