This unusual sci-fi fable comes to DVD with a selection of thoughtful extra features. The best of these is the first commentary recorded especially for the UK disc.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Picture The beautifully shot imagery is transferred to DVD with real sensitivity, creating a vision of haunting depth.

Sound Subtle, but effective, the 5.1 mix diffuses around the speakers, immersing you into the movie.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Audio Commentary One Director Iain Softley and cinematographer John Mathieson take us through the making of their film, concentrating on the script structure and the look of the movie.

The initial script needed a lot of cutting down, in particular 20 pages of hypnosis scenes that had to be divided down and shortened. Iain was able to get in early on the production process and make the changes needed, which he discusses in some detail.

Audio Commentary Two Recorded for the US DVD, this is Iain Softley on his own. Without John Mathieson there, he's able to get really stuck into the themes behind the movie. But, not surprisingly, most of what he says is quite familiar if you've listened to the other track.

Making Of It took producer Lawrence Gordon six years to get the film made. In this 11-minute featurette he talks a little about the problems he faced getting finance for this unusual project.

Kevin Spacey had actually been offered the script two and a half years before. He discusses how he prefers to be sent a script without knowing the role the filmmakers want him to play. He chose the part of Prot, which was not what was expected, hence him dropping out of the movie.

Interviews In this section you'll find 13 minutes of interviews with the principal cast and crew. Most comments are either about plot or character, although the film's technical advisor, Dr Alessia Gottlieb, does think that there is a profound message to the movie that the psychiatric profession should heed.

Additional Extra Features Also on the DVD is a storyboard comparison for the opening scene, an alternate ending, six short deleted scenes, Jeff Bridges photo gallery, a trailer for the film, and a trailer gallery for other FilmFour titles.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: 2
Chapters: 16
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles: See Captions
Captions: English
Menus: Animated, with music
Special Features Subtitles: None of the special features come with subtitles.

This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.