Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray/DVD set of The Bridge on the River Kwai with a release date of November 2. The WWII classic, and winner of seven Academy Awards, underwent an extensive restoration process from the original negatives. In comments made to the El Paso Times – a near-final restoration was recently shown at the Plaza Classic Film Festival in El Paso, Texas – Grover Crisp, Sony senior VP for restoration and mastering, said that the restoration has allowed for the film to be presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, as the film had been “cropped and changed to 2:35:1 shortly after CinemaScope started.” Now fans of the River Kwai can see it in the manner it was shot. [Blu-ray.com]
The gift set includes a 32-page book with photos and stories from the 1957 souvenir book, and replicas of original lobby cards.
All-new special features include: