The
I'm Not There DVD has a tribute to Heath on it. It sounds like the perfect treatment of a film for its admirers. Oh James Schamus, you could take a few notes from this...
http://www.joblo.com/dvdclinic/dvd_review.php?id=2087Disc One:
Audio Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Todd Haynes: Haynes is non-stop in this commentary, offering valuable knowledge on Dylan’s history, the story’s origins, inspirations, character analysis, and much, much more. A few bits are repeated on Disc Two, but not nearly enough to skip this must-listen track.
On-Screen Song Lyrics, a Song Selection, and Sneak Peeks round out Disc One.
Disc Two:
Audition Tapes (4:35): Marcus Carl Franklin’s (Woodie Guthrie) and Ben Winshaw (Arthur Rimbaud)’s are included, intercut with corresponding footage from the film.
Deleted Scenes (2:08): There are two here: ‘Silver Club Bathroom,’ which puts us back into the Factory-esque atmosphere and ‘Mrs. Baker,’ an extra scene with Billy the Kid.
Alternate/Extended Scenes (19:20): All four are for the songs Tombstone Blues, Hattie Carroll, Goin’ to Acapulco, and Pressing On.
Outtakes (4:13) offers a goofy montage of line flubs, animal antics, Todd Haynes, and more.
A Tribute to Heath Ledger (3:15) is a heart-felt video of the late actor on set, backdropped with Dylan’s ‘Tomorrow is a Long Time.’
The Red Carpet Premiere (2:41) gathers Todd Haynes and his cast at the November 13, 2007 premiere in New York City.
Making the Soundtrack (21:03): Music producers John Henry, Lee Ranaldo (of Sonic Youth), director Todd Haynes, actor Marcus Carl Franklin, and others give an inside look at the evolution of the soundtrack. Along with other topics, the men provide insight on the talent involved, updating/choosing the songs, and the rare track ‘I’m Not There,’ which hadn’t been released until last year.
A Conversation with Todd Haynes (42:31): More of a series of conversations, the director sits down to discuss his film, devoting much of the time to dissecting each character. Despite the numerous press junkets covering the same topics (though there’s no overlapping in the featurette), Haynes is enthusiastic throughout, making the 40+ minutes breeze by.
Finally, the Dylanography hosts an interesting NY Times Magazine write-up titled ‘This is Not a Bob Dylan Movie,’ Todd Hayne’s one-page letter to Dylan proposing the idea of I’m Not There (which subsequently led to the film), Discography, Filmography, Bibliography, the Filmmaker’s Notebook (with notes and storyboards), and Still Galleries.
Rounding out Disc Two is a Trailer Gallery, with two theatricals and several unreleased ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’-inspired trailers.
I'm Not There, one of the best films of 2007, is treated to an absolutely magnificent Two-Disc Collector's Edition, with an abundance of features and information to keep an Dylan fan occupied for hours on end. Those who hate Dylan? Rent Dreamgirls, I guess.