New Release 11/2008?


This great movie is being re-released on DVD November 25, 2008, at around five and a half hours. Does anyone know how it will compare to the original DVDs, VHS? The original play was nine hours, the PBS broadcast around six, and it would be great if more of the original play were there. I taped it on VHS when it first was broadcast on PBS, and would like to update to DVD, but don't want to lose anything on the original broadcast.

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I have the 5 1/2 hour DVD set from its original release in 2002. I've also seen a much abridged version (which I believe the DVD set also has, if I recall correctly, that runs about 3 hours.

The 5 1/2 hour version has the full original PBS production which lists at 318 minutes (5.3 hours). It's the whole thing. Some of the parts abridged in the 3 hour version included the exile of the Pandava, the Battle at Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira's test, the subplot of Abhimanyu and also the story of the deathless boy, among others.

It's as good as I remember it from the first six-episode version I saw on VHS a long time ago which was taped directly from the original PBS airing.

Nature abhors a moron. -H.L. Mencken
http://www.cinemalogue.com

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The shortened version is no where near as good or clear as the five & half hour older DVD release. The older one also included interview segments with the director, screenplay writer, production designer, and various actors.

I hope they re-release the 2002 DVD again.

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