Die 70er-Jahre des letzten Jahrhunderts waren das Jahrzehnt des Francis Ford Coppola. Nicht nur dass er “Apocalypse Now” in die Kinos brachte, er drehte zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Teil von “Der Pate / The Godfather” auch noch den hervorragenden “Der Dialog / The Conversation” [USA 1974] mit Gene Hackman als Abhör-Spezialisten mit Gewissensbissen. In Deutschland ist der Film noch nicht einmal auf DVD erschienen, allerdings war bei Kinowelt/StudioCanal bereits eine DVD/Blu-ray-Veröffentlichung im Gespräch. Diese könnte demnächst Wirklichkeit werden, denn ein HD-Master existiert mittlerweile. Am 25. Oktober 2011 wird Lionsgate den Film in den USA auf Blu-ray vorlegen, in Großbritannien soll er am 31. Oktober 2011 bei Optimum/StudioCanal erscheinen.

Die Pressemitteilung zur US-Blu-ray:

The Conversation Blu-ray Disc

Francis Ford Coppola’s celebrated thriller The Conversation makes its first appearance on Blu-ray Disc and Digital Download from Lionsgate. The three-time Academy Award® nominated film, (Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, 1974) features an outstanding all-star cast including Academy Award® winners Gene Hackman (Best Actor in a Leading Role, The French Connection, 1971) and Robert Duvall (Best Actor in a Leading Role, Tender Mercies, 1983); alongside Oscar® nominees Harrison Ford*, Frederic Forrest**; and Golden Globe® nominees Cindy Williams*** and John Cazale****. Written and directed by Coppola, this “haunting” (The New York Times) tale about eavesdropping, unrequited love and murder set in San Francisco comes to Blu-ray Disc for the first time on October 25th.

The Conversation won over critics and audiences with its innovative concept, and received further accolades with four Golden Globes® nominations across categories – Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Motion Picture Actor – Drama (Hackman). Winner of the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, the film was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Restored to debut in high definition, The Conversation includes never-before-seen screen tests, an on-location retrospective featurette, archival audio, all-new interviews with Coppola and composer David Shire as well as archival footage, audio commentaries, a “making of” featurette, short film, marketing gallery and trailer.

In an underground world of conspiracy, surveillance and mystery, the film follows expert wire-tapper and spy Harry Caul (Hackman) during a routine investigation. With a haunting past tormenting his every move, Caul makes it a golden rule to stay far outside of each project. However, his latest job turns out to be more than Caul bargained for when he’s caught inside a web of murder and secrecy that threatens his safety – and his sanity.

*Best Actor in a Leading Role, Witness, 1985
**Best Actor in a Supporting Role, The Rose, 1979
***Best TV Actress – Musical/Comedy, “Laverne & Shirley”, 1976
****Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, Dog Day Afternoon, 1975

Angaben zur Bonusausstattung liefert die Pressemitteilung zwar nicht, diese wird jedoch folgendermaßen aussehen und dabei gegenüber der britischen und der US-DVD neue Extras bieten:

• Interviews with director Francis Ford Coppola and composer David Shire
• “Harry Caul’s San Francisco” featurette
• Archival screen tests with Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams – NEVER-BEFORE SEEN
• Archival audio of Francis Ford Coppola dictating (writing) the original script – NEVER-BEFORE HEARD
• Archival on-set interview with Gene Hackman – FIRST TIME IN ENTIRETY
• “Close up on The Conversation” featurette
• “No Cigar” archival short film by Francis Ford Coppola
• Audio commentary with director Francis Ford Coppola
• Audio commentary with editor Walter Murch
• Marketing gallery
• Theatrical trailer