‘JAWS’ Blu-Ray Gets a Date

We knew it was coming. It was under the water too long. Now, it attacks in high definition! Steven Spielberg’s classic Jaws has been restored and is primed and ready to be caught on Blu-Ray this August! I don’t see that footage we previously posted of Spielberg watching the Oscar nominations on this release though.

From the Press Release

Universal City, California, April 10, 2012:  JAWS – the landmark motion picture that still makes audiences afraid to go in the water – comes to Blu-ray^TM for the first time ever on August 14^th, 2012. Featuring an all-new, digitally remastered and fully restored picture, as well as 7.1 surround sound, the JAWS Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack with DVD, Digital Copy and UltraViolet^TM gives fans the ultimate way to watch the breathtaking and terrifying action-thriller.

 One of the most influential motion pictures of all time and nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award^®, JAWS stars Oscar^® winner Richard Dreyfuss and Oscar® nominees Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw.  Produced by legendary filmmakers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown, the film earned an Oscar^® for composer John Williams’ instantly recognizable minimalist score, as well as Oscars^® for Best Editing and Best Sound. When it was first released in 1975, JAWS smashed box-office records and became the highest-grossing film of its era, earning Spielberg a reputation as a Hollywood visionary.  Today, it remains one of the highest-grossing films in motion-picture history[1] and is largely considered the film that launched the summer blockbuster. 

 JAWS is one of 13 classic Universal films to be digitally remastered and fully restored from 35mm original film elements as part of Universal’s ongoing 100^th Anniversary celebration. The JAWS restoration began with researching and evaluating the existing film elements to determine the best means to restore the film. Over the course of several months, skilled technicians at Universal Studios Digital Services meticulously balanced color, removed dirt and scratches, and repaired any damage to the film elements shot by shot and frame by frame. Following the picture restoration, Universal Studios Sound team up-mixed the iconic JAWS soundtrack to DTS-HD Master 7.1, optimizing the sound on the Blu-ray^TM for the latest home theater technology. The entire restoration process was conducted in conjunction with Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment’s post-production team to ensure the integrity of Spielberg’s original vision remained intact.

 “JAWS holds a unique place, not just in Universal Pictures’ history, but in global pop culture,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “It is only fitting that this phenomenal film should be given the extensive restoration needed to ensure that long-time fans as well as newcomers can enjoy this unforgettable cinematic achievement for generations to come.”

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The JAWS Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack is available in collectible Universal 100^thAnniversary packaging for a limited time.  The Combo Pack also contains a Digital Copy of the film for a limited time, compatible with iTunes®, iPad®, iPhone®, iPod™ touch, Android or online retail partners, as well as an UltraViolet™ copy.  UltraViolet is the revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows in the cloud to download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones.  Consumers can now truly enjoy their movies anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice. 

Blu-ray^™ Bonus Features:

·           The Shark is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of JAWS:  All-new feature-length documentary featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with cast and crew including Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider.

·           JAWS: The Restoration:  An all-new, in-depth look at the intricate process of restoring the movie.

·           The Making of JAWS:  A two-hour documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew.

·           From the Set:  An insider’s look at life on the set of JAWS, featuring an interview with Steven Spielberg.

·           Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

·           JAWS Archives:  Take a peek inside the JAWS archives, including storyboards, production photos and marketing materials, as well as a special segment on the JAWS phenomenon.

·           Original Theatrical Trailer

·           UltraViolet^™:  The revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows, store them in the cloud, and download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones. Currently available in the United States only.

·           Digital Copy:  Viewers can redeem a digital version of the full-length movie from a choice of retail partners to watch on an array of electronic and portable devices.

·           pocket BLU^™ App:  The popular free pocket BLU^™ app for smartphones is now even better with newly updated versions for iPad^®, Android^™ tablets, PC and Macintosh computers, with features made especially to take advantage of the devices’ larger screens and high resolution displays.

• 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 the film.
• 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 is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy 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: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard.

·           BD-LIVE^™:  Access the BD-Live^™ Center through your Internet-connected player to access the latest trailers, exclusive content and more!

DVD Bonus Features:

·           Spotlight on Location: The Making of JAWS:  Highlights from the full-length documentary featuring interviews with key cast and crew.

Synopsis

Directed by Academy Award^® winner Steven Spielberg, Jaws set the standard for edge-of-your seat suspense quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police (Roy Scheider), a young marine biologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled shark hunter (Robert Shaw) embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, Jaws remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.

 

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Cast: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Produced By: Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown

Music By: John Williams

Based on Novel By: Peter Benchley

Screenplay By: Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb

Director of Photography: Bill Butler

Production Design By: Joseph Alves Jr.

Editor: Verna Fields   

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

BD
Street Date: 8/14/2012

Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61121167 (US); 61121267 (Canada)

Running Time: 2 Hours 4 Minutes

Layers: BD-50

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.35:1

Rating: PG

Technical Info: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1/DTS Digital Surround 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish and French DTS Digital Surround 5.1

Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

 

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: 8/14/2012

Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61120918 (US); 61121268 (Canada)

Running Time: 2 Hours 4 Minutes

Layers: Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Screen 2.35:1

Rating: PG

Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 Mono, Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

 

In honor of its Centennial anniversary, Universal Pictures proudly salutes 100years of unforgettable films that have entertained audiences and touched the hearts of millions around the globe. In celebration of our first 100 years,Universal Studios Home Entertainment is proud to present a selection of ourmany beloved movies as part of an extensive year-long program that underscores the studio’s rich cinematic history and indelible cultural impact.

 

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is apart of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading televisionstations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

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The restoration process for Jaws began with researching and evaluating the existing film elements (original negatives, inter-positives, 35 mm prints, audio magnetic masters, etc.)  As part of the Studios’ preservation process, Universal geographically separates duplicate sets of elements in vaults in Southern California and on the East Coast in an effort to protect the company’s most valuable assets.  All items are cataloged in a detailed database via barcodes.

After testing the various picture elements for the best quality and resolution, Universal technical staff chose the original camera negative for 4K scanning.  Due to the effects of time and use, the camera negative had scratches that needed to be removed.  Using Cineric, a top restoration post facility in New York, the negative was scanned through a liquid gate process that eliminates surface scratches.  The files of scanned film were transferred to servers at Universal Studios Digital Services.  Working digitally, the Studios’ skilled technicians meticulously worked to balance color, remove dirt and scratches and repair any additional frame damage on a shot by shot, frame by frame basis.  All work is done in keeping with the artistic integrity of the original film.

Once the picture restoration was completed, the team at Universal Studios Sound prepared to up-mix  Jaws to a 7.1 mix from the 5.1 mix that had been created in 2000 using the original mono soundtrack. Now on the forthcoming Blu-ray, fans can enjoy JAWS in DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, optimizing the sound for the latest home theater technology.

The entire collaborative restoration process is done in conjunction with Amblin’s post production team.  Steven Spielberg personally monitored the progress and approved the final picture and sound.

As a part of Universal’s Centennial celebration, the Studio is producing a full slate of preservation elements for Jaws and 12 other classic Universal films.  These new materials include videotape masters, digital file masters, Digital Cinema Package (DCP), audio masters, new film negative, check print and 35 mm screening prints.  Through Universal’s on-going preservation and restoration process, these titles will be enjoyed by generations to come.