BLU-RAY BATTLE! SCREAM FACTORY VS. ARROW VIDEO'S LIFEFORCE (1985)

On September 30th 2013 Arrow Video in the United Kingdom will unleash a 2-disc Blu-ray edition of Tobe Hoopers sci-fi epic LIFEFORCE (1985) loaded with special features. Here in the US we just got a great edition from Scream Factory on Blu-ray/DVD (review HERE) but damn does this UK edition look truly stunning!

First, there's a collectible steelbook edition which looks great! Second, it ports nearly all of the special features from the Scream Factory Blu-ray including the two commentaries but Arrow present a third commentary with with Academy Award-winning visual effects artist Douglas Smith, moderated by filmmaker and scholar Howard S. Berger. There's a UK exclusive documentary Cannon Fodder: The Making of Lifeforce, an isolated Ennio Morricone music score track, nifty Gary Pullin reversible artwork and a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by science fiction expert Bill Warren, a new interview with Oscar-winning visual effects artist John Dykstra by Calum Waddell, illustrated with original archive stills and posters. WHEW!

Here's a quick comparison of the features and you can check out my review for the Scream Factory Blu-ray HERE. 

LIFEFORCE (1985) 

Arrow Video's (Region B) 2-Disc Blu-ray Special Features:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of both the Theatrical and International Versions, transferred from original elements by MGM with supervision by director Tobe Hooper
- Optional uncompressed 2.0 Stereo PCM and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Surround Sound
- Isolated Music and Effects Sound Track
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with Tobe Hooper, moderated by filmmaker Tim Sullivan
- Audio commentary with Academy Award-winning visual effects artist Douglas Smith, moderated by filmmaker and scholar Howard S. Berger
- Audio commentary with make-up effects artist Nick Maley, moderated by filmmaker Michael Felsher
- Cannon Fodder: The Making of Lifeforce - An epic UK-exclusive look at the genesis, production and release of Lifeforce featuring interviews with Hooper, producer Michael J. Kagan, editor John Grover, actors Aubrey Morris and Nicholas Ball, makeup artist Sandra Exelby, screenwriter Michael Armstrong, sound designer Vernon Messenger, artistic designers Tom Adams and Douglas Smith and effects artist John Schoonraad.
- Space Vampires in London: An interview with Tobe Hooper
- Dangerous Beauty: An interview with Mathilda May, Lifeforce’s iconic star
- Carlsen’s Curse: Star Steve Railsback looks back on Lifeforce and his career
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
- Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by science fiction expert Bill Warren, a new interview with Oscar-winning visual effects artist John Dykstra by Calum Waddell, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

Scream Factory's (Region A) Blu-ray Special Features: 

 - English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, 5.1
- English Dolby Digital 2.0, 5.1 

- 1080p Widescreen (2.35:1) 

- The original theatrical version in HD (on the Blu-ray Disc only)
- Audio Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper, moderated by Fillmmaker Tim Sullivan
- Audio Commentary with Special Make-up Effects Designer Nick Maley
- Space Vampires from London with Tobe Hooper (9:57)
- Carlsen's Curse with Steve Railsback (7:07)
- Dangerous Beauty with Mathilda May (15:15)
- Original “The Making of Lifeforce” Featurette (21:16)
- Still Gallery
- 2 Theatrical Trailers (3:30)
- TV Spot (:30)