Lionsgate has joined with American Zoetrope for a multiyear distribution deal, and they have just announced that Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now will be coming to Blu-ray! The release boasts new transfers for both versions of the film and there will be two deluxe editions to choose from. The first edition will be a 2-disc affair with both versions of the film, as well as over nine hours of special features. The thorough enthusiast will most likely want to pick up the “Full Disclosure Edition” which contains everything from the 2-disc set, as well as the Hearts of Darkness documentary and a 48-page booklet. Street date is October 19th.

Update: Added cover art and final specs and features. Notice that these Blu-ray editions will reinstate the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. On previous home video releases, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro’s decided to open the aspect ratio to 2.00:1.

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Criterion / 1995 / R / 120min 1080p Full Frame 1.33:1 English Monaural

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It’s no secret that we here at HTL love Criterion. There’s almost nothing we enjoy more than getting a fresh Criterion screener in the mail. And one of the things we enjoy most about Criterion is their candor. The company has never shied away from being honest and transparent with their fans. Recently they’ve come under fire from some who’ve noticed fluctuation in their DVD prices. The whole thing is rather ridiculous when you consider the immense value of most of their discs; but the good folks at Criterion take their customers’ concerns seriously and, via a post on their Facebook page, have addressed the issue.

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