Eric Cotenas

Reissued in October 2018

Disc Size: 46,022,412,505 bytes

Feature: 34,378,718,592 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.94 Mbps

Disc Size: 48,869,689,991 bytes

Feature: 33,273,219,072 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps

• Audio commentary with director Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels
• 'The House on Cheesman Park' - The Haunting True Story of The Changeling (17:31)
• 'The Music of The Changeling' – Interview with Music Arranger Kenneth Wannberg (8:59)
• 'Building The House of Horror' – Interview with Art Director Reuben Freed (10:56)
• 'The Psychotronic Tourist' – The Changeling (16:02)
• 'Master of Horror Mick Garris on The Changeling' (5:31)
• Trailer (2:18), TV Spot (0:29)
• Reversible sleeve with new artwork by Christopher Shy and original poster artworks

Original Soundtrack CD
40 page perfect-bound booklet with new essay by Kevin Lyons, original production notes and archive on-set interview
Double-sided poster featuring new artwork by Christopher Shy and original poster artwork

Blu-ray Release Date: August 13th, 2018

Rigid slipcase  Blu-ray

Chapters 16

• Stills Gallery (8:52)
 

Original Soundtrack CD

Blu-ray Release Date: August 7th, 2018

Custom Blu-ray case

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

ADDITION: Severin (August 2018):

NOTE:  this is the Severin Limited Edition, but there is also a 'standard' Blu-ray edition HERE., that appears not to include the CD soundtrack (LE cited as "Only 5,000 units with a bonus Embossed Slip Cover and CD Soundtrack!").

UPDATE (10/10/18): "When fixing the audio, Severin did a new encode of the
video and inadvertently used their copy of the master pre-cleanup of the
scratches and cue marks present on the negative. Check back here for any
response." (sent in email by Kerry - thanks!)

This appears to be almost the exact same technical transfer (also 4K-restored) and extras as the Second Sight. It has the same running time to the 1/1000th of a second. But colors have a shift and the Severin's are cooler with the Second Sight's being warmer and richer (see Scott's red sweater). It's a minor difference in the large scheme of things but we do like, even slight, differences. There is no difference in the frame but the pixels have moved around a bit (see chimney in the second large capture). So, to list the disparity:

1) Slightly different color representation (see matched captures below) but also a max'ed out bitrate on a dual-layered Blu-ray disc. We've included 4 matched captures below.

2) Severin audio also offers lossy DUB options (Spanish, Italian, German) but like the Second Sight also has lossless 2.0 and 5.1 channel (but only 16-bit)

3) Severin extras include a stills gallery

4) Different positioning of English (SDH) subtitles - see sample below

5) Different cover art / packaging

Also a great set - some may prefer the addition of the stills gallery while some may prefer the 24-bit audio over the 16-bit. It's great to have choices - the film gets better every time you see it! Also strongly recommended!

***

(July 2018) - Second Sight's Blu-ray is cited as a "Brand new 4K scan and restoration". It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and the 1080P image is a significant advancement over the 2002 DVD. I suspect that it will be, pretty much, the same package (same extras, transfer etc.) as the Severin Limited Edition, but there is also a 'standard' Blu-ray edition HERE. We will eventually verify this. In the new 4K-restoration skin tones warm, detail rises, there is more information in the frame and colors become richer (see Scott's red sweater.) The captures tell you as much as I can about the superiority excepting that it is also lovely in-motion. It's a dynamite image in, and around, the 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

Audio gives the option of a linear PCM 2.0 channel track or a robust 5.1 surround bump via a DTS-HD Master - both at 24-bit. There are some very spooky effects - creaking doors, distant music and child-like noises that come through very effectively via the uncompressed adding depth and separation (in the case of the surround). There is also a good score by Rick Wilkins, who did a few TV series after The Changeling. It can be quite subtle but works wonderfully well. There are optional English subtitles (SDH) - see sample -  on the Region FREE Blu-ray.

There are plenty of extras included starting with the audio commentary with director Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels discussing many of the production facets, the performers (Medak's fear of Scott's reputation and an interesting story regarding chess), the storyline and generally revealing details about directing The Changeling. There are five featurettes; 'The House on Cheesman Park' is fascinating 17-minutes about the true story of The Changeling and the haunted house it is based upon. We get a 9-minute piece on 'The Music of The Changeling' which amount to an interview with arranger Kenneth Wannberg. 'Building The House of Horror' is an 11-minute interview with Art Director Reuben Freed discussing the film's precise look and feel. 'The Psychotronic Tourist' – The Changeling runs over 1/4 hour and is produced by Severin and has a fun edge to it. 'Master of Horror Mick Garris talks about The Changeling' for about 5.5 minutes. There is also a trailer and TV Spot accessible on the dual-layered Blu-ray. The package has a reversible sleeve with new artwork by Christopher Shy plus some original, double-sided, poster artwork a swell as a second disc original soundtrack CD, and a 40 page perfect-bound booklet with new essay by Kevin Lyons, original production notes and archive on-set interview.

One of the best of the Canadian-made, haunted-house, horror films and it has many unforgettable, frighteningly creepy, scenes. The 4K-restored Blu-ray package is outstanding - a max'ed out transfer, two audio options, commentary, many featurettes, a book - beautiful package - fans should buy with extreme confidence. Very strongly recommended!

1) Second Sight - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Severin - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM