Sony again pulling out all the stops, continuing to do a superb job with their catalog releases in 4K UHD -- this spares fans having to buy a "Columbia Classics" multi-disc box-set for 1776, while also including some new archival material, like the laserdisc and theatrical versions on a new Blu-Ray special features disc.

I really never thought I'd be seeing that -- it even says they're including the Hunt/Joe Caps commentary (!) -- but they've done such a great job of late, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised.

Hopefully they get to THE DEEP. At this point they'd probably release the full 3-hour TV version!

Streets 5/31

DISC DETAILS & BONUS MATERIALS

• 1776 4K ULTRA HD DISC
  
  Includes both the 165-minute Director’s Cut and the 167-minute Extended Cut
  Both versions presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, with Dolby Atmos + 5.1 audio

• 1776 BLU-RAY FEATURE DISC
  
  Includes both the 165-minute Director’s Cut and the 167-minute Extended Cut
  Both versions presented in High Definition with 5.1 audio
  Special Features:
  Commentary with Peter H. Hunt, William Daniels & Ken Howard (Director’s Cut only)
  Commentary with Peter H. Hunt and Peter Stone (Director’s Cut only)
  Deleted & Alternate Scenes with Director Commentary
  9 Screen Tests
  Teaser & Theatrical Trailers

• 1776 BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURE DISC
  
  1972 Theatrical Version of the Film (presented in HD with original mono audio)
  1992 Laserdisc Version of the Film (presented in SD with stereo audio)
  Includes optional archival commentary featuring director Peter H. Hunt

My jaw is literally open to see that at long last the much maligned LD cut is FINALLY going to be given its proper due respect. And to even resurrect the Joe Caps commentary, which is the one where Hunt was more honest about matters? That's even more mindblowing.

Of course it may be no coincidence that this is coming about now that Hunt is no longer with us. He was the stumbling block for all those years in seeing this film done properly in its official release on DVD/Blu-Ray because of his shameful dissing of the LD and his disrespect for the fans who loved it.

I'd also imagine Grover Crisp -- or whoever at Sony is handling this release -- must've been wanting to include this previously, but didn't (because of Hunt I'd imagine). Something this obscure doesn't just show up in a release unless it's being advocated for by someone at the studio. I'd bet it's been on their list for a while, along with including the theatrical release, which none of us probably want, but is there for the historical record.

Hunt seems like he was a real blowhard, even if he did do a fine job directing what was on-screen.

I'll still have to keep my Blu-Ray boot reconstruction of the LD cut because this release will be in SD format (meaning letterboxed within a 4 x 3 window like the LD ports of the original SW trilogy releases) but I know that can't be avoided when drawing from the LD master. Since the boot does not have the Hunt/Joe Caps commentary though, it's still valuable for that reason alone in terms of long-term preservation.

Hunt's attitude over the years of just extending the middle finger to anyone who loved the LD and what it meant to us was the most infuriating thing about him. It sadly provoked a lot of bad feeling that wasn't necessary.