EXTRAS: NOTE: This is a 3-DVD set from Canadian distributor TVA. The extras are spread across all three discs and all of the supplements are in French. The commentary tracks on disc one are not subtitled, so non-French speakers will not find them much use. However, the lengthy video supplements on discs two and three are subtitled in English.
Commentaries: The first disc offers two full-length audio commentaries: one from director Christophe Gans and the other from actors Samuel Le Bihan and Vincent Cassel. There's only one problem: both commentaries are in French, with no subtitles. So, unless you can speak French (I can't), these commentaries are not going to be of any use.
Making Of (disc 2): This nearly 80-minute "making of" is split into several sections: "Genesis", "Casting", "Artistic Direction", "The Fight Scenes", "The Beast", "Digital Effects" and "Epilogue". The feature is a briskly edited and highly informative collection of interviews (director Christophe Gans, the producer and many other members of the production) and interesting behind-the-scenes clips. It's clear from the opening moments that this isn't the usual promotional fluff; all of the participants come prepared to talk in great depth about nearly every aspect of the picture. The section regarding the fight sequences is particularly interesting, as director Gans and the film's choreographer discuss blending styles and themes to create action sequences that seem at least somewhat different than the usual. The digital effects section, which shows some "non-beast" scenes before/after, is also quite fun to watch.
Deleted Scenes (disc 2): Director Chrisophe Gans introduces 5 deleted scenes in a feature that runs just under 40 minutes. Unlike the US version, the scenes can be selected separately.
The Legend (Disc 2): This is an interview with naturalist Michel Louis, who discusses the history behind the actual beast and also chats about the translation of the story to screen and his book about the subject.
DVD-ROM: No, there's no interactive "Brotherhood of the Wolf" game. Included here are simply the weblink and French/English press kits.
Also On Disc 2: The film's trailer (a different trailer than the US one), filmographies.
Documentary (Disc 3): This is seemingly a continuation of the feature-length documentary from the second disc. Surprisingly, this documentary - which goes even further into the production - also runs nearly 80 minutes. This documentary definitely leans more towards on-set footage and providing the viewer a glimpse of the rather chaotic "Brotherhood" experience (which, as we learn when the documentary opens, involves a having to deal with some nasty weather). As informative as the more interview-heavy other documentary was, this piece can't help but seem a bit more entertaining, as it doesn't shy away from showing a few of the problems that the crew had on-set trying to capture scenes. This documentary is certainly a good pairing with the other one included, as where that provided a fine general overview, this piece provides more specifics and is almost completely very unslick, up-close on-set footage.
Storyboards (Disc 3): Storyboards for twelve sequences: "Epilogue", "The Beast's Lair", "The Clearing", "Thomas' Hallucination", "The Fighting Ring", "James's House", "First Shepherdess Attack", "Second Shepherdess Attack", "The Wolves Massacre", "Attack Of Cecile and Louis" and two more.
Photo Album (Disc 3): Split into sections: "The Beast", "Portraits", "Fronsac's Notebook", "On-Set Pictures" and "Posters".
