Live in the UK and have a fondness for Joe Dante’s under-appreciated 1989 dark comedy THE ‘BURBS? You’re in luck, because Arrow Films is dishing out both a deluxe Blu-ray and also a limited edition SteelBook version of the flick, both of which include an all-new high definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Theatrical cut, newly-restored from the original film elements, and the original Workprint cut of the film transferred from Director Joe Dante’s personal copy,.
Those of us in the U.S. will have to continue waiting for the Tom Hanks flick to hit our shores.
According to the distributor, The ‘Burbs is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with stereo 2.0 audio. The ‘Burbs was exclusively restored in 2K resolution by Arrow Films for this release. This restoration of The ‘Burbs was overseen by James White on behalf of Arrow Films and has been approved by Joe Dante.
The special features include:
– Limited Edition SteelBook packaging
– High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the Theatrical cut, newly-restored from the original film elements
– Original uncompressed 2.0 Stereo PCM Audio
– Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack
– Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
– New audio commentary with writer Dana Olsen, moderated by author Calum Waddell
– There Goes the Neighbourhood: The Making of The ‘Burbs – A new feature-length documentary including interviews with Dante, actors Corey Feldman, Courtney Gains and Wendy Schaal, director of photography Robert M. Stevens and production designer James H. Spencer
– The original Workprint cut of the film transferred from Director Joe Dante’s personal copy, on home video for the very first time – includes deleted and alternate scenes!
– A Tale of Two ‘Burbs – Video featurette comparing the differences between the Workprint and Theatrical cuts of the film, with optional audio commentary from Dante
– Alternate ending, presented in HD for the very first time
– Original Theatrical Trailer in HD
– Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Kenneth J. Souza, author of Scared Silly: The Films of Joe Dante, and an article looking at the collaborations of Joe Dante and composer Jerry Goldsmith, illustrated with original archive stills and posters
If you’re not caught up on what THE ‘BURBS is all about, here’s the synopsis:
Family man Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) is looking forward to a week of putting his feet up at home in the quiet, leafy cul-de-sac of Mayfield Place. But his plans are scuppered by the arrival of new next-door neighbours, The Klopeks, whose behaviour and habits are more than just a little kooky. But things go from kooky to downright sinister when local old boy Walter disappears, leading Ray and his buddies to suspect their new neighbours of killing and eating him! Sure, the Klopeks are a strange bunch what with their digging up the backyard in the middle of the night – but they’re not devil-worshipping cannibal killers… are they?
Arrow Films will put out both editions of THE ‘BURBS on September 15th.