For those of us die-hard fans of Christopher Nolan’s brilliant Batman trilogy – of which I’m assuming there are a lot – details are finally coming out about the The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set that has been rumored for release this year. Considering that I already own great editions of all three films, looking at what’s included in this new set, I can’t say that I’m convinced purchase the set again.
Hitting shelves on Sept. 24, the new trilogy edition includes Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. All of the special features from their original Blu-ray releases are also included in this six-disc set. New special features include Ultraviolet copies of all three films and two new documentaries – The Fire Rises: The Creation and Impact of ‘The Dark Knight Trilogy’ and Christopher Nolan & Richard Donner: A Conversation.
The unique packaging comes with five Mondo art cards, one for each villain (Scarecrow, The Joker, Bane, Harvey Dent and Ra’s al Ghul); a 48-page hardcover book featuring art/images from all three films; another book that houses the discs; and three Hot Wheels vehicles – The Tumbler, The Batpod and The Bat. See the image below. The MSRP of The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector’s Edition is $99.97.
While that packaging and new features for the Ultimate Collector’s Edition enticing, I’m not sure that it’s enough to warrant double-dipping the trilogy that I already own. There were rumors that the Ultimate Collector’s Edition would contain a director’s cut of The Dark Knight Rises with at least 30 minutes of new footage, but it now appears that the embers of that rumor have been extinguished. Had this release contained that coveted director’s cut, then I’d definitely purchase Ultimate Collector’s Edition.
What do you think? If you already own it, will you re-buy The Dark Knight Trilogy? Have you been holding out for this edition all along?
