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Region 4 Winners and Losers

Region 4 Winners and Losers

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Explanatory Notes
Additions or corrections (Please refer to the Explanatory Notes before emailing an addition or correction to this listing)
Title Best
Brotherhood of the Wolf (Pacte des Loups, Le)R1C
    Never before have I made so many references to other versions of a disc as I have in the course of this review. This was for a reason, as I feel that this disc more so than most others presents the sometimes true battle between regions, this time between our Region 4 and the Region 1 Canadian 3 disc set.

    For all intents and purposes, there are three versions of this film available. They are the Region 1 US disc, the Region 2 HMV Exclusive 2 disc version (as we now have here in Region 4) and the Region 1 Canadian 3 disc Director's Cut disc that mirrors the Region 2 French 3 disc set, although the Region 1 Canadian version features (thankfully) English subtitles. There are various other single disc versions available worldwide, but these three versions would be the most common. So much was my anticipation of this title that I even seriously considered purchasing the Region 2 French 3 disc version of the film even though it featured no English subtitles in any part of the film. Eventually, saner heads prevailed but it was a real temptation.

    For this disc, I think it would be better if we detailed the contents and merits of each version on their own rather than the traditional Region vs Region format. What you see here and what you yourself find important will determine what version you might choose to take advantage of.

Region 1 US single disc version

  • French and English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio options
  • Animated menus with audio
  • Scene Selections with 20 selectable chapters
  • English and Spanish subtitles
  • Cast and Crew Biographies
  • Cast and Crew Filmographies
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 5 Deleted Scenes
  • Production Notes
    This version of the film is reported to be the shortest of all the versions (although others describe this version as near identical to the Director's Cut) with various scenes not available in this cut which would become available in the Director's Cut of the film. As is the case with some of the cuts made to the U.K. versions of this film, the omissions that affect the Region 1 US disc are reported to be for pacing reasons and are not related to censorship. The additions made to the Director's Cut enhance the film, but are not essential to it.

Region 2 UK HMV Exclusive 2 Disc Set and Region 4 2 Disc Set (as we have here)

  • Animated Menus with audio
  • French Dolby Digital 2.0 surround encoded audio
  • English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio
  • English subtitles
  • Theatrical Trailer (English language)
  • The Legend featurette. A history of the story of The Beast of Gévaudan
    And on Disc 2:
  • The Making of The Brotherhood of the Wolf - The Guts of the Beast featurette
  • Deleted Scenes (total of 5 plus unused footage collage)
  • Filmographies of Cast and Director
  • Storyboards of 6 scenes
  • Interviews with Main Cast and Director
    Also included in the U.K. disc is a 24 page booklet featuring details of the production and story of the film. It isn't known whether this will be included in the Region 4 release of this disc. This version features a much better video compression job in comparison the the Region 1 Canadian 3 disc set with less MPEG artefacts (especially pixelization) visible. Edge enhancement is also less noticeable on the Region 2 / 4 version compared to the Region 1 Canadian disc. The main issue with the Region 2 U.K. / Region 4 disc set is the lack of French Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. With the film's original language track only available in the substandard 2 channel format with no more than old fashioned ProLogic able to create any surround presence, this disc fails to live up to both the capabilities of the DVD format nor the complete and encompassing audio immersion required by the film and intended by the filmmakers.

Region 1 Canada 3 Disc Collectors' Edition (Director's Cut)

  • French dts 5.1 audio
  • French Dolby Digital 5.1 audio
  • English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio
  • French Director's Commentary in Dolby Digital 2.0 (French audio only, no subtitles)
  • Actor's Commentary in Dolby Digital 2.0 (French audio only, no subtitles)
  • French and English subtitles
  • Animated menus with audio
     And on Disc 2:
  • Les Entrailles (The Guts) - Making of Brotherhood of the Wolf featurette
  • La Legende (The Legend) interview with author Michel Louis featurette
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Cast and Crew Filmographies
  • DVD-Rom Content
    And on Disc 3:
  • Behind the scenes featurette
  • Storyboards
  • Photo Gallery
  • More DVD-Rom Content
    This disc stands out not only because of the numerous extras available, but because of the inclusion of both dts and Dolby Digital tracks in the original French. This puts this disc far and away ahead of its two rivals in the content and audio stakes. The downside of all the audio tracks that are made available on this version is the lack of space on a disc that runs for approximately 152:00 (NTSC). This results in a compromised video compression job that leads to an overabundance of MPEG artefacts, especially pixelization. An upside is that the print used to commit the film to disc is very clean. Also niggling is the lack of English subtitles on both commentaries. While all other extras on this disc feature French audio with automatic English subtitles, the omission of English commentary subtitles robs a vast audience of the chance to hear more insights from those connected to the production of the film.

    For those whom are interested in what's the latest, this is what's on the 4th disc. As is the case with the original Region 2 French 3 disc version, there are no English language or subtitle options.

Disc 4 of the French 4 disc Ultimate Edition

    This edition is essentially the same as the 3 disc version, but offers a fourth disc with some additional reference material on the history of the 'Beast' and the making and promotion of the film in both Europe and the United States.

    Available on this 4th disc is:

  • La Bête du Gévaudan  (The Beast of Gévaudan) 1967 black and white featurette.
  • Prèsentation du Film featurette 
  • Interview with Christophe Gans by J-P. Jackson
  • Featurette on the promotion of the film 
  • 3 U.S. Trailers
  • Poster Gallery
  • 8 clips from the official web site

    So - my verdict? At the end of the day I would have to select the Region 1 Canadian 3 disc set as the clear winner. Yes, the Region 1 Canadian version does suffer from increased MPEG pixelization and more pronounced edge enhancement, but I believe this is countered by the inclusion of a spectacular French dts track that is a revelation. Some may feel that it is too loud and over the top, but it perfectly complements the goings-on on screen. The extras are comprehensive with almost every featurette that could be made about the film available. Also featured is an interesting booklet with more details about the making of the film. Our version is commendable in regards to its attention to detail in regards to the video compression job. Although the print used to commit the film to disc doesn't seem quite as clean as that used on the Region 1 Canadian version, it is still completely watchable. The extras provided, while not as complete as that of the Canadian version, are still commendable with some very interesting background and behind the scenes material available. While the Canadian version is the Director's Cut, our Region 4 version is a 'modified' version of the same with only the removal of the scenes pertaining to the character Bauterne, the King's Hunter. This, in my mind, didn't hamper the overall enjoyment of the film and seemed to speed up a film which is fairly long. The only issue I would have with the omission of all the scenes featuring Bauterne is the removal of Fronsac's dream sequence featuring Sylvia and the knife. This is covered in the making-of featurette (and shown in the Scene Selections Menu) and some viewers may find it strange to see the scene neither in the body of the film nor within the Deleted Scenes section of the extras disc. Also missing is Fronsac's creation of the fake beast as ordered by Bauterne. All other scenes added into the Director's Cut of the film remain intact and serve to enhance the story rather than change it. I found both versions acceptable. I haven't seen the Region 1 US version of the film (but will do so at the earliest possibe opportunity) so I cannot comment as to how its perhaps truncated form conveys the story.

      The major (and it is very major) downfall of the Region 4 2 disc set is the complete lack of a 5.1 mix of ANY description in the film's original language. This is a most disappointing omission as even a basic French Dolby Digital 5.1 mix would have sufficed. Or better yet, sacrifice the English 5.1 dub and present that in Dolby Digital 2.0. A disastrous choice on the part of the distributors that sadly leads me to wholeheartedly recommend the Region 1 Canada 3 disc version as the clear winner. Rent the Region 4 disc to see if you like the film and, should you find it to your liking (as I have), track down the 3 disc set. You will not be disappointed.