Is there a Buckaroo Banzai DVD, Laser Disc and Video?

Yes, yes and yes.

In 2002, MGM released a Special Edition, letterboxed DVD of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (part number 1002040) and a listed running time of 102 minutes. This amazing DVD includes the alternate beginning of the film showing the death of Buckaroo's parents (See the Buckaroo Banzai : The Resurrection of an American Hero article for more information) as well as 14 deleted scenes and much, much more. You can also check here to read Reviews of the Buckaroo Banzai DVD.

DISC FEATURES

Specifications

• DVD-Video
• DVD-14
• Region 1

Aspect Ratio(s):

• 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Dolby Digital Formats:

• English 5.1 Surround
• French 2.0 Surround

Subtitles/Captions:

• English Closed Captions
• French Subtitles
• Spanish Subtitles

Standard Features:

• Interactive Menus
• Scene Access

Additional Features:

• Screen-specific audio commentary with director WD Richter and Reno Nevada (i.e. writer Earl Mac Rauch)0
• Buckaroo Banzai Declassified Documentary
• Pinky Carruther's Unknown Facts subtitle track (See Pinky Carruther's Unknown Facts listing for more information)
• Alternate Opening
• 14 Deleted scenes
• Banzai Institute Archives
• Character profiles
• Jet Car All Access
• Still gallery
• Exclusive demo trailer for Buckaroo Banzai: Ancient Secrets and New Mysteries
• Teaser trailer
• Enhanced Nuon features (for Nuon-enhanced DVD players)
• Easter Eggs (See Where (and what) are the Easter Eggs on the Special Edition DVD? for more information)

List Price: $19.95"

In 2001, MGM released a panned and scanned, videotape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number 1001513 and a listed running time of 103 minutes.

In 1995, a company called "Unique Films" released a panned and scanned videotape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension in Britain in the PAL format. The part number of this release is UF 8010. The actual running time is 97 minutes 20 seconds long although the back of the video lists a running time of 94 minutes.

In 1991, Warner Home Video UK Limited released a panned and scanned PAL videotape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number WTB 39041 with HiFi Dolby Stereo sound and a running time of approximately 99 minutes. Thanks to Joel Sagnes for the picture and information.

In 1990, Video Treasures released a panned and scanned videotape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number SV9213, ISBN 1-55529-512-6. The running time of this videotape is 101m 49s.

• This release, copyrighted 1989, is in VHS LP (4 hour) mode, plays poorly on some decks. The HiFi stereo track quality is good with weak L-R separation, but the mono linear track is misaligned and muffled. The opening and closing credits are squeezed horizontally as in the 1985 C.E.D. release. The sound quality on this tape is very poor, so avoid it if you can.

In 1987, a company called Cannon released a panned and scanned PAL Beta tape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number WTB 9040224 with HiFi Dolby Stereo sound and a running time of approximately 94 minutes. Thanks to Gary for the picture and information.

In 1986, a company called Scherzo "edited" a semi-widescreen version of Buckaroo Banzai in France. This is a mono Version, dubbed in French and a vhs/secam video called "Les Aventures de Buckaroo Banzai a travers la huitieme dimension". There are many spelling errors on the box, eg.: Peter Wellers, Jeff Golgblum. The videotape is 98 minutes long but this is because the SECAM format runs at 25 fps. The French cinematic release of Buckaroo Banzai ran 103 minutes at 24 fps. (Submitted by Didier R. Steger)

In 1984(?), HGV / Video Treasures released a panned and scanned videotape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, The cover art is the same as the Vestron version and the box says "Duplicated, Packaged and Printed in Canada". Thanks to Iain Delaney for the info.

In 1985, VPS Video in Germany released a widescreened, stereo PAL formatted videotape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number 3920 and a listed running time of 98 munutes.

• The following information and images were provided by Tippett : "This rare German VHS tape of "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension" was produced around 1985. The movie runs about 98 minutes (in the PAL system) with excellent sound and picture quality. The movie itself is in WIDESCREEN and in stereo, but it`s in PAL system, that means you cannot play it on standard US-VCRs

In 1985, Vestron Video released a panned and scanned, hi-fi Stereo Betamax tape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number VB5056 and a listed running time of 103 minutes. [Thanks to Dave who owns this version.]

In 1985, Vestron Video released a panned and scanned, hi-fi Stereo videotape of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number VA5056 and a listed running time of 103 minutes

In 1985, Vestron Video released a panned and scanned laser disc of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number VL5056. The running time of this laser disc is 102m 10s.

In 1985, Vestron Video released a panned and scanned, Stereo C.E.D. disc of The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, part number VC5056 and a listed running time of 103 minutes.

• Thanks to Joey Mcdonald who had this to say about the C.E.D. disc. : "Back in early '85 I purchased the RCA C.E.D. version of Buckaroo Banzai. If you're not familiar with C.E.D... it stands for "Capacitance Electronic Disc system. A format pioneered by RCA. In effect this was a format that was competing with laser disc but was NOT compatible with laserdisc. Instead of reading information from a disc using a laser, the disc was read using a diamond stylus. This didn't deliver the same quality as laser but did deliver a good picture. Although the format was plagued with problems ("video skipping") ocurred on many titles (the picture and audio would skip like a record).
  
  The discs were packaged in large plastic shells (like a really large floppy disk). The disc inside is never touched.. The player removes the disc from the shell when inserted into the player. The disc is the SAME size as a laser disc.
  
  The C.E.D. disc, although it used the pan and scan method, does NOT use this method on the opening and closing portions of the movie. Instead it "sqeezes" the entire length of the shot into view (I'm sure you've seen this done before). It's actually pretty cool.. kind of an artsy effect :) There are also many differences in WHAT is panned and scanned between the version.
  
  I have found a CED site on the net http://www.cedmagic.com/selectavision.html. They have all the info you'll need on RCA CED discs. They also have a buy/sell/trade area for those looking for discs... so that may be a good area for Banzai collectors to look. Some of these discs are fairly collectible.. so I have no idea what the going rate is."
  

(Does anyone have any information on any other official or unofficial videotape versions of Buckaroo Banzai? Please e-mail Sean at figment@figmentfly.com)

This page was last updated on November 3rd, 2007.
Maintained by Sean Murphy [figment@figmentfly.com]