Product details

Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.32 x 4.19 x 1.12 inches; 6.13 ounces
Director ‏ : ‎ Jeff Bleckner
Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 56 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ April 28, 1998
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ September 29, 2006
Actors ‏ : ‎ William Petersen, Karen Sillas, Charles Martin Smith, Ronald Guttman, Missy Crider
Studio ‏ : ‎ Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Producers ‏ : ‎ Dan Wigutow, Judith Craig Marlin, Julie Cohen, Michael R. Joyce, Peter Benchley
ASIN ‏ : ‎ 078322754X
Writers ‏ : ‎ J.B. White, Peter Benchley

Customer Reviews:
4.6 1,336 ratings

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4.6 out of 5

1,336 global ratings

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rosa c.

Great movie.,

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2024

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I saw this movie once on cable. I have been wanting to see it again for a very long time. Did not know the name of it in the came across on one of my searches and I had to get it. I have enjoyed this movie I don’t know how many times and I will continue watching it anytime I want to now!

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Michael R Triska

DVD came in perfect condition

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024

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The came in perfect condition

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Carla P.

Monsters are great movie stars

Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024

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This movie is new to me

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Luke73

A unique, rare title, yet enjoyable!

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2008

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This release is not an official version by Universal, but a company that release rare titles called TIMELESS MEDIA GROUP. In this case it's the film edit version of the 2 part mini-series of the `The Beast' .

This film edit version (1hr 56mins) was release by Universal on VHS Video AND 2 Disc Laserdisc (2hrs 56mins Complete 2 part mini-series Uncut version) in the US in 1996. It was also release by Universal in Japan (Film edit version) on DVD in 2000 similar to this 2007 release except this company that produce this rare title is inferior in quality, the picture is choppy at times and the sound is in mono!! I have all the versions released and are in Dolby Stereo except this 2007 release by TIMELESS MEDIA GROUP.

I found the film edit or cut version is rarer than the uncut one as it has been broadcast on the sci fi channel quite frequently in recent years, both in the US and here in the UK. And I studied the the versions and there is a different take with different dialogue where Dalton addresses the crowd in the hall about the giant squid.

I enjoyed both versions. What I like about this production are the unique cast, with familiar faces; The drama in between especially the relationships and the blend of mild terror of the deep. This was a made for TV Drama based on the book by Peter Benchley, and perhaps there may be another interpretation of the story on TV or on Film. But I like this one! It was first shown on TV, Christmas 1996 here in the UK, then the Film edit version followed a year later.

If you are not bothered about sound, this is still and enjoyable watch considering the low cost of this DVD. The DVD cover is quite nice.

No doubt, sometime Universal are bound to release the Uncut Version on DVD probably with extras, after all they have already release it on two former formats, being Video (film edit) and Laserdisc (uncut).

4 people found this helpful

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Jeffrey A. Sitko

Finally, a definitive release of the hit mini-series...

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2008

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To be frank, I've been waiting years for 'The Beast' to be released in its entirety on DVD. We've seen condensed released before, yes. This. however, is nothing like the releases seen before. It releases the mini-series on two discs, Parts I and II appropriately, as it was initially aired. Some of the creature effects may be a touch cheesy at times (the tentacles whipping aimlessly across the Seafox comes to mind), but at other times it is horrifyingly convincing.

In my mind, the creature effects team did a staggering job bringing Architeuthis dux to terrifyingly convincing life. In particular, the juvenile A.dux was rendered with an obvious eye to biological realism. Perhaps the proportions are thrown into ranges we've never confirmed for this species, but with that in mind, we have no measure of the exact size for this species being that man is incapable of probing the ocean depths wholly. Steve Alten addresses this well in his novel "Primal Waters" when he deems man the master of all earth's domains but one - the deepest regions of the ocean, which remains as alien to us, in many ways, as the far reaches of space.

Also, for those unfamiliar with marine life, one shouldn't be too quick to denigrate the behavioral interpretation of A.dux in this mini-series. It hearkens well to Benchley's novel, which was based on the premise questioning "what if the giant squid were simply a much larger equivalent to the Humboldt squid," which as many who are familiar with the species know, are often thought to be more vicious than sharks when caught, cornered, or for that matter, hunting. The voracity of the Humboldt is what inspired this take on the Giant Squid, and is what led literary critics to originally deem the creature in the book as making "the shark in jaws look like a goldfish." The squid's intelligence, viciousness, and perhaps even vengefulness are rendered well in the mini-series, as one watches the billowing mantle soar across screen with the massive tentacles and whips snaking behind (again, immense credit to the creature effects team for making the animal so convincing). All together, the story is solid, the effects for a mid-90s mini-series are good, the creature (again) magnificent, and the acting excellent (with the GLARING exception of the soap-opera-like daughter of Whip Dalton and her peers). For fans of Benchley or creature films, I can't recommend this highly enough.

13 people found this helpful

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Billy Dodd

Good Movie !

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024

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Very quick and easy to deal with.

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Gottatrot

Love this made for TV 2 part show

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2023

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Pleeease re-release this in blu-ray ! It's Petersen and friends after all. It's a casual & fun to watch movie. The DVD picture quality is good, but soft. Haven't seen the BD version. - Some kind of sea creature seems to be eating or scaring away the fishing catches. Haven't checked where it was filmed, but it is supposed to be occurring in the Puget Sound area way up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The sea, cliffs, coastal trees, interesting enough characters...things happen.

2 people found this helpful

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Phillip Greer

Missing Scenes

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023

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Missing several scenes that impact the story

2 people found this helpful

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Lynda Coffey

As Good as I Remembered

Reviewed in Canada on September 5, 2021

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I had saved this film from TV back when it was first shown in the 2 parts and I found it entertaining and a nail biter. I had not seen it for a long time as my VCR had broken down so when I saw it here on Amazon, I ordered the DVD. I find it just as entertaining as it was way back when. I have already watched it a couple of times since receiving it Aug. 27 (Today is Sept.5) It is a 3 hour film and I like it is a 2 disc DVD as if need be I can stop at the end of the first and and go do something else and then come back. SO far, this has not been the case. Once I start, I want to go to the end. I think William Peterson is very good in this role. I always liked him in CSI on TV but think he is even better in this. To me it is well worth sitting the 3 hours to view. Exciting story, good scenery, well done as far as I am concerned

One person found this helpful

mr p mather

If you like jaws you may like this

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2024

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I have been looking for this for a long time. Wanted blu ray version however it was too pricey for me.
So I opt out for the DVD version instead.

I really enjoyed watching this after not seeing it for many many years.

TEO AGM

Interesante película

Reviewed in Mexico on March 23, 2021

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Excelente adaptación del libro. Muy buena

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aubrejat

tres beau film

Reviewed in France on November 6, 2021

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