Eclipse Discussion and Random Speculation

[souvenir]

Stating the obvious here, but even if we get one Eclipse set from September onward, that's only 8 for the year (and December seems doubtful) - a pretty far cry from the initial promise of 12 per year.

[cgray]

pretty far cry from the initial promise of 12 per year.

On the other hand, we got blu this year. The promise made there was that they would continue to evaluate the situation and plunge into hi-def at the right time. When they "promised" 12 Eclipse sets, they did not know that HD-DVD would kick the bucket so soon, allowing Criterion to enter the game. I, for one, think the trade off is acceptable. We know they're a relatively small company, and they're doing a lot!

[Perkins Cobb]

What?! Nothing new in August, either? Screw Blu ... I'll trade 20 of those ugly-ass mothers for one good Eclipse box.

Awright, where Criterion's new address again? It's time for a beatdown.

[Perkins Cobb]

... and in other news, I think MOC, BFI, and some French labels can thank Tamara for finally making a sale on some Naruse and Mizoguchi DVDs.

[Michael Kerpan]

I strongly suspect that the rest of BFI's Naruse set will show up on Eclipse -- eventually. I don't think the films in the MOC set are nearly as likely to surface there (not any time soon).

An Eclipse release of the 1950s Mizoguchi films will not eclipse the MOC sets -- though surely at least some of these will eventually show up as full-scale (full-price) Criterion releases.

Shochiku's Shimizu box sets have helped allay the impact of the Eclipse slow down for me.

[colinr0380]

I strongly suspect that the rest of BFI's Naruse set will show up on Eclipse -- eventually. I don't think the films in the MOC set are nearly as likely to surface there (not any time soon).

I may hold you to that since I've got the MoC but not the BFI box yet. I was holding off since I had already picked up the Criterion edition of 'Broad Climbing The Steps' (If you'll allow me to describe it in those Herr Schreck-ian terms!)

[Michael Kerpan]

Broad?

Broad!!??

In any event, if I was Criterion -- I'd do "Floating Clouds" as a Criterion release -- and an Eclipse box set with "Late Chrysanthemums", "Lightning" and one more -- "Older Brother, Younger Sister", or "Sudden Rain" or "Wife" or "Mother" or "Husband and Wife".

[mattkc]

"Older Brother, Younger Sister", or "Sudden Rain" or "Wife" or "Mother" or "Husband and Wife".

Or, a box set of those five would be very nice. I'm also desperate to get my hands on any of the late ones that I haven't seen though, like Anzukko, Whistling in Kotan, Evening Stream, Approach of Autumn...

On the other hand, a 40s set containing Traveling Actors, The Song Lantern, and A Tale of Archery would be wonderful too. I simply don't understand why more Naruse isn't available. Honestly I'd be a bit disappointed if Criterion gave us Late Chrysanthemums and Floating Clouds after all this wait (though I realize it's very likely - and I'd certainly be glad for anything at this point).

[Michael Kerpan]

Or, a box set of those five would be very nice. I'm also desperate to get my hands on any of the late ones that I haven't seen though, like Anzukko, Whistling in Kotan, Evening Stream, Approach of Autumn...

The only film on your list I HAVE seen is Approach of Autumn (which is interesting and unusual for Naruse), the others remain frustratingly out of reach.

On the other hand, a 40s set containing Traveling Actors, The Song Lantern, and A Tale of Archery would be wonderful too.

My favorite 40s film is Haru no mezame (Spring Awakens / Puberty). Song Lantern and Traveling Actors tie for second place. Tale of Archery is interesting -- but I like Hideko the Bus Conductress even more.

Naruse's best historical film is probably Okuni and Gohei.

[mattkc]

Are you listening Criterion? Box sets of Traveling Actors, Hideko the Bus Conductress, The Song Lantern, Tale of Archery, Spring Awakens, and Anzukko, Summer Clouds, Whistling in Kotan, Evening Stream, Approach of Autumn, and a deluxe box set of Mother, Lightning, Okuni and Gohei, Wife, Older Brother, Younger Sister, Husband and Wife, Late Chrysanthemums, and Sudden Rain, pronto.

[Michael Kerpan]

Are you listening Criterion? Box sets of Traveling Actors, Hideko the Bus Conductress, The Song Lantern, Tale of Archery, Spring Awakens, and Anzukko, Summer Clouds, Whistling in Kotan, Evening Stream, Approach of Autumn, and a deluxe box set of Mother, Lightning, Okuni and Gohei, Wife, Older Brother, Younger Sister, Husband and Wife, Late Chrysanthemums, and Sudden Rain, pronto.

If only.

Right now, just having Criterion's Naruse catalog stretch beyond one film seems like a somewhat distant goal. ;~{

[justeleblanc]

I have a feeling Naruse and Gorin will be coming later this year on Eclipse.

[Ovader]

I have a feeling Naruse and Gorin will be coming later this year on Eclipse.

Gorin messaged me stating it is in the works. No mention whether it will be an Eclipse release but this discussion implies a proper Criterion edition.

[GringoTex]

I have a feeling Naruse and Gorin will be coming later this year on Eclipse.

Gorin messaged me stating it is in the works. No mention whether it will be an Eclipse release but this discussion implies a proper Criterion edition.

Gorin was interviewed for it, so it's Criterion (unless they changed their mind).

[sidehacker]

Call me a pessimist but I think it's going to be a long time before Naruse's pre-Ginza Gesho films make a digital appearance.

[Michael Kerpan]

Call me a pessimist but I think it's going to be a long time before Naruse's pre-Ginza Gesho films make a digital appearance.

I fear you are correct -- and yet, some of these seem to be in pretty good shape. One problem -- most experts are on record as saying none of these films are of any value. ;~{

[HerrSchreck]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but due to the lack of new Eclipse anouncements I emailed and asked about it.

We appreciate your eagerness for new Eclipse series, and if all goes well the next one should be coming out in September.

September eh? owned.

[colinr0380]

Ah yes but perhaps Tamara was posting after all the work on the Shepitko set had been done so from her point of view the next set was September - she just forgot the last one had not yet been announced!

[HerrSchreck]

Ah yes but perhaps Tamara was posting after all the work on the Shepitko set had been done so from her point of view the next set was September - she just forgot the last one had not yet been announced!

Who knows, this one may actually hit in September.

[esl]

One problem -- most experts are on record as saying none of these films are of any value.

Then maybe we should question whether these "experts" are of any value.

[Michael Kerpan]

It seems that most of what was written in the past (in English) about Naruse's work during 1936-1950 was based not on a study of the films themselves but simply on a re-cycling of whatever secondary sources were handy.

[Cinephrenic]

How about a Francesco Rosi set with Lucky Luciano, The Mattei Affair, Illustrious Corpes, The Moment of Truth? Seems possible rights-wise.

[Awesome Welles]

As much as I would LOVE to see that, it would be great to see those on the main line, especially The Mattei Affair. Who owns Elio Petri's films? I was thinking it would be great to have a Volonté Eclipse set, though of course I'd like to see Petri in the main line also. But beggars can't be choosers.

[Blonde Venus]

A beginners question for Eclipse:

Is the picture and sound quality as good as the usual Criterion releases? So do they put in "less effort"? If I may be so crude.

[HerrSchreck]

Read this thread from the beginning, and check www.dvdbeaver.com for any of the titles you're interested in.