HOME VIDEO : Digital Media : DVD Version of ‘Bottle’ Is Filled With Inventive Extras

Get out your hankies! The romantic weepy “Message in a Bottle” has been digitalized into a handsomely produced, entertaining and informative disc (Warner Bros., $25).

Kevin Costner (at his aw-shucks best), Paul Newman and Robin Penn Wright star in this romantic drama about how love heals all wounds. The DVD includes audio commentary from director Luis Mandoki and producer Denise Di Novi, filmographies, the trailer, five special effects segments and several scenes either deleted from or shortened for the final cut. Mandoki also offers commentary on these extra scenes. Even the animated, interactive menus are inventive and fun.

In his commentary, the Mexican-born Mandoki (“Gaby: A True Story”) talks about how producer Costner got him involved in directing the film, and how Newman and Wright were chosen. He talks about how difficult it was to find the perfect seaside town where Costner’s character, a widower, lives with his father (Newman). The producers thought they had found one in Virginia, but the city fathers balked after they read the script. Unbeknownst to the producers, the townspeople were very religious and objected to the kissing and language. The production ended up filming outside of Portland, Maine.

Shooting was difficult because of changing weather. For example, the scene in which Wright meets Costner for the first time at a boat he was restoring had to be shot over three days. And the scene in which Costner and Wright go sailing for the first time was begun in Maine and concluded in California.

Warners also has just released the DVD of Clint Eastwood’s latest, “True Crime” ($25). Maybe Eastwood’s most die-hard fans will want to check out this dreadful mystery-thriller in which Eastwood’s down-on-his-luck reporter tries to save a man from the electric chair. The DVD offers filmographies, the wide-screen version of the film, the original theatrical trailer, plus a very pedestrian behind-the-scenes look at the film’s production. The only plus is a fascinating interview with L.A. Times reporter Ray Herndon, who was able to clear a convicted man.

Also new: The original “Star Trek” series is boldly going where it never went before: into the world of DVD. Paramount is offering Volumes 1 and 2 of “Star Trek: The Original Series” DVD collection ($20 each). The first disc features the series’ second and third episodes, which were telecast in fall 1966. Gary Lockwood and Sally Kellerman are among the guest stars. The episodes have been digitally enhanced and remastered, and look beautiful.

The scariest thing about William Castle’s goofy 1965 thriller “I Saw What You Did” (Anchor Bay, $25) is star Joan Crawford’s gigantic hairstyle, which seems to have taken on a life of its own. And wait until you see her necklace, which resembles a lethal weapon. The DVD edition of this chiller, which also stars John Ireland as a psychopath, is presented in wide screen and includes the original theatrical trailer and a “special world premiere announcement” from Castle. A real hoot.