Why the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD is still a must-own for DC fans

Why the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD is still a must-own for DC fans

Honestly, the digital era lied to us. We were told that streaming was the end-all-be-all, but if you've ever tried to find a specific director's commentary on a Tuesday night only to realize your subscription service doesn't carry "bonus features," you know the frustration. That’s exactly why the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD remains such a staple on the shelves of physical media collectors. It isn't just about owning a piece of plastic. It’s about the fact that Patty Jenkins changed the trajectory of the DCEU with this one, and the home release captures a moment in cinematic history that feels different than just scrolling through a menu on Max.

Gal Gadot’s Diana Prince wasn't just a superhero; she was a cultural reset. Remember the "No Man's Land" scene? Most of the studio brass actually wanted to cut it. They didn't think a scene of a woman walking into gunfire without a "traditional" fight sequence would work. They were wrong. Buying the DVD lets you sit with that history.


What you actually get on the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD

When you pop the disc in, you aren't just getting the movie. You're getting the craftsmanship. Most people think a DVD is just a low-res version of the Blu-ray, but for the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD, the standard definition release was actually handled with a surprising amount of care regarding the color palette. Matthew Jensen, the cinematographer, used a very specific desaturated look for the scenes in London to contrast with the vibrant, lush greens of Themyscira. On the DVD, that transition still hits hard.

You get the "Etta’s Mission" featurette. It’s basically a short film. Etta Candy, played by the brilliant Lucy Davis, brings the crew back together for a secret mission that bridges the gap between the end of the film and the broader universe. It’s funny. It’s light. It’s something you usually miss if you’re just watching a pirated stream or a basic digital rental.

The technical specs nobody talks about

Let's get nerdy for a second. The DVD release uses a dual-layer disc (DVD-9), which is pretty standard, but the bit-rate was pushed quite high to ensure that the heavy CGI battles in the third act—you know, the ones with David Thewlis as Ares—don't turn into a blocky mess of pixels. It supports Dolby Digital 5.1. If you have a decent home theater setup, the roar of the God Killer sword and the whip of the Lasso of Truth sound thick and textured.

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It’s also about accessibility. Not everyone has fiber-optic internet. In many parts of the world, a physical Wonder Woman 2017 DVD is the only way to watch the film without buffering every three minutes.


Why the physical release beats streaming every time

Bitrate matters. It really does. Even a standard DVD can sometimes feel more "stable" than a 4K stream that’s being throttled by a busy ISP. But beyond the tech, there's the ownership. Movies disappear from streaming services all the time. One day it's there, the next day a licensing deal expires and it's gone. With the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD, you own it. Forever.

The Epilogue: Etta’s Mission

I mentioned this briefly, but it deserves its own spotlight. This wasn't just a deleted scene. It was a dedicated piece of content made specifically for the home release. It features Etta Candy gathering the boys—Sameer, Charlie, and Chief—to discuss a mysterious ancient artifact. This artifact actually points toward the formation of the Justice League. If you're a lore junkie, this is the kind of connective tissue that makes the physical disc worth the five bucks you'll spend at a thrift store or the tenner on Amazon.

  1. Directorial Vision: You get to see how Patty Jenkins navigated a male-dominated genre.
  2. Extended Scenes: There are moments in the German high command that were trimmed for pacing but add a lot of tension to the infiltration plot.
  3. The Blooper Reel: Honestly, seeing Gal Gadot trip over her own cape is the kind of humanizing content we all need.

Impact of the 2017 release on the DCEU

Before this movie came out, the DC Extended Universe was in a dark place. Batman v Superman was divisive. Suicide Squad was... well, it was a lot of neon and editing choices. Then Diana showed up. The Wonder Woman 2017 DVD represents the first time a female-led superhero movie actually broke the billion-dollar-potential barrier and stayed there. It proved that you don't need a "dark and gritty" filter for a movie to have weight.

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The movie cost about $149 million to make. It made over $822 million at the box office. When the DVD hit the shelves in late 2017, it dominated the home video charts for weeks. People didn't just want to see it; they wanted to keep it.

The Amazonian training featurettes

One of the best parts of the bonus content is the deep dive into how the Amazons were cast. They didn't just hire actors. They hired pro athletes, heptathletes, and fighters. Watching the behind-the-scenes footage of these women training on the beaches of Italy is arguably as inspiring as the movie itself. You see the sweat. You see the practical stunts. It makes the final film feel more "real," even with the gods and the magic lassos.


Common misconceptions about the DVD version

A lot of people think that because the movie was shot on film (mostly 35mm, with some 70mm for the Themyscira sequences), the DVD can't handle the detail. While it’s true that you aren't getting 4K resolution, the DVD downscaling actually preserves the "filmic" grain quite well. It doesn't look overly sharpened or digital. It looks like a movie.

Another thing? People assume the DVD doesn't have the "special features." Usually, the single-disc DVD has the movie and maybe one or two clips, but the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD was released in several configurations. Even the basic version usually packs in the "Crafting the Wonder" segment.

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What about the cover art?

The classic DVD cover features Diana in her iconic "crossed gauntlets" pose against a fiery background. It’s striking. In an era where digital thumbnails are generated by algorithms to bait clicks, there's something genuinely nice about having the original theatrical key art on your shelf. It’s a conversation starter.


Finding a copy today

You can find this disc everywhere. Check the bargain bins at Walmart, or look at used media stores like 2nd & Charles or even eBay. Because so many copies were produced, it's incredibly affordable. But don't let the low price fool you. The value is in the content.

If you're a completionist, you might look for the retailer-exclusive versions. Some had different slipcovers, and others included small booklets with concept art. The concept art is particularly cool—seeing the early sketches of the trench warfare costumes shows how much work went into making the 1918 setting feel authentic.

Actionable steps for collectors

If you're looking to add the Wonder Woman 2017 DVD to your collection, don't just grab the first one you see. Check the back of the case. Ensure it mentions "Etta’s Mission" if you want the extra story content. Also, verify the region code. If you’re in the US, you need Region 1. If you're in the UK, it’s Region 2. Most modern players are region-free, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Once you have it, watch the "No Man's Land" scene with the volume turned up. Pay attention to Rupert Gregson-Williams' score. On the DVD's uncompressed audio track, the cello theme for Diana is haunting.

Clean the disc with a microfiber cloth if you're buying used. Even a small scratch can skip the best parts of the third act. Finally, actually watch the "Visionary Reflections" featurette. It’s a masterclass in how to build a blockbuster with heart. This isn't just a movie; it's a blueprint for how the genre should be handled. Own it, watch it, and keep it on the shelf where it belongs.