'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' DVD Comparison Criterion - R1 old vs Universal

directed by Terry Gilliam
U.S. 1998

“We were somewhere around Barstow when the drugs began to take hold.” It is 1971, and journalist Raoul Duke barrels towards Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, accompanied by a trunkful of contraband and his slightly unhinged Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo. But what is ostensibly a cut-and-dried journalistic endeavor quickly descends into a feverish psychedelic odyssey and an excoriating dissection of the American way of life. Director Terry Gilliam and an all-star cast (headlined by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro) show no mercy in bringing Dr. Hunter S, Thompson’s legendary Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to the screen, creating a film both hilarious and savage.

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DVD Comparison:

Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal - Region 1 - NTSC

Big thanks to Gregory for all the Screen Captures

(Criterion R1 - NTSC-Left vs. Universal Region 1 - NTSC-Right)

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Distribution	Criterion Collection Region 1 - NTSC	Universal Studios Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:58:24	1:58:16
Video	2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 7.30 mb/s NTSC 960X540 29.97 f/s	2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.92 NTSC 960X540 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Criterion
Bitrate: Universal
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (DTS)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
Subtitles	English, and none	Spanish, French, English (captions) and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Home Vision Entertainment / Criterion Theatrical Release Date: May 22, 1998 DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003 Aspect Ratio(s): Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Discographic Information: DVD Encoding: Region 1 Edition Details: • Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only) • Color, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound • New digital transfer supervised by the director and new Dolby sound mixes • Three commentary tracks: director Terry Gilliam; stars Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro and producer Laila Nabulsi; and author Hunter S. Thompson • Deleted scenes, with commentary by Terry Gilliam • Collection of storyboards and production designs • Collection of original artwork by famed illustrator Ralph Steadman • Fear and Loathing on the Road to Hollywood: A BBC feature documentary with Hunter S. Thompson and Ralph Steadman • Hunter Goes to Hollywood, a short documentary video by Wayne Ewing • A look at the controversy over the screenwriting credit • A selection of Hunter S. Thompson's correspondence read on-camera by Johnny Depp • Rare material on Oscar Zeta Acosta, the attorney on whom the character Dr. Gonzo is based • Excerpt from the 1996 audio CD • Trailer and stills galleries • A booklet featuring an essay by J. Hoberman and two pieces by Hunter S. Thompson • Widescreen anamorphic format • Number of discs: 2 DVD Release Date: February 18, 2003 Keep Case Chapters 22	Release Information: Studio: Universal Studios Theatrical Release Date: May 22, 1998 Aspect Ratio(s): Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Discographic Information: DVD Encoding: Region 1 Edition Details: • Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only) • Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby, Widescreen • Production notes • Theatrical trailers • Deleted scenes • Spotlight on location (10 Minutes ) • Web links • Widescreen anamorphic format DVD Release Date: November 17, 1998 Keep Case Chapters 30
Comments:	I don't see a lot of difference in the image quality of these two DVDs but of course the Extras are all in favor of the Criterion Double disc set. NOTE: The promo "Spotlight on Location" (10 minutes) and Spanish and French subs are unique for Universal. Criterion wins the sound with a 5.1 soundtrack to the Universal's 2.0 . Personally I like the easier to read Universal menus... but that is just me. Fans of the film should obviously get the Criterion. Casual viewers the Universal. *- Gary W. Tooze*