Britney DVD Has Alternate Takes Of Her Videos, Plus More Skin

By Jennifer Vineyard

October 27, 2004 / 5:09 PM

Think you've seen all of Britney's music videos?

Then you must be who Spears had in mind when she put together her DVD video retrospective, "Greatest Hits: My Prerogative." The set will contain several alternate versions of many of her top clips, including one for "Toxic" in which she wears nothing but diamonds the entire time.

Not only are some of the clips rarely seen and, in some cases, never-before-seen versions, but 10 of the 20 videos that comprise the November 9 collection have been expanded and enhanced. Fans can watch new footage from "Everytime" and "(You Drive Me) Crazy," as well as the never-before-released material shot before the singer's knee injury on the set of "Outrageous" (see [article id="1488285"]"Britney Busts Knee, Complicating Video Shoot And Tour"[/article]), including one scene where she's playing basketball with Snoop Dogg and ends up in his arms, giving him a little lick for luck.

Preview Britney's new DVD

Spears' camp was able to provide so many alternate versions because directors often shoot a full pass at a song in each costume, and then only use a few moments of it in the finished clip. So while some of the alternate takes of "... Baby One More Time" and "Oops! ... I Did It Again" will look familiar, the videos have been re-cut for a whole new feel. One of those alternate clips, for "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know," makes the most use of Britney's body of work, with the spaceman from "Oops! ... I Did It Again," an opening door from "My Prerogative" and a guy from "Toxic" all making cameos. And though "Outrageous" was never finished, it, too, gets an alternate version.

Though the footage was easily accessible, assembling it wasn't so easy. The project took four months to put together, her label rep said, as crews combed through unused footage and edited new versions for some, and used instrumentals and alternate audio in others. There's a new vocal mix for "I'm a Slave 4 U," for instance, and in "(You Drive Me) Crazy," the alternate audio gives the feel of Spears singing the song as a round, where the beat is in sync but one layer of her vocals is just slightly ahead of the other.

Not all of the features are going to be easy to find. The DVD provides two menus -- one for original versions, one for alternates. But with some digging, fans will also find hidden features, such as a second alternate version of "My Prerogative," consisting entirely of the film shown in the original version, where Spears is seen rolling around on a bed in her underwear. (The first alternate version includes more footage of Spears' husband, Kevin Federline).

As many versions as Spears offers, however, there's one that fans have to provide -- by singing along. An alternate take of "Toxic" lets you hear the music and see Britney, but no vocals come out of her mouth. And since she's wearing nothing but those infamous diamonds (see [article id="1490554"]"Yes, Britney Really Is Naked In The 'Toxic' Video: VMA Lens Recap"[/article]), the guide lyrics help provide some necessary cover-up -- try watching that and getting the words right.

"Greatest Hits: My Prerogative" DVD track listing, according to Jive Records: