History Main / DVDCommentary

* ''Film/{{UHF}}'' has a rather bizarre one, with minor cast members wandering in and out at various times. Most notably when Emo Phillips' scenes are on Weird Al wonders whatever happened to the guy only to hear "I'm right behind you". Al also calls Victoria Jackson on the phone during the recording (which she clearly wasn't expecting), and appears on screen a couple of times, once to simply leave and get a snack for the director.

** ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'' stops at certain during the commentary and shows some behind-the-scenes clips to illustrate how a particular scene was made. Unfortunately most of the transitions are not very smooth.

* ''Film/CannibalTheMusical'' features one of the earliest "drunken commentaries." Director Trey Parker repeatedly comments on how his character's wayward horse is a thinly disguised allegory for his break-up with a former girlfriend, which he is apparently still bitter about at the time of the commentary. At the end, the commentators decide to go to a titty bar, and the last comment heard is one challenging the other to a fight.

** Considering the director, it's almost certainly not "reportedly."

** The classic series home video team aim to get commentaries recorded by surviving cast and crew for DVD releases of ''every'' surviving serial; as of 2020, the only released serials that have no commentary are "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS1E3TheEdgeOfDestruction The Edge of Destruction]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E5TheWebOfFear The Web of Fear]]". "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS1E1AnUnearthlyChild An Unearthly Child]]," "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS1E2TheDaleks The Daleks]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS4E6TheMoonbase The Moonbase]]" only have commentaries for select episodes. Otherwise, the entire serial is commentated.

* Creator/RonMoore recorded commentaries for ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' which he originally released for free as a podcast before they were included on the [=DVDs=]. He recorded the majority of these at home, rather than in a booth, and the sound of neighbors mowing lawns and telephones ringing could occasionally be heard[[note]]at first, he was apologetic for the distractions, but eventually started [[DearNegativeReader telling listeners to deal with the noise after the complaints started getting on his nerves]][[/note]]. He was often joined by his wife, Terry aka "Mrs. Ron," who'd make her own observations, or by David Eick or castmembers. Eventually, Moore settled into a routine where he'd start most commentaries by audibly lighting up a cigarette and taking a swig of scotch before telling the listeners what brands he'd be enjoying for the duration of the recording.

** Season 1, [[http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/20854/wonder-showzen-season-1/ per DVD Talk]]: ''On "Space," Screamin' Steven J. Hawkins -- a parody of Stephen Hawking -- speaks in a computerized voice about all manner of subjects, including how since "ignorance is bliss," that means he, being the smartest person in the world, must be the most miserable. ("More misery than anyone on this God-forsaken planet could possibly understand.") Over "Diversity," the band PFFR (featuring the "Wonder Showzen" guys, and predating the TV show) plays its weird electronica music. And on "Nature," actor Dick Gregory (who plays Mr. Sun on the show) rambles amiably about ... um ... the episode, sometimes, and sometimes just about whatever. It's not as funny as the Stephen Hawking thing, but it's admirably weird... [and] one more commentary, from author Gordon Lish, who has no prior connection to "Wonder Showzen" as far as I can tell. He offers commentary on the "Patience" episode, talking more or less about the subject of patience without ever actually referencing the episode. When the episode starts playing backwards halfway through, Lish's commentary does the same thing. At the end, when the episode goes to fast-forward, so does Lish.''

** There's also the commentary they for an episode where they brought in a total stranger from off the street and asked him about the episode as he watched it.

* ''WesternAnimation/HomeMovies'' features commentary on a few episodes of their [=DVD=]s. One of the more bizarre ones being for the season 3 episode, "It's Time To Pay The Price", which begins Brendon Small and H. Jon Benjamin doing a improvised jam session, and it doesn't stop until around halfway through the episode!

* As the commentary track for ''Film/{{Thirteen}}'' features then-teenaged actors Creator/EvanRachelWood, Nikki Reed,[[note]]who also co-wrote the film and whom Wood's character was based on[[/note]] and Brady Corbet, as well as Creator/CatherineHardwicke in her directorial debut, its tone drifts between serious discussion and an almost slumber party-esque atmosphere. Among the highlights:

* The ''Film/WestSideStory'' 50th anniversary Blu-Ray has lyricist Music/StephenSondheim provide commentary for the musical numbers, discussing abandoned concepts, differences between the play and the movie, and which songs he does and doesn't feel proud of in retrospect.

''Hi, everyone. We're the [[{{Troper}} tropers]] and this is the first ever commentary for a wiki page....''

* On the ''Film/ResidentEvil'' Deluxe Edition, Creator/PaulWSAnderson and actresses Creator/MillaJovovich and Creator/MichelleRodriguez crack jokes and argue about meaningless crap.

*** Rereleases occasionally come with a new second commentary. For example, "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E5TheRobotsOfDeath The Robots of Death]]" was first released in 2000 with a commentary featuring producer Philip Hinchcliffe and writer Chris Boucher. Its rerelease in 2012 tossed in a second commentary featuring Creator/TomBaker (The Fourth Doctor), Louise Jameson (Leela), Pamela Salem (Toos) and serial director Michael E. Briant.

*** Many classic ''Who'' commentaries do like to playfully mock the episodes. Creator/PeterDavison has said that he prefers doing the commentaries with the actors, and not members of the production staff, as the actors are usually more willing to take playful jabs at the silliness of it all (although some fans get very upset about the negativity of Davison's remarks about some stories, and even more so Janet Fielding's).

* ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'' had a commentary by [[TheVoiceless Thing]] and [[TheUnintelligble Cousin Itt.]]

* ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'' had a commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt.

* The otherwise very serious and in-depth director's commentary of "Film/Pan'sLabyrinth" features Creator/Guillermo del Toro going on a humorous tangent where he professes his hatred of horses during a scene involving them and, despite not being in the scene, cows. And he HATES them.[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KvcxKSkf0g&ab_channel=d34dn4ncy Behold - ]]

* The otherwise very serious and in-depth director's commentary of "Film/{{Pan's Labyrinth}}" features Creator/Guillermo del Toro going on a humorous tangent where he professes his hatred of horses during a scene involving them and, despite not being in the scene, cows. And he HATES them. Behold - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KvcxKSkf0g&ab_channel=d34dn4ncy

** Most cast members have also joined in commentaries, with Yeardley Smith probably doing the most. Guest stars have also appeared, including Creator/KelseyGrammer, Joe Mantegna, Creator/JonLovitz, Gary Marshall and Creator/StanLee.

* ''Film/RockyBalboa'' has a quite interesting track by Sylvester Stallone, covering tidbits about the shoot and philosophical pondering on the characters in pretty much equal measure.

** Verhoeven says "Izznit?" when he's alone in interviews so often it's a {{verbal tic}}. Just like Tony Scott saying "Yeah" on commentaries of his movies.
* As a rule, any commentary track Paul Verhoeven does is worth listening to if you can understand him through his accent. He's an extremely smart man and generally has a lot of interesting things to talk about.

* The commentary for ''[[Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe]]'' featuring director AndrewAdamson and the four child actors who played the Pevensie siblings is almost as entertaining as the film itself largely due to the four child actors spending most of the commentary playfully bickering and joking at each other's expense to the point where you could almost believe that they were actual siblings while Adamson hopelessly tries to keep them on-topic to talk about the actual film.

* Commentary for the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment of ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia 2000}}'' had Roy Disney joined by Mickey Mouse. Donald Duck also appears during the commentary for his segment, "Pomp and Circumstance", but his input is less than helpful.

** Brad Bird and John Walker's track for ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' was recorded before the film was released, so they awkwardly note at one point that they like the film, but have no idea how it will be received. It was also the day after legendary Disney animator Frank Thomas passed away, and Bird gives a brief and touching eulogy for him at his and Ollie Johnston's cameo.

* ''Film/{{Bound 1996}}'' features Creator/TheWachowskis along with the woman they consulted for the portrayal of lesbianism. Jennifer Tilly also shows up in the last 20 minutes. The track is notable for being the last time the Wachowskis did anything related to promotion for one of their films.

** Considering [[Creator/LarsVonTrier the director]], it's almost certainly not "reportedly."

* Each movie of the ''Franchise/StarWars'' saga has a commentary track by George Lucas and heads of the principal production departments. They mostly discussed common knowledge facts. To the contrary, the commentary for ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' movie was much more informative, as the whole thing was rather fresh and new at the time. Movies released after Lucasfilm's purchase by Creator/{{Disney}} also have commentaries, recorded without Lucas.

* The Region 1 DVD of ''Film/{{Godzilla 2000}}'' features a commentary by the three guys who did most of the work Americanizing the film. It's full of information on what goes on in dubbing and adapting a film and is hilarious to boot.

** Bernard Hill has a few solo sections, where he lets loose a few [[PrecisionFStrike Precision F Strikes]].

* On the ''Film/ResidentEvil'' Deluxe Edition, director Paul W.S. Anderson and actresses Creator/MillaJovovich and Creator/MichelleRodriguez crack jokes and argue about meaningless crap.

** Lemony Snicket goes through the entire thing acting as if the things had actually happened, and that Count Olaf, the main villain, is playing himself, having kidnapped Jim Carrey and locked him away somewhere.

** The special edition of ''Film/{{The Mummy|1999}}'' has two additional commentaries: one with Creator/BrendanFraser (Rick O'Connell) by himself, and another with Creator/OdedFehr (Ardeth Bay), Kevin J. O'Connor (Beni), and Creator/ArnoldVosloo (Imhotep). Given that Vosloo speaks no English during the film itself, hearing his natural voice and accent is interesting in its own right.

* The commentary for ''Film/TheUsualSuspects'' is played straight until the final scenes, when director Singer and screenwriter [=McQuarrie=] suddenly engage in a heated argument. Portions of the argument fade in and out of the commentary track much like the dialogue of the film's climax. The filmmakers each land a parting insult before the track ends.

** It also includes a track recorded at a live screening of the film, featuring audience participation callbacks. However, it was made for/taken from the 1995 laserdisc, and thus has some UnintentionalPeriodPiece callbacks referencing then-current events like the O.J. Simpson trial.
* In the "More Entertaining Than The Film" category: ''Film/DudeWheresMyCar''. It features the director, Creator/AshtonKutcher, and Seann William Scott. After about twenty minutes, Seann says "Do you guys want some beers?" Hilarity Ensues.

* If you watched ''Film/SpaceJam'' and still think that it has any vestiges of seriousness then turn on the commentary that includes Bugs and Daffy commenting on the movie in-character in addition to the director. Bugs and Daffy came back for ''Film/LooneyTunesBackInAction''.

*** There are a couple of commentaries for the first movie, but the one with Creator/KeiraKnightley and Jack Davenport (more of the former than the latter) is hilarious. Sadly it's only on selected scenes and not the entire movie.

* ''Film/TotalRecall1990'': The one for this film is particularly hilarious. For one, Verhoeven's Dutch accent, coupled with Schwarzenegger's Austrian accent, serve to make it almost unintelligible. Schwarzenegger's commentary consists almost entirely of making jokes about the [[{{Multiboobage}} three-breasted hooker]], a grating tendency for [[CaptainObvious stating the patently obvious]] ("This is me as a construction worker", "I used this guy as a HumanShield and then threw him down the escalator"), and expressing how he likes certain parts of the movie because they serve to reinforce the possibility that it's AllJustADream. Verhoeven for his part has a VerbalTic that leads him to end most of his sentences with "Izznit?", though it's possible he's just trying to get Arnold to contribute more, who seems to respond with "Exactly", the occasional "That's right", or complete silence to pretty much everything Verhoeven says.

* The commentary track of ''Film/{{Krull}}'' consists mostly of the crew making [[FairForItsDay excuses]] about the special effects and the cast name dropping famous people they've worked with in other films.

** Creator/NathanFillion and Alan Tudyk did commentary for "[[{{Recap/FireflyE10WarStories}} War Stories]]", which ends with Creator/NathanFillion inviting Creator/AlanTudyk to watch porn with him. No, really.

* The second ''Film/DungeonsAndDragons'' movie had three members of the production crew pose as three famous heroes of D&D lore, giving in-character comments about the plot and pointing out references to common D&D concepts. Better than it sounds, partly because it's genuinely unique and interesting, and partly because it includes a sizable about of jokey heckling, somewhat reminiscent of a Podcast/RiffTrax audio stream.

*** The 25th Anniversary Edition DVD of "[[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors The Five Doctors]]" has three commentaries: the Special Edition {{recut}} has the commentary included in the 2000 Region 1 DVD with Creator/PeterDavison (The Fifth Doctor) and Creator/TerranceDicks (the writer) while the original TV cut has two new commentaries: a regular commentary featuring Creator/CaroleAnnFord (Susan), Creator/NicholasCourtney (TheBrigadier), Creator/ElisabethSladen (Sarah Jane Smith) and Mark Strickson (Turlough), and an EasterEgg commentary with Creator/DavidTennant (The Tenth Doctor), Phil Collinson (producer during the Creator/RussellTDavies era) and Helen Raynor (a writer and script editor for the Davies era and ''Series/{{Torchwood}}'') having a huge nostalgia kick.

Though its inclusion is increasingly common, there are several famous directors who refuse to allow commentaries to be recorded for their [=DVD=]s. The most famous examples are Creator/StevenSpielberg and Creator/DavidLynch. Spielberg says he doesn't want to distract the viewer from watching the movie and anything he has to say about the film can be found on the DVD features. Lynch is insistent on the DeathOfTheAuthor issue and doesn't want to give his own, 'definitive', interpretation of the MindScrew works he's famous for (it's for the same reason that he's a master of the ShrugOfGod). Creator/WoodyAllen has stated that he hasn't seen any of his films since they were released (and most of the [=DVDs=] don't even feature stereo sound). Allen has also given the explanation that he thinks movies should stand on their own merits.

* The original DVD release of ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia}}'' included a commentary by Creator/WaltDisney himself, compiled from archival interviews and in some cases, someone else reading a transcript. for most of the movie, the commentary is scene specific, but once it gets to the final segment it then becomes about Walt reflecting on the film in general.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}'' has the producer and co-directors taking on the commentary. They talk over each other at some points, but still manage to be informative and funny.

* Commentary for the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment of ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia 2000}}'' had Roy Disney joined by Mickey Mouse. DonaldDuck also appears during the commentary for his segment, "Pomp and Circumstance", but his input is less than helpful.

* The commentary for ''Literature/MommieDearest'' is done by Creator/JohnWaters, as he's a fan of the film and doesn't consider it all that campy. He actually makes some very interesting points while managing to be totally hilarious.
* Joel and Ethan Coen typically avoid commentary tracks, but the original DVD of ''Film/BloodSimple'' has one by fictional artistic director Kenneth Loring, written by Creator/TheCoenBrothers themselves, that essentially spoofs commentary tracks themselves. Loring generally alternates between waxing rhapsodic about the framing of certain shots ("the human face... we all... have one"), telling rambling off-topic stories, and offering up spurious details on how certain effects were accomplished (he claims a scene where two characters are driving in the rain at night had to be filmed in reverse with the actors hanging upside down -- the fact that their hair doesn't appear to be standing up is attributed to copious amounts of hair spray). Creator/TheCriterionCollection release of the film eschews the gag commentary for a proper academic select-scene commentary with the brothers and cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld.

** Going on a rant about Tara Reid's refusal to show her breasts in ''Film/AloneInTheDark2005'', all but ''blaming the movie's failure on this''.

* One of the two commentaries of ''Film/{{Apollo 13}}'' is by Jim and Marylin Lovell -- Jim Lovell is the author of ''Lost Moon'', the book the film was based on and, oh yeah -- was the ''commander'' of Apollo 13. His wife doesn't say a lot, but Jim talks about the differences between the movie and the events, and the similarities. If you are a space nerd, the commentary really makes you feel like a witness to history.

* The ''Film/{{Super 8}}'' commentary featuring director Creator/JJAbrams, director of photography Larry Fong and producer Bryan Burk has them mulling over what question to ask Creator/StevenSpielberg via email, since he never does commentaries. There's also talk of Fong's magic skills (which are demonstrated in a featurette elsewhere on the disc), and he promises to bend the silverware in the house of anyone listening to the commentary.

* At one point during the ''Film/Scream4'' commentary track with Creator/EmmaRoberts, Creator/HaydenPanettiere (who has to leave two-thirds of the way through [[spoiler:mirroring her role in the film itself]]), Neve Campbell (via phone from London, and another one who doesn't stay to the end -- she only takes part for half an hour from around the 15-minute mark) and director Creator/WesCraven, Hayden realises her shirt's on the wrong way around and [[MsFanservice promptly takes it off to put it on properly]], much to Miss Roberts's amusement and Mr. Craven's bemusement bordering on blushing. As with the film, Panettiere is therefore the best part of the track.

* As the commentary track for ''Film/{{Thirteen}}'' features then-teenaged actors Creator/EvanRachelWood, Nikki Reed,[[note]]who also co-wrote the film and whom Wood's character was based on[[/note]] and Brady Corbet, as well as Catherine Hardwicke in her directorial debut, its tone drifts between serious discussion and an almost slumber party-esque atmosphere. Among the highlights:

* The audio commentary for ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'' has the drawbacks of a solo commentary, as it's done by Mel Brooks alone, but is otherwise quite good. One thing that makes it notable is that Ronny Graham is there with Brooks - though you mostly have to take Brooks' word for it, as Graham is completely silent save for a giggle when Brooks introduces him and a brief remark near the film's end.

* The director commentary for ''{{Film/Equilibrium}}'' was primarily just a very long apology from writer and director Kurt Wimmer, apologizing for the various things that they had to cut corners on for bugetary reasons, and generally discribing the superior film that could have been made had they been given enough time and money.

* The commentary with Andrew Davis and Tommy Lee Jones for ''Film/TheFugitive'' is probably one of the most disappointing ever. Davis spends most of the time simply talking about shooting locations and praising ever actor on screen while Jones' is quiet most of the time and when he does speak his comments amount to things like "I liked this part" and "it was cold that day".
* ''Film/SolomonKane'' has a fun one with the director Michael J. Bassett and James Purefoy.

* Creator/RonMoore recorded commentaries for ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' which he originally released for free as a podcast before they were included on the [=DVDs=]. They were clearly not professionally recorded and appeared to have been recorded in his house, with the sound of the neighbours mowing their lawns and telephones ringing in the background. The commentaries frequently featured cameos from his wife Terry, otherwise known as 'Mrs. Ron'.
** Particularly amusing is his audible pleasure when Mrs. Ron is out of the house and he can therefore smoke. His scotch selection for the recording is also generally noted.

*** The Blu-ray season box sets port over every commentary from previous DVD releases but largely eschew recording new traditional commentaries (with only "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E6TheTalonsOfWengChiang The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]", "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E1TheLeisureHive The Leisure Hive]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E4StateOfDecay State of Decay]]" receiving new ones by the end of 2020) in favor of a "Behind the Sofa" commentary featurette series with episodes for every serial - basically ''Series/{{Gogglebox}}'' with ''Doctor Who'' serials, watched by surviving cast and crew from the box set's season on one set of couches and by cast and crew of other ''Doctor Who'' eras on another set of couches.

*** The Blu-ray season box sets port over every commentary from previous DVD releases but largely eschew recording new traditional commentaries (with only "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E6TheTalonsOfWengChiang The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]", "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E1TheLeisureHive The Leisure Hive]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E4StateOfDecay State of Decay]]" receiving new ones by the end of 2020) in favor of a "Behind the Sofa" commentary featurette series with episodes for every serial - basically ''Series/{{Gogglebox}}'' with ''Doctor Who'' serials, watched by surviving cast and crew from the box set's season on one set and by cast and crew of other ''Doctor Who'' eras on another set.

[[folder: Fan Works]]

[[folder:Film-Animated]]

* ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'' stops at certain during the commentary and shows some behind-the-scenes clips to illustrate how a particular scene was made. Unfortunately most of the transitions are not very smooth.
** Creator/{{Pixar}}, in fact, is famous for doing exceptionally good, well-written, and well-planned commentaries that never sound like the commentators are just talking randomly!

** ''WesternAnimation/InsideOut'''s commentary, which is done by the director Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen, is pretty informative on a lot of the aspects of the film that you wouldn't necessarily catch the first time around, but one of the most interesting things that happens is at one point Pete Docter calls up [[Creator/BillHader Bill Hader]] and puts him on speakerphone where you are treated to a story where he once visited Creator/{{Pixar}} as well as his own account on the making of the film.
* The ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'' short ''WesternAnimation/MikesNewCar'', directed by Pete Docter and Roger Gould, is featured on the DVD release with "commentary by Docter and Gould" -- but it's actually their kids who give the commentary, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_SxdjJNncY which makes the short even funnier.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' features a faux-1960s "Mr. Incredible" cartoon, commented upon by Mr. Incredible and Frozone.

[[folder:Film-Live Action]]

* Joel and Ethan Coen typically avoid commentary tracks, but ''Film/BloodSimple'' has one by fictional artistic director Kenneth Loring, written by Creator/TheCoenBrothers themselves, that essentially spoofs commentary tracks themselves. Loring generally alternates between waxing rhapsodic about the framing of certain shots ("the human face... we all... have one"), telling rambling off-topic stories, and offering up spurious details on how certain effects were accomplished (he claims a scene where two characters are driving in the rain at night had to be filmed in reverse with the actors hanging upside down -- the fact that their hair doesn't appear to be standing up is attributed to copious amounts of hair spray).

* The ''Series/FreaksAndGeeks'' DVD includes on average of two and a half commentaries ''per episode'', including one done by three "teachers" in character and one by [[BigNameFan posters on the biggest F&G fanboard]]. Creator/JuddApatow and Paul Feig freely admit that they made the occasion of recording commentaries a de facto cast reunion.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Sealab 2021}}'''s DVD commentaries are particularly insane (much like the show). Of note is that the commentary over several episodes has no bearing on the episode itself. The highlight of this is the commentary over two episodes merely being one of the writers reading a comic book he did for a 4th grade project.