Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 5.0
Remastered Version Top Notch!
Yes, I mistakenly bought the "version 1" (serial # ending with BIR1 on the center of the back of the disc), and, yes, had to return it for the correct "remastered, version 2" (serial # ending with BIR2 on the center of the back of the disc), so I could definitely see the difference leaving the film grain in makes. BIR1 looked glassed-over, and, as another reviewer pointed out, you could see most of the flaming arrows flying off against the Germans in the majestic long shot pan in the beginning. Thankfully, the remastered version 2 restores all the film grain, grit and detail to Ridley Scott's seminal masterpiece. Version 2 looks better than the film did in cinemas, with deeper blacks and more rich colors. I only wish there was something on the labelling of the box that delineated which version we were about to buy, so we didn't have to take it home and play it to find out, to have to return it if it's the wrong version! But, bravo, Paramount and DreamWorks!