On the odd chance you haven’t already seen the news elsewhere, Universal finally announced the rumored Touch of Evil special edition DVD, one that will include all three versions of the film, namely the preview version, the release version, and the 1998 “memo restoration” version. As per the Universal press release, the set will include:
Disc 1:
1998 “Restored to Orson Welles memo” version
1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
English DD 2.0 Mono
English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles
Bringing Evil to Life
Evil Lost & Found
Audio Commentary featuring Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh and Restoration Producer Rick Schmidlin
Audio Commentary featuring Restoration Producer Rick Schmidlin
Theatrical Trailer
Disc 2:
Original 1958 release version (93 minutes)
Early 1958 preview version (found in 1975 – 108 minutes)
1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
English DD 2.0 Mono
English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles
Theatrical Version: Audio Commentary featuring F. X. Feeney
Preview Version: Audio Commentary featuring Welles scholars Joanthan Rosenbaum and James Naremore.
Plus, the complete text of Welles 58 page memo to Edward I. Muhl, Universal studios head of production in 1958:
https://www.wellesnet.com/touch_memo1.htm
The question remains about the aspect ratios of course, as both sides (academy vs. 1.85) have their arguments for and against, and will no doubt continue long after the set is released. Whether the extras on the first disc derive from the “Restoring Evil” documentary is unknown as well. Still four commentary tracks is pretty impressive, and I have to say I never expected this film to get such a lavish release. Now if we can get a Blu-Ray version, I’ll be even happier.
In celebration of TOUCH OF EVIL’s 50th Anniversary release on DVD, Wellesnet will soon be publishing an interview with Bob O’ Neill, Univeral’s head of restoration, who talks exclusively to Wellesnet about the problems he encountered in restoring Orson Welles’s TOUCH OF EVIL.