| MERCHANDISE - VIDEO |
| Special Edition DVD |
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Willow was released on DVD by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on
November 27, 2001 with a price tag of $26.98. The Special Edition DVD features exclusive
material enabling fans of the movie, as well as a new generation, to experience the mystical
adventure like never before. There was a simultaneous VHS re-release.
The DVD features THX-certified 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen video and newly remixed English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Other audio features are English and Spanish 2.0 surround tracks (no DTS track is included), English and French subtitles, English closed captions, and a new audio commentary by actor Warwick Davis. Other extras include a special effects featurette, a special effects documentary, the classic Making of an Adventure documentary, original theatrical trailers, TV spots, and a still photo gallery. Tasty! A version with English and French audio tracks was also produced; this may be aimed at the Canadian market, and I don't know about US availability. The DVD is available at many stores and through many online video sellers. From DVD Review: "20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has hidden a nice little gem on their release of Ron Howard's fantasy adventure 'Willow.' |
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| VHS |
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Willow has been released numerous times on videocassette. Originally, it was available only
on VHS in pan-and-scan format, and was packaged in a box featuring the general
release poster art. Later, the British company Encore Entertainment released
it in widescreen format along with the original trailer, packaged using
the French poster art. Unfortunately for us Willow-fans in the US, the
video was in PAL format, making it incompatible with our VCRs. (Thanks
to Daniel Martinson for the WS VHS info and pic.)
In 1996, Willow was repackaged and rereleased by Columbia/Tristar Pictures as part of their 'Family Collection'. The VHS cassette came in a clamshell case. The packaging features a new photo-collage of Willow, the High Aldwin, Madmartigan, and Sorsha, and lists Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley as the stars; Warwick Davis apparently didn't make the cut. This version is now out of print. The newest VHS release of Willow was on November 27, 2001 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The suggested retail price was $14.98, but it can often be found for less. This re-release coincided with the release of the Special Edition DVD. A French-language version was also released, possibly for sale in Canada. For a discussion of the differences between the 2001 edition and the earlier releases, look under the Edition Differences subheading of the Cut Scenes section. |
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Front Cover |
Back Cover |
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| LaserDisc |
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Each time Willow was released on VHS in the twentieth century,
a LaserDisc edition followed bearing the same cover
art. The original release bearing the General Release poster art was in
Pan & Scan. The Encore Entertainment edition (in PAL format) was in
widescreen, and contained the original theatrical trailer. The 1996 version
was in widescreen and digitally mastered in THX.
A special edition LaserDisc was issued in Japan. It featured an English digital audio and Dolby surround soundtrack with Japanese subtitles, a gatefold cover with a Columbia/TriStar Hologram on it to prove authenticity, the original theatrical trailer, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with George Lucas, Ron Howard and Warwick Davis, interviews and test footage on the special effects, and introductions by two Japanese film experts. |
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| Video 8 |
| Willow was also released in the short-lived 'Video 8' format. |
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| Television Documentary |
| Willow: The Making of an Adventure was a half-hour documentary that aired on U.S. television while the movie was in theaters. The documentary is included on the Special Edition DVD; this is its first commercial release. Screen captures from a home videotape of the original broadcast can be seen in the Pictures/Other section. Many thanks to Joe Frese for providing the tape! |
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| Mark Vande Brake's Behind the Scenes Videotape |
| Mark Vande Brake, who played Ranon Ufgood, has a home video of his experience on the Willow set that was filmed by his father with permission from George Lucas. This film doesn't actually belong in the merchandise section because it isn't a commercial product, but since it is on videotape it seemed appropriate to talk about it here. For screen captures, a description of what's in the tape, and information on getting a copy, click here. |