TV Gold

My word, it seems to have come round again rather quickly, but we are now drawing close to the seventh and penultimate release of Red Dwarf on DVD this winter. Thinking about this release I was wondering how they were going to tackle the greater episode count that Season Seven offers up. Earlier this week I got an email (headed Series VII Bonus Material ? by Andrew Ellard) which indicated the rather amazing content being lined up for this 1997 season and thought I?d share the info with you guys.

Currently slated for a November 7th release date they say that it is, by far, their most ambitious release to date- both in terms of content, and in terms of the discs themselves and seeing what we will be getting it?s hard to argue with that. Furthermore authoring house Deluxe Digital have described it as their most complex job ever ? not just on Dwarf, but any DVD, hopefully this won?t mean to great a price increase over previous releases.

The initial planned contents details currently read as followed:

DISC ONE
Episodes
(3 episodes comprising of - <span style='color:red'>'Tikka to Ride'</span>, <span style='color:red'>'Stoke Me A Clipper'</span> and <span style='color:red'>'Ouroboros'</span>). All appear as broadcast in 1997.
Xtended Episodes
<span style='color:red'>'Tikka to Ride'</span> and <span style='color:red'>'Ouroboros'</span> can also be played in their longer versions, with additional scenes and no audience laugh track.
<span style='color:red'>'Tikka to Ride'</span>: Remastered
See how the Series VII CGI effects should have looked. Available on both original and Xtended versions of the episode.
Cast Commentary
Featuring Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn and Chlo? Annett. Commentaries appear on Xtended versions where available.
<span style='color:red'>'Identity Within'</span>
The 'lost' episode of Red Dwarf by John McKay, presented in storyboard form and performed by Chris Barrie.

DISC TWO
Episodes
(5 episodes comprising of - <span style='color:red'>'Duct Soup'</span>, <span style='color:red'>'Blue'</span>, <span style='color:red'>'Beyond a Joke'</span>, <span style='color:red'>'Epideme'</span> and <span style='color:red'>'Nanarchy'</span>). All appear as broadcast in 1997.
Xtended Episode
<span style='color:red'>'Duct Soup'</span> can also be played in its longer version, with additional scenes and no audience laugh track.
Cast Commentary
Featuring Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn and Chlo? Annett ? plus Norman Lovett. Commentaries appear on Xtended versions where available.
Fan Films
Two competition-winning shorts made by Red Dwarf fans. With introduction by Doug Naylor.

DISC THREE
"Back From The Dead" Original Documentary
A 90-minute look at the making of Series VII, featuring cast and crew interviews plus never-before-seen footage.
Deleted Scenes
Over 40 minutes of deleted and extended moments.
Smeg Ups
A compilation of outtakes and fluffs.
Trailers
The almost-lost Series VII trailer taken from a home VHS recording, plus Kryten introductions for the Xtended episodes and 10th Anniversary Smeg Ups broadcast. (Also featuring Rimmer and Lister and recorded alongside the Xtended ending to <span style='color:red'>'Tikka to Ride'</span>.)
Behind the Scenes
Robert Llewellyn's on-set video diary, plus the BBC's How Do They Do That? programme visits the effects department.
Raw FX Footage
A compilation of filmed model FX and CGI created by both the BBC and Chris Veale.
"Burning Rubber" Featurette
Those boys can crash any vehicle you give them... (Featuring the song 'Buck Rogers' by Feeder.)
"Dave Hollins" Radio Sketch
A chance to hear two of the original Son of Clich? radio sketches that led to the creation of Red Dwarf.
Isolated Music Cues
Instant access to the various elements of Howard Goodall's Series VII score.
Photo Gallery
A massive collection of production images and artwork.
Weblink
Link to the official website.
Subtitles
English subtitles for episodes and extras.
Easter Eggs
Several bonus extras are hidden within the DVD menus ? can we find them all?

Once again, aside from the 'biggies' ? <span style='color:red'>'Identity Within'</span>, <span style='color:red'>'Back From the Dead'</span> and the newly remastered <span style='color:red'>'Tikka to Ride'</span> ? they are taking the chance to include some choice tit-bits that might otherwise vanish into the ether. Things like Kryten's introductions often become lost in the mists of time, and DVD gives them a chance to create something of a historical archive.
It's pretty rare for the discs to include sections of other shows, though ? and in that respect How Do They Do That? is a relative rarity. For those unfamiliar with the clip, it reveals how some of the miniature and model effects were created for the seventh series, with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Lengthy clips from a non-GNP programme are generally too costly to include, but they have stretched it in this case, as the chance to see Peter Wragg and his team working their magic was worth every penny.

It all sounds great doesn?t it? I just wonder what the packaging will be like (e.g. colour) and will it come in a standard box or something similar to the ?Doctor Who ? Lost In Time? box?

Anyway no doubt all will become clearer nearer to the release date
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A bit of a tenuous link I know but Danny John Jules (the Cat in Red Dwarf) cropped up in the last 90s incarnation 'Tomorrow People' story and I am absolutely delighted <!--emo&:D-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:D-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> to hear that this sadly neglected (IMO) new version of the show is getting a DVD box set release.

Unfortunately as you can see from the below link

<a href='http://www.virginmegastores.co.uk/invt/660511' target='_blank'>http://www.virginmegastores.co.uk/invt/660511</a>

its only a 'Virgin Megastores' exclusive at present but as, not only a 'TP' fan but completest it's something I'm hoping to get round to getting in the near future.
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Just heard play.com now have this ready to order at:

<a href='http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=title&r=R2&title=718781&p=57&g=72&pa=sr' target='_blank'>http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=title...p=57&g=72&pa=sr</a>

and not surprisingly <!--emo&:(-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> there is a price increase for this epic release. Lets see how many true Red Dwarf fans there are out there!

Oh and here is a clearer image of the cover <a href='http://www.bbcshop.com/invt/ebbcdvd1692&temp=popup&layout=empty' target='_blank'>http://www.bbcshop.com/invt/ebbcdvd1692&te...up&layout=empty</a>

Also the rumour on the Red Dwarf website is that Red Dwarf Eight's cover will be a glorious shade of orange, how lovely!!

all the best smegheads! <!--emo&:D-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:P-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->