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This special limited edition J-card MediaBook slipcase (designed by Murugiah) is limited to 4,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them. (Note: this Limited Edition includes a 40 page booklet)
Note: this release is available to be purchased on its own, or bundled with a Cinématographe Disco T-Shirt, ranging in sizes from SM - 3XL. This Limited Edition Slipcase + Disco Shirt bundle is limited to 100 units. (Sold Out)
Taking its name from the Lumière Brothers invention of the same name, Cinématographe is a new sub-label from Vinegar Syndrome that seeks to fill gaps in the canon of American cinema. Offering a mix of auteur driven studio films produced during the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s and 70s all the way through the indie boom of the 1980s and 90s, Cinématographe will explore the wide breadth of American moviemaking, spanning numerous genres and scales of production. Curated and produced by Vinegar Syndrome's Justin LaLiberty, each limited edition release will be housed in a specially designed, cloth-bound, media book with embossed foil titles and custom molded disc trays accompanied by a slipcase featuring newly commissioned art and an individually numbered J-card.
New York City, 1979: working class Jersey City teenager Shane (Ryan Phillippe, Cruel Intentions) becomes infatuated with Studio 54, a lavish Manhattan nightclub known for decadence. Shane’s time at 54 introduces him to a cast of characters including real life nightclub owner Steve Rubell (Mike Myers, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery), busboy Greg (Breckin Meyer, Clueless), coat checker Anita (Salma Hayek, Traffic), and actress Julie (Neve Campbell, Scream).
Written and directed by Mark Christopher, 54 was originally heavily re-shot ahead of its theatrical release in 1998 before being re-assembled in a long awaited director’s cut in 2015, with over forty minutes of different footage used. Anchored by an impressive, star-making, performance from Ryan Phillippe along with a bombastic, period appropriate soundtrack, 54 is an essential ode to old New York that’s ripe for re-discovery. Cinématographe is proud to present the definitive release of 54, including a new 4K restoration of the 1998 theatrical version (on both the 4K and blu-ray discs) as well as the 2015 director’s cut (blu-ray disc only), offering an exemplary case study in how drastically different a film can be between two different edits.
directed by: Mark Christopher starring: Ryan Phillippe, Mike Myers, Salma Hayek, Breckin Meyer, Neve Campbell, Sela Ward 1998 / 93 min/106 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Additional info:
3-Disc Set: 4K Ultra HD + Region A Blu-ray x 2
Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative
4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range
New audio commentaries with writer/director Mark Christopher, moderated by Cinématographe's Justin LaLiberty, on both cuts of the film
New audio commentary with filmmaker and writer Drew Burnett Gregory on the theatrical cut
Archival audio commentary with Mark Christopher and director of photography Alexander Gruszynski on the director's cut
I'm Dead - a new video interview with Mark Christopher
Nothing Is for Certain - a new video interview with editor Lee Percy
54-ness - a new video interview with producer Dolly Hall
Awesome Party - a new video interview with associate producer Jonathan King
Let's Do the Work - a new video interview with director's cut editor David Kittredge
In the Trenches Together - a new video interview with Alexander Gruszynski
Finding Yourself - a new video essay by film historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
If You Could Read My Mind...The Making of 54: The Director's Cut - an archival featurette from 2016
Deleted Scenes - including footage not found in the director's cut
Never before seen B-roll from the production
BTS photo gallery
Photo galleries from festival premieres and the director's cut re-release in France
BTS footage from the director's cut mixing sessions
New text essays by writer Sean Abley, author of Queer Horror: A Film Guide; film programmer Alex Gootter and Dan Mecca, editor of The Film Stage
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.7222223 / 5 from 108 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition release of the film '54' includes a new 4K restoration and the director's cut on Blu-ray. It features a fantastic soundtrack, numerous extras, and interviews with the filmmakers. The slipcase is limited to 4,000 units and includes a 40-page booklet.
Summary topics
Release Quality (36%): Many customers expressed satisfaction with the release, stating it was brilliant, excellent, and packed with extras.
Film Quality (25%): Based on a significant number of customers, the movie is highly praised for its great looking and fantastic soundtrack.
"Great movie 4k looks good case is great" — Jose G.
"Great looking movie with a fantastic soundtrack." — Marc F.
"The 4k looks gorgeous, the special features are excellent." — Alberto G.
Reviews
Fantastic film with the directors cut
"This was my first time watching this film and went ahead and started with the directors cut. Absolutely adored this movie. Full of charm, sexy, comedy, drama, and a lot of heart. Ryan gives a fantastic performances and I didn’t expect to see Erika Alexander in the film and get one of the funniest lines with a cameo from a very famous porn star. The 4k is a nice upgrade but the directors cut is the way to go. The box design itself is gorgeous. Don’t miss out!"
— Michael P. (5/5)
First class presentation of a mid-tier film
"54 exists in a particular pocket of 90's cinema that frankly just isn't my vibe. But this whole line is so extraordinary, it is the only one (VS or otherwise) in which I am completely brand loyal--I buy every single one of these titles. The care and effort put into this edition is palpable, per usual, even though I'm not wild about the film."
— Jonathan M. (3/5)
Amazing upgrade & both versions!
"An incredible release - the original film as released, the director’s re-edit, and so many interviews and extras that it bobbles the mind. It’s just a meh movie, but having it both ways is fantastic nonetheless. It looks and sounds eons better than the DVD I’ve been used to, and it does end up being a lot of fun. My standard packaging has a nice insert with its original poster art on the flip side, and the 3-discs have a nice color scheme and are in a great slim case."
— Donald M. (5/5)
I absolutely love the presentation
"I absolutely love the presentation of this, to me, forgotten movie. The 4K looks and sounds amazing and all the special features included were great! I didn't even know a director's cut existed until I saw this! Great release!"
— Carlos R. (5/5)
Cinématographe perfection
"Awesome Cinématographe release of an old classic. Presented here in two vastly different cuts. Perfect restoration and packaging."
— Jakob P. (5/5)
Fun 90s take on the 70s
"This is quite ridiculous but Mike Meyers playing a “serious” role as the flamboyant owner of Club 54 and all of the silliness that surrounded its demise is a film well worth watching."
— Brent B. (5/5)
Beyond worth it!
"The 4k looks gorgeous, the special features are excellent. We get commentaries on both cuts along with a BUNCH of special features, all housed in a beautiful mediabook. Highly recommend."
— Alberto G. (5/5)
An almost there special edition
"Look, its a lavish limited edition, that just can’t live up to the disc content. The theatrical 4K is fine, but having to work done to incorporate better transfer elements was a majestic waste of time. The Dir cut looks like trash. This release should’ve been skipped and let someone else handle it that could have brought that Dir Cut back to life."
— Jack H. (3/5)
Never Thought I'd Feel This Way
"As a young DJ, I was hugely excited about the upcoming release of this film at the time. I had my favourite Larry Levan mix CD recorded live at the Paradise Garage and owned loads of the disco and funk records featured in this film. I used to play them out regularly at a local bar, but unfortunately I was too young (and in the wrong country) to have enjoyed it all in New York at the time. When 54 did come out, I really fell in love with it. I had no idea at the time about all the cuts and changes which were made, but to me the film always came across as a kind of remake of Saturday Night Fever (another favourite of mine). In terms of sexuality, the two movies couldn't be more different, but they do bear other similarities. I first saw the director's cut a few years ago and at the time, I wasn't all that taken with it. I think it's difficult when you've seen one version of a film for so many years and then there are all these additional bits appearing. . . it kind of takes you out of the movie, at least the first time. Fast forward to today and I've just watched the theatrical cut - it looks and sounds fantastic. It's still a great film in my opinion, regardless of the changes. . . but I'm a fan of the theatrical release of Alien 3, so it's just an opinion! This release includes quite a few extras, although I'd have liked more about the club itself. I did own a Blu Ray all about 54, so I know there's plenty of information out there. The booklet is interesting and a nice inclusion, but contains nothing revelatory. Artwork for the release is far from fabulous, instead opting for duller colours more in line with other Cinematographe releases (which is understandable, but a shame). All in all it's a great release and the best there is, but I'd have preferred to see better artwork perhaps on another sublabel (if it'd fit, which perhaps it wouldn't). In the near future I'll watch the director's cut again and see how I feel about it, perhaps my opinion will have changed over time. Either way, this is a fine film and the best release of the film to date! As a final note, I always loved the cheesy disco version of Gordon Lightfoot's song. I don't know about the US, but in the UK the best mix (by Hex Hector) wasn't on the main single 12" and was only available on promo."
— Sam N. (5/5)
Comprehensive Release
"Great release with both versions. Loved the commentary with Drew Burnett Gregory on the theatrical version!"
— Ryan B. (5/5)
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