Home Entertainment : ‘Wolves’ Dances Again at Greater Length : Special four-hour edition of Kevin Costner’s film also includes a behind-the-scenes documentary and book.

Just when you thought there was no more footage of the 1990 Oscar winner “Dances With Wolves,” here comes director-star Kevin Costner with more.

He’s now assembling a new four-hour edit of the Western that earned him a best director Oscar. It’s due from Orion on Aug. 31 at $80 on two tapes.

Apparently this movie is such a favorite with fans that they don’t mind watching various versions. First there was the original three-hour movie and then came the ABC-TV miniseries, which included about 50 minutes of added footage. But Costner is adding even more, about 10 minutes that supposedly further illuminates the action and fills in gaps.

This latest version, called the “Limited Collector’s Edition,” also includes a 22-minute, behind-the-scenes, never-before-released video, “The Making of Dances With Wolves,” and a book, “Dances With Wolves: The Illustrated Story of the Epic Film.”

The package is definitely aimed at collectors and film buffs because it features a widescreen version of the movie. Much of the mass audience doesn’t like widescreen because the picture, while in the original theatrical aspect ratio, looks so tiny on a 20-inch (or smaller) TV screen.

There’ll be a laser version too, on Image Entertainment, coming out at about the same time, priced at $125, also including a CD of the soundtrack.

Orion Video is calling this the final edit--but with Costner you never know.

Special Interest

Packed with illuminating footage, “Israel: A Nation Is Born” is a comprehensive documentary examining that country’s formation just after World War II and includes highlights up through last year’s Palestinian peace pact with Palestine. Five hours on five tapes, from SISU at $149, (800) 223-7478. . . . HBO’s “Schindler,” a fine English documentary about the hero of the movie “Schindler’s List,” is due out June 29--but only as a rental.

CBS-Fox is already preparing a video of the NBA championship series now in progress between the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets. Priced at $20, it will be rush-released for July 19, about a month after the series ends. . . . If you’re looking for a simple video that explains how to protect your back from undue stress in everyday situations, try “It’s Your Back: Volume 1” from Family Experiences Productions, a half-hour tape priced at $25, (512) 338-1318.

The flood of Jackie Onassis videos continues. CBS Video will have one in the stores Wednesday, “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Remembered,” priced at $15. In addition to original material, this CBS News package includes some interesting ‘60s TV footage of a tour of the White House and a TV interview with her and John Kennedy.

Music Videos

“New Order Story,” an hour video on Warner-Reprise at $20, following the band from its Joy Division roots to the present, with music clips and assorted interview footage. One of the year’s better music videos and a must for New Order fans. . . . Though best known as Carrie Fisher’s dad, Eddie Fisher was a major-league crooner in the 1950s. A video showcasing his talents, “Eddie Fisher: A Singing Legend,” is due June 22 on A*Vision Entertainment at $20. . . . “Toni Braxton: The Hit Video Collection” is just out, including interviews and vidclips from the pop-soul singer’s first album. On Arista at $13. . . . The No. 1 selling video, according to the Billboard chart, is Ray Stevens’ “Live” (Curb, $17).

What’s New

“Wayne’s World 2” (Paramount). Spoofing brainless heavy-metal heads, the original had some hilarious bits and infused some catch phrases into the pop lingo. In a plot too thin to mention, Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) return in a sequel that isn’t as clever or funny as the original. But if you’re a fan of the first one, there’s enough good low-brow humor in the sequel to make it a worthwhile rental.

“My Life” (Columbia TriStar). A successful executive (Michael Keaton) with a pregnant wife (Nicole Kidman) finds out he has terminal cancer and sets out to shoot a video of his life so his unborn son will know something about him. Very grim, packing an emotional wallop in places but sinking to TV-movie sentimentality in others.

“The War Room” (Vidmark). An absorbing, behind-the-scenes documentary about Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. What makes it so fascinating is the rampaging charisma of its dominant figure--campaign manager James Carville, a high-spirited, likable oddball. Assembled by D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, it’s one of last year’s best documentaries.

“Sex Is . . .” (Water Bearer, $40, 800-551-8304). To get a good sense of the impact of AIDS on gay men and what it’s like being gay these days, check out this melancholy, no-holds-barred, often jolting documentary. Featuring interviews with men of various ages, ethnic groups and walks of life, it ranks with the finest films about the gay lifestyle.

“Ghost in the Machine” (Fox-Video). It’s a great idea--a high-tech villain creeping into electronic circuitry and attacking a victim (Karen Allen) by turning innocent home appliances into death machines. But the story is so full of holes it’s hard to take it seriously. Still, the special effects are great.

“Deception” (LIVE). Don’t be deceived by the glamorous stars--Andie MacDowell and Liam Neeson--of this international adventure. It’s not a very good movie. MacDowell plays a wife tracking a missing husband with the help of an organizer of hunger-relief efforts. Beautiful scenery but a snail’s pace and little excitement.

FILMS ON VIDEO

Recent films coming out on video: Warner has moved the release date of “The Pelican Brief,” starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, from June 29 to Wednesday. Also coming out: “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (Tuesday); “The Getaway,” “Dangerous Game,” “Iron Will” and “The Air Up There” (Wednesday); “Six Degrees of Separation,” “Geronimo: An American Legend,” “Tombstone” and “Gunmen” (June 22); “Philadelphia,” “In the Name of the Father” and “Naked” (June 29); “Grumpy Old Men,” “Sugar Hill,” “House Party 3” and “Romeo Is Bleeding” (July 6); “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” “Shadowlands,” “Reality Bites,” “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” “Blink,” “Heaven and Earth,” “Body Snatchers” and “Car 54, Where Are You?” (July 13); “On Deadly Ground” and “My Father the Hero” (July 20); “Wrestling Ernest Hemingway,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?,” “Cabin Boy” and “Blank Check” (July 27); “Lightning Jack” (Aug. 1); “Beethoven’s 2nd” (Aug. 9); “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Sept. 30); “Jurassic Park” (Oct. 4); “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (Oct. 28).