A Matter of Life and Death (Powell/Pressburger, 1946)

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

The thing about Hoffmann is that it's owned by Canal, who don't generally license to Criterion. That said, Thelma Schoonmaker said in 2015 that Criterion would be releasing the restoration.

[Ribs]

FWIW, the version of Hoffman currently streaming on Filmstruck is the old DVD version despite obviously being licensed by StudioCanal (presumably to include the audio commentary for the shorter cut). There's an HD version of AMOLAD up but I'd imagine it's not the newly restored version for obvious reasons.

[FlickeringWindow]

As far as I know this 4K was managed entirely within Grover Crisp's team at Sony, without any input from Thelma or Scorsese.

Not quite, according to Post Magazine:

"Throughout the re-mastering process, Crisp and Eisenberg strove to maintain a consistent and authentic approach to color. As reference, they had the previous photo-chemical restoration, which had been prepared in consultation with Jack Cardiff, the film’s cinematographer. They also consulted with Academy Award-winning editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who had been married to Powell, and remains actively involved in the preservation and restoration of her late husband’s work."

FWIW, the version of Hoffman currently streaming on Filmstruck is the old DVD version despite obviously being licensed by StudioCanal (presumably to include the audio commentary for the shorter cut). There's an HD version of AMOLAD up but I'd imagine it's not the newly restored version for obvious reasons.

It's not even the DVD transfer, it seems to be from the laserdisc era.

[FrauBlucher]

I saw this yesterday and it is indeed quite a beautiful presentation. Looking forward to the blu for sure.

[chiendent]

I caught this at the Castro Theatre over the weekend. I'd started it on Filmstruck last week (not realizing the 4K would make it here so soon) and only made it 10 or so minutes before getting frustrated by the quality and turning it off. I regret having stated that version at all; the opening scene still had me sobbing but damn I wish I'd seen the restored version first. This looked great, though. I could imagine the colors maybe popping more in earlier prints but I wouldn't call this muted. It was great seeing this on a big screen with a crowd, too. There was a fun moment when

Spoiler

Time froze during the ping-pong and half the audience (including me) was audibly worried there was a DCP issue

Plus Roger Livesey crushes it.

Anyway, I loved it and even though I didn't come away as awe-struck as when I saw Red Shoes, Colonel Blimp, or I Know Where I'm Going! it's still a wonderful film and I'm looking forward to a Blu (or ideally ultra HD) release.

[diamonds]

Caught the restoration today and happy to say it's miles better than the current Blu I had seen prior. There was one brief shot where the Controller was introduced that looked a little rough, but otherwise it looked stunning. Sincerely hope they can get a disc out by the winter holidays.