Long Way Home Documentary Will Release on TVOD
The remastered film featuring Boris Grebenshchikov arrives on digital platforms beginning in late October.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Documentary
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The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded will release on TVOD platforms starting October 20, 2026, in the US and Canada. The 98-minute documentary features a new epilogue directed by Steven Lawrence and Susanne Rostock.
Why it matters
This release provides a second life for the documentary after the film largely disappeared for 30 years. The new epilogue fulfills the original ambitions of director Michael Apted to continue the story he began in 1988.
The documentary spans a total runtime of 98 minutes and utilizes the only existing 16mm film print for its restoration. The film marks a return to availability after being largely absent from circulation for 30 years.
The players
Boris Grebenshchikov
He is a prominent musician and the frontman of the Soviet and Russian rock band Aquarium.
Michael Apted
He was an acclaimed British director known for his extensive documentary work and feature films.
Steven Lawrence
He is a filmmaker who co-directed the new epilogue for the remastered documentary.
Susanne Rostock
She is a director who collaborated on the updated epilogue for this project.
The details
Producers Steven Lawrence and Susanne Rostock created the new epilogue following the 2021 death of Michael Apted. The film captures the experience of Boris Grebenshchikov and the band Aquarium, offering fans a definitive version of the historical footage.
Timeline
1988: Michael Apted directed the original documentary.
2021: Director Michael Apted died.
Week of October 19, 2026: The film releases in the UK, France, and Germany.
October 20, 2026: The film releases in the US and Canada.
Industry Dynamics
This restoration project follows the trend of re-evaluating and preserving archival documentary footage to reach new digital audiences. The release extends the 1988 production of The Long Way Home by restoring previously lost footage and adding contemporary context.
Viewers can access the remastered film through major TVOD platforms starting the week of October 19, 2026. The release ensures that the archival footage is finally available to international audiences after three decades.
The takeaway
Restoring archival film projects allows modern audiences to experience historical narratives that were previously locked away for decades. Maintaining these visual records ensures that artistic visions, such as Apted’s original goal for this film, can finally be fulfilled for a global audience.
Further reading
For more information on the latest film restoration projects, visit the Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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