Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #882 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-09-23
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, Turkish
• Dubbed in: German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 105 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Grease was a phenomenal hit with its target teenage audience when it was released in 1977. The songs dominated the pop charts and brought heady success for its lead actors, John Travolta (Danny) and Olivia Newton-John (Sandy) despite the fact that--as with their energetic co-stars--their own teenage years were some way behind them. As they seize the chance to relive their schooldays, their verve and enthusiasm explodes from the screen. The real class, though, comes from Stockard Channing as feisty Rizzo and, in a couple of cameos, wisecracking silver screen actresses from yesteryear Eve Arden and Joan Blondel.

Based on the 1972 stage show and adding several new numbers, Grease is at heart a rites-of-passage movie with plenty of feel-good moments and a euphoric buzz. "You're the One That I Want", "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Summer Nights" became the soundtrack for a generation of high-school students on the cusp of adulthood. Today, it looks like a pastiche of those 1950s Connie Francis rock & roll beach films. But the steady stream of double entendres and knowing body language render it more accessible to the less innocent late 1970s. It's overwhelming nostalgia for anyone in the vicinity of 40.

On the DVD: The 25th anniversary special edition of Grease rolls back the years: the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation transports you instantly back to fifth-form heaven in the local fleapit. The Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound ensures that the songs--ever the staple of MOR radio--complete the nostalgia trip with real zip. The main extra is a short series of fond reminiscences from the actors and director Randal Kleiser, actually filmed for the 20th anniversary. --Piers Ford

DVD Description
Cover may vary from the one displayed

Special Features

• Retrospective interviews with: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Didi Conn, director Randall Kleiser and producer Allan Carr
  
• Song Book
  
• Theatrical trailers

DVD Technical Information:

• Running Time: 105 minutes
  
• Disc Format: Single Sided/Dual Layer
  
• Region Code: 2
  
• Widescreen
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35
  
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
  
• Subtitles: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, English for the Hearing Impaired, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish

Customer Reviews

Brilliant movie but the extras are disappointing
Grease was the first movie that I saw when I was a kid that caused me to go back and see it again and again. Then the re-release came out in 1998 and I saw it for old's time sake. I ended up seeing it three more times while it was still cinemas because it brought back the same feelings plus new ones from having watched the film from an adult perspective. On the one hand, it's easy for me to watch it so many times because it's a musical and when you find the tunes catchy you can't resist it. But it's not just that. Much to my surprise, I remembered every line of dialogue. What makes this movie a classic is that it is still great even if you cut out the songs. How many musicals can you say that about? The dialogue and one liners are so colorful and energetic and the movie works as a 50s comedy. It's funnier than I remembered and it is without a doubt the raunchiest PG movie ever made. The occassional adult theme and questionable dialogue crammed full of sexual innuendos are both unneccesary because the story line is enough to capture the viewer's attention. The 'PG' certificate sounds about right, but still, Grease is unsuitable for the younger viewer and that's a shame really. All in all, a film that should be re-released every twenty years so a new generation of movie lovers can watch it, not just because it was one of the last great musicals but also because it truly captures the essence of what it was like to grow up in the 50s.

This "new" DVD version is truly remarkable. The picture is sharper (which - thankfully - gives much needed improvement to the opening "cartoon" segment), and the soundtrack has been digitally remastered giving it a much clearer sound. I have seen the digitally remastered VHS version of "Grease", but it's pale in comparison to the DVD. In fact, I found myself re-playing the songs just to hear how good they really are (most notably the improved quality of "Sandy", "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and "You're The One That I Want").

The only negative remark worth mentioning about the DVD version of "Grease" has to be the rather disappointing extras. To be honest, I was looking for more than just the original theatre trailer and a somewhat dated 18 minute interview section (which was originally produced for the 20th Anniversary VHS edition). Hopefully there will be a "Grease: Special Edition DVD" released soon that will rectify these lacklustre 'extras'. Still, "Grease" is an excellent purchase - especially if you want to listen to the songs in glorious CD quality.

Jon.

"Conventionality belongs to yesterday"
Grease is everything a musical film should be. It is a visual and aural feast that has captured the imaginations of audiences for over 25 years. Everything is larger than life and the action occurs amidst a riot of 1950s colour. Who cares if the cast is largely composed of 30-somethings playing teenagers? The key to Grease's success is not realism, but the enormous amount of infectious energy exuded by the cast.

This zest for life is particularly apparent in the lively and eminently sing-able chorus song-and-dance numbers. The tunes of retro party favourites such as 'Greased Lightning' and 'You're The One That I Want' will probably be familiar to many viewers, but lesser known songs, including the short and sarcastic 'Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee' and 'Beauty School Drop-Out' (with Frankie Avalon in the role of guardian angel) are also fun toe-tappers.

Musicals work best when, like Grease, they concentrate on the music rather than the plot; however, the story here is completely adequate. Sandy and Danny had a summer fling at the beach, but at school Danny has an image to uphold - which Sandy doesn't really fit - so their senior year at Rydell High is spent in a daze of "will-they-won't-they" teenage angst.

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John set the screen alight as Danny and Sandy; there are some fabulous character roles in the "Pink Ladies" and "T-Birds" school cliques, and some very funny cameos - particularly the pairing of Principal McGee and Blanche the office lady. There are sexual innuendoes aplenty if you look hard enough, and despite the fact that the movie is set half a century ago, the viewer is led to conclude that teenagers have been, and will always be, teenagers.

They say our love is just a growing thing..
My favourite film..
why?

1. Pure cheese - songs to remember, sing along to, the typical boy meets girl, drama, happy ending storyline
2. Costume - so much nostalgia within this film!
3. Actors and characters to idolize
4. Deals with little teenage mishaps such as boy problems, pregnancy etc
5. Its aim isnt to be a groundbreaking, convention-breaking, film but just a happy representation (yes, representation - an interpretation as opposed to a mirror) of high school and 1950s society.
6. I mainly love this film because I have never grown tired of it, some films are amazing because they completely surprise or shock you but this has the quality of being watched over and over.
7. Haha the jokes and loveable characters - always wanted to be like Rizz!

I could think of much more...