American Graffiti Special Edition blu-ray

I was surprised to find that nobody is talking about this! American Graffiti is heading to blu-ray on May 31st in America.

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New digital transfer approved by Lucas! Pretty cool new features too, including a video commentary by Lucas (I assume he talks throughout the movie in a box in the corner of the screen). All the DVD features are carried over, plus there is a documentary titled "The Music of American Graffiti" and, from what I've read, some sort of soundtrack mode. Not really sure what thats all about. Perhaps you can jump to a song in the film?

Update: From digitalbits:

 

Nice. This is the first I heard of about it. I'll definitely be picking it up.

 

I'm assuming the soundtrack feature will allow you to listen to the isolated score, similar to the Alien DVD that got released awhile back. Graffiti's music was positively essential to it's success and the studio execs of the day balked at the licensing costs originally, iirc.

 

A two-disc set including More American Graffiti would have been nice. It was a failure, but it's still a good movie.

 

Would be nice to get Tucker and More American Graffiti out of the "Availability Unknown" column on Netflix.

 

This might be a buy for me, I've only heard good things about this movie. Since watching THX, I've been more interested in George Lucas' extended filmography.

 

^^^
You're in for a treat - it's a classic & it's the film that made George Lucas a millionaire. Hasn't dated a bit.
Plus it spawned a very well-known, long-running TV show.

 

Happy Days actual predates American Graffiti. Gary Marshall filmed a pilot but it didn't sell to the networks so it was reworked as an episode of the tv series "Love American Style", and aired in 1972. Lucas actually cast Ron Howard in American Graffiti after screening the episode. After the film's success at the box office ABC picked Happy Days up as a series.

 

It's a fantastic film, you'll love it! Bonus: Harrison Ford in a cowboy hat.

American Graffiti, THX 1138 and Star Wars: A New Hope actually make for a great trilogy. All three deal with the same theme of a hero (Curt, THX, Luke) overcoming something larger them themselves and entering a much larger world.

 

Seeing how THX 1138 and now American Graffiti both have isolated music tracks, I can only hope the Star Wars Saga Blu Rays will get the same feature. Actually, a Sound Effects only track, like in THX 1138 would be essential as well.

 

Two glowing reviews of the blu version:

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2011/24882

http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/27900

One more week!

 

A detailed review with lots of screenshots was added to DVD Beaver, which is IMO one of the most informative Blu-Ray review sites out there.
Except for some edge enhancement and halos in the beginning of the movie, the reviewer seems to like this release.

 

Shame Lucas can find the time to do a solo commentary for American Graffiti, but not for his Star Wars opus.

 

I just bought this at my local Hastings. Four days before the official release date.

 

Nice! well it released today, it is currently sitting at my front door (unless somebody steals the package).

Can't wait to hear the new commentary! I hear the PIP video commentary is just GL's head, so not super exciting to look at. But I hear it's a great listen.

 

New Lucas commentary? Must have.

 

I picked up a copy of the blu-ray earlier this week. "American Graffiti" is a pleasant reminder that Lucas used to know how to make movies.

 

Lucas used to know how to make movies.

Currently one of the most popular and predictable cliches on the internet. Lucas still knows how to make movies.

 

Thank you so much for posting this! American Graffiti is my 2nd favorite film after Ep 4 and I never would have known. I wish Lucasfilm had been a little more vocal about it.

 

There are a number of great You Tube clips where Lucas talks about Graffiti. This is one of the best:

Lucas talks with the American Film Institute about American Graffiti

It wasn't easy to create, it wasn't easy to get someone to back it, it wasn't easy to shoot, and it wasn't even easy to persuade
Universal to release it, despite enthusiastic preview response. George had a battle on his hands every inch of the way.

It sure paid off though. The film holds up to this day.