Cold Mountain (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Anthony Minghella's film receives a classy two-disc DVD debut. There are lots of extras but better still, it has very little padding. A new 70-minute documentary on the making of the film is smart and interesting, often going after elements we normally don't see, including location scouting, dealing with weather, and the preview audiences. Directors Laura Luchetti and Timothy Bricknell don't pander to MTV-style editing, allowing the talent to speak at length. The 20 minutes of deleted scenes include several key sequences from the final third of the film. Minghella is very conversational in the commentary (with editor and muse Walter Murch), in the making-of segments, and in a one-on-one interview with critic David Thomson. That final segment is part of a 90-minute live concert encompassing readings from the book (by the film's cast) and the music from the film, performed by Alison Krauss, Jack White, and others. This is one of the most complete packages for a DVD in 2004 and more than a fan could have hoped for.--Doug Thomas