The future of law enforcement is back in a definitive Blu-ray!
Upon its release back in 1987, Paul Verhoeven's Hollywood debut RoboCop suffered from censorship for an R-rating release in the US and worldwide. Since then, however, the Unrated Director's Cut of the film has been released. Back in 2014, MGM gave the film its first ever 4K transfer on Blu-ray, and Arrow Video has now announced that they're upping the ante and giving Verhoeven's classic not one, but two limited edition releases in the US, UK and Canada this November.
In addition to the Theatrical and Director's Cuts of the film, a special treat is the included US TV Cut, in which vugar language and any ultra-violent scenes were worked on extensively and also creatively by partly using completely alternate takes.
The film takes place in Detroit in the not-too-distant future. Heroic cop Alex Murphy (Peter Weller, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai) is gunned down in the line of duty, only to be resurrected as RoboCop – a cybernetic mix of spare human parts and Motor City steel, and the latest defense against crime designed by the all-powerful OCP Corporation. As RoboCop’s memories of his former life as Murphy resurface, only his ex-partner (Nancy Allen, Dressed To Kill) stands beside him to fight against the vicious thugs responsible for his death, as well as a nefarious top-level OCP executive orchestrating the chaos from above.
RoboCop’s peerlessly exciting and kinetic visuals are matched by a sharp script, iconic cast and exceptional special effects by Rob Bottin (The Thing) and Phil Tippett (The Empire Strikes Back).
Like most Arrow Blu-rays, the release is packed with hours of brand new bonus features. Check out the full list below. Obviously, the Steelbook version will be lacking the slipcase, postcards, poster, and it will feature a slightly slimmed down booklet
STEELBOOK & LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by MGM, transferred in 2013 and approved by director Paul Verhoeven
Newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film on two High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray™ discs
Original lossless stereo and four-channel mixes plus DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound option on both cuts
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts
Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Omar Ahmed, Christopher Griffiths and Henry Blyth, a 1987 Fangoria interview with Rob Bottin, and archive publicity materials (some contents exclusive to Limited Edition)
Six collector’s postcards (Limited Edition exclusive)
Double-sided, fold-out poster (Limited Edition exclusive)
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork (Limited Edition exclusive)
DISC ONE – DIRECTOR’S CUT
Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for the Theatrical Cut and re-edited in 2014 for the Director’s Cut)
New commentary by film historian Paul M. Sammon
New commentary by fans Christopher Griffiths, Gary Smart and Eastwood Allen
The Future of Law Enforcement: Creating RoboCop, a newly filmed interview with co-writer Michael Miner
RoboTalk, a newly filmed conversation between co-writer Ed Neumeier and filmmakers David Birke (writer of Elle) and Nick McCarthy (director of Orion Pictures’ The Prodigy)
Truth of Character, a newly filmed interview with star Nancy Allen on her role as Lewis
Casting Old Detroit, a newly filmed interview with casting director Julie Selzer on how the film’s ensemble cast was assembled
Connecting the Shots, a newly filmed interview with second unit director and frequent Verhoeven collaborator Mark Goldblatt
Composing RoboCop, a new tribute to composer Basil Poledouris featuring film music experts Jeff Bond, Lukas Kendall, Daniel Schweiger and Robert Townson
RoboProps, a newly filmed tour of super-fan Julien Dumont’s collection of original props and memorabilia
2012 Q&A with the Filmmakers, a panel discussion featuring Verhoeven, Davison, Neumeier, Miner, Allen, star Peter Weller and animator Phil Tippett
RoboCop: Creating a Legend, Villains of Old Detroit and Special Effects: Then & Now, three archive featurettes from 2007 featuring interviews with cast and crew
Paul Verhoeven Easter Egg
Four deleted scenes
The Boardroom: Storyboard with Commentary by Phil Tippett
Director’s Cut Production Footage, raw dailies from the filming of the unrated gore scenes
Two theatrical trailers and three TV spots
Extensive image galleries
DISC TWO – THEATRICAL CUT
Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for Theatrical version of the film)
Two Isolated Score tracks (Composer’s Original Mix and Final Theatrical Mix) in lossless stereo
Edited-for-television version of the film, featuring alternate dubs, takes and edits of several scenes (95 mins, SD only)
Split screen comparison of Theatrical and Director’s Cuts
Robocop: Edited For Television, a compilation of alternate scenes from two edited-for-television versions, newly transferred in HD from recently-unearthed 35mm elements
Both the RoboCop Limited Edition and Steelbook will be released on November 25th, 2019.
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