Donnie Brasco: Special Edition (US)
In 1978, the US government waged a war against organized crime. One man was left behind the lines
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 127 mins
Retail Price: $29.95
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
Posing as jewel broker Donnie Brasco, FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp) is granted entrance into the violent mob family of aging hitman Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino).
When his personal and professional lives collide, Pistone jeopardizes his marriage, his job, his life and, ultimately, the gangster mentor he has come to respect and admire.
From acclaimed director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral), and featuring an extraordinary supporting cast including Michael Madsen, Anne Heche, Bruno Kirby and James Russo, Donnie Brasco is "one terrific movie!" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Director`s Commentary
Exclusive Featurette "Donnie Brasco: Out From The Shadows"
Original Featurette
Deleted Scenes
Isolated Music Score
Theatrical Trailers
Weblink
Talent Files
Production Notes
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 Spanish
Dolby Digital 5.0 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 French
Subtitle Tracks:
French
English
Spanish
CC: English
Directed By:
Mike Newell
Written By:
Paul Attanasio
Richard Woodley
Joseph D. Pistone
Starring:
Anne Heche
James Russo
Bruno Kirby
Michael Madsen
Johnny Depp
Al Pacino
Casting By:
Louis DiGiaimo
Soundtrack By:
Patrick Doyle
Director of Photography:
Peter Sova
Editor:
Jon Gregory
Costume Designer:
David C. Robinson
Aude Bronson-Howard
Production Designer:
Brett Goldstein
Producer:
Gail Mutrux
Barry Levinson
Mark Johnson
Louis DiGiaimo
Executive Producer:
Patrick McCormick
Alan Greenspan
Distributor:
Columbia / Tristar
Your Opinions and Comments
This Special Edition of Donnie Brasco is everything that previous versions should have been, and more. The first thing that strikes you is the excellent anamorphic picture, which is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The print is clean, sharp and well balanced. The image is definitely a huge improvement over the non-anamorphic R2 disc.
Sound is also given an overhaul, and we are now treated to English tracks in Dolby Digital 5.0 and Dolby Surround, as well as French and Spanish surround tracks. In addition to this there is also an isolated musical score in 5.0. Dialogue is very clear, and the lack of a sub channel has no bearing on a film of this nature. Overall, the disc is very impressive sonically.
Extras are really the order of the day on this disc. As well as the aforementioned isolated score, we are treated to a director’s commentary from Mike Newell (of Four Weddings and a Funeral fame), two featurettes, deleted scenes (with optional commentary), theatrical trailers, web links, talent files and a photo library. This last extra shows a series of on set stills with accompanying music and dialogue from the film.
Donnie Brasco is one of those films that doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves. Everyone I know remembers Goodfellas, but Donnie Brasco has been somewhat forgotten along the way. It is a fantastic film though, Johnny Depp and Al Pacino are both incredible, and there is a strong supporting cast featuring stars like Michael Madsen and Anne Heche. This disc finally does the brilliance of the film justice. Buy it.