THE DEPARTED (DVD Review) - 9/2/07

Having seen a trailer for this I decided to fork out on the Region 1 (USA) 2-Disc Special Edition. Martin Scorsese directs a re-make of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs" with more than a passing glance to reality that covers both the film and the Special Features background. We get sterling performances from old hands like Jack Nicholson, Ray Winstone and Martin Sheen with able back-up from new hands Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg. The interwoven plot threads are so tight your not sure just who is who they say they are with double-dealing duplicity, lies and deception on both sides of the criminals and the law. A long film at 151 minutes the time shoots by as the characters lay out their flaws and the desperation stretches as each group attempts to flush out the operative within each other's camp.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Unfortunately the features on the second disc seemed rather dry to me. The best of the bunch being the Deleted Scenes (Nine in all) with Commentary Introductions from Scorsese himself and the actual "The Story Of The Boston Mob" about the real-life gangster behind Jack Nicholson's character which is more than a little chilling in the telling. Plus "Scorsese On Scorsese" and "Crossing Criminal Cultures" features and the Theatrical Trailer and some thrown-in ad trailers as well.

Region 1 (USA) - Rating: R. Bonus Material Not Rated or Close-Captioned. COLOUR - NTSC. Running Time: 151 Mins. English, French, Spanish 5.1. Dolby Surround Sound. CC. Widescreen. Subtitles: English, French, Spanish (Feature Film Only). Warner 2006/2007. 113288 / ISBN # 1419847988.