Back to the Future Trilogy is coming...

[Katatonia]

Exclusive: Proof that Back to the Future is Coming to Blu-ray (http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Exclusive-Proof-that-Back-to-the-Future-is-Coming-to-Blu-ray/6873)

It "looks like" the BTTF Trilogy will be coming to Blu-ray by year's end from Universal.

[Hellbilly]

They had BTTF street dates for the German blu-ray releases by year's end listed at some German site since April. It didn't appear 'official' to me but I guess I was wrong.
I never bought the DVD sets so I'll just grab these when available.

[Shannafey]

I never bought the DVD sets and have been watching the first one on AMC in HD. I didn't remember how much I loved this film. A definite Blu Ray purchase!!

[Nailwraps]

BIG NEWS! THE TRILOGY ON BLU HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED!!!!!!!:

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4800

"July 3, 1985 was the premiere of Robert Zemeckis's hugely successful Back to the Future. Today, almost twenty-five years later, Universal Studios Home Entertainment has officially announced the Blu-ray release of Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy for October 26, confirming early information from European retailers (see blu-ray.com, June 18). This edition will be newly-restored and offer more than two hours of new bonus features.

Video will be 1080p, with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Audio will be 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The discs will be single-sided BD50s.

Special features include:
U-Control (BD-exclusive):
Setups & Payoffs: As you watch each of the three films, each "set up" showcases items in the scene that prepare you for a future plot point. When you get to that moment in the film, the "payoff" is shown to complete the correlation.
Storyboard Comparison: Compare key scenes in the movie with the original storyboards.
Trivia Track: Get inside trivia and facts while you watch the movies
Q&A commentaries with director Robert Zemeckis and producer Bob Gale
Feature commentaries with producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton
Back to the Future Night: hosted by Leslie Nielson, this original 30-minute special aired on NBC prior to the first television screening of the Back to the Future (new, BD-exclusive)
Tales from the Future: new six-part retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Director Robert Zemeckis, Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton, plus Executive Producer Steven Spielberg*
In the Beginning...: Delve into the genesis of the project, casting, re-casting, the DeLorean, sets and overall pre-production.
Time to Go: Production stories through the release of the first film.
Keeping Time: The score and the songs of the Back to the Future Trilogy.
Time Flies: Learn more about how the sequel came about, the futuristic look, the special and visual effects, recreating 1955 and more.
Third Time's the Charm: Learn about building a western town, Doc Brown's love story, the casting of Mary Steenburgen, the train sequence and completing the Trilogy.
The Test of Time: Back to the Future becomes a phenomenon! President Reagan quotes the film, the Back to the Future ride opens at Universal Studios theme park and fans rebuild the iconic DeLorean. The film's cast and crew take a look back and discuss why these beloved movies live on.
The Physics of Back to the Future: A discussion with celebrity best-selling author and physicist Dr. Michio Kaku about the overall appreciation of the science in the Back to the Future Trilogy*
Nuclear test site ending storyboard sequence: Storyboard sequence of the original proposed ending of the film.*
Sixteen deleted scenes
Michael J. Fox Q&A
Archival featurettes:
Making the Trilogy: Chapters One, Two & Three: Original 2002 DVD documentary that takes a look back in time.
The Making of Back to the Future Part I, II & III: Provides a vintage and historic first look at the making of all three films.
The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy: a televised special hosted by Kirk Cameron addressing fans unanswered Back to the Future questions.
Behind-the-scenes:
Outtakes
Original makeup tests
Production design
Storyboarding
Designing the DeLorean
Designing time travel
Hoverboard test
Designing Hill Valley
Designing the campaign
Back to the Future: The Ride
Music Videos:
Huey Lewis and the News "Power of Love"
ZZ Top "DoubleBack"
Photo galleries, including production art, additional storyboards, photographs, marketing materials and character portraits
Theatrical trailers
BD-Live
My Scenes
pocket BLU: USHE's pocket BLU app uses iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Blackberry, Android, Windows and Macintosh computers and more to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray player and offers advanced features such as:
Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live functions with ease.
Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in their favorite episode.
Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there's a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy exclusive content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
Keyboard: Enter data into a Blu-ray player with your device's easy and intuitive keyboard.

* Denotes new footage debuting on the 25th Anniversary Trilogy"

[Nailwraps]

BIG NEWS! THE TRILOGY ON BLU HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED!!!!!!!:

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4800

"July 3, 1985 was the premiere of Robert Zemeckis's hugely successful Back to the Future. Today, almost twenty-five years later, Universal Studios Home Entertainment has officially announced the Blu-ray release of Back to the Future: 25th Anniversary Trilogy for October 26, confirming early information from European retailers (see blu-ray.com, June 18). This edition will be newly-restored and offer more than two hours of new bonus features.

Video will be 1080p, with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Audio will be 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The discs will be single-sided BD50s.

Special features include:
U-Control (BD-exclusive):
Setups & Payoffs: As you watch each of the three films, each "set up" showcases items in the scene that prepare you for a future plot point. When you get to that moment in the film, the "payoff" is shown to complete the correlation.
Storyboard Comparison: Compare key scenes in the movie with the original storyboards.
Trivia Track: Get inside trivia and facts while you watch the movies
Q&A commentaries with director Robert Zemeckis and producer Bob Gale
Feature commentaries with producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton
Back to the Future Night: hosted by Leslie Nielson, this original 30-minute special aired on NBC prior to the first television screening of the Back to the Future (new, BD-exclusive)
Tales from the Future: new six-part retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Director Robert Zemeckis, Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton, plus Executive Producer Steven Spielberg*
In the Beginning...: Delve into the genesis of the project, casting, re-casting, the DeLorean, sets and overall pre-production.
Time to Go: Production stories through the release of the first film.
Keeping Time: The score and the songs of the Back to the Future Trilogy.
Time Flies: Learn more about how the sequel came about, the futuristic look, the special and visual effects, recreating 1955 and more.
Third Time's the Charm: Learn about building a western town, Doc Brown's love story, the casting of Mary Steenburgen, the train sequence and completing the Trilogy.
The Test of Time: Back to the Future becomes a phenomenon! President Reagan quotes the film, the Back to the Future ride opens at Universal Studios theme park and fans rebuild the iconic DeLorean. The film's cast and crew take a look back and discuss why these beloved movies live on.
The Physics of Back to the Future: A discussion with celebrity best-selling author and physicist Dr. Michio Kaku about the overall appreciation of the science in the Back to the Future Trilogy*
Nuclear test site ending storyboard sequence: Storyboard sequence of the original proposed ending of the film.*
Sixteen deleted scenes
Michael J. Fox Q&A
Archival featurettes:
Making the Trilogy: Chapters One, Two & Three: Original 2002 DVD documentary that takes a look back in time.
The Making of Back to the Future Part I, II & III: Provides a vintage and historic first look at the making of all three films.
The Secrets of the Back to the Future Trilogy: a televised special hosted by Kirk Cameron addressing fans unanswered Back to the Future questions.
Behind-the-scenes:
Outtakes
Original makeup tests
Production design
Storyboarding
Designing the DeLorean
Designing time travel
Hoverboard test
Designing Hill Valley
Designing the campaign
Back to the Future: The Ride
Music Videos:
Huey Lewis and the News "Power of Love"
ZZ Top "DoubleBack"
Photo galleries, including production art, additional storyboards, photographs, marketing materials and character portraits
Theatrical trailers
BD-Live
My Scenes
pocket BLU: USHE's pocket BLU app uses iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Blackberry, Android, Windows and Macintosh computers and more to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray player and offers advanced features such as:
Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live functions with ease.
Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in their favorite episode.
Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there's a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy exclusive content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
Keyboard: Enter data into a Blu-ray player with your device's easy and intuitive keyboard.

* Denotes new footage debuting on the 25th Anniversary Trilogy"

UPDATE: TheDigitalBits.com has revealed that a new 25th Anniversary DVD set will also be available. http://www.digitalbits.com/#mytwocents

[sumo8675309]

no eric stoltz footage on this release?

[Nailwraps]

Good news for you Sumo8675309!:

http://www.digitalbits.com/#062810a

"And here's something especially exciting: Stephen Clark of the excellent BTTF.com tells us (per producer Bob Gale) that the new documentary WILL include ultra-rare footage of Eric Stoltz (who was briefly cast as Marty McFly)"

[sumo8675309]

Good news for you Sumo8675309!:

http://www.digitalbits.com/#062810a

"And here's something especially exciting: Stephen Clark of the excellent BTTF.com tells us (per producer Bob Gale) that the new documentary WILL include ultra-rare footage of Eric Stoltz (who was briefly cast as Marty McFly)"

well, all i can say is it's about time

[Nailwraps]

Pre-order now available on Amazon!

[HoldenMcNeil]

Well this is heavy.

[Katatonia]

Pre-orders seem to be rolling in for the set at Amazon: http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Back-to-the-Future-Trilogy-Blu-ray-Pre-Orders-Tops-at-Amazon/7061

[Nailwraps]

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH0BNbwqNK8&feature=player_embedded

[Nailwraps]

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5083

"During an interview on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Back to the Future, Bob Gale, BTTF creator, producer and co-writer, said he had seen the movie projected days ago and he thought "it looks so good, so much better than it did in 1985", when it opened in theaters.

He further explained: "When they did the remastering for the Blu-ray they spent over 400 hours doing dirt cleanup, and almost another 200 hours doing color correction, so the movie looks better than it ever did." When a film is shown at the theater, "you have the print going through the projector, it picks up dirt, gets scratched and with the digital technology these guys fixed almost all of that stuff, and it just looks breathtaking.""

[Nailwraps]

First 2 reviews are in!!!!!!!!!!:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviewshd/bdreviews101410b.html

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Back-to-the-Future-25th-Anniversary-Trilogy-Blu-ray/9152/#Review

[sumo8675309]

did anyone see the teaser (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM6Ms621898) for the 2010 reunion on the scream awards ?

[maybrick]

Good news for you Sumo8675309!:

http://www.digitalbits.com/#062810a

"And here's something especially exciting: Stephen Clark of the excellent BTTF.com tells us (per producer Bob Gale) that the new documentary WILL include ultra-rare footage of Eric Stoltz (who was briefly cast as Marty McFly)"

I'm sorry, but that's just not good enough. I want to see ALL of the footage included as part of the standard "deleted scenes" package most Special Editions have, NOT 30 seconds worth with Spielberg talking over it during a 2 hour documentary. As it stands (and all of it has already aired on CNN) it's of mild interest and IMHO certainly not worth the upgrade all by itself. I honestly want to know what Zemeckis and Spielberg are afraid of. Do they think that if we're allowed to view all of the footage that we all might all of a sudden disapprove of what they did to Stoltz? Well, that would be stupid. It's over and done with and everybody LOVES Fox in the role. No matter how good Stoltz could have been about the only person that might publicly lament about the loss is his mother. Just release the footage and be done with it!!!

[SaxCatz]

I'm unsure why the reviewer at Blu-Ray.com is expecting backlash of some nature regarding the transfer for the new Blu-Ray box set. Juding from the screen caps on the site, the transfer is fabulous for material of this vintage. An obvious improvement over the already excellent (aside from a few quibbles) DVD box set.

[Katatonia]

I'm unsure why the reviewer at Blu-Ray.com is expecting backlash of some nature regarding the transfer for the new Blu-Ray box set.

Probably because of this:

"Some of the digital sharpening does occasionally lead to some aliasing and shimmer."

I could really care less about that though. At least it sounds like they didn't use much DNR, and got the framing right this time around.

[Katatonia]

DVDBeaver review (http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film3/blu-ray_reviews52/back_to_the_future_blu-ray.htm), but it's basically just for the first film in the set. Quite a few fullsize screenshots though, and they look pretty damn good.

[Nailwraps]

Oh, most definitely! :)

[Katatonia]

The transfers on all three films look pretty damn amazing on Blu-ray. Details are sharp as a tack and the colors are vivid. These really jump out at you. The DTS HD Master Audio also has some real oomph to it.

I caught all three films in the theaters on their original releases, and I don't remember them looking even remotely this good. I can now see little things I never even noticed before, because the resolution simply wasn't there previously. Thank you Universal for not screwing this up! :)

[spawningblue]

I went to the 25th Anniversary screening on the weekend for the first film, and I agree, it looked amazing! Can't wait to pick up the trilogy.

[SaxCatz]

My boxset arrived on Monday and I checked out the original classic last night.
Great transfer. There is some evidence of EE and DNR, but not obtrusively- the film still has a natural, filmic look that I think is appropraite for 80s film stock.
However, just as some reviews have pointed out... THE PACKAGING SUCKS! What was Universal thinking? I see another recall or "packaging replacement program" in their future.

[Katatonia]

However, just as some reviews have pointed out... THE PACKAGING SUCKS! What was Universal thinking? I see another recall or "packaging replacement program" in their future.

I dislike the disc holders, but once you figure it out (press down on the two bottom "wings") it's really not too hard to remove them and put them back in. I can easily see a lot of people being perplexed about how to remove the discs though.

[SaxCatz]

I dislike the disc holders, but once you figure it out (press down on the two bottom "wings") it's really not too hard to remove them and put them back in. I can easily see a lot of people being perplexed about how to remove the discs though.

I'm dumber than I thought... I've been removing them by pushing the disc down and to the side so it slides out from under one of the tabs, freeing the disc. Sounds like you may have found a better way, could you describe it in a little more detail? Also, how do you get them back in without feeling like your forcing them past the tabs (which feels like it could eventually damage the disc)?

[SaxCatz]

I'm dumber than I thought... I've been removing them by pushing the disc down and to the side so it slides out from under one of the tabs, freeing the disc. Sounds like you may have found a better way, could you describe it in a little more detail? Also, how do you get them back in without feeling like your forcing them past the tabs (which feels like it could eventually damage the disc)?

Nevermind...
I looked again and figured it out. It is basically the same thing that I was doing, but I just didn't realize why it was working. :D
Still, the packaging is horrendous and unforgiveable and, even if we figured it out, I'm sure there are plenty of people, intelligent and otherwise, that won't- at least not until they've damaged a disc.
In case anyone is interested, here's a copy of the e-mail I sent Universal:
To Whom It May Concern,
By now, I'm sure you've heard that no one is pleased with the packaging of this new box set. Firstly, It is very difficult for the average consumer to figure out how to remove the discs from the packaging without instructions and many people will damage the discs trying to figure it out. Secondly, even when you have figured out how to remove the discs from the packaging (pushing downward on the disc so that the "wings" at the bottom give and the disc is released from the top holding tabs) it is still difficult to do (for a healthy person nontheless, I imagine that a handicapped person who had lost some or all use of either hand or arm would be completely unable to remove these disc from their packaging) and results in unnecessary stresses on the disc that could results in accidental breakage or premature damage.
There is a reason that DVD and Blu-Ray packaging has remained essentially the same since inception- it works. The simple spool holds the disc securely in the case but easily releases the disc when one means to remove it from the packaging. You know, for watching. Because the reason we buy DVDs and Blu-Rays are to watch them... not to display them in a case from which they can't be removed.
One would think that Universal would have learned their lesson thanks to the recent Battlestar Galactica packaging debacle. After having to provide new packaging to all owners of that pricey box set, at great expense to Universal, due to significant public pressure, one would assume that Universal would stick to conventional, serviceable packaging. Unfortunately, it seems that some companies never learn.
I imagine I'll read about a packaging replacement program on Blu-Ray.com before the year is out. Hopefully Universal will learn this time.
Sincerely,
SaxCatz

[SaxCatz]

I e-mailed Universal this morning with my grievances.
I did receive a courteous and professional, if somewhat canned response, that did address my concerns within two hours and instructions for proper removal of the discs from their cases arrived an hour later.
I have attached their response as well as a copy of the instructions that they provided in case anyone here might benefit from these instructions:
Dear XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the "Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Trilogy" Blu-Ray packaging. We will forward your comments to the appropriate department.

Additionally we will send you a diagram outlining the recommended way to insert and remove discs with this new package design. Because we cannot send attachments from this system, you will receive a separate email with the PDF attachment.

Again, thank you. We hope that you will enjoy this and future Universal releases.

Sincerely,

Consumer Relations
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.horrordigital.com/vb3forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5599&stc=1&d=1288312418

[Katatonia]

Yep, that's basically how I was doing it.

At least Universal got back to you. I've sent emails to other studios recently and never heard a reply.

[TheShape]

I e-mailed Universal this morning with my grievances.
I did receive a courteous and professional, if somewhat canned response, that did address my concerns within two hours and instructions for proper removal of the discs from their cases arrived an hour later.
I have attached their response as well as a copy of the instructions that they provided in case anyone here might benefit from these instructions:
Dear XXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the "Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Trilogy" Blu-Ray packaging. We will forward your comments to the appropriate department.

Additionally we will send you a diagram outlining the recommended way to insert and remove discs with this new package design. Because we cannot send attachments from this system, you will receive a separate email with the PDF attachment.

Again, thank you. We hope that you will enjoy this and future Universal releases.

Sincerely,

Consumer Relations
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
http://www.horrordigital.com/vb3forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5599&stc=1&d=1288312418
So now, we get an instruction manual to insert and remove discs from their packaging!??!

And judging by Universal's short response time to your e-mail, I can only conclude that they anticipated this... I mean they had an instruction sheet ready...

What's next, an instruction manual that tells you how to watch them?

To watch movie

1. Position you head so that your eyes face the TV.

2. Open your eye lids

3. Keep your eyes in a fully open position until film's end.

Repeat for each viewing

[SaxCatz]

So now, we get an instruction manual to insert and remove discs from their packaging!??!

And judging by Universal's short response time to your e-mail, I can only conclude that they anticipated this... I mean they had an instruction sheet ready...

What's next, an instruction manual that tells you how to watch them?

To watch movie

1. Position you head so that your eyes face the TV.

2. Open your eye lids

3. Keep your eyes in a fully open position until film's end.

Repeat for each viewing

That would only be necessary if Universal decides to start encoding their transfers as inverted trapezoids. But, judging from their recent packaging decisions, that wouldn't surprise me.
The problem isn't that there is an instructional diagram for removing the discs from the packaging. The problem is that it was even needed in the first place.

[JGrendel]

Whatever happened to the old rule about keeping it simple stupid?

[Matt89]

Wow, glad I got the UK tin boxset. It does include the standard boxset on the inside, but the UK box is your standard flip out without those stupid disc holders that are part of the US set. Just one disc on each page and they pop out just like standard boxsets. At least the UK kept it simple (no digital copies, either - thank God).

~Matt