It has been announced that The Golden Compass will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on April 29th. There will be standard DVD version and a special two disc edition on both DVD and Blu-ray. This special edition will have two hours of extra footage including Behind The Scenes look and a Lyra’s world feature.
The DVD will feature the standard cut as seen in cinemas, and unfortunately there’s no word of an extended or director’s cut yet.
Our Italian friends over at QuesteOscureMaterie.it alerted us of the DVD covers and promo poster. Check them out over here.
16 comments - Add yours
#1 Must have in HD!
Can’t wait for the Blu-ray release! Still hoping for an extended/director’s cut, though.
Oh, and the link to more pics at Dvdactive.com isn’t working for me at the moment.
# January 26, 2008 00:03 by A. E. Martin
#2
I’ve seen additional artwork for a special edition, so a Director’s Cut is a very real possibility.
# January 26, 2008 01:08 by vesper lynd
#3
One can only hope that the exclusion of an extended cut means that the Subtle Knife is on the horizon!
# January 26, 2008 01:14 by Tagg
#4
Everyone should support this release, and the inevitable double-dip later on.
C’mon, we have to show NL and Warner that HDM is a story worth continuing, and Dakota isn’t getting any younger!
# January 26, 2008 03:10 by Seretur
#5
If there’s a chance at a special edition later, I’m really not inclined to buy the regular edition first. I never know what to do with them after.
I love the series and all, but not enough to buy it twice on DVD. :\
Hoping for an announcement about a Director’s Cut soon.
# January 26, 2008 03:26 by rainbowdarling
#6
I’m worried that releasing the director’s cut with the DVD means that they’re not going to go through with the sequels… because if *SPOILER* Roger’s death is included in that special edition DVD, then obviously they’re not concerned about keeping us in suspense about an important part that should be included in The Subtle Knife movie…
# January 26, 2008 05:22 by lotusindigo
#7
well either roger’s death scene will be included or not. if it is that means no subtle knife. if they don’t include those last three chapters in the extended version it most likely means they are going ahead with subtle knife.
so far golden compass has grossed $321 million worldwide. and i believe that it is no longer playing in the US except for maybe a few theaters here and there.. so any more money would have to come from overseas. does anyone know whether or not $321 million is good news for golden compass?
# January 26, 2008 09:08 by ROKYPA
#8 @ #2
As stated in the article, the two-disc special edition will feature 2.5 hours of extra footage, but this is in the form of featurettes and behind the scenes looks, definitely not an extended or director‘s cut.
# January 26, 2008 10:53 by L!NK
#9
It is not the only form it will be in: “This special edition will have two hours of extra footage including Behind The Scenes look and a Lyra’s world feature.”
It leaves the door wide open for the removed footage to be restored by saying ‘including’ which is not limiting.
# January 26, 2008 11:10 by rainbowdarling
#10
Let’s not split hairs—the wording is standard for a description of the supplements on a DVD/BD release, and the cut on this release *will* be the theatrical cut.
After all, if New Line can recoup its investment by double dipping, they will—it’s also standard industry practice.
But if you want the director’s cut, the theatrical has to sell well enough, so you’re directly hindering its chances by not supporting this release. And it’s not like you won’t be getting your money’s worth—this one’s more loaded than the LOTR theatrical DVDs!
The full announcement is due Tuesday, so we will have all the details then.
# January 26, 2008 16:19 by Seretur
#11
It’s all well and good to say “Oh, buy both versions!” but I’m not going to. I don’t see a reason to buy two versions of the same movie.
Maybe I’m “hurting” the release by not buying it or something but I think it’s my right to choose, and it certainly doesn’t make me less of a fan.
Anyway, I’m just going to wait and see.
# January 26, 2008 16:27 by rainbowdarling
#12
Is it the same release date in Australia?
# January 28, 2008 02:00 by anna11
#13 DVD release
I am fortunate to have grandchildren, so I will buy this version and if and when a director’s cut comes out, I will pass this one on to the kids and buy the other for myself )of course I will let them see it...)
I certainly hope that they will make “The Subtle Knife” and “The Amber Spyglass” - absolutely love the books. I have a copy and bought a copy for the grandkids. I am currently reading it again, this time aloud to include my husband who is not much of a reader.
# January 28, 2008 02:41 by vlmecc
#14 DVD release
Well, it stands to reason that a director’s cut has not been announced yet. Chris Weitz wants to wait, I would presume, for word on whether The Subtle Knife will be greenlit. It would be silly for him to make a director’s cut now that doesn’t include the original ending, only to find out that the sequels won’t get made, then having to make another one to include the original ending.
# January 29, 2008 03:38 by bm237
#15 Great
Great! Looking forward to it.
# January 30, 2008 02:14 by MarxAjay
#16 i want buy it!
is it the same release date in all the world?.
i like to buy the special edition, it would be cool.
But i like to see a director’s cut, i don’t like the end from the movie but if there is one , then there is no sequel.
# February 16, 2008 18:59 by Shadows 97