Cracking the code of DVD ‘eggs’

While the Christmas season may have visions of sugarplums dancing in some heads, determined film fanatics are hunting for Easter eggs on today’s popular DVD movies.

For the uninitiated, Easter eggs are secrets planted on DVDs by film studios in the hopes fans will find them. Typically, the viewer must press a series of buttons on the DVD remote (usually involving the arrow keys) until the “egg” is found.

An Easter egg could be an alternative ending to the movie, a hidden blooper reel, a secret interview, deleted scenes, video game or an isolated audio soundtrack to the entire film.

MGM, for instance, began with simple goodies such as a hidden martini recipe on the Special Edition of “Dr. No,” then worked on more creative eggs in recent years.

“We started to use more art, like a loop of Peter Sellers morphing in his different characters in ‘Revenge of The Pink Panther’ ” says MGM Home Entertainment’s Executive Creative Director Sharon Braun.

If these eggs are secrets -- that is, not listed on the back of the DVD box -- why do studios take the time to plant them?

“Easter eggs are a treat, like the surprise you get in a box of Cracker Jacks,” answers Michael Stradford, vice president of DVD content and programming at Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.

“Many added-value features may not be strong enough to stand on their own but do have entertainment value; using that type of content as eggs serves as an extra treat for fans.”

Braun says Easter eggs help to make the DVD experience more interactive and more personal for the user. “This is especially true for hard-core fans who will take the extra time to look for a special treat.”

Braun says eggs started as an inside joke among designers, though consumers and fans caught on.

“At first, marketing was not completely aware of what we were doing; it was purely an inside thing among creative team members.

“We are always trying to outdo ourselves and make things as fun and interactive as possible for the consumers.”

The following is a small sampling of eggs hiding on DVDs.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring -- Extended Edition”: New Line Home Entertainment has hidden two good eggs on its four-disc edition of “The Fellowship of the Ring.”

Insert the first DVD and choose “Select a Scene” from the main menu. Scroll to the last page (25-27) and navigate down to the words “The Council of Elrond.”

Press the down arrow button on the DVD remote and a gold ring will appear on the screen. Press enter (or select on some DVD players) to watch a humorous “alternative” version of this famous scene, cooked up by MTV.

Another egg can be found on the second DVD. Pop in the disc and, from the main menu, choose “Select a Scene” and go to the last page (Chapter 48). Scroll over to the number 48 and press the down arrow button on the DVD remote.

Two towers will appear. Press enter to watch a theatrical trailer to the film, “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” introduced by director Peter Jackson.

“Spider-Man”: There are seven eggs hidden on Columbia TriStar’s hit.

Insert the first DVD from this two-disc set and select “Special Features” from the main menu. Next choose “Commentaries.” A photo of Harry Osborn (James Franco) can be seen on the left-hand side of the screen.

Scroll down to “Special Features” but don’t press enter; instead, tap the left button on the DVD remote and a white spider will appear over Osborn’s picture. Press enter to watch extensive computer graphics imaging test footage and gags.

More eggs can be found on both discs, particularly the second. Try to find them.

“Monsters, Inc.”: There are a number of good Easter eggs planted on Disney/Pixar’s film.

Insert the second DVD and select the “Monsters Only” door. Once inside, press the right arrow on the DVD remote and the eye inside the Monsters Inc. logo will illuminate.

Press enter to be treated to a hilarious collection of animation test footage, outtakes and gags, preceded by a real monkey placing Easter eggs into a basket and a personal message from director Peter Docter. Many more eggs can be found in the “Human World.”

Easter eggs aren’t limited to new films. Consider these more vintage films.

“Singin’ in the Rain”: One of the greatest Hollywood musicals ever created has two hidden eggs on its new double-disc DVD.

Here’s how to access one of them: Pop in the second disc (special features) and, from the main menu, press the left button on the DVD remote. Part of the lamppost will turn green.

Now press enter to be treated to a secret interview with “Moulin Rouge” director Baz Luhrman, who discusses the significance of “Singin’ In The Rain.” This five-minute chat is peppered with video clips and music from the classic 1952 MGM film.

“A Fish Called Wanda,” MGM’s hilarious 1988 romantic comedy about thievery, trickery and titillation, has a hidden gem as well.

From the DVD’s main menu, use the remote to navigate over to the treasure chest floating above the word “Languages.”

The lid of the chest will turn orange; press enter and watch as the words and music fade, leaving nothing but this soothing aquarium screensaver.

To return to the main menu, press enter again.

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Marc Saltzman is the author of “DVD Confidential: Hundreds of Hidden Easter Eggs Revealed” (McGraw-Hill Osborne; $14.95).