Cliffhanger [Special Edition]

Director: Renny Harlin, Philip C. Pfeiffer Renny Harlin

Overview

"Action and thrills collide on the slopes in the Sylvester Stallone action vehicle Cliffhanger, directed by Renny Harlin. Columbia has done an excellent job on this 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. Everything about this picture looks clean, crisp, and very well-rendered with no signs of edge enhancement or digital artifacting present. All color schemes and black levels are top-notch with the fleshtones appearing bright and natural. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 in English as well as Dolby Digital 2.0 in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. This 5.1 soundtrack is very well-mixed featuring bombastic surround sounds through both the front and rear speakers. All aspects of the dialogue, effects, and Trevor Jones' music score are free of any excessive distortion or hiss. Also included on this disc are English, Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish subtitles. Cliffhanger: Special Edition DVD is filled with some great extra features, starting off with two commentary tracks, one by star Sylvester Stallone and director Renny Harlin, and a second by some of the effects crew from the film. Both of these commentaries provide a wealth of knowledge on the making of the film, and are insightful as to how the story came into focus for all involved (as expected, the effects crew commentary track is more on the technical side). A special introduction by Renny Harlin includes the director discussing why he decided to make the film. ""Stallone: On the Edge"" is a 20-minute look at the making of Cliffhanger, which includes a lot of behind-the-scenes footage. Two deleted scenes are available in a rough cut form, plus some explanation by the director on why they were cut from the final film. ""Special Effects: How It Was Done"" highlights two scenes from the film, showing how the effects were constructed and accomplished. Finally, there are some storyboard comparisons, two photo galleries with location and behind-the-scenes pictures, some talent files on the cast and crew, and a theatrical trailer of the movie with an introduction by the director (the trailer is considered one of the best movie previews ever made). This is an excellent edition of Cliffhanger and a must for any serious action movie fan."

Product Details

Release Date:	06/13/2000
UPC:	0043396522329
Original Release:	1993
Rating:	R
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMT
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:58:00
Sales rank:	20,312

Special Features

Digitally Mastered Audio & Anamorphic Video; Audio: English 2-Channel (Dolby Surround) and 5.1 (Dolby Digital), Spanish, Portuguese; Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Cantonese; Director Renny Harlin & Sylvester Stallone Audio Commentary; Technical Crew Audio Commentary; A Personal Introduction from Renny Harlin; Making-Of Featurette: Stallone on the Rock; Weblink Featuring Exclusive Offers; Deleted Scenes; Storyboard Comparisons; Photo Galleries; Theatrical Trailers; Talent Files; Production Notes; Animated Menus; Scene Selections

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Sylvester Stallone	Gabe Walker
John Lithgow	Eric Qualen
Michael Rooker	Hal Tucker
Janine Turner	Jessie Deighan
Craig Fairbrass	Delmar
Paul Winfield	Wright
Ralph Waite	Frank
Rex Linn	Travers
Caroline Goodall	Kristel
Leon	Kynette
Gregory Scott Cummins	Ryan
Denis Forest	Heldon
Michelle Joyner	Sarah
Max Perlich	Evan
Mindy Marin	Actor
Trey Brownell	Brett
Zach Grenier	Davis
Vyto Ruginis	Matheson
Don Davis	Stuart
Scott Hoxby	Agent Hayes
John Finn	Agent Michaels
Bruce McGill	Treasury Agent
Rosemary Dunsmore	Treasury Secretary
Kim Robillard	Treasury Jet Pilot
Jeff McCarthy	Pilot
Mike Weis	Co-Pilot
Duncan Prentice	Treasury Helicopter Pilot
Kevin Donald	Ray
Jeff Blynn	Marvin
Thor	Thor
Billy Lucas	Agent FBI at the Plane

Technical Credits

Sylvester Stallone

Michael France

Renny Harlin	Director,Producer
Sylvester Stallone	Screenwriter
Michael France	Screenwriter
John Bruno	Special Effects
Mario Kassar	Executive Producer,Producer
Joel Kramer	Stunts
Neil Krepela	Special Effects
Alan Marshall	Producer
Mindy Martin	Casting
Kevin Swigert	Stunts
Wylie Stateman	Sound/Sound Designer
Gregg Baxter	Sound/Sound Designer
Gene Patrick Hines	Producer
David Rotman	Producer
Lynwood Spinks	Producer
James R. Zatolokin	Producer
Bob Beemer	Sound Effects
Dickey Beer	Stunts
Alessandro Borgese	Stunts
Tony Munafo	Producer
Mario Cassar	Special Effects
Jeff Rand	Special Effects
Marcus Richardson	Special Effects
Simon Crane	Stunts
Philip C. Pfeiffer	Director

Editorial Reviews

One film that really lives up to its title, Cliffhanger generates more high-octane action and nail-biting suspense than most adventure movies. It represents a welcome change of venue for megastar Sylvester Stallone, generally seen plying his trade in urban locations. Here he plays a rugged mountain man whose flagging self-confidence is tested when criminals invade his snow-covered domain. John Lithgow portrays the ruthless leader of a gang responsible for the theft of $100 million, which has been accidentally lost in the Rockies. Stallone, forced to help Lithgow locate the swag, attempts to outsmart the crooks before the loot can be recovered. Director Renny Harlin (Deep Blue Sea), shooting in Italy's picturesque Dolemite mountains (standing in for the Rockies), skillfully deploys his cameras to capture a succession of dizzying action sequences replete with heart-stopping stunts. Not overburdened with plot, Cliffhanger succeeds admirably in its primary purpose: keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.