In announcement news, 20th Century Fox has finally revealed the details of its forthcoming Alien: 35th Anniversary Edition and Kingdom of Heaven: Ultimate Edition, both classic Ridley Scott films, due in stores on 10/7 (SRP $24.99 each).
The Alien: 35th Anniversary Edition includes both the 1979 theatrical version and 2003 director’s cuts, along with audio commentary by director Ridley Scott, and members of the cast and crew, a second audio commentary by Scott (on the theatrical cut only), an introduction by Scott (on the director’s cut only), the final theatrical isolated score by Jerry Goldsmith, the composer’s original isolated score, deleted and extended scenes, a digital version, a reprint of the original Alien Illustrated comic and a set of collectible H.R. Giger tribute art cards. Note that it doesn’t include the documentary extras from the Alien Anthology Blu-ray set produced by Charles de Lauzirika.
The Kingdom of Heaven: Ultimate Edition on the other hand, is a 2-disc set that includes all three versions of the film – the theatrical cut, the director’s cut, and the Roadshow Version of the director’s cut that was on the previous 4-disc DVD set. You also get 9 hours of extras (also produced by Charles de Lauzirika), including an introduction by director Ridley Scott, the Pilgrim’s Guide trivia track, the Engineer’s Guide trivia track, commentary on the Roadshow version by Orlando Bloom, Ridley Scott and writer William Monahan, The Path to Redemption documentary, a Sound Design Suite, Visual Effects Breakdowns, the Press Junket Walkthrough, World Premiere footage, galleries of special shoot photos and poster explorations, A&E Movie Real, History vs. Hollywood, Orlando Bloom: The Adventure of a Lifetime, additional featurettes, and more. Essentially, it appears to include just about everything that was on the previous theatrical and special edition DVDs. Here’s a look at the final cover artwork for both versions…
Finally today, we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of veteran character actor Richard Kiel. He played the alien in the classic Twilight Zone episode To Serve Man, he appeared in such films as Force 10 from Navarone, Pale Rider, and The Longest Yard, he was a regular on TV in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, and he even did videogame voice work. But it’s as the chrome-toothed villain Jaws in the Bond films The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker that he’ll be best remembered by audiences. Kiel was 74. You can read more here at The New York Times.
That’s all for now. See you Monday!
- Bill Hunt