A Nightmare on Elm Street: DVD review R1 vs. R1 SE

[captainjoe]

First released in 1999 as both a 8-disc boxset (with all films and a bonus disc), Nightmare on Elm Street had a
fairly good premiere on DVD. Although fans missed the 30 minutes worth of deleted scenes from the Elite LD
(released in 1996, still a kick-ass LD), the DVD faithfully included the excellent commentary. Truly it was
a worthy disc that fans were proud to have in their collection.

That doesn't conclude Freddy's life in DVD. Sure there were the DVDs of the sequels but on September 26th 2006,
New Line Cinema finally answered the calls of the fans with the Nightmare on Elm Street Infinifilm 2-disc special edition.



Video Quality

Well here's the good news, the movie looks absolutely pristine as far as DVD is considered. Never have I seen
Freddy appear so sharp. Colours appear more accurate with less pinkish hues and red shades. White areas, such
as lights no longer have a red glaze over them (cap #7). Overall the colours seem well-balanced (cap #10).
Here's what I guess some may consider the bad news. One thing that some fans have questioned is the
colour-timing on the dream sequences. During these moments a blue tint has been added, which reminds me of a
certain scene in one of the James Bond Ultimate Editions. This could be different from the theatrical presentation.
I am not sure if the colour was supervised by one of the creators. Nevertheless, the new transfer is greatly
improved. The Matrix DVD re-issue had a similar change adding green during scenes within the matrix.
The whole image is a lot sharper, bubbles in cap #8, making objects more defined.
The framing now appears more accurate. The 1999 transfer window-boxed the main title sequence adding
more picture information on the bottom and top (cap #2). This time the frame has been kept in its 1.85:1 format
for the titles. I am not 100% sure if this was how it looked in theatres, perhaps someone else out there knows.
Overall I am very glad with what New Line has done with the restoration of this film. It's sharper, balanced and
100% free of dirt and debris!



Restoration Comparisons
Top: New Line Cinema's 1999 DVD (boxset version)
Bottom: New Line Cinema's 2006 DVD (infinifilm special edition)

cap #1



cap #2



cap #3



cap #4



cap #5



cap #6



cap #7



cap #8



cap #9



cap #10



cap #11



cap #12




Audio Quality

New Line gives us everything we want out of DVD. Here for NOES is a 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound track, an
original mono track which represents the original theatrical audio presentation and big one, 6.1 DTS ES
audio! But, unfortunately if you live in Canada like myself, you get a lovely 2.0 French track instead of the
glorious DTS track. Let's just say I didn't celebrate when I got home and realized the DVD had no DTS track!
Anyway, the 5.1 is really great. It beats out the old mix from 1999 with stronger bass and great use of all 5
speakers. But it isn't as good as a DTS track could provide. Having not heard the track myself I cannot comment
on the quality of the DTS. I can say I've read reviews stating it's a very well made track. I'm just so annoyed
I missed out. The mono track is clean and clear and it's a great representation of the original theatrical audio.

[captainjoe]

Supplementary Materials

Disc One:

Audio Essay:
This newly edited discussion with Wes Craven, Robert Shaye, Jim Doyle (effects technician), Sarah Risher
(co-producer), Rick Shayne (editor), Robert Englund, David DelValle (film historian), Ronnie Blakely and Marge
Thompson, Jacques Haitkin, Heather Lagenkamp, and others is very informative. However, one needs to
show a lot of enthusiasm and interest when listening as there is a lot of discussion and analysis. This is similar
to an essay which is why they must have advertised it as this.

Archive Commentary:
The audio commentary recorded in 1996 for Elite's LD is also featured on this disc. It features director Wes
Craven, Director Of Photography Jacques Haitkin and actors Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon.
Craven has the most to say, offering explanation as to where some of the ideas came from, trivia facts and
behind the scenes information. Haitkin speaks more about each shot's technical sides while Langenkamp
and Saxon discuss what it was like working with each other and the other actors. Generally an informative
commentary with good retrospective thoughts from each individual.

Infinifilm Feature:
I haven't watched this personally but I did skip through it a bit. Similar to other Infinifilm discs, pop-up
screens feature links to some of the supplements available in the set. One thing not available elsewhere is
a whole bunch of Alternate Takes of many scenes. There is also an accompying fact track.




Disc Two:



The House that Freddy Built: The Legacy of New Line Horror

This 20 minute documentary goes into extreme detail about New Line's horror movies and how Freddy pretty
much started their company. It features many actors, directors and producers recollecting. This documentary
was very entertaining as a look at all the horror films that New Line Cinema has brought to the table and
no one ever forgets what franchise started it all. This is one of the Beyond the Movie features and one of the best
I've ever seen on an Infinifilm title.






Night Terrors: The Origins Of Wes Craven's Nightmare

Here we have a documentary focusing on nightmares and dreams. Many specialists pop up to talk and offer their
knowledge. Subjects such as the inspiration for the film is talked about at great length. During the running time
I was intrigued and amazed at the degree of information provided about why we do dream. This is part of
the Beyond the Movie features.





Alternate Endings

There are three alternate endings. Some were found on the earlier release but this time they have been
edited together in a much better way and have even been digitally restored with breath-taking results!

Top: Newly remastered scene
Bottom: Original un-restored scene






Never Sleep Again – The Making Of A Nightmare On Elm Street

This new 50 minute documentary has been newly created for this DVD and the final results are great. This
feature is very entertaining and offers the recollections of many actors and producers of the film. It's one
of the best documentaries I've seen. It's not overly long either clocking in at just under an hour. This truly
definitive making of documentary for the film discusses Craven's inspirations for the film and how
he got New Line to greenlit it. We also uncover the on-set experience and how the conditions grew quite harsh
at times. Eventually we see the final results and the box-office smash A Nightmare on Elm Street became.







Trivia Challenge:
There's a fun and sometimes difficult trivia challenge included on this DVD. It's similar to other DVD
trivia games.





Theatrical Trailers
Thankfully, the original trailers are included and even they've been remastered.

Top: Original disc
Bottom: New disc





I recommend this as an upgrade. Better audio, video and many supplements.

Feature: 8/10

Video: 7/10
Audio: 6/10
Extras: 8/10

[Markgway]

A lot of the caps aren't showing up for me...

[bradavon]

Nice work thanks CJ.

I'm sure I read somewhere over at DVDTimes.co.uk in their review that either/both the Mono or 5.1 has new foley effects.

As for no DTS personally I'd take it back and order the USA DVD.

[captainjoe]

A lot of the caps aren't showing up for me...

happened to me once as well. Just try closing the browser or refresh, maybe because there are lots of them?

I was actually thinking about getting the US release. Bad news is I no longer have the receipt but I could always sell it to a friend or something. Or give it away as a B-day gift.

[bradavon]

happened to me once as well. Just try closing the browser or refresh, maybe because there are lots of them?

I bet it's that. The same for me too.

I was actually thinking about getting the US release. Bad news is I no longer have the receipt but I could always sell it to a friend or something. Or give it away as a B-day gift.

If you exchange it surely they won't be too fussy about no receipt? It works that way in the UK and I noticed the States too, most Western countries I suspect.

[Markgway]

The mono is a downmix on both versions isn't it?

[Markgway]

Is it me or does the 1999 image look better?

Look at Cap 4. The Infini looks blurred.

And there's some MAJOR colour tampering going on.

Reds have been desaturated completely and blues added where there were none.

WTF??

New Line have screwed up the film that built their house so to speak...

[EvaUnit02]

Reportedly the original DVD's transfer was supervised by the film's cinematographer.
(I can't remember where I read that, maybe over at DVDtalk or the HTF.)

Sound effects are missing in the new edition.

There is one major problem with the remixes, however, going beyond my generalised distaste for tracks which mess around with the original soundtrack. As a post on DVD Talk has revealed, several things are missing from the remixes and from what is allegedly the 'original mono track'. These are mostly some of the 'stinger' sound effects but some other effects are missing too. The mono track contains the ripping sound when Tina removes Freddy's face but not the other omissions. This indicates that the mono track is simply a downmix from the remixed 5.1 track and not the original track at all. In other words, soundtrack-wise, the disc is a mess.
(source= dvdtimes)

[captainjoe]

Wow I didn't know that.

[Markgway]

Is the MONO on the old R1 release original?

The old UK release only has 5.1.

[bradavon]

Is the MONO on the old R1 release original?

It seems so.

I'd still opt for the R1 USA SE though

p.s - Thanks for the heads up on the Canadian cock up CJ.

[EvaUnit02]

Canadians get shafted on DVDs surprisingly quite often. I.e. distributors make changes (which differ from the US release) without telling anyone and have been known to delay releases for no apparent reason.

They have to accommodate the Qeubec Frenchy dialect arseholes. Basically the main reason why DTS tracks are so often left off R2/4 releases in favour of the zillion different European dubs.

[bradavon]

They have to accommodate the Qeubec Frenchy dialect arseholes. Basically the main reason why DTS tracks are so often left off R2/4 releases in favour of the zillion different European dubs.

It makes no sense for Canadian DVDs as 1 extra French soundtrack usually takes naff all space.

[captainjoe]

Completed

[bradavon]

WOW nice work there CJ. I'm impressed.

Okay Okay you've convinced me to pick this up . I've very little interest in the sequels anyway. It will go nicely with my Halloween 2 Disc SE.

[captainjoe]

Glad I could persuade you.