Bull Durham: The DVD
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
I believe in the religion of baseball.
One of the best comedies about baseball, Bull Durham gave star Kevin Costner his start in sports films. It also was the beginning of stars Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins long-term off-screen relationship.
Director Ron Shelton shows he loves the game of baseball in this nicely filmed ode to the minor leagues, grass fields, and the crack of the wooden bat. The story of Crash Davis and his last season as a big-leaguer, albeit in the bush leagues, is also a poignant story about the great American game of baseball and how it can work its way into your heart and soul. The romance between Crash and Annie is believable, but the romance between Annie and "Nuke" is not. I always maintained Annie and Crash should have been together from the start, but then, there would really have been no movie.
DVD Features
Orion released this film in 1:85:1, in stereo surround. There are sub-captions in English. The soundtrack is absolutely excellent, an ode to baseball in itself. The DVD is crisp and clear, but leaves something missing - special features.
DVD Additional Features
The original release is another disappointing DVD, lacking in any special feature except a commentary by the director. There are no bios, documentaries, or even out-takes in this release, and the absence is especially lacking in relation to some of the other releases which include so much extra footage. Bull Durham deserved more in this release. Interviews with the stars, even footage of where it was filmed, would have enhanced this DVD nicely. If you are a fan of this movie, you'll enjoy the enhanced quality and sound. It's a shame that so much more could have been added and wasn't.
The Good News
The good news is, there is now a 2002 Special Release that includes what the filmmakers should have included in the first place, including commentaries by several of the actors, three mini-documentaries, and more.