Rating: 
Summary: There's Nothing Like the Original
Review: In the 1980's, I had seen the "original" American cut of this film, and I immediately fell in love with it. This film is one of my all time favorites. It captured my soul with its deep rich colors, flowing score, incredible characters and passionate story line. Everything seemed to work together in perfect harmony.I was elated to hear that it was finally being released on DVD. When I finally got a chance to watch the Director's Cut, I was very disappointed. The colors didn't seem as brilliant. Conti's score was replaced by Eric Serra's, which completely altered the movie's overall feel. There also appeared to be several clumsy voice-overs in the beginning of this version. The extra 49 minutes of additional footage doesn't contribute greatly to the base story line, and was appropriately cut from the American version. I'm sorry, but this is not the version of the film that I fell in love with, and it is not one I'll watch again. I can only hope that the "original" American version will make it to DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: a sea of tranquility
Review: Not much things to say but many things to feel As you hit the bottom of the sea you finally realize that the only sincerely sound is the heartbeat See you at Amorgos... Ps: The director's cut dvd version is simply the only way to enjoy the movie
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful film
Review: This film exudes a sense of innocence that is often lost in today's films. The Director's cut kindly replaces the Bill Conti score with that of Eric Serra's, a much deeper more romantic electronic score. The story of two free divers. One who is carefree and would rather be playing with dolphins than doing anything else. The other mired in personal feelings of mediocrity. The story follows the two rivals and friends. I don't want to give anything away, but it is a wonderful story. The film actually is a bit dated, and somewhat immature, but worth a purchase if you love underwater cinematography and the cast.
Rating:
Summary: great movie, poor video quality
Review: I saw this movie when it first came out 12 years ago. It is a great movie. However, this DVD version production quality is rather disappointing. Some video artifacts come up from time to time on one spot of the screen. This movie has many beatutiful and artistic shots of the Mediterranean sea. The love between Enzo and Jacques is most touching and so is their passion toward sea. I named my lizard after Enzo who is short-tempered but warm-hearted and caring.
Rating:
Summary: This is not about diving
Review: I saw this movie in the the 1980s and was enchanted by it. I thought what a fantastic movie but then I read a couple of reviews that berated the film for being a macho competition for free diving. Any one who says this should be made to watch it until they "get it". In my opionion the competion for free diving is a stage to contrast two people from different worlds. Two guys dive for two entirely differnt reasons. So who wins? Watch and learn!
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Magical as American Version
Review: When I first saw the original US release over ten years ago, I fell in love with this movie. The story was excellent, the directing was great, and the cinematograghy was fantastic. The Big Blue became one of my all time favorite movies. I bought the VSH as soon as I could and had been anxiously awaiting a DVD version so I would have wide screen and crystal clear picture. After buying the DVD yesterday (release day), I took it home, suffered through what used to be a perfect movie, and now find myself wishing I could return it. Now I can't say I did not like this version - I did, and understand the story all too well now. Here though are the few things which are better in the DVD, followed by what is wrong with it. This most likely will include spoilers, so proceed at your own risk. Good things about the DVD include the wide screen, which is essential to movie viewing. The added footage from Jacque's childhood and the invitation from Enzo to compete against him should have been included in the US version. The fairy tail he tells Joanna also adds to further understanding the ending and the addition of other divers trying to beat Enzo and the oil rig dive are both comical. Now to the bad. For starters, Conti's score is far superior to Eric Scerra's. Conti gives a feeling of triumph mixed with a mystic feel. Also, in the DVD, Jacques is not an innocent in love with the sea. The bit about the baby also makes the DVD a tragedy while the ending in the US is open to debate as the whether or not Jacques lives. In either case, the US leaves you feeling that he has found peace. The DVD leaves you knowing he dies. Also, the old VHS was rated PG-13 and a nice movie for young kids, the DVD is R do to language that isn't needed and nudity. I re-watched my old VHS immediatly following the DVD to reclaim that good feeling I always get after watching the Big Blue. In summary, I liked a little of the exra footage, but I found most of it polluted the story and without Conti's music to lift you up I found the DVD to be an utter disappointment. Find the old VHS and buy that instead.
Rating:
Summary: Poor color DVD
Review: I saw this just once in an American theater when it was first released and the one thing I remember was the intense, bright colors and gorgeous cinematography. The story and acting get five stars, but when I saw the film on DVD it had me wondering, what happened to the color? I remember it as breathtaking and now it seemed dull and washed out. Hence, I give this DVD an average rating. None-the-less, a wonderful story even if it is heavily fictionalized.
Rating:
Summary: This movie is something special.
Review: I purchased the video version when released in U.S many years ago. I saw this movie on the big screen back in 1988 or 89 and was just consumed by the story and the photography and musical score. I cant wait to see the DVD directors cut, Ive been waiting for 12 years now, I KNOW IT WILL BE GOOD!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Director Ruined His Own Movie
Review: And the only reason it got ONE star was because of the amazing photography and the amazing score. While I am usually a big believer in letting the artist express the story he wants to tell, this "director's cut" completely destroys a wonderfully simple film. As much as I love the additional underwater footage, you don't need to spell out every last beat in this story. The key to the film is the relationship with Jacque and the ocean - everything else is used show how important that is. Rosanna Arquette's part was raised from a supporting cast member to a starting role - WHO CARES ABOUT HER?!?! Nobody. As much as I have loved many of Luc's films, please be wary of the director's cut of this one. Bigger is NOT definately better. There's a reason that editors are hired on films - to cut the film down to what it needs to be. This version is a perfect example of how a "director's cut" can ruin a film
Rating:
Summary: Not as Good as the Theatrical Version
Review: This is one of my favorite movies, but the director's cut is a definite pass. Those interested in an offbeat, strange but good movie should find the original theatrical version and skip this one. The theatrical version isn't a comedy, a romance, or anything that could categorized, but it was whimsical, quiet, full of tiny character details sharply etched. The film score by Bill Conti accented that whimsy and surrealism. In the director's cut, the film score by Eric Serra makes the movie nearly unwatchable. The 49 extra minutes shows that Besson had intended a straight melodrama, which doesn't work. The extra footage spoils the timing of key scenes and introduces unnecessary characters & subplots. Not a single minute of the extra footage adds anything to the original movie.
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