in 2 editions: Regular Edition (RE) and Limited "Ultimate" Editon (LE).
RE is Mediabook which is included in LE.
I've got LE and here I'm going to describe it.
- Basic specs
- Disc: BD (50GB) x1 + DVDx1
- Region code: B + 2
- AR: 1.77:1 (as stated on the package)
- Audio:
- English dts HD-MA 5.1
- English dts HD-MA 2.0
- French dts HD-MA 2.0
- Subtitles: French
- Runtime (BD): 121 mins (Director's Cut)
- Chapters: 16
- Release date: Dec. 02, 2015
- Publisher: Wild Side/La Rabia/NWR
- The Package
- The Box
- In the box
The box houses a mediabook and a reproduction of the script.
The box has an adjuster at the bottom so that the top of the mediabook and the script are aligned.
- Reproduction of the original script annotated by Friedkin (164 pages)
- Mediabook
Booklet (50 pages)
Text is French only.
The words from Friedkin, production history, etc.
The booklet has some production photos, sketches, and publicity materials.
(The contents are very different from the US BD counterpart.)
- Reproduction of the original script annotated by Friedkin (164 pages)
- The Box
- BD
- Top menu
Animated with music.
- Scene selection
- Audio
When you select English audio,
French subtitles are automatically turned on.
Although the disc menu does not offer any option for subtitles,
actually you can turn it off via player's menu (or remote).
The real problem is: this BD has NO English subtitles
for the scenes in Jerusalem and Paris, where dialogues are NOT in English.
This is particularly problematic during the Paris scenes.
(US BD has irremovable English subtitles for them.)
- Bonus materials (2 pages)
There's no English subtitles in the bonus materials.
Also, when they have French subtitles, you can NOT turn them off.
- Sorcerers: un entretien entre William Friedkin et Nicolas Winding Refn (77 mins):
Interview with William Friedkin conducted by filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn,
shot in Feb. 2015.
In English, with French subtitles.
The majority of the video is in B/W.
This centerpiece of the bonus materials is certainly interesting,
but I don't like the way Refn conducted it.
It seems to me that Refn prepared too well,
and couldn't react spontaneously when Friedkin's answer was not what he expected.
Sometimes, when Friedkin deviates to tell something that seems to be interesting,
Refn interrupts him and returns to the original course of the interview.
I find it frustrating.
- Métaphysique de la peur: Philippe Rouyer à propos de Sorcerer (25 mins)
French film critic Philippe Rouyer discusses the movie. In French.
- William Friedkin sur le tournage de Sorcerer: document d'archives (6 mins)
Silent footage of the shooting in New York, which looks like home movie.
- French trailer (2:55): with French subtitles.
- Original trailer (1:45): with French subtitles.
- Gallery of poster projects (4 mins)
Slide show of various posters, with music.
It's not explicitly stated but I'm under impression that they are designed for this BD release,
not for the original movie release.
- Sorcerers: un entretien entre William Friedkin et Nicolas Winding Refn (77 mins):
- BD credits
- Popup menu
- Top menu
- DVD
DVD is movie only, no extras.
I only sampled several scenes, but it looks and sounds very good for a DVD.
Screenshots (resized)
Personal thoughts
I also own US BD of "Sorcerer" which looks and sounds very good.
The French BD also looks and sounds very good.
I'm no expert and doesn't have reference quality A/V systems,
but I find them virtually identical in terns of A/V quality.
Since US BD is movie-only, this Special Edition treatment is quite welcome.
If you are capable of playing Region B disc,
and interested in those bonus materials,
and have little or no problem with the lack of English subtitles,
then the French BD (whichever editions) is recommended.
The package looks cool to boot.
References:
Related products:
Music by Tangerine Dream:
