Fish Called Wanda, A: Special Edition (2 Discs) (UK)

8 / 10
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A tale of murder, lust, greed, revenge, and seafood
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 108 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:

Synopsis:
Barrister Archie (John Cleese) falls in love and tosses off more than his wig for sexy thief Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) - who can charm the pants off anyone! To make things worse, Wanda is already using her charms on fellow partner-in-crime Otto (Kevin Kline in an Oscar-wining performance), a dim-witted, intellectual psychopath who thinks the London Underground is a political movement!

Meanwhile, Otto is making eyes at henchman Ken (Michael Palin), an animal loving multiple dog-killer, who is infatuated with a fish…called Wanda. Get the Picture? A British comedy gem, A Fish Called Wanda "takes a spot… as one of the funniest romantic comedies of the decade (Box Office).

Special Features:
Audio commentary from John Cleese with fascinating and funny insights
Two new documentaries: `Something Fishy` and `John Cleese`s First Farewell Performance`
Deleted scenes: each one includes as individual introduction from John Cleese
Alternative ending
Photo galleries: features images from deleted scenes, behind the scenes, key stills and publicity materials
Trailers
TV spots
Trivia tracks
Easter Eggs (hidden features) including Jamie Lee Curtis` `Halloween` surprise!
Interactive menu
Scene access

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English

Subtitle Tracks:
Hebrew
Polish
Czech
Swedish
Finnish
Turkish
English
Portuguese
Greek
Hungarian
Danish
Norwegian

Directed By:
Charles Crichton

Written By:


Starring:
Stephen Fry
Cynthia Cleese
Geoffrey Palmer
Patricia Hayes
Tom Georgeson
Maria Aitken
Michael Palin
Kevin Kline
Jamie Lee Curtis
John Cleese

Casting By:
Priscilla John

Soundtrack By:
John Du Prez

Music From:
Gioacchino Rossini

Director of Photography:
Alan Hume

Editor:
John Jympson

Production Designer:
Roger Murray-Leach

Producer:
Michael Shamberg
John Comfort

Executive Producer:
John Cleese
Steve Abbott

Distributor:
MGM / UA

Your Opinions and Comments

9 / 10
MGM originally released a bare bones disc a few years back. Now they`ve decided to give this film the treatment it deserves.

The picture quaility is excellent throughout with few problems. The sound has also been remastered well.

The first extra is an audio commentary from John Cleese. Although John doesn`t sound very interested in his delivery, this is still an informative commentary. John reveals much behind the scenes information which is expanded even more in other extras.

3 documentaries are on this disc. The first is John Cleese`s First Farewell Performance whch lasts for 48 minutes. This was made at the time of release and is a very interesting documentary. Next is the 30 minute retrospective featurette
Something Fishy. This features interviews with all 4 main cast members as well as other production personnel. The last documentary is the 16 minute Fish You Were Here: On Location. In this, Robert Powell visits many of the locations used for the film.

There is also 27 minutes worth of deleted scenes which all feature introductions from John Cleese where he explains why these scenes were cut. Quite a few of these scenes are pretty funny and one or two could have stayed in the film.

The rest of the extras include a 4 minute Message From John Cleese, Portrait Of A Fish photo gallery and a trailer.

Overall, this is a comedy classic presented on an excellent DVD.
posted by dvd_man on 15/2/2003 20:19