The scans were manually conformed to the U.S. International Cut of the film, which could not be included in this set due to territory specific licensing restrictions) and additional interpositive filmĮlements were scanned in 4K resolution at Company 3, Los Angeles. The original 35mm camera negative (conformed to the Theatrical Cut has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films for this release. Both versions are in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with stereo and 5.1 surround sound. Theatrical Cut originally released in North America in 1986, and theĭirector's Cut first released on DVD in 2002. Transfer processes involved, it is safe to say that each version of Legend has its own strengths and I leave it to you to decide which one you think isĪrrow's insert booklet then goes on to offer further information about the restoration offered on this release: Legend is presented on this Blu-ray in two different versions: the U.S. Considering the significantly different source elements and Transfer, it displays a much more detailed and refined image than the Director's Cut. The final theatrical version of Legend was transferred by Universal in 2006 directly from the film's inter-negative.
Preservation of my original vision for the film. However, given its one-and-only source element, theĭirector's Cut looks as good as it possibly can and I am pleased to include it on this Blu-ray release as both an archival curiosity for fans and a digital Release, the limitations of the answer print are now even more apparent in high definition. Newly re-transferred in 2011 for this Blu-ray Such is the case with Legend Director's Cut.
Answer prints by their nature offer limited latitude in the transfer process,Ĭommonly resulting in less-then-optimal picture quality. In the form of a pristine answer print, which was later transferred for DVD. However, in 2000, it was miraculously located Release.they are printed here for posterity as they give a revealing insight as to Scott's feelings about both cuts.Īnd Scott's feelings were as follows: The Director's Cutįor years before its release on DVD, the Legend Director's Cut was thought to have been lost forever. While these notes may not entirely apply to the presentations on this These text introductions to both versions of the film, giving the viewer some idea of the quality issues inherent in both presentations, were written byĭirector Ridley Scott for the 2011 Blu-ray release by Universal Studios. Scott that were included with the previous 2011 Blu-ray release, but which Arrow now prefaces with this statement: This release repeats the interesting statements by Ridley
Legend is presented on Blu-ray with AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 2.35:1.
Screenshots 15 through 19 are from the Director's Cut. Note: Screenshots 1 through 14 are from the U.S. My closing comments below, I had the good fortune to personally know one of the film's featured performers, which has always made this film specialįor me in that regard, aside and apart from its inherent beauty and wonder. I will onlyĮcho the opening of Ken's review by saying that I, too, have always loved Legend, despite any perceived flaws, and, as I discuss briefly in Ken's review is also a good resource for screenshot comparisons as well as seeing how the supplements between the versions stack up. Theatrical Cut and the Director's Cut.Īs linked to above, Universal put out a Blu-ray release of Legend many years ago, and for anyone wanting a plot recap, I refer you to myĬolleague Ken Brown's Legend Blu-ray review of that version. While more than one of the supplements Arrow has aggregatedįor this release gets into alternate versions including the UK release and first television broadcast release, as with the Ultimate Edition Blu-ray put out by Universal Studios over a decade ago (!), this release offers the Through the gauntlets of time and tide tend to come down to us in variable iterations. It's perhaps perfectly appropriate that Ridley Scott's Legend exists in several different versions (two of which are offered on this new releaseįrom Arrow), since, as any folklorist will probably gladly tell you, both written and oral traditions of various, well, legendary tales that have made it Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman, October 9, 2021