The special edition version (as released in the UK and later here) was selected by
director Andrew Domink and producer Michele Bennet, and has some deleted scenes from the
film (including a fascinating long monologue by Chopper in his cell, that just didn't fit
into the rhythm of the film; one or two outtakes, and separate voice over commentaries by
Dominik and Mark Brandon Read himself, that provide insight into how the two different
people see the film.
In addition, there is A Weekend With Chopper, highlights from the hi-8 footage Andrew
shot when he and Eric went down to visit mark on his farm outside Hobart, before shooting
ever commenced. Chopper holds court with some anecdotes, which was a big influence on Eric
Bana's on-screen interpretation of the character.
"maximising returns to the distributor and
filmmaker"
The UK DVD is distributed by Metromedia – not Fox. And the Fox Home Entertainment,
as it is here. The strategy is aimed at maximising returns to the distributor and
filmmaker. Before you go snorting through your nose at the crass commercialism of this
policy, take a moment to consider the implications for Australia’s filmmakers.
By creating a rental-only platform prior to a sell-through platform of the DVD, Fox is
actually expanding the revenue potential of the film – without disadvantaging the
consumer. (Except for the impatient ones…) While no doubt those who are impatient to
get the full DVD version will import the DVD from the UK, the full version will be
available in Australia, too (around August).
In Australia, it has always been the rental business that was dominant; sell-through is
less profitable and less popular. Fox believes their strategy meets consumer demand as
well as satisfying commercial needs. The price that ‘rentailers’ pay for a
‘vanilla’ DVD (no extras) is actually higher than the price paid by consumers
for a ‘fully loaded’ DVD, reflecting the commercial value of a rental disc,
which will be rented many times during its life. Rental discs are not for sale to the
public.
"failed to inform the public"
Perhaps the biggest failure of DVD distributors is that they have failed to inform the
public of these strategies in a way that puts their policies in context.
