Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.3

[Minkin]

For those still holding out on some Criterion releases...

World Cinema Foundation seems to only have one new restoration this year (unless they plan to gradually announce more). The film: Law of the Border (Turkey/1966) by Lüfti Ö. Akad.

[Cinephrenic]

Truly exciting news. This is big classic in Turkey.

[rwaits]

I'm anticipating the WCF stuff perhaps more than anything on Criterion's potential slate. It's frustrating that it's taking so long - and no real news...

[knives]

This should have been a given, but the copy of Mother TCM showed comes with a Janus. I hope the eclipse set has done well enough for them to release this.

[Coen]

guys and gals,

I hope I'm in the right topic. If not, I apologize!

Can anybody tell me if I can expect blu ray editions of the 'Carl Theodor Dreyer Box Set' and the 'A Film Trilogy by Ingmar Bergman' box?

I've already got the region 2 dvd's and I'm looking for an upgrade but I don't want to tripple dip in the near future.

[knives]

There's been no word on the Dreyer's, but criterion has mentioned wanting to upgrade the Bergman's. This won't likely happen until after Fanny and Alexander though.

[zeroism]

I wouldn't expect any upgrades of entire 3+ film boxsets any time soon - they seem to be avoiding this for now; but I'd love to be proven wrong.

[Noiradelic]

Because box sets take more work I wouldn't count on them in the "near future," but these are definitely films they're going to want to get to. Probably the Bergman first, but like knives said, it's presumably going to be waiting in line behind F&A.

[movielocke]

they also mentioned on facebook way back when they were talking about things that Autumn Sonata is also in the mix, possibly before F&A.

The problem is that the DVD sets like Film Trilogy probably sell lots fewer units than something like Smiles of a Summer Night simply because the puchase point is between $50-100. That probably means that sets either are slated to be broken into pieces (400 Blows, Au Revoir les Enfants) or are very low on the totem pole, comparatively. Additionally, bluray means that an extras disc, such as the fourth disc of the set, Ingmar Bergman makes a movie is not necessary, so there's some reconfiguring to consider in how to best package them if they're going to break it into pieces. Alternatively, the set could be transformed into a two disc bluray set without compromising image quality. There are a lot of considerations to be made in how best to present it on bluray. A four disc set with a four disc price point is probably not very likely, But three individual releases, a three disc box set, or two releases of double features are much more likely. However, considering the collector mentality of criterion's audience, if they opt to release all of them as singles, they'll pretty much be obligated to release a box set as well.

In other words, with in-print sets, they're damned if they do, damned if they don't. If they only put Through a Glass Darkly on bluray, people complain it's only the one release; if they were to put them all out as individual titles people would complain they weren't in a box set, if they released them only as a box set again, people (and retailers) would complain about price and only wanting one or two of the titles, if they released them individually and as a box set simultaneously, people and retailers would complain that it was too redundant and would confuse people in stores.

Probably the best strategy from criterion's perspective is to trickle out the release piece by piece rather than upgrade it whole.

[Derek Estes]

Though I feel if the could release the pretty massive America Lost and Found on blu-ray, the Bergman trilogy shouldn't be so insurmountable. As Bergman releases go, these are pretty A list. We know that Wild Strawberries is coming soon, and if I remember correctly, on Facebook Criterion suggested Scenes From A Marriage, and Autumn Sonata were possibly coming before Fanny & Alexander. I also wouldn't be surprised to see The Magic Flute upgraded before we see too many re-releases. I'm stoked about all of it!

[Gregory]

Alternatively, the set could be transformed into a two disc bluray set without compromising image quality.

I remember reading a complaint about the Drive, He Said/A Safe Place double feature being "cheap," but I'm completely in favor of combining more than one film on a disc whenever there is space. It saves money, resources, and shelf space.

...if they released them individually and as a box set simultaneously, people and retailers would complain that it was too redundant and would confuse people in stores.

Warner used to do that with higher-demand titles in their box sets, and I don't recall any complaints, nor about Criterion releasing the Yojimbo and Sanjuro revamps separately and together.

[Tom Hagen]

Criterion was helped quite a bit on the BBS box with transfers and a lot of supplements already completed by Sony.

[Noiradelic]

We know that Wild Strawberries is coming soon, and if I remember correctly, on Facebook Criterion suggested Scenes From A Marriage, and Autumn Sonata were possibly coming before Fanny & Alexander. I also wouldn't be surprised to see The Magic Flute upgraded before we see too many re-releases.

The reason I and presumably knives singled out F&A is not because it's next, but because, due to hints and its popularity, it would likely be the first Bergman set, and Film Trilogy would be unlikely to come before. We know Wild Strawberries is coming out this year.

[colinr0380]

Additionally, bluray means that an extras disc, such as the fourth disc of the set, Ingmar Bergman makes a movie is not necessary, so there's some reconfiguring to consider in how to best package them if they're going to break it into pieces..

Ingmar Bergman Makes A Movie would not be too much of a problem since it is essentially a five part making of Winter Light, so if it were hypothetically going to be paired with any film in the series it would have to be this one. If we are going for 'extra extras' for a Blu ray I'd also really like to see Criterion try to get the rights to that half-hour Robert McKee dissection of Through A Glass Darkly that I transcribed in the thread for the films.

[Minkin]

I would imagine that upgrading the Bergman set would be more or less as challenging as the Bluray sets they've already done: Monterrey Pop and Yojimbo/Sanjuro. If they could upgrade the entire Brakhage set, I'm not too worried for what should be a simple port and release job.

Or it could go the complete opposite way, and only Through a Glass Darkly (or one of the others) will be upgraded... further leaving some in an OCD categorical nightmare.

[Tom Hagen]

I love the trilogy, but let's face it, next to perhaps only Scenes from a Marriage, it will probably be the last Bergman that Criterion gets around to upgrading.

[zeroism]

Well, Yojimbo/Sanjuro had fairly recently undergone a remaster. Both the Bergman trilogy and Dreyer sets are fairly old releases, and I would surmise that they'd need more work. Aside from that, I'm guessing that Yojimbo/Sanjuro and Monterey Pop are among their top sellers (they did give each individual releases as well as box sets); but I can't imagine the trilogy as a box set, even though it is Bergman, performing quite as well. I'm hoping they won't break apart these sets for upgrades, but I can't really imagine them being so optimistic sales-wise as to upgrade them as full sets at this point, especially considering the current state of the home video-physical media market as it is.

[Peacock]

Criterion mentioned Scenes from a Marriage is likely to be one of the first ones to be upgraded. (Along with Autumn Sonata, the only ones Criterion added themselves to my post on FB which I can't remember now, guessing I said Fanny and Alexander, Wild Strawberries and Cries and Whispers) Obviously Smiles from a Summer Night was a surprise though! And I believe their release calender is usually 6 months ahead so its probably changed from then.


I hope they don't start putting two films on one disk, Criterion always give a single film the bulk of the space on a disk, so giving each film 20GB each is kinda disappointing when we're talking about Through a Glass Darkly, Claire's Knee etc.. I don't think it'll happen though.

[Tom Hagen]

Criterion mentioned Scenes from a Marriage is likely to be one of the first ones to be upgraded.

Hey, guess what: it wasn't. Probably because there are more practical Blu upgrades in the catalogue than a five hour long 16mm film.

[captveg]

Criterion mentioned Scenes from a Marriage is likely to be one of the first ones to be upgraded.

Hey, guess what: it wasn't. Probably because there are more practical Blu upgrades in the catalogue than a five hour long 16mm film.

"Likely" and "One of", not "Absolutely the first one, no exceptions, may Criterion go bankrupt if it fails to deliver this release immediately".

[Jeff]

Here is what Criterion said regarding Bergman on Blu.

[felipe]

Is F&A expected to come out this year?

[dadaistnun]

Regarding the Dreyer set, a (digital?) restoration of Day of Wrath was making the rounds a few years ago. If anything from the set gets a Blu upgrade, that may be the most likely one.

[Zumpano]

Sorry if this has been discussed before, but do you guys think that "Cluny Brown" is a potential option, since it's been making the rounds on the revival circuit? I'm thinking of seeing it up here in Seattle for my birthday on Friday..., any thoughts on a release, and the film itself?

[perkizitore]

Isn't tomorrow announcement day?