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The Gathering -- Original Version
- Thread starter Matthew
- Start date
babylonfan
Regular
The original version was released on DVD a long while ago in at least region 2. But it does not say on the packaging that it is the original. So you can not see from the outside which version you got! I got the original version and I always assumed it was the special version until I actually stumbled on a website comparing the old to the new one! LOL
ISBN code (or whatevet it is called on DVDs): 7-321932-163964
FWIW, the special edition is a lot better.
ISBN code (or whatevet it is called on DVDs): 7-321932-163964
FWIW, the special edition is a lot better.
Hi there.
I do not believe that the original has ever been officially released dvd or VHS. I guess WB could release both versions together in a collectors box at sometime in the future (say 20th aniversary).
The "original" has been repeatedly transmitted in the UK. And so I guess it must be possible for someone to transfer from VHS to DVD - but there might be a copyright issue or two.
I do not believe that the original has ever been officially released dvd or VHS. I guess WB could release both versions together in a collectors box at sometime in the future (say 20th aniversary).
The "original" has been repeatedly transmitted in the UK. And so I guess it must be possible for someone to transfer from VHS to DVD - but there might be a copyright issue or two.
Sindatur
Regular
Based on the number of people who have said the UK version is the original, it seems perhaps, the UK version has both, and you just don't know what you get until cracking it open. I recall one person saying they ended up with a copy of each version
babylonfan
Regular
Feel free to differ all you want, I am telling you I got the original edition on DVD region 2. Have no DVD player on the computer so can not make screencaps. I could of course put my camera in front of the TV if you want to get picture-proof.
I know the difference since I have seen the special edition as well.
Your both right. I have a copy of the revised version and a copy of the original both on DVD, both legit, both region 2. And the box's are identical, it seems the special second version is the one your likely to get these days and the original was only available a few years back (bought this one second hand). The original might be in the BIG collectors set that has all series and films, but to be honest I've no idea.
Elenopa
Regular
I've got both on DVD.
I bought the DVD first hoping it was the special edition and was disapointed that it wasn't. Later, I bought another one and it was the SE. The boxes and disks are identical, so I can't tell which one is which until I play it.
Sindatur
Regular
I believe you are the one I recall mentioning it.
Joseph DeMartino
Moderator
The TNT special edition is JMS's preferred cut and the one he has always wanted to represent the film on home video.
When Columbia House first released the show on VHS it used the original cut. At JMS's request, Warner Bros. supplied them with a master tape of the SE to use once their original procution run had sold out. (Which it did almost immediately.) Subsequent Columbia House and Warner Bros. tapes were the SE.
"R2" is a slippery term. Region 2 covers the U.K. and most of Europe and it is simply not the case that there is a single identical "R2 version" of most titles. The French, German and British versions of a given title can be quite different. In several European countries the original cut of the film was released because on DVD because it was the only version that had ever aired there, and therefore the only one that had been dubbed or subtitled in the local language. Evidently the early pressings of the UK edition were the original version, but this was later replaced by the SE - because there was no language issue and probaby because JMS wanted it that way.
There has never been an R1 DVD release of the original cut. If all you want to do is see it, and don't have a burning need to watch it full-size on your TV, it is available for download from iTunes for a couple of bucks.
Regards,
Joe
When Columbia House first released the show on VHS it used the original cut. At JMS's request, Warner Bros. supplied them with a master tape of the SE to use once their original procution run had sold out. (Which it did almost immediately.) Subsequent Columbia House and Warner Bros. tapes were the SE.
"R2" is a slippery term. Region 2 covers the U.K. and most of Europe and it is simply not the case that there is a single identical "R2 version" of most titles. The French, German and British versions of a given title can be quite different. In several European countries the original cut of the film was released because on DVD because it was the only version that had ever aired there, and therefore the only one that had been dubbed or subtitled in the local language. Evidently the early pressings of the UK edition were the original version, but this was later replaced by the SE - because there was no language issue and probaby because JMS wanted it that way.
There has never been an R1 DVD release of the original cut. If all you want to do is see it, and don't have a burning need to watch it full-size on your TV, it is available for download from iTunes for a couple of bucks.
Regards,
Joe
Yup, yup. You should be able to preview it, and the music immediately gives it away. The original cut has a guitar backed soundtrack by Stewart Copeland, and it should be fairly obvious even in just the preview. He was replaced by Christopher Franke for the rest of the show, and JMS had him make a new soundtrack for the new TNT cut, with his recognizable synth and orchestral influenced music that has become so associated with B5. So the music is an easy way to keep them apart.
The original version was also released in the UK on VHS, under the title 'feature length pilot episode', but I reckon you'd need a UK VHS player and a PAL TV to view it.
I think both versions are equally good (or should that be bad?).
From the original, I enjoy the blocky effects shots, the closing credits, the muppet alien lifeforms and newsreaders, the opera music in the casino, and the funky soundtrack, which IMO is way more interesting than Christopher Franke's replacement. With the new version you're deprived of the opportunity to see how B5 really developed (for example, there were no Starfuries originally until S1). That said, the new version restores a lot of important character scenes and tightens up the pacing, which improves it a lot from a dramatic point of view. But since it's still pretty bad in this department whichever version you watch, it really comes down to a matter of preference.
I think both versions are equally good (or should that be bad?).
From the original, I enjoy the blocky effects shots, the closing credits, the muppet alien lifeforms and newsreaders, the opera music in the casino, and the funky soundtrack, which IMO is way more interesting than Christopher Franke's replacement. With the new version you're deprived of the opportunity to see how B5 really developed (for example, there were no Starfuries originally until S1). That said, the new version restores a lot of important character scenes and tightens up the pacing, which improves it a lot from a dramatic point of view. But since it's still pretty bad in this department whichever version you watch, it really comes down to a matter of preference.
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Hmm, I value B5 episodes for their story content rather than some historical value in their production limitations. And while I love me some guitar licks, I always found the Stewart Copeland soundtrack embarrassingly poor. The newer version is still no masterpiece, but I feel the impotrant character scenes and tightened pacing make it watchable, whereas marvelling at the blocky effects and muppet aliens holds no appeal for me.
I agree that the TNT cut is much, much better. If you are a hardcore fan who has rewatched the show a dozen times now, but only ever has seen the new cut, I do think it worth it to look out the old version. I do think the old score is interesting, and one thing that is really nifty is how educational it is about the effect of good editing versus poor editing.
