May 12, 2009 | by Kofi Outlaw 

Watchmen Director’s Cut Blu-ray Details Revealed

Watchmen Director's Cut Blu-ray

A while back, director Zack Snyder promised fans that the DVD/Blu-ray versions of Watchmen were going to be packed with extras, including a director’s cut of film which would run almost thirty minutes longer than the theatrical version.

Well, The Blu-Ray Blog has gotten hold of the details regarding the forthcoming release of the Watchmen Director’s Cut Blu-ray. For those who still care are keeping track, feel free to take a look and see how closely the Watchmen Blu-ray is living up to Snyder’s promise.

Who watches The Watchmen? Facebook, baby. According to The Blu-Ray Blog, the Watchmen Director’s Cut Blu-ray is going to push Blu-ray’s BD-Live function to new heights, by allowing Watchmen watchers to synch their Facebook friends network with BD-Live, “allowing for interactive community-screening and commenting.”

Now, as someone who doesn’t actually own a Blu-ray player (just constantly mooches off his friend’s PS3 for his Blu-ray thrills), I’m not sure if this BD-Live/Facebook hookup means that you’ll be albe to watch Watchmen simultaneously with people off your Facebook account who also own Blu-ray players and copies of Watchmen The Director’s Cut; or if you (owner of the Blu-ray player and Watchmen Blu-ray) will be able to stream the movie for your Facebook friends to watch online. If I had to guess, I would guess it’s the former (they sell more Blu-rays that way).

Tech geeks, can you help us out here?

Other than the BD-Live/Facebook feature, here is a spec list of what you can expect from the Watchmen Director’s Cut Blu-ray:

WATCHMEN: DIRECTOR’S CUT
190 minutes (vs. 162 minutes for Theatrical Cut)
Video: 1080p VC-1
Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD

Special Features:

• Maximum Movie Mode (BD exclusive split-screen, on-camera commentary)
• Watchmen: Focus Points
• The Phenomenon: The Comic that Changed Comics
• Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes (BD exclusive)
• Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World (BD exclusive)
• Music Video: Desolation Row (My Chemical Romance)
• Digital Copy (theatrical version)
• BD-Live

Ok, so, elephant in the room: This “director’s cut” of Watchmen isn’t the rumored 205-minute “ultimate” cut of the movie, which is said to have footage from Tales of The Black Freighter spliced into the film. If you remember correctly, Zack Snyder said a few months back that the “Ultimate Cut” of Watchmen was going to be hitting stores in the Fall of 2009 (though I’m betting on early 2010 myself).

That means this “director’s cut” is only going to be a stepping stone. If you want to get the full and total Watchmen expereince, you’re going to have to wait until the “ultimate” cut hits stores (Warner Bros. is really milking this film for all it’s not worth).

However, if you can’t wait for the ultimate cut, or you’re just interested in seeing the director’s cut for the sake of some deleted scenes, the Watchmen Director’s Cut Blu-ray hits stores everywhere on July 28, 2009.

Are you ready to re-live the awkward, head-scratching experience that was Watchmen? Will you be checking out the director’s cut? Or are you going to save your time and money for the ultimate cut?

Source: The Blu-Ray Blog

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  • Sean
    Are they going to release the director's and ultimate cuts on DVD as well? I have no intention on moving to Blu-ray any time soon.
  • BJ Jones
    This movie was awesome! Though it would have been better if I read the graphic novel.
  • Mark
    I knew two things as I left the theater after Watchmen. The first was that it was visually stunning and slavishly faithful to the Graphic Novel. The second was that I never plan to add it to my personal collection, as I never want to see it again. I'll stick to the book, thanks. That way I will never again have to watch Dr. Manhattan's glowing, blue schlong swaying back and forth.
  • Matt K
    I'm gonna ge the Director's cut, I really don't like watching the theatrical version after I've seen the extended
  • John "Kahless" Taylor
    So Vic, when is the Blu-Ray player give-a-way? :-)

    I'll probably get the DVD but like Joshi, I'm not into the Blu-Ray craze yet.
  • Matt K
    I'm not really into the whole Blue-Ray craze eithter, I would much rather save a few bucks and buy standard DVD of the Director's Cut
  • T
    Um, Blu-ray isn't really a "craze". It's the next format, a change just like the jump from Videotape to DVD.
  • 790
    This sounds great I'll be picking this up on dvd,,,

    You know T, BR is already obsolete, more or less,,,
    Technology giants are holding back on dvd tech.
    Just last week "GE" announced that they have invented a holographic encoding technology that can hold up to 100 HD movies on a single dvd disc. BR won't last very long. Especially since they're already loosing money on it. Maybe 3 more years at the most. (Imo)
  • BIG difference between DVD and Blu-ray if you have the right television. Which I do. :)

    Given a choice I go Blu-ray every time from here on out, I'm done buying DVDs.

    Vic
  • Brodie Bruce
    i'll get Director's cut on DVD
    and Ultimate Cut on Blu-ray if im not felling any Cheaper than i do now, then i'll brobly go for the Ultimate DVD assumeing that there is gonna be one.

    i Love this Soon-2-be Cult film.
    and cant wait to view it in the confort of my own home. due to the fact that both the times i watched Watchmen i got the Crappy Front Row of the theater & walked out with Neck Problems.
    LOL
  • @Joshi

    You can pick up a good Blu-ray player for $200 and you can find Blu-rays on special all the time at Amazon.com if you want to build up a bit of a collection of your past faves.

    Vic
  • Andy S
    @Vic,

    I'm still waiting for the new Panasonic Blu-Ray player to break the $200 price point. I would NEVER buy a cheapie no-name brand player. My father bought a Sharp and it was the biggest piece of junk that had MAJOR compatability issues and HORRIBLE service from Sharp. As soon as I see the Panny at $200, I am SO buying it.
  • the mantis
    How can you spend hours on movie fan sites and not be a fan of Blu-ray??? That really bewilders me. For those of you who resist, you're missing out. Can't wait for the longest cut possible of this film. It wasn't perfect, but nothing is. It's going to look amazing in 1080p
  • 790
    @the mantis, I've seen trends come and go,,, DCC, MiNi-Disc, etc. Bluray is a trend.

    I don't recommend investing heavily in a technology that will be replaced in a few years.

    Bluray is just the latest medium in home entertainment. It won't last forever.
    There's already new disc applications ready to go into the marketplace, as soon as Bluray sales hit a certain peak your going to see the prices all drop on the players and disc's. That's when you know the next dvd/flash disc medium is on the way.

    Bluray is a bad investment (imo), unless you have money to burn, then its pretty cool...
  • Daniel F
    Not sure if it streams or if your friends have to have the disc them selves as well. If they need one as well than there really isn't any point to it and it's the most useless feature I can think of. They can just pop their disc in and watch it anytime they want.

    Anyway for those of you who want Blu Ray I still recommend the PS3 it's the best deal out there. It's a good price for a B-Ray player it's also a gaming system you can also surf the net listen to music and view pictures on it. Not to mention the PS3 network allows you to digitally purchase movies and watch them on the PS3. I can't recommend it enough. Your basically getting a computer with a Blu Ray Player.

    As for the two versions of the movie I think it's a rip off if I understand what your saying correctly. It sounds like there will be a Directors Cut and an Ultimate cut and not both in one case. If they released one with both the ultimate and the Directors cut in the same case that's fine, but if the only way to get each cut is to buy them both separately than that's a rip off.
  • the mantis
    @790,
    Blu-ray is a trend. Oh lord, save up some money and watch one for (obviously) the first time. I'm not even going to go into the HD vs. Blu-Ray saga/debate, you just keep buying DVD and telling yourself blu-ray is a trend. Ignorance is indeed bliss. I honestly laughed at your comment. Seriously, watch one sometime and you'll see what you're missing. DVD is going the way of the tape deck sir. It's technology yo, it's inevitable. P.s. I really admire your VHS collection...
  • 790
    @the mantis, I've seen Bluray films. Its a High Definition image, even greatly enhanced if played on a HD monitor. Keep in mind its a format called Bluray. Its not some magical apex of picture quality. They can put that same exact image on HD Hardrives what makes you think that the format (Dvd / Bluray) won't change in a few years. The picture will only get better its the format (actual product bluray disc's) that will change.

    Btw, If sales don't improve soon for Bluray its lifespan will be even quicker.

    If you read up on the technology you will realize that Bluray is already obsolete. .

    Sure they will work out a way to include Bluray discs on whatever device they're going to bring out next, That's no biggy, keep in mind that player will also play dvds,,, and whatever the next disc trend is.

    Its coming, technology changes as fast as the weather bro,,,
  • @Andy S

    My Blu-ray is a Panasonic that I picked up during a sale for right around the $200 mark.

    790 is partially right - Blu-ray certainly won't last forever and will be replaced with something else eventually. The question is how long will that be? I'm sure some people said the same thing about DVDs when they first came out, and they've been the de-facto format for 20 years.

    I think after all the investment and legal battles Blu-ray is going to be around for a few years.

    Vic
  • Daniel F
    the mantis sorry, but while I do own a Blu Ray and it is a nicer image it's not so amazing that if you are using regular DVD's your some how missing out on an amazing experience. It's an enhanced picture that unless you are using a nice Hi Def TV with you won't notice. To really get the full experience of Blu Ray you need a Blu Ray player (expensive) a 1080P Television (expensive) and a Blu Ray disc. That's costly. If you don't have a HD TV than Blu ray is uselss for you at the current time because the picture won't be that much better. Even with 720P you won't be that blown away by the difference.

    However, you are correct it's not just a simple trend. It's well on it's way to replacing DVD's. So in that sense it is not a trend. Though you could make the debate that it will eventually be replaced it's self.
  • 790
    Dvd's will outlast Bluray. Look at the sales figures.

    Also look how many companies are suing Sony of patent infringements.

    Bluray is a quick buck for Sony, its on borrowed time. Its not a revolution like dvd's were when they came out.
  • Just check Hulu, or The Xbox360 & Netflix instant que streaming service, itunes downloads, Amazon's Kindle, etc...

    Our who society is going the way of digital downloading/streaming. Screw discs of any name. Once streaming times and pic Qualities get up to par, your TV/digi media box combo will be your PS3/Blu-ray/computer/TV/mind-bender/time-waster/brain-rotter thingy.
  • Andy S
    @Kofi...

    I sure hope that everything doesn't go to D/L or streaming only. That would tick me off because I like to collect my movies and cd's. I think alot of people do, so I don't really see some kind of disc not being around.

    @790...

    I hate to disagree with you, but I think once Blu-Ray comes down more in line with DVD that DVD will be going the way of VHS. I'm waiting patiently for the prices to come down to the price of my first DVD player ($200) and for the discs to get in the $15-$20 range for new releases. I have a gorgeous 1080p Panny plasma that looks phenomenal in HiDef tv, so I can't WAIT to watch TDK on it in 1080p BluRay!!
  • Daniel F
    When DVD's first came out they were not making way to many sales either. When things like this first hit the market it's only for wealthy people than it slowly opens up to the rest of the world and as time progresses everyone is a part of it.

    I do see the trend turning to digital downloading and it makes me sick. I love collecting DVD's it's one of my major hobbies and digital downloading will ruin it for me. There are also a lot of questionable thing with it. For instance some places only give you like a year warrenty with the file and if after a year and a month of having it your hard drive fries your screwed and have to buy it again. Also if you get sick of a DVD you can sell it used to someone. With Digital downloading you can't do that either. So if you fall on hard times and need some quick easy cash your screwed with your movie collection. I'm really getting sick of the digital age. I like physical property that I can hold it's safer and looks nicer.
  • JM
    I cant return to dvd world, really. Let's face it, BR its the today format, who cares about the future, maybe you'll die tomorrow, so enjoy it now. Enough with the bluray-dvd discussion!!!


    "Are you ready to re-live the awkward, head-scratching experience that was Watchmen?" <-- I have no respect for the guy who wrote that article. Watchmen is a superb film in every way. Those who say the opposite were to the cinema specting another Xmen/FF4. And no, im not a comic fan, in fact i've read the comic after the movie.

    I probably bought the 2 versions, although i know im being robbed.
  • 790
    Resistance is Bluray!

    Its going to take along time Andy as dvd's are also popular for other applications not just movies. Keep in mind that dvds cost about 15c to produce and outsell Bluray 4 to 1.

    I'm don't want to totally derail this Watchmen thread with bluray issues I guess I'm basically saying that I'm going to skip out on Bluray (everyone else enjoy) I'll adapt (like a Borg drone) to what comes afterwards,,, 8-)
  • Kofi.outlaw@gmail.com
    Hey JM

    "The Guy Who wrote that article," the one you don't respect, also wrote THESE articles, big guy.

    http://screenrant.com/why-watchmen-will-succeed...

    http://screenrant.com/nyc-comic-con-will-warner...

    http://screenrant.com/screen-focus-watchmen-kof...



    Now, SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...
  • 790
    Busy night on the Rant! :-)

    Daniel check your backstory as Dvds were a huge entertainment medium that overnight put Laser Disc out of business...

    People couldn't wait to have a movie on a cd format, that's what dvds are!
  • Andy S
    I'll make one more comment on BluRay and then that will be (hopefully) the last on it. What I really like is the ability of certain BluRay players to not only play Blu-Ray and DVD's, but you CAN download certain content (like Netflix). I just wish that Panny had a Netflix player because I DON'T like what I read about Samsung's compatability issues. I also like that ALL Blu-Ray players will upconvert standard DVD's (which is a moot point if your receiver does it). I think Blu-Ray is going to be around for a while. I just dread when the TV's go from 1080p to some higher resolution. LOL.
  • 790
    Keep in mind Andy, that the more you go online with your gaming system the more your odds increase for data/system corruption. Just fyi,

    Also on Watchmen, I loved the film even though I would have preferred the original ending. I'll be picking this up more than once I'm sure !!!
  • Andy S
    790, I own an Xbox..not an Xbox 360, an original Xbox. I'm not a gamer at all, but I get in the mood once in a while to shoot some aliens or race some cars onscreen. I have not once played online games through my system. I can't see spending hundreds of dollars on a system and then having to spend more money EVERY MONTH to play games. I have D/L'd a couple of Netflix movies and watched them on my computer. It was ok, but I sure would prefer it in hi-def on a 46" screen vs my 19" monitor.

    As for Watchmen, I will probably rent it first and if I like it, I will buy the extended cut.
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