Eclipse Discussion and Random Speculation

[Jeff]

Limiting themselves to 12 releases a year in advance is not very wise.

There are only 40 employees. I imagine adding another twelve titles per year will be a challenge as it is.

[Matt]

So, we've already got February Criterion titles announced; what's the hold-up with announcing Eclipse? Are they trying to beat Windows Vista's record for most-delayed launch?

[godardslave]

So, we've already got February Criterion titles announced; what's the hold-up with announcing Eclipse? Are they trying to beat Windows Vista's record for most-delayed launch?

It worth noting Criterion have said nothing officially about this at all (as least as far i know), its all second hand (or worse) speculation. They haven't even confirmed it will definitely happen, let alone set a date, or confirmed the number of releases per month/year.

So it not really fair or makes much sense to call it a "delayed" launch.

[Cinephrenic]

It worth noting Criterion have said nothing officially about this

They have announced this a while back on their newsletter and then in the recent blog article "On Five"

We discuss lots of things at Criterion. Whether it's a major question (what titles to release in Criterion, the launch of a second line, when to start releasing DVDs in HD) or a small one (which hot movie to see over the weekend, salty snacks before lunch and sweet after or the other way around, McSteamy or McDreamy, Meredith or Izzy), there's hardly anything we won't discuss and debate.

[godardslave]

...the launch of a second line...

ok, fair enough 6 words. =P~

all they said was they "discussed it", doesn't even confirm it for definite, or even the name.
Also nothing about when, how many or any other details.

[Tribe]

Turell says "it's an upcoming Spring launch" for Eclipse.

Tribe

[HerrSchreck]

Dying to know what Gremillion they're offering.. especially since we know which Bernard etc.

My bet is GEULLE, based on the gorgeous French R Chateau transfer.. licensing relationship opened via LE SAMOURAI....

Here's hopin.

[mikeohhh]

Remorques and Lumiere D'Ete are the titles that have been mentioned

[Gregory]

What I'm wondering is whether any films licensed from the major studios will see the light of day through this line. Perhaps even with lesser known titles the licensing costs would be prohibitive in nearly all cases, but I don't know. It seems like the perfect way for Shanghai Express to finally see the light of day, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much.

[HerrSchreck]

My guess is Universal themselves will get it out, since they already released in in R2. Many times the non-1 regions get these titles first.. note both Universal Dietrich collections came out in R2-4 before hitting one. SHANGHAI is out in a restored print now in this box, see Gary's review here. This box just came out a month ago.

I doubt if you want to wait for an R1 that you'll be waiting very long.

[Gregory]

Maybe, but it's far from certain what will happen with it. I would have thought that if Universal Planned to release it in R1 themselves they would have included it in the Glamour Collection. I may end up getting the box set you mentioned, but so far haven't been impatient enough to see Shanghai Express again to pay around $40 when that's the only title in the 6-disc set I want (and I was out of shelf space long ago).

[HerrSchreck]

I'm right there with you praying for a solo release on this, though I doubt we're going to get one. They'll probably squeeze it either into one of their new "classics" lines (albeit it's Paramount not Uni.. but I'd have to go back and confirm that these are Uni-only titles in this new line), or put out another Dietrich box with a few of the titles not included in the Glamour set. Of course a dream come true would have been a complete Dietrich/von Sternberg box, sans BLUE ANGEL, but too late for that now.

But these sets in the US are so cheap (22 bux for 4-6 films) I'll pick up whatever they squeeze SHANGHAI into. It'll probably have AGENT.. DESTRY, and a couple others with SHANG. Who knows, maybe the gorgeous new transfer of EMPRESS. Their telecine/authoring has been right up there with CC & WB, and their prices are unbeatable.

The price we'd probably pay for a solo Eclipse SHANGHAI (which I think is too "classic" "A-List" "Golden Age Of Hollywood" for Eclipse), somewhere between 19-24 bucks, is probably what we'd pay for SHANG with 4-5 other titles in whatever form we get it in R1.

[Gregory]

It is an "A-list" film but I was thinking Eclipse might end up releasing it because of the problems they had with the elements, at least that's what's long been speculated. There must be some clear reason Criterion haven't released it by now.

[Jeff]

“Eclipse presents a selection of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed films in simple, affordable editions. Each series is a brief cinematheque retrospective for the adventurous home viewer.â€

[souvenir]

Given the information in the latest blog entry, I really hope Criterion is considering using slimcases for the Eclipse sets. Whether it's three or five discs per month, full amarays or those terrible figure eight cases will really put a pinch on lots of people's shelf space (including stores').

[Tribe]

Given the information in the latest blog entry, I really hope Criterion is considering using slimcases for the Eclipse sets. Whether it's three or five discs per month, full amarays or those terrible figure eight cases will really put a pinch on lots of people's shelf space (including stores').

I don't get the sense that they will be boxed sets, but rather individual releases. I wonder if their proposed subscription service for Eclipse will ever get off the floor....I can only imagine what a pain in the ass setting something like that up must be.

Tribe

[Tribe]

It seems like the perfect way for Shanghai Express to finally see the light of day, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much.

Good one, it may also be the way we'll finally see those Eisenstein silents.

Tribe

[Jeff]

I don't get the sense that they will be boxed sets, but rather individual releases.

My mind immediately went to boxes, but you're right, there's really nothing in Becker's post to confirm either possibility. I guess we'll know tomorrow. Either way, I'm giddy as a fucking schoolgirl at the news. They've got something far more elaborate and enticing planned than I had imagined.

[denti alligator]

Given the information in the latest blog entry, I really hope Criterion is considering using slimcases for the Eclipse sets. Whether it's three or five discs per month, full amarays or those terrible figure eight cases will really put a pinch on lots of people's shelf space (including stores').

I don't get the sense that they will be boxed sets, but rather individual releases. I wonder if their proposed subscription service for Eclipse will ever get off the floor....I can only imagine what a pain in the ass setting something like that up must be.

Tribe

But will it be any cheaper than getting these titles from DVDPlanet for 35% off?

[souvenir]

I don't get the sense that they will be boxed sets, but rather individual releases. I wonder if their proposed subscription service for Eclipse will ever get off the floor....I can only imagine what a pain in the ass setting something like that up must be.

Tribe

Well here's what gave me that idea:

Retail pricing for each set will average under $15 per disc, and we are examining the logistics of making the sets available at an even more favorable rate on a subscriber or club basis.

[Tribe]

But will it be any cheaper than getting these titles from DVDPlanet for 35% off?

I doubt it. I don't see how they could do something like that so it makes economic sense for them to make a dollar off of it, and economic sense for purchasers not to buy them from the e-tailers.

Tribe

[justeleblanc]

It seems like the perfect way for Shanghai Express to finally see the light of day, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much.

Good one, it may also be the way we'll finally see those Eisenstein silents.

Tribe

I completely agree. I also imagine they'll finally be able to introduce Godard and Fellini.

In all seriousness, the Bunuel Mexicans would be a possibility, same goes for the Lubitsch musicals and the Dziga Vertov films.

[domino harvey]

I know it's a cliche for me to chime in with as much, but this would be an excellent way to release the Dziga Vertov-era Godard films, say Le Gai Savoir, Pravda, Vladmit et Rosa, Wind From the East, British Sounds. I would literally murder each and every one of you to ensure a proper release of Le Gai Savoir.

[zedz]

I think "Tough Godard" is a reasonable possibility. We know they're interested in Godard, they've got an ongoing relationship with Gorin, and these films would be hard sells as individual Criterions.

But the names they've already dropped are mouthwatering enough for me. I think it's reasonable to expect at least one batch of Ozu silents, probably sooner rather than later, since we know they've been waiting in the wings for a while.

I'd also like to point out, for those whose curiosity has been piqued, that Raymond Bernard's brilliant silent The Chess Players is already available on a good disc. On the strength of that, I'm very keen to see these releases.

[dx23]

No supplements, little restoration

I'm can deal with the lack of supplements, but little restoration?!? I don't like the sound of this, since most of this films, a least the ones from the mentioned directors, are old and most likely in need of some cleanup. If there is no restoration on this 30-50 year old films, then what would make Eclipse different to a public domain pusher like Madacy or Laserlight?