TWIN PEAKS : Definitive Gold Box Edition

For most UK fans, the major problem with this box set is of course that it hasn't been released here! Incredibly annoying seeing as it's available across Europe. I bought mine from Holland, and if you were wondering if it's worth it, then read on.

I won't try telling you all how wonderful this show is, about Lynch's influence, the writing, the characters and all the quirks... instead I can tell you about the box set as released in Europe. Now, the back of the box is in Dutch (or Germany depending where you buy it), but the front is in English, the lovely postcard set included is in English, and all the menus are in English when you play a disc.

Disc 1 is given to the Pilot episode, and includes both the European version seen originally in the UK, and the domestic US release which is more continuity friendly to the rest of the series. The only problem with the "correct" US version is that you don't get to see the wonderful "25 Years Later" sequence in the Black Lodge.

Discs 2 to 9 contain all seven episodes of Season 1 and the 22 of Season 2. Disc 9 also includes low quality versions of several lost scenes. Poor quality or not, it's interesting viewing!

Disc 10 is the Special Features. And wow. Several documentary shorts covering different aspects of the show, they can be viewed as one long documentary which I thought worked incredibly well. You have got to see the Angelo Badalamenti part for yourself to see what a wonderful guy he is, and see how he and Lynch work together so well. His one-man show of how he and Lynch formulated Laura Palmer's Theme is fantastic. Julee Cruise is also in this part of the documentary... how on Earth a woman with a voice like a crow can sing like an angel is beyond me!

As well as the documentary, there is a half-hour chat between Lynch, Madchen Amick, Kyle MacLachlan and Lynch's assistant in a smoky diner/bar which, while not particularly informative, is damn fun to watch. It's very casual, very friendly, and really nice to see them together talking. I only wish one or two other familar bar patrons would have stopped by.

The sound quality is excellent, and the mixes have thankfully removed all the tinniness that pervaded the first VHS releases.

The masters used for the picture transfers are very clean, but they are not as good as I had expected from product reviews. The masters on Season 1 are exactly the same as those used for the original Season 1 DVD release, although they have been colour timed again to match the new masters created for Season 2. David Lynch supervised two or three of the colour timing sessions to set the "temperature" and the rest was done to match. While Lynch's participation is obviously 100% welcome, I have to say that the picture sometimes appears to have had its temperature shifted too much to the red, green and brown. Warmer colours, yes, and it gives the show a very woody, autumnal tone, but it seems to be a little over-applied compared to what we've seen before. Additionally, the actual masters aren't really that great a quality. I can only hope that when the show is released on Blu-ray we get the quality they can derive from the original negatives.

Quibbles about the picture aside, it's a good set, and far better than we've seen it before.

Everyone who knows Twin Peaks, knows the story and therefore, I won't be giving a plot-by-plot account of it. There are many reviews below for this. This is merely to clear up a few points to those who are wondering about the versions and disc qualities in regards to the USA release where there were many issues in their Box Set.

Twin Peaks - Definitive Gold Box Edition (UK Version) is spread over 10-discs, with 2 discs in each thin case and disc 10 being a Bonus Disc, which is fantastic.

Disc 1: The Pilots - Original and International(Alternative Ending).

The Original Pilot is exactly that. What was originally shown on Bravo many years ago with nothing removed.

The International Pilot is the same as the Original Pilot up to 87 mins and then goes into a 21min 18sec Alternative Ending. You can just select "Alternative Ending" from the menu without watching the International Version all the way through.

The USA had issues with their boxsets, specifically with discs 4 & 6 and the menu setup etc and these are my findings for those who are still wanting to find out.

Menu - Works perfectly fine on ALL discs. Whether you "Play All" or select "Episodes".

Log lady - Works perfectly and you can play "Log Lady Intro" or "without Log Lady Intro".

Back To Main Menu - No problems with these, it is all programmed correctly.

Discs 4 & 6 - No problems with the UK Version. The USA discs 4 & 6 have now been re issued but people were wondering if these issues would materialise here on the UK Boxsets. The issues were, "scene skipping" by 15mins.

Postcards - There are no Postcards in the UK Version Boxset.

DVD Quality - Both audio and visual have been remastered for both Pilots and all Episodes and they are brilliant.
However, the "Log Lady Intro's" have not been remastered and look like old VHS Tapes.

So, for those who were wondering whether to buy the UK Edition boxset because of the bad USA boxset pressings and programming issues will not have any problems with these at all.

If you love Twin Peaks and I'm sure you do, as you are reading this review. Buy yourself a copy today.

Now, back to my Cherry Pie and Coffee : )

So glad this boxset is finally being released in the UK! My friend had this on region 1 dvd and i can tell you that it is worth every penny. You get the complete season 1 and 2 and a whole set of special features including the various versions of the pilot. The european pilot is a made for tv movie so it contains a conclusion to the episode and explaining who killed laura palmer. The ending works but it is fair to say that it doesn't have the charm or effectiveness that the whole series provides. Also included are deleted scenes which have poor sound quality (if memory serves me) but they are nice to see.

The second season is what everyone has been waiting for. It has been given the same attention that was given to season one so the transfer is really good and the picture is really clear and colourful.
For those who were too young to see the show when it was on tv (which to be fair I was) the second season wraps up the murder plot surrounding laura palmer. This results in a dip in the quality of the episodes, probably due to the fact that the writers didn't know where to take the show seeing as the premise on which it was based was forced to be solved. They do eventually get back on track leading to some brilliant episodes and one heck of a cliffhanger which fans are dying to see resolved (but unfortunately we probably will never get - someone at least make a graphic novel).
Included are the log lady introductions and new documentaries/interviews featuring most of the cast. It is refreashing to see david lynch and kyle maclachlan together talking about the show and expressing their feelings on it then and now.
Unfortunately i can't remember all the special features but i can assure u that there are loads and you won't be dissappointed with them. Included in the region 1 release were a set of limited edition collectabile postcards so hopefully they will be included aswell.

All in all the show is undoubtably one of the best ever and without it we wouldn't have alot of the shows we have today i.e. lost, x files. The gold boxset has the complete series 1 and 2 with a ton of features that will please the fans and newcomers alike.
For those who haven't seen the show, take a gamble and make this purchase. You will not be dissappointed.