On December 8th 2009 (in the US and Canada, at least), Ultimate Collector's Editions of the first two
Harry Potter films were released on Blu-Ray and DVD. A full list of their special features can be seen further
below. A trailer for the first two Harry Potter Ultimate Collector's Editions can be seen
here via Youtube. Years 1-2 are definitely being
released on December 8th, while we have confirmation of years 3-7. It is currently unknown whether they are
going to be releasing year 7 on one extra-large DVD or in 2 DVDs. Each DVD set will contain over 5 hours of
special features, plus an extended edition of the movie and one part of an 8-part documentary.
Release: Years 1 & 2: December 8, 2009 Years 3 & 4: (Tentative) November 25, 2010
All further release dates are unknown.
Year 3 (Tentative): Box Art. Year 4 (Tentative): Box Art.
8-Part Documentary
Each of the Ultimate Collector's Edition DVDs will/do have one part of an 8-part documentary, each part to be around 1 hour long. Here are the tentatively scheduled parts of the documentary, as listed on the packaging:
Part 1: The Magic Begins
Part 2: Characters
Part 3: Magical Creatures
Part 4: The Music of Harry Potter
Part 5: The Evolution of Harry Potter
Part 6: Special Effects
Part 7: Growing Up Potter
Part 8: The Harry Potter Phenomenon
Extended Editions
Each of the Ultimate Edition DVDs will/do include an extended version of their respective films. Rumours have emerged concerning the extra footage contained on the DVDs.
The extended footage is a mix of new and deleted scenes. Here are the rumoured lengths of additional footage for each currently released film:
Philosopher's Stone: 7 Mins Extra
Chamber of Secrets: 13 Mins Extra
Prisoner of Azkaban: 23 Mins Extra
Goblet of Fire: 37 Mins Extra
Order of the Phoenix: 54 Mins Extra
Half-Blood Prince: 8 Mins Extra
Special Features:
We learned on Sept 17th, 2009, a few of the special features to be on EACH of these DVD sets:
The new Ultimate Editions of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets, priced at $39.92 on DVD and $49.99 on Blu-ray, will each include five hours of special features,
theatrical and extended versions of the film, a 48-page photo book and other collectibles.
Among the special features will be screen tests, new featurettes with the cast and filmmakers and the first
two one-hour installments of a new comprehensive documentary about the making of the movie franchise. Called
Creating the World of Harry Potter, the eight-hour documentary will have one hour on each Ultimate Edition.
(As Video Business reports)
The following day we learned the full list of special features:
Year 1
The back cover says:
For the First Time Ever …
Uncover the intimate details of the search to cast Harry Potter and his friends • See Daniel, Rupert and
Emma’s never-before-seen audition tapes • Be there with stars and filmmakers walking onto the set for the
exciting first day of shooting • Learn about Chris Columbus’ critical, step-by-step decisions behind the
creation of Harry Potter’s world on screen • Look back on an amazing decade’s worth of movies with Daniel,
Rupert and Emma in new and vintage interviews never seen before. Plus: Exclusive Introduction by Daniel
Radcliffe.
We know:
DISC 1: Theatrical Version
DISC 2: Extended Version with 7 Minutes of Footage Not Shown in Theatres.
DISC 3:
• Diagon Alley
• Tour the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry’s Room and the Great Hall - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hogwarts, home of witches and wizards in training, and take in the sights.
• Classrooms:
• Defense Against the Dark Arts; Spells and Charms; Potions; Transfiguration; Third Floor Corridor; Deleted Scenes.
• Sorting Hat
• Library
• Gallery of Art & Architecture
• Hogwarts Yearbook
• Guide to Ghosts - Discover the many marvelous and mysterious ghosts of Hogwarts.
• Hogwarts Grounds
• Quaffle and Bludger - Get a lesson from Oliver Wood on how to play Quidditch.
• Tour Hagrid's Hut - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hagrid’s Hut, home of Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, and his faithful companion, Fang.
• Extra Credit
• Interview - Capturing the Stone: A Conversation with the Filmmakers - Director Chris Columbus, Producer David Heyman, Screenwriter Steve Kloves and Production Designer Stuart Craig talk about casting and bringing the novel to life.
DISC 4:
• Introduction by Daniel Radcliffe - An introduction to the many special features for the Harry Potter films [NEW]
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins - Discover the story of how one vision for the Harry Potter films came together out of limitless possibilities to create the visual world we have come to know and love. [NEW]
• A Glimpse Into the World of Harry Potter 2001 International TV Special
• Deleted Scenes
• Trailers and TV Spots
Disc 5
• Digital Copy of Theatrical Film
Blu-ray Ultimate Edition
Includes everything listed above as well as the following Blu-ray exclusives:
· In-Movie Experience with Director Chris Columbus: An interactive viewer experience where the entire film is examined; includes PiP, Storyboard Comparisons, Still Galleries
· WB Maximum Movie Mode picture-in-picture programming, cast walk-ons, focus points, graphics and more.
· BD Live with access to worldwide events, special guest participants, community features and more.
Year 2
The back cover says:
Welcome to the second Harry Potter Ultimate Edition! A Whole New Realm of Discovery…
Discover the intriguing inside stories of why so many of Britain’s most celebrated stars took roles in the
series • See the newly unveiled screen test between Daniel Radcliffe and Evanna Lynch (selected to play
Luna out of 15,000 hopefuls!) • Go on the set to see firsthand how each of the directors brought unique
strengths to the series • Witness the amazing transformations as Daniel, Rupert and Emma grow with their
characters over a decade of unprecedented filmmaking. Plus: Never-Before-Seen Screen Tests of Daniel
Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
We know:
DISC 1: Theatrical Version
DISC 2: Extended Version with 13 Minutes of Footage Not Shown in Theatres.
DISC 3:
• Deleted Scenes
• Lockhart’s Classroom
• Photo Gallery
• Certificates - Have a look at Gilderoy Lockhart’s many achievements.
• Required Reading - Find out what text books you’ll need for Lockhart’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
• Extra Credit
• Behind Hogwarts
• A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves - The author and screenwriter detail how the books are brought to life, and the changes that happen in the process.
• Dumbledore’s Office
• Build a Scene - Building a scene as magnificent as Professor Dumbledore’s office takes more than wood, plaster, nails and paint. It takes imagination.
• Tour Dumbledore's Office - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Professor Dumbledore’s office, one of the most fascinating rooms at Hogwarts.
• Interviews with Students, Professors and More
• Students - What would you ask the cast, if you could? Put yourself in the interview chair as the stars answer questions about making the film.
• Professors and More - Enjoy personal moments with the professors and others as they discuss their characters: Prof. Gilderoy Lockhart, Lucius Malfoy, Prof. Pomona Sprout, Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Prof. Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Prof. Severus Snape, Uncle Vernon Dursley, Aunt Petunia Dursley, Argus Filch, Prof. Minerva McGonagall.
• Gallery of Production Sketches
• Activities
• The Chamber Challenge [Game]
• Tour the Chamber of Secrets - What are you doing here? This place isn’t safe. Begin your journey down the dark corridor for the self-guided tour of the Chamber of Secrets.
• The Forbidden Forest Challenge [Game]
• Colin’s Darkroom
• Tour Diagon Alley - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Diagon Alley, where you can find all your supplies for the school year. Explore the many shops, such as Flourish & Blotts and the Magical Menagerie.
• Spellcaster Knowledge Challenge [Game]
• EA Game Preview
DISC 4:
• Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 2: Characters - Explore how the cast and creative team of directors and designers take the characters’ descriptions on the page to the actors’ performances on film. [NEW]
• Screen Tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson [NEW]
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Revealed - 2002 HBO First Look special
• Trailers and TV Spots