Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Blu-ray Johnny Depp

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

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.

Poster

Theatrical Release Date: May 22, 1998

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Comparison:

Universal Studios - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. UFA (German) - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal - Region 1 - NTSC

Big thanks to Gregory for all the DVD Screen Captures

1) Universal Region FREE Blu-ray - LEFT

2) UFA Region FREE Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Universal Studios Region FREE - Blu-ray	UFA / 101 Distribution Region FREE - Blu-ray	Criterion Collection Region 1 - NTSC	Universal Studios Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:58:28.601	1:58:07.789	1:58:24	1:58:16
Video	Disc Size: 36,192,653,001 bytes Feature Size: 33,929,588,736 bytes Total Bitrate: 30.86 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray VC-1	Disc Size: 24,251,193,282 bytes Feature Size: 20,893,882,368 bytes Total Bitrate: 23.58 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray VC-1	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: Universal Blu-ray
Bitrate: German Blu-ray
Bitrate: Criterion
Bitrate: Universal
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 4245 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4245 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS Audio French 768 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit	DTS-HD Audio English 2046 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2046 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) DTS-HD Audio German 2046 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2046 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (DTS)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
Subtitles	English, Danish, Finnish, French, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and none	English, German and none	English, and none	Spanish, French, English (captions) and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Universal Disc Size: 36,192,653,001 bytes Feature Size: 33,929,588,736 bytes Total Bitrate: 30.86 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray VC-1 Edition Details: • Deleted Scene (11:39 in SD) • Spotlight on Location (10:35 in SD) • Trailers / Previews BD-LIVE capable / D-Box motion enabled Blu-ray Release Date: February 2nd, 2010 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 30	Release Information: Studio: UFA Disc Size: 24,251,193,282 bytes Feature Size: 20,893,882,368 bytes Total Bitrate: 23.58 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray VC-1 Edition Details: • Deleted Scenes (11:42) • Depp Interview (4:57) • Del Toro Interview (:36) • Gilliam Interview (2:44) • Trailer / Previews Blu-ray Release Date: October 23rd, 2008 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 20	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Edition Details: • 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 Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 Edition Details: • 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:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were ripped directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Universal Blu-ray January 10': Depending on the system there may not be excessive visual differences in the two Blu-rays but if you look very closely you may see the superiority of the Universal. This newer edition is dual-layered (as opposed to single-layered) and hence has a higher video bitrate. It is occasionally sharper with a tad more depth. Colors differences appear negligible. The Universal may be marginally smoother in motion but for most this probably won't be a deal-breaker.

Audio seems a more significant bump over the German release with a strong DTS-HD Master 5.1 track at, a healthy, 4245 kbps. I found this notable in playback on my system with the North American transfer producing a more robust and deeper sound. There is a French DUB. The Universal has some Scandinavian subtitle options (among others like English) and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

The Criterion is still tops with the extras and we only get a deleted scene and 'Spotlight on Location' featurette (both in SD) running over 20-minutes in total. There are Previews, the disc is BD-LIVE functional and D-Box Motion enabled.

Great price on this for those that didn't get the UFA edition. This Universal Blu-ray looks and sounds top notch and the film is a ride you don't soon forget. Recommended!

***

ADDITION: UFA Home Video Blu-ray February 09': This is being distributed in the US from 101 Distribution that are taking some region-free Blu-ray titles from locations outside North America and exposing them, through Amazon, for purchase. It's not a bad idea as shipping across the pond from Germany, where this UFA single-layered Blu-ray originates, can be excessive for some reason (much more than, say, the UK or even France - I've never known why).

NOTE: I can confirm that the UFA Home Video Blu-ray is region free and will play on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

The Blu-ray image quality is demonstratively superior than either of the DVDs as the screen captures should easily bear out. Detail, colors and just about every facet of the visuals, including slightly more information in the frame, leans heavily to the hi-def release.

Audio get a beneficial bump to DTS-HD and a German DUB is optional. Both English and German subtitle choices are available.

This Blu-ray has some extras (in English) with Deleted Scenes (also found on the Criterion) and three short interviews with Depp, Del Toro and Gilliam. There are also some trailers. Criterion with the commentaries obviously eclipses the Blu-ray in the supplement department with the commentaries etc.

Bottom line is that it looks just too superior to pass up for this ad-hoc masterpiece. Fans should strongly consider indulging - it's close to watching a whole new film.

***

ON THE DVDs (from 2003): 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

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