Special Zeist Edition -
This version is basically the “Special Edition 2006 DVD”. The reason why we named it the 'Special Zeist Edition" is because it is the <span style=“text-decoration: underline;”>2006 DVD</span> but edited to add the Planet Zeist, Quickening and the Prize references back in the film. All these references were cut when they came up with this future “Renegade Version” idea. The 2006 DVD has the new special effects and the new “Blue Shield” so we wanted to make clear that it is an edit of the “Special Edition” not the “Renegade Version” of the film. IMHO, this is my favorite name for all of the Highlander 2 DVDs. A ton of work went into this version. Note: This is the reason why it does not include the fairytale ending because it follow the “Special Edition” 2006 release to a T. The fairytale ending was never intended for the “Renegade/ Special Edition”
Extended Zeist Version -
This verison was created with the idea of adding the “kitchen sink” to the "Renegade Version of the film. This version is basically an extended version which follows the story line of the “Renegade Version” but adds and extends scenes. This edit retains the “orange shield effects” trying to make it clear that is is an extended renegade based version. We have added all the Planet Zeist, Quickening and Prize dialog and footage back into the film. This version even included the_Cannes footage_ and all the deleted scenes back in the film. Yes, there is alternate footage in the Cannes 10 minute trailer(take a look, it’s cool) some of the footage is really cool- includes some extened quickening explosions, cars exploding, an extended scene were Connor pulls out his sword in the warehouse when the cab driver drops from the ceiling, extended Brenda, etc. (take a look)
At first this was a full blown DL DVD -9 with commentary from us about the edit as well as the original score, soundtrack, deleted scenes, enhanced deleted scenes, TV spot , two trailers (including a restored French trailer) and the “To be or not to be” documentary. We also even had a text commentary ( like the Superman II RIC DVD) breaking down each added scene since there was over 20 minutes that was added to the film. This version would have been released with the European scenes in 1:85.1 (this was because wee used the old Japanese DVD footage) So NOW we were ready to go and release it to all of you! RIGHT? WRONG! When were were getting set to put the film on that demon place a guy by the name of TRACK100 (who is credited on the SDDVD-5 ) found an old <span style=“text-decoration: underline;”>widescreen</span> transfer of the European version from a laserdisc (In Italian only) in not to bad quality. This version had the opening credits and endning credits in Italian (becuase this was the way it was released in Italy in theatres) but keep in mind we needed only the alternate footage that didn’t exist in the other versions only. So now we postponed the release and had to add in all these widescreen scenes, not to mention color correct, enhance, etc. When we finished we decided that more people would download the film if it was a SLDVD-5 so we cut all the extra features except, the restored trailer, enhanced deleted scenes and the ever popular recreation of the extended script version of the “fairytale” ending. (which was now possible because of the officially released deleted scenes on the 2006 DVD SE)
Restored Early European Version -
This version is actually an alternate Highlander II version which was created with alternate funding from an outside group. (Nigel Entertainment) This is my favorite version of the film as it actually had input from the director and producers. This is the version of the film they used to create the Renegade Version. In 1995 at a sci-fi geek convention I came across a bootleg version of this film. This version was in poor shape and had Japanese burned in subtitles and it was fullscreen.
The funny thing was is that this was the version that was common on U.S. television, namely TBS. In the past I had not taped that cut and it was no longer played on TV so I had no copies of this version until that time.
Anyways, in 1998 I came across yet another poor quality version of this film but in widescreen. Then in 2006 I came across this message board and the rest is history. I wanted a clean version of this film and the stuff I collected over the years could make that happen, so I found people to help put it together.
It was named “The Restored Early European Version” because it is based on the Euro version of the film (explained above) Actually, this version was released first in Europe and then pulled because fans hated the “fairytale ending” so much that it was quickly edited from the film and re-released in Europe a month later wthout the “Fairytale” ending (hence the word EARLY European Version). I do not think people realize how much work had to go into this version to create it. In the end this was the version we needed to be able to create the others.
Restored American Cut -
This one we decided to create just for Phineasbg and me only. I got a copy of the TF1 video and I was quickly dis-heartended because of the bad 5.1 audio that TF1 created - it has a horrible hissing noise and half way through the video it is off dialog (out of sync) (not matching the lips) with the film. So quicky we decided to fix that problem but when we attempted to clean the existing 5.1 audio you can still hear that damn hissing noise (and we hated it) We also even tried to match the sync problems but there seemed to be problems with speed of the film (this one is a wired speed as it drops several frames). In the end EVRYTHING was tried but all failed. We decided the best thing to do was to restore the 2.0 soundtrack from a OOP laserdisc transfer - this matched up perfectly and we were on our way.
We also color corected, enhanced footage, and used the best possible footage from several other version to have the best possible quality prints. So we named it the “Restored American Cut” because it was the AMERICAN edited version of the version first released in Europe that failed miserably in the spring of 1991.
I don’t think people realize how much I like this film. As it stands I have about 24 different releases of this film in various edits.
I love your uniformity ideas but the menus and the DVDs are done and created already. Poeple are already downloading so to change the names at this time would be hell, lol!!!
I am a fan of Highlanderf - the SOURCE also, and we know that story! It is almost the same story, wierd! Released in Europe and then recut for American audiences.