Warner Brothers Archive Collection (DVDs only)

[Matt]

What I'm about to say is 100% serious: They say DVD in huge letters on them. Those are DVDs.

[domino harvey]

Thing is, all their recent Paramount rereleases say that, but only some of those are pressed

[Matt]

Yep, you're right. I also just checked The Mask of Dimitrios. It has the same big DVD on it, and it's burned. Sorry for the misinformation, Grisbi.

[swo17]

I'm just glad that the discs clarify that they are DVDs as opposed to, say, bagels or onion rings. If only someone had included this kind of a warning on the bag of washers I just ate.

[domino harvey]

They used to say "DVD-R Download" which probably resulted in too many confused casual consumers contacting WB and asking where they could get their download

[Matt]

They used to say "DVD-R Download" which probably resulted in too many confused casual consumers contacting WB and asking where they could get their download

That's what confused me, as every other (burned) Warner Archive disc I have says "DVD-R Download" on the disc. All of the recent Forbidden Hollywood discs (which are all pressed) have "DVD" on them.

[domino harvey]

What we need, of course, is one of the unlucky souls who got a DVD-R copy of the above to take a pic of their discs to settle this

[Grisbi]

Or, does anyone simply own a recent MOD disc that has the pronounced silver ring as shown in the pic? That would be good enough for me. On every single MOD DVD-R I own the artwork on the front of the disc extends almost entirely to the edge, like so:



(not my paw btw, google pic)

[Ashirg]

I usually determine DVD-R's by color. It's purple compared to silvery regular DVD.

[domino harvey]

He's asking how to tell without looking at the underside, presumably for the purpose of eBay auctions(?)

[mfunk9786]

Warner Archive Instant is now on Roku - they're offering a 2 week free trial, $9.99 per month after that. And I feel like a broken record on this subject, but I can't recommend the Roku enough, particularly the 2 or 3, which include a remote with a headphone jack for easy in-bed watching without disturbing someone else who may be sleeping, or neighbors in an apartment building.

[unclehulot]

Yes indeed, the WA streaming quality over my Roku 3 is very good indeed, certainly the best of any of the various services for such "back catalog" items. I forget which Roku models don't have ethernet ports, but if at all possible DO try direct connection rather than wifi, unless your wifi is really consistent.

In comparison to HuluPlus Criterion, where the sheer quantity (and often not exactly primo restored video masters) and small piece of the Hulu pie allotted to them, often leads to a rather washed out tonal range, WA gives their latest video masters to us, which are noticeably better than the same titles over TCM (at least on my HD version of TCM on Dish Network), with the caveat that I've concentrated on the HD offerings from WA. Since the majority of these titles are not on BluRay, and probably won't be anytime soon, there really is no better way to view them. I never thought I would say this about a streaming service, but with a good internet connection I think it's true now. Netflix is fine for modern titles, but catalog stuff has been given short shrift quality-wise or allowed to expire. Fandor is interesting, and very deep in the indie and silent categories, and useful for certain HD offerings (most of Kino Lorber's HD stuff is available there in good quality), but the vast majority of their selection is SD, and the Roku channel is poorly designed. Speaking of that, WA streaming's Roku channel got an update recently which finally gives queue functionality (although it doesn't sync with iPad or web site versions yet), and is very good now at keeping your place for resume play. Unfortunately all this HD joy is only on Roku for now, which I find strange, but all the more reason to get that Roku.....unless Apple TV really has something up it's sleeve in the next version (or you really must have Airplay) I would say go for the Roku.

[domino harvey]

Forbidden Hollywood Vol 4 no longer appears in the replicated section, FYI

[Ashirg]

All 4 films from Forbidden Hollywood Vol 4 are available in HD on Warner Instant. (as well as Ladies They Talk About and Miss Pinkerton from Vol 5)

[captveg]

I'm really hoping they add it to the PlayStation Network soon. That's how I watch all my streaming channels (Netflix, Amazon, MLB, etc)

[BillWatkins]

They posted this video on Facebook which reveals they'll be releasing the 1936 version of Show Boat soon.

[domino harvey]

Show Boat will be pressed!

[What A Disgrace]

Was really hoping for a big Blu box of Show Boats.

[Fred Holywell]

I'm disappointed and surprised that a box set of all three films won't be happening. George Feltenstein seemed gung-ho on it a few years back, and gave the impression that it was going to be a reality.

[captveg]

The Blu-ray for The Americanization of Emily (1964) was released today.

They also now have available a remastered version of The Big House (1930) on DVD that also includes the alternate Spanish and French versions of the film.

[Ashirg]

There was also a German-language version of The Big House directed by Pál Fejös (who also directed French version after Jacques Feyder was fired). I wonder if German version no longer exists.

[Feego]

This is the final week of Warner Archive's month-long 5 for $50 sale. They have now added Blu-ray releases, all except for their most recent (Performance, Americanization of Emily, and Green Lantern Season 1).

[J M Powell]

I'm getting 4 of the blu-rays (I already have the others) and need one DVD to round out my order. Any suggestions?

[captveg]

Bachelor Mother (1939) is one of my favorite screwball comedies, if that interests ya.

[Orlac]

Did Criterion license Foreign Correspondent and Badlands from Warners?