- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Subtitles: French, Dutch, English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Fox
- DVD Release Date: 30 Jun 2003
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004TBSX
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
18,089 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
- #20 in Film & TV > Action & Adventure > Romantic
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
A hit in Europe but a flop in the US--where it was trimmed, rescored, and given a new ending--Luc Besson's The Big Blue has endured as a minor cult classic for its gorgeous photography (both on land and underwater) and dreamy ambiance. Jean-Marc Barr is a sweet and sensitive but passive presence as Jacques, a diver with a unique connection to the sea. He has the astounding ability to slow his heartbeat and his circulation on deep dives, "a phenomenon that's only been observed in whales and dolphins until now," remarks one scientist. Kooky New York insurance adjuster Joanna (Rosanna Arquette at her most delightfully flustered and endearingly sexy best) melts after falling into his innocent baby blues, and she follows him to Italy, where he's continuing a lifelong competition with boyhood rival Enzo (Jean Reno in a performance both comic and touching).
Besson's first English-language production looks more European than Hollywood, and it suffers from a tin ear for the language. At times it feels more like an IMAX undersea documentary than a drama about free divers, but the lush and lovely images create a fairy tale dimension to Jacques's story, a veritable Little Merman. More dolphin than man, he's so torn between earthly love and aquatic paradise that even his dreams call him to the sea (in a sequence more eloquent than any speech).
Besson has expanded the film by 50 minutes for his director's cut, which adds little story but slows the contemplative pace until it practically floats in time, and has restored Eric Serra's synthesizer-heavy score, a slice of 1980s pop that at times borders on disco kitsch. Most importantly, he has restored his original ending, which echoes the fairy tale he tells Joanna earlier in the film and leaves the story floating in the inky blackness of ambiguity. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com
Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
16:9 Wide Screen
DVD 9
French
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Surround English French
Dolby Digital Surround
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Original Theatrical Trailer
French\Dutch
16:9 Wide Screen
DVD 9
French
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Surround English French
Dolby Digital Surround
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Original Theatrical Trailer
French\Dutch
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I've just finished watching this film for the first time. I loved it! As a diver and sailor, I really enjoyed Besson's portrayal of a man caught between the two worlds of land and sea, and the filmwork is superb. The original ending seems infinitely superior to the tacky US 'happy' version.
The story becomes even more tragic when you know that the real life Jacques Mayol committed suicide recently, at the age of 74, after suffering from depression. He was a great diver, and a real inspiration to many who free dive today. If you haven't seen the film, and have a passion for the water, watch it as soon as you can!
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you want 2 1/2 hours or so of pure escapism then this is the film for you. Besson's epic film will take you to beautiful lands (Peru, Greece, Sicily) and also to the bottom of the sea. Brilliant performances from the cruelly underatted Jean Marc Barr, Rosana Arquette who starts out as the ditzy blond but becomes much more emotional and Jean Reno who stills every scene he's in and also provides much of the humour.
The film won several awards for the underwater photography which is absolutely breathtaking and also for Eric Serra's dreamy music which gives the movie a whole new feel and puts your right in the action.
The film won several awards for the underwater photography which is absolutely breathtaking and also for Eric Serra's dreamy music which gives the movie a whole new feel and puts your right in the action.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
i decided to write something about big blue as it is one of my top 20 films of all time and i cant understand people who give it one star.. they really dont understand cinema do they ????
it really is an amazing film, dreamy is the right word, one of bessons best together with nikita and leon (especially leon, great but not as unique). music and cinematography are oscar worthy, acting is sublime, photography breathtaking.. story maybe slightly frivolous but touching at same time. a drama with a few drops of comedy here and there, on a subject that was never touched before or after this film came out.
if u generally love the sea and never seen this film just go buy it, u will be enthralled..& if u are indifferent on the sea subject, but u think u can still appreciate a stunningly beautiful film then still go buy it. 6 stars ........
it really is an amazing film, dreamy is the right word, one of bessons best together with nikita and leon (especially leon, great but not as unique). music and cinematography are oscar worthy, acting is sublime, photography breathtaking.. story maybe slightly frivolous but touching at same time. a drama with a few drops of comedy here and there, on a subject that was never touched before or after this film came out.
if u generally love the sea and never seen this film just go buy it, u will be enthralled..& if u are indifferent on the sea subject, but u think u can still appreciate a stunningly beautiful film then still go buy it. 6 stars ........
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Big Blue
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It is beautifully captured, the story is captivating and the actors are splendid in their roles. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Autumn's Breath
Modern classic.
This is a modern classic. Jean-Marc Barr gives a top notch, charismatic and convincing performance as Jacques and Jean Reno is unforgettable and equally brilliant as Enzo. Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Swingler
A real dissappointment
Reviews seemed to put this as a classic. The subject matter meant it couldnt fail:-freediving and dolphins.
But there is schmaltz and silliness. Read more
But there is schmaltz and silliness. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Renzo
One of the best films ever made.
First let's sort out the confusion. This version (Version Longue) is 163 minutes and is the longest most complete version with Luc Besson's original intended ending. Read more
Published 21 months ago by 007
Awful, a real bore
I can't comment on the "short" version, but the long version is soooo long slow-moving and downright boring. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2010 by Stefan43
LONG VERSION IS THE WRONG VERSION
I had the original Big Blue on video and love the film. As I no longer have a video player I decided to buy the DVD. Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2009 by Mr. A. P. Lawrence
AWESOME!
Words just can not describe how AWESOME this film is. I must have watched it 200 times by now - LITERALLY!!!
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by M. Johnson
Prefer US Version
*Spoilers!*!
This is a five-star film but I find that the Director's cut is less charming than the US release. Read more
This is a five-star film but I find that the Director's cut is less charming than the US release. Read more
Published on 26 July 2009 by Don Duncan
Fantastic story which captures the essence of life
This film deserves to be seen in a movie theater. But the story is still so deep ... and well writen, that you must noto hesitate to buy this dvd. Read more
Published on 24 July 2009 by Lars Pedersen
sublime
watch if you want to relax into one of the most mesmorising , feel good films of modern times . watched it expecting little & found myself engrossed in story . brilliant
Published on 5 July 2009 by P. A. Lipscombe
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