OLIVER STONE
By Jason O'Brien
jaobrien@charter.net









OLIVER STONE

DVD COLLECTOR'S SET
INFORMATION PAGE

Information Page on the Release
of the Oliver Stone DVD Gift Set

Oliver Stone has made a major leap forward into the new DVD technology, releasing the majority of his major films in brand new special editions, filled with new audio commentaries by the director, deleted footage, documentaries, and much more. A special Oliver Stone Gift Set has been released, containing the majority of his films, along with a brand new documentary. This web page provides a running history of the information as it became available leading up to the release of the DVD Set, as well as information about the DVD set itself.

January 17, 2001
The Gift Set Has Arrived!

Mine arrived from amazon.com this afternoon ... I haven't been able to watch anything in the pack yet, but just thought I'd send out the first update ... the DVDs have the same basic design ... all cover art framed in black with OLIVER STONE COLLECTION in white above the top of each title. As it looked like, TALK RADIO does not have any bonus features ... neither does U-TURN. Those two are the most bare bones of the releases in this package. THE DOORS is a 2-disc set with tons of bonus material ... ANY GIVEN SUNDAY is also a two-disc release with tons of additional material. JFK is a two-disc set as well ... NIXON is also a two-disc set, and it appears this is a true director's cut, with the extra scenes Stone showed at the end of the VHS release now edited into the film (can't wait to view it all as one piece) ... Stone commentaries are on WALL STREET, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, THE DOORS, JFK, HEAVEN AND EARTH, NATURAL BORN KILLERS, NIXON, and ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. HEAVEN AND EARTH, in addition to the items mentioned before, contains a 30 minute alternative opening to the film with music by Kitaro. The new documentary is also included, and does contain one of Stone's short films from when he was a student. All in all, this looks like a great set ... I was hoping for more extras on the TALK RADIO disc, but you can't have everything ...

January 16, 2001
The Release Day Has Arrived!

This is it ... the Oliver Stone gift sets are released today in stores nationwide ... online retailers should be delivering as I speak!

November 30, 2000
Platoon and Salvador Special Editions Coming Next Summer!

Two major titles from Stone's early film work are not included in the new DVD Gift Set to be released in January. Good news though this week ... word out of Stone's office is that Special Edition DVD's of his two 1986 films, Platoon and Salvador, will be released sometime in June 2001. This Platoon release will finally be the special edition disc containing the same material as the Pioneer laserdisc and the short-lived Live DVD release. I know that's great news for a lot of people who didn't pick up one of the Live DVDs when they were briefly on the market. The Salvador Special Edition DVD will include an audio commentary, deleted scenes (some said to be very funny), and a documentary by Charles Kiselyak who did the new documentary which will be included with the DVD Gift Pack.

November 28, 2000
Gift Sets Now Available For Pre-Order on Amazon.com!

Amazon.com is now officially taking pre-orders on its web site for both the 10-pack and 6-pack DVD sets. Their prices are the same as last week's quoted prices from dvd.com. The date of release is still confirmed for January 16, 2001. The 10-pack can be pre-ordered from amazon.com for $139.94, a 30% savings, while the 6-pack can be pre-ordered for a cost of $83.94, also a 30% savings off of retail.

November 21, 2000
Gift Sets Available for Sale Online!

One of the first online web sites offering pre-orders for the gift sets is dvd.com, which works with express.com in selling DVD's. They are selling the 10-pack for a substantial savings of more than $50 from the original retail price, taking pre-orders at a cost of $139.94. The 6-pack can be pre-ordered for $83.94. I would expect amazon.com to be offering pre-orders very soon, as well as the majority of online sites selling DVD's and videos.

November 14, 2000
Gift Set Release Officially Announced!

The official announcement has now been made! The Oliver Stone Gift Set will be released in two different collections on both VHS and DVD on January 16, 2001. Prebook for video stores is December 12. The Oliver Stone 6-pack will retail for $59.92 VHS and $119.92 DVD. The 10-pack will retail for $99.92 VHS and $199.92 DVD. Most online sites will most likely sell them for a little bit cheaper, but as of this date, no pre-orders are available from the major DVD retail sites, such as amazon.com.

Much more detail has now been made available about these gift sets, as well as the picture to the left of what the gift set will look like.

Conspiracy, Rock `n' Roll, Greed and All-American Football Come
Together January 16, With .

MULTI-TITLE, MULTI-STUDIO SALUTE IN CELEBRATION OF THE VISION OF
ACADEMY-AWARD® WINNING DIRECTOR OLIVER STONE

Six and 10-Movie Giftsets Include Stone's Most Groundbreaking Films,
Many With New Features,
Plus All-New Bonus Documentary Available Only In The Oliver Stone
Collection Giftsets

BURBANK, Calif., November 13, 2000 - Warner Home Video (WHV) salutes
the acclaim, genius and controversy that is Oliver Stone with the
arrival of the Oliver Stone Collection on VHS and DVD on January 16.
This tribute to the multiple Academy-AwardÒ winning director includes
enhanced versions of many of his most popular and critically
acclaimed films and an all-new, never-before-seen career
retrospective, "Oliver Stone's America," featured on a separate
cassette/disc in every gift pack.

Acknowledged as one of Hollywood's most controversial and respected
directors, Stone's films have consistently proved to be
thought-provoking, visually compelling works of art that have earned
him three Academy-AwardsÒ , three Golden Globes and numerous other
awards including the Directors Guild of America and Independent
Spirit.

The Museum of Modern Art in New York recently honored Stone with a
weeklong, mid-career retrospective titled "Oliver Stone, Filmmaker."
All of Stone's 14 feature-length films were screened (35mm prints)
including the premiere of the director's cut of "Any Given Sunday."

Stone's esteem as a pioneer in visionary filmmaking merited his being
honored with a collection that details his creative genius. The
Oliver Stone Collection includes: "Any Given Sunday Special Edition
Director's Cut" (a new DVD double-disc set), "JFK Special Edition
Director's Cut," (a new DVD double-disc set), "Heaven and Earth" (new
to DVD) and "Natural Born Killers," plus Universal's "Talk Radio" and
"Born on the Fourth of July" (Academy-AwardÒ winner for Best
Director), "Wall Street" (Fox), "Nixon" (a new DVD double-disc set
from Hollywood Pictures), "U-Turn" (Columbia/TriStar), "The Doors" (a
new DVD double-disc set from Artisan) and the bonus documentary
"Oliver Stone's America."

The documentary "Oliver Stone's America" gives an in-depth look at
the award-winning writer/producer/director's movie legacy and
includes film clips, interviews with colleagues and behind-the-scenes
footage of his numerous titles. This career retrospective is only
available as part of the Oliver Stone Collection.

"We are thrilled to offer these exceptional gift sets celebrating the
extraordinary contribution of this distinguished filmmaker," said
Mark Horak, WHV senior vice president, marketing. "This collection
will provide film fans with a collection that will last a lifetime."

Individual titles in the Oliver Stone Collection will be available
for purchase (excluding the "Any Given Sunday Special Edition
Director's Cut" DVD), and most of the Collection's DVD titles include
new, special added features such as commentaries, rare documentaries,
outtakes and extended scenes.

The four Warner VHS titles in the collection, "Any Given Sunday,"
"JFK," "Natural Born Killers" and "Heaven and Earth," will include
new digital transfers and original theatrical trailers. The "Any
Given Sunday" double-disc DVD can be found only in the Oliver Stone
Collection and includes added features such as two full-length
commentaries and more than 12 deleted/extended scenes in addition to
those features found on the single DVD now available. For the first
time ever, the DVD version of "JFK" will have extra features not
available on the current DVD. "Natural Born Killers" includes an
added interview between Oliver Stone and Charlie Rose not available
on the current version. And, for the first time ever, "Heaven and
Earth" is available on DVD with audio commentary by Stone as well as
deleted/extended scenes.

THE OLIVER STONE COLLECTION (VHS)

6-Movie Giftset Priced at $59.92 SRP:

"Any Given Sunday Special Edition Director's Cut," "Born on the
Fourth of July," "The Doors," "JFK Special Edition Director's Cut,"
"Natural Born Killers," "Wall Street" and career retrospective,
"Oliver Stone's America."

10-Movie Giftset Priced at $99.92 SRP:

"Any Given Sunday Special Edition Director's Cut," "Born on the
Fourth of July," "The Doors," "Heaven and Earth," "JFK Special
Edition Director's Cut," "Natural Born Killers," "Nixon," "Talk
Radio,"

"U-Turn," "Wall Street" and career retrospective, "Oliver Stone's
America."

THE OLIVER STONE COLLECTION (DVD)

6-Movie Giftset Priced at $119.92 SRP:

"Any Given Sunday Special Edition Director's Cut" Deluxe Double-Disc
Set, "Born on the Fourth of July," "The Doors," "JFK Special Edition
Director's Cut," "Natural Born Killers," "Wall Street," and career
retrospective, "Oliver Stone's America."

10-Movie Giftset Priced at $199.92 SRP:

"Any Given Sunday Special Edition Director's Cut" Deluxe Double-Disc
Set, "Born on the Fourth of July," "The Doors," "Heaven and Earth,"
"JFK Special Edition Director's Cut," "Natural Born Killers,"
"Nixon," "Talk Radio," "U-Turn," "Wall Street," and career
retrospective, "Oliver Stone's America."



THE OLIVER STONE COLLECTION SPECIAL VHS/DVD FEATURES



*These features are new and unavailable on the current title


"ANY GIVEN SUNDAY SPECIAL EDITION DIRECTOR'S CUT"
Synopsis
Life is a contact sport and football is life when director/co-write
Stone and a stellar cast including AL PACINO, CAMERON DIAZ, DENNIS
QUAID, JAMIE FOXX, JAMES WOODS and LL COOL J depict the rocky
fortunes of a beleaguered pro franchise.

Supplemental VHS Features for "Any Given Sunday Collector's Edition"


* Six minutes not in domestic theatrical release.

* LL Cool J music video "Shut em' Down."

* Gag reel and football outtake montage.

* Original theatrical trailer.

Supplemental DVD Features
* Deluxe Double Disc-Set.

* More than 6 minutes of footage not seen in North American theaters.
* Behind-the-scenes HBO documentary "Full Contact: The Making of Any
Given Sunday."
* LL Cool J music video "Shut em' Down."


* Two feature-length audio commentaries -- one with Stone and the
other with

Jamie Foxx.

* More than a dozen deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary
by Stone.

* Two additional music videos featuring Jamie Foxx, "Any Given
Sunday" and

"My Name is Willy."

* Jamie Foxx audition tape and screen tests.

* Instant replay feature allows direct access to game action scenes.

* Gag reel and football outtake montage.

* Photography and advertising materials gallery.

* Music only track.

* Original theatrical trailer and sampler trailers


Available In
* 6-Movie and 10-Movie VHS/DVD Oliver Stone Collection Giftsets
* Only VHS version available as single




*These features are new and unavailable on the current title
"JFK SPECIAL EDITION DIRECTOR'S CUT"
Synopsis
This stunning recreation of President John F. Kennedy's 1963
assassination and ex-DA Jim Garrison's subsequent investigation
earned Stone two Academy-AwardsÒ . KEVIN COSTNER heads a monumental
cast in this unforgettable epic.
Supplemental VHS Features
* New digital transfers.

* Original theatrical trailers.
Supplemental DVD Features
* 17 minutes of footage not seen in North American theaters.

* Double disc-set.

* New digital transfer in remixed Dolby 5.1 Surround.

* Feature-length audio commentary by Stone.

* Deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary by Stone.

* Interview with Fletcher Prouty, ex-government official who inspired

Donald Sutherland's character.

* Multimedia essays updating the debate on the Kennedy assassination.

* Biographies and filmographies.

* Original theatrical trailer.
Supplemental DVD-ROM Features
* Web links to related sites.

* Additional essays on the JFK assassination and Stone's movies.

* Trailer sampler of other Stone movies.

* Other related web links, including future live screening/online
chat event.

* Exclusive second Stone commentary that links from the Internet to
the DVD.
Available In
* 6-Movie and 10-Movie VHS/DVD Oliver Stone Collection Giftsets
* VHS and DVD singles available

"HEAVEN AND EARTH" - (NEW TO DVD)
Synopsis
This powerful Vietnam saga tells the story of a man who fought to
survive and a woman who endured the struggle. This poignant tale
stars TOMMY LEE JONES, JOAN CHEN, HAING S. NGOR and DEBBIE REYNOLDS.
Supplemental VHS Features
* New digital transfers.
* Original theatrical trailers


Supplemental DVD Features
* New digital transfer in remixed Dolby 5.1 Surround.
* Feature-length audio commentary by Stone.
* Deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary by Stone.
* Filmographies of Jones, Chen and Ngor; Biography of Stone.
* Original theatrical trailer.

Supplemental DVD-ROM Features
N/A


Available In
* 10-Movie VHS/DVD Oliver Stone Collection Giftsets
* VHS and DVD singles available




*These features are new and unavailable on the current title
"NATURAL BORN KILLERS"
Synopsis
WOODY HARRELSON, JULIETTE LEWIS, ROBERT DOWNEY JR. and TOMMY LEE
JONES headline director Oliver Stone's powerful, gut-grabbing look at
the media spin on our violent society.
Supplemental VHS Features
* New digital transfers
* Original theatrical trailers.


Supplemental DVD Features
* Charlie Rose interview with Oliver Stone.

* New Digital Transfer in Remixed Dolby 5.1 Surround.
* Documentary "Chaos Rising: The Storm Around Natural Born Killers."
* Feature-length audio commentary by Stone.
* Deleted scenes and alternate ending with optional commentary by
Stone.
* Filmographies of Harrelson, Lewis, Downey and Jones; Biography of
Stone.
* Original theatrical trailer.


Supplemental DVD-ROM Features
N/A


Available In
* 6-Movie and 10-Movie VHS/DVD Oliver Stone Collection Giftsets
* VHS and DVD singles available
"OLIVER STONE'S AMERICA" - ALL-NEW BONUS DOCUMENTARY
Synopsis
This all-new documentary takes an in-depth look at Stone's
extraordinary movie legacy and includes clips, interviews with Stone
and behind-the-scenes footage. An added bonus is one of Stone's
student films, "Last Year In Viet Nam."
Available Only In
All Oliver Stone Collection Giftsets

November 4, 2000
Update!

Well, it looks like the Oliver Stone Gift Set DVD will not be released in time for this holiday season. The latest official date I've gotten from insiders close to Stone is for January 2001, possibly January 14. Warner Bros. needed more time to get clearances for the OLIVER STONE'S AMERICA documentary which will be included in the box set (and in fact, the only way you can get the new documentary is by buying the set). "Last Year in Vietnam" will be the only Stone student film to be included, as Warner Bros. couldn't get the other 2 cleared for the actors and music involved. So even though some individual titles may be released before Christmas, I think it's worth waiting for the gift set to get them all at once.

October 20, 2000
Some Individual Titles Coming Out Early

It appears that some of the individual titles that will eventually be included in the DVD Gift Pack will be released early. There are confirmed dates for the following Special Edition DVDs ... BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY on October 31, with the most notable additional feature being an audio commentary by Stone. THE DOORS 2-disc Special Edition had originally been announced for release before Christmas, but its date was pushed to February, long past when the gift set is supposed to be released. TALK RADIO is currently available on DVD, but it looks like a bare-bones release, without any major additional features, and I'm assuming the one in the DVD Gift Set will contain more extras. The WALL STREET disc has been announced for November 7, containing a making of documentary and audio commentary by Stone. So it appears they will release some before the rest of the titles in the gift set are completed.

July 16, 2000
Initial Announcement

Great news! It's official ... Oliver Stone is recording numerous audio commentary tracks for a massive cross-studio promotion this fall of DVD special editions of nearly every one of his movies. Stone is also providing and supervising the addition of hours of supplemental footage for movies such as JFK and Wall Street.

Stone is one of a growing number of top directors and stars who are very excited about telling their war stories of movie production as well as showing off scenes that were cut from their films. Special Edition DVD's are perfect for that.

The Oliver Stone Gift Set, which will feature 10 special editions and a separate DVD disc that includes an original documentary by Charles Kiselyak called Oliver Stone's America, is being spearheaded by Warner Home Video. Artisan Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Video, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and Columbia Tristar Home Video are adding their Stone-directed movies to the collection. MGM is not involved, so unfortunately, Platoon and Salvador will not be included. MGM recently paid about $225 million to separate itself from Warner, so that probably explains why they're not excited to get involved in a Warner controlled promotion. Word has it however that MGM will release a special edition of Salvador after the gift set is released which will include some great deleted scenes and some additional bonus material. Before the gift set is released, MGM is also scheduled to release Platoon on DVD, but without the numerous extras that accompanied the quick LIVE release which was quickly taken off the market after its initial release.

Here's some of the more detailed information about the titles to be included (most titles will include commentaries by Oliver Stone, and are tentatively scheduled for release in the fall of 2000 -- no price information is currently available):

Born on the Fourth Of July

The Doors

Heaven and Earth
(will also include 50 minutes of deleted footage)

JFK
Will be a double disc set, a 200 minute director's cut, 190 minutes of video on the second disc including more than 45 minutes of deleted scenes, a documentary will be included, there will be a new online link to JFK documents through Oliver Stone's web site (sounds like a kick ass release!)

Nixon
Will also be a double disc set, with numerous extras, including deleted scenes

Talk Radio
First widescreen transfer ever of that film

U-Turn

Wall Street
Will include a documentary, commentary by Stone and Michael Douglas (rumor of deleted scenes also)

Any Given Sunday
A director's cut will be released on Sept 1, but the title included on this 2-disc set will include commentary tracks, and several other additional features


This Page Last Updated:
11/18/2001

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