When the documentary Michael Jackson's This Is It premiered in October 2009, it was more than a film; it was a eulogy, a celebration, and a time capsule. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the film cobbled together over 100 hours of rehearsal footage from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. But for the dedicated fan, the theatrical release was only the appetizer.
The main course came with the home video release. On the DVD, Blu-ray, and digital downloads, a specific menu item has intrigued and delighted fans for over a decade: "Michael Jackson's This Is It 2009 Extras 1."
This article breaks down exactly what that menu tab contains, why it is essential viewing for any MJ scholar, and how it differs from the standard theatrical cut. michael jacksons this is it 2009 extras 1
Perhaps the most intimate moment in the Extras is simply audio of Michael doing vocal runs backstage. Without the band, without the lights, just his voice echoing in a dark arena. It reminds you that before the spin, before the glittery glove, he was a once-in-a-century vocalist. Listening to him hum melodies that never made it into the show is worth the price of admission alone.
On the two-disc "Deluxe Edition" (and the single-disc "Ultimate Fan Edition" internationally), the extras are usually split into two or three sections. "Extras 1" is the primary vault. It is not a single scene, but a curated playlist of supplementary material that runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. When the documentary Michael Jackson's This Is It
Crucially, "Extras 1" is distinct from "Extras 2" (which usually contains The Unfinished Rehearsals montage or the "Smooth Criminal" making-of). Extras 1 is the goldmine. It contains:
The first major segment of Extras 1 is a 23-minute mini-doc titled Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins. Narrated by Kenny Ortega, this piece is arguably more insightful than the main film. If you only watch the theatrical cut, you
Why? Because the main film is focused on Michael. Staging the Return focuses on the impossible logistics.
If you only watch the theatrical cut, you miss the tragedy of what could have been. Watching Extras 1 provides the full context of the $40 million production that vanished on June 25, 2009.
Extras deepen understanding of Jackson’s creative process and the massive collaborative effort behind large-scale pop productions. They preserve moments of artistic labor and offer a granular look at how performance, choreography, music, and production design are iteratively crafted into a cohesive spectacle.