Wow! Twenty days before the official release date, for the states anyway (Dec. 18th). It is interesting, the suggested retail price for the five disc set is $78, while for the 4 disc it is $35. Seems like a lot of money for a tin box and one extra disc. Are they completely different discs? Or is it really just one extra disc and fancy packaging. Regular packaging fits better on the shelf anyway, and one extra disc just doesn't seem worth that much money.
Yeah, I was surprised too, but that's amsterdam for you! Btw, I bought it for 42 euros. I don't know exactly how much dollars that is...
Trust me when I say this. Get the 5-disc box set, not the 4-disc, UNLESS you can really do without the workprint. The description on the little cartoon sleeve that comes with the box says:
Disc 5: Workprint - Rarely seen workprint with alternate music, footage and voice-over. Plus all our variant futures featurette.
Now, I haven't watched the entire workprint yet (don't have the time now), but it really feels different, and I've hear the same from other people who have already seen it. It reminded me quite a bit of Lucas' THX 1138 in the way the sound effects are far more noticable and important, because there's hardly any music from Vangelis in this version. And it's a very interesting way to view the film. I'm sure I'll discover more when I see it in its totallity.
And the art on the discs are really tremendous as are all the things inside the box as well. All 5 discs contain artwork on them from all the important characters: Deckard on disc 1, Rachel on disc 2, Roy on disc 3, Priss on disc 4 and Zhora on disc 5. Very, very atmospheric.
It's also got a lot of neat extra stuff like a 16-page photo and contents booklet, rare art folio featuring works by syd mead and other visionary artists, motion filmclip a letter by ridley scott and signed by ridley scott.
Conclusion: FUCKIN' BUY IT, heh!