The Split finally comes to DVD

Image from Warner Archives release announcement e-mail

(Via Wallace Stroby.)

Does this mean I have to watch it again?

Here’s the announcement from the Warner Archive:

THE SPLIT (1968) Richard Stark’s The Seventh (part of his iconic series of ‘Parker’ novels) gets the Jim Brown treatment in this neo-noir tale of a crew of daring thieves targeting the LA Coliseum. Jim Brown heads an all-star cast, including Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Sutherland, Julie Harris, Diahann Carroll, Jack Klugman, James Whitmore and Warren Oates. Strikingly shot by Burnett Guffey (Bonnie and Clyde), The Split ups the ante with its iconic locations, splendid Sixties fashions and full-on funky score by Quincy Jones with contributions from Sheb Wooley, Arthur Prysock and Billy Preston. A footnote for the faint of heart: The Split was the first film to earn an “R” rating from the MPAA! Newly Remastered—16×9 WIDESCREEN

Here’s a link to my review. I’m pleased to say that I don’t remember the movie that well, other than the amazing Jim Brown versus Ernest Borgnine fight scene.

But, given that I’m pretty sure I watched a taped-off-TV VHS and now I’ll have a remastered uncut widescreen DVD (rated “R”!), I guess I do have to watch it again.

*Sigh*

The release of The Split means that every movie based on a Parker novel is available on DVD except for the Holy Grail, Mise à Sac (The Score), which to my knowledge isn’t even available as a bootleg. I’m still working on it.

Here’s the page at the WB Store. It features the trailer and a clip from the movie, unfortunately not embeddable. (Dear Warner Archive: The purpose of a trailer is to promote the film. How about making that a little easier?)

Here’s a different trailer from the Turner Classic Movies site.

Here’s some dude who has a cat reviewing the film.