Michael Jacksons This Is It 2009 Extras 1 [Best]
The main film gives you the polished highlights. The extras give you the process. There is a raw, unedited rehearsal of “The Way You Make Me Feel” that isn't in the theatrical cut. Watching Michael work through the blocking with the dancers is mesmerizing. He isn't performing for a camera here; he’s teaching. You see the perfectionist at work—adjusting a hand movement by two inches, snapping his fingers to correct the tempo.
The most valuable aspect of "Michael Jackson's This Is It 2009 Extras 1" is the audio. In the theatrical film, many songs were truncated or edited for pacing. However, within Extras 1, we get pristine, extended audio/video of Jackson running through his catalog.
One of the strangest yet most beloved segments in Extras 1 is the costume featurette. Running 14 minutes, it follows designer Zaldy and Jackson's longtime collaborator Michael Bush.
Highlights include:
This featurette turns the documentary into a How It's Made for pop music royalty.
With the rise of streaming, most platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ in some regions) only carry the theatrical cut. They do not include "Extras 1." michael jacksons this is it 2009 extras 1
To watch the full "michael jacksons this is it 2009 extras 1" today, you must:
The theatrical version cuts to the chase. Extras 1 shows the full, hilarious, and charming staging. Jackson spends nearly two minutes instructing the female dancer (filling the role of the "girl" he is chasing) on how to move. He claps, spins, and laughs. It is the most human Michael appears in the entire documentary.
The "useful piece" you are likely referring to is the featurette " Staging the Return
", which serves as the primary behind-the-scenes documentary in the 2009 Special Features for Michael Jackson's This Is It
This segment is often divided into two parts and covers the technical and creative development of the planned 50-date residency. Key Content in " Staging the Return The main film gives you the polished highlights
The Adventure Begins: Focuses on the initial concept of the London O2 Arena residency and how the concert series came to be.
Beyond the Show: Detailed footage of Jackson directing the musical team, band, and crew to ensure every cue and "funk" level met his specific standards.
The "Toaster" Mechanism: Behind-the-scenes footage showing the testing of the specialized stage lift designed to launch Jackson onto the stage.
Rehearsal Directives: Rare clips of Michael instructing his musicians, such as his famous request for a bassline to have more "thud" instead of "fud". Other Major Extras Released in 2009–2010
If you are looking for specific production insights, these other pieces from the same collection are frequently cited as the most "useful" for fans: This featurette turns the documentary into a How
The Gloved One: A 15-minute look at the tour's unique costume designs by Zaldy, including the LED-lit "Billie Jean" pants and an updated "Thriller" jacket.
Auditions: Chronicles the global search for the world's best dancers and the grueling selection process. Making Smooth Criminal
: A technical breakdown of the "vignette" that would have placed Michael into a black-and-white noir film alongside Hollywood legends like Rita Hayworth.
the standard DVD) include the extended versions of these extras?
When the documentary Michael Jackson’s This Is It premiered in October 2009, it was marketed as a final rehearsal film—a raw, unfiltered look at what would have been the greatest concert series never staged. But for the true devotees, the theatrical release was only the beginning. The treasure trove that fans have come to refer to as “Extras 1” (the first disc of bonus features from the Collector’s Edition DVD and Blu-ray) is where the real soul of the project lives.
Far from just discarded footage, Extras 1 is a masterclass in vulnerability, perfectionism, and the architectural genius of Michael Jackson. Here is a deep dive into why this specific collection of bonus material remains essential viewing 15 years later.