The Warner Bros Discovery and Universal Pictures series of special box sets continues with Ron Howard’s spectacular vision of the ill-fated space mission. We know how great the film is, so let’s focus on what’s in the impressive-looking set.
If you’ve seen some of the other releases, you’ll have an idea of what to expect when you slip the magnetic side-clasp rigid box out of the clear acetate slipcase. Inside the box, there’s a wonderful array of ephemera as well as the 2-disc 4K UHD/Blu-ray case. That itself is a thing of beauty; CD size, it folds out with images from the film. Aside from the discs, one of the first things that strikes you is the etched crystal display plaque. It’s a classy-looking thing that’s a nice bonus and would look great as a paperweight (if you’re not one of those collectors who likes to keep everything in the box!).
Inside the replica flight plan folder, there are even more goodies. Four glossy, lobby card-type art cards with movie facts on the back are a nice touch. Five postcard-sized character cards contain quotes on the reverse. A mini double-sided reproduction of the theatrical posters is cool but would be better if it was printed on glossy paper. An in-world artefact is included in each set, and for Apollo 13, we get an invitation to the launch of the rocket.
The Film Vault series is a brilliant deluxe package for fans of iconic films and worth picking up if these pictures are favourites of yours or, indeed, a great gift for movie lovers.
The latest wave of Film Vault releases, Jaws and The Shawshank Redemption, are out now. Apollo 13 and 2001: A Space Odyssey are out on October 2nd. You can pre-order at Amazon and other retailers.
