The official announcement for Universal's DVD and HD DVD release of American Gangster came out and it appears they may be backing off of HD DVD a little as the HD DVD is set to carry far fewer features than either the 2-Disc or 3-Disc DVD releases.

Both the HD DVD and DVD releases will feature the theatrical cut and an unrated and extended cut of the film (approximately 20 minutes more), a commentary track and deleted scenes, but that is where the similarities end.

Here are the DVD features:

2-Disc Special Edition:

Disc 1:

• Approximately 20 minutes of additional footage
• Commentary with Director Ridley Scott and Writer Steven Zaillian (Theatrical Cut only)

Disc 2:

• Alternate Opening
• Frank and Eva's Wedding
• Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster – Tru-Blu: The Real Story
• Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster – Killer Threads: Costumes
• Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster – Crime War: Production
• Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster – Into the Arena: Ali vs. Frazier
• Fallen Empire: Making American Gangster – Rhythm of the Street: Sound, Music and Editing
• Case Files: Script Meeting
• Case Files: Heroin Test Show & Tell
• Case Files: Setting Up the Takedown

… Here is what the third disc in the 3-Disc Collector's Edition holds:

Disc 3:

• Hip-Hop Infusion
• The BET Special: The Making of American Gangster
• Dateline NBC: American Gangster First Look
• "Blue Magic" by Jay Z
• "Do You Feel Me" by Anthony Hamilton Featureing Ghostface Killah
• Theatrical Trailer
• Second Session Digital Files

Now, here is what the HD DVD offers:

HD DVD Side:

• Approximately 20 minutes of additional footage
• Alternate Opening
• Deleted Scenes
• Uncovering the Past: The Real Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts
• Feature Commentary with director Ridley Scott and writer Steven Zaillian
• Picture in Picture

DVD Side:

• Commentary with Director Ridley Scott and Writer Steven Zaillian (Theatrical Cut only)

I will say there is a slight chance that the Picture in Picture U-Control feature will include the majority of the "Fallen Empire" and "Case Files" features from the DVD edition, but as you can see there are several features that will not be included.

Is this a sign that Universal is going to slowly back off the HD DVD format in preparation to switch the Blu-ray? Unfortunately the studio has been completely mum on the subject so all we can do is speculate. We already know what Hitler thinks.

American Gangster hits DVD and HD DVD on February 19th, click here for more information.

Related post categories: Home Video News : American Gangster

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