Criterion Random Speculation Vol.2

[justeleblanc]

I was kind of hoping for a complete Hulot box. Maybe they're still doing one. It would certainly make sense, like their Doinel box. Of course, releases of Traffic and Playtime would have to be available separately as well.

I'll probably wait to grab all of these in the DDD november sale...

[Jeff]

I would have never guessed that they would do four re-issues in one month, and I'm even more surprised that I intend to pick up all four. I wonder now if I should I expect Picnic at Hanging Rock, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Third Man, and Grey Gardens for October. I'm being somewhat facetious of course, but this does bode well for future titles in need of upgrades. I'm betting that they're hanging on to The Third Man Redux to tie in with their upcoming Fallen Idol disc.

[atcolomb]

Playtime, Amarcord, Seven Samurai, and Brazil in one month!!!.....Christmas will come early this year but hard to belive that Criterion will release four great films in one month... =D>

[rwaits]

Earlier this year a lot of folks were speculating that Criterion would pad out what they claimed would be (in their opinion) more weak months with reissues + weak output. Seems to me they're planning on clearing out all the reissues in 2 or 3 months because they've got a lot of great stuff in the pipe to follow.

[atcolomb]

I forgot to add one more to that list...Spirit of the Beehive which will also come out in september...

[redbill]

The new Brazil reissue had me thinking about that Amazon sale from last month:

Ugetsu
Seven Samurai
Brazil
The Third Man
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas
M
Traffic
Grey Gardens
Young Mister Lincoln
Do The Right Thing
Short Cuts
My Own Private Idaho
Grand Illusion
The Complete Mr. Arkadin

We're getting new 7S, Brazil, 3man, GG. All the others have good releases already, except for Grand Illusion... another possible reissue?

[indiannamednobody]

What do you find wrong about the Grand Illusion DVD?? I find it absolutely perfect..

[HerrSchreck]

All the others have good releases already, except for Grand Illusion... another possible reissue?

And ARKADIN too, it needs a new release. No director commentary. Lousy cheap fucks.

[What A Disgrace]

What do you find wrong about the Grand Illusion DVD?? I find it absolutely perfect..

Its only one disc.

I think Grand Illusion is fine as it is, too, but if Criterion could find a way to fatten it and give it its own new high-def transfer, I would buy it with only a modest ammount of complaining. I can't see it happening, though...surely Criterion has scruples, and they worked very hard on the first disc.

I would, on the other hand, LOVE a reissue of the early Fuller releases, and The Red Shoes.

[atcolomb]

Another reissue i would love to see is Kurosawa's Dersu Uzala (1975) which was released as a Criterion Laserdisc and so far all the dvd versions out there are in poor quallity. I think Criterion could make a better looking dvd if given the rights to do it....

[ByMarkClark.com]

>>And ARKADIN too, it needs a new release. No director commentary. Lousy cheap fucks.<<

Actually, I predict there WILL be an ARKADIN reissue. A single-disc edition of the Comprehensive version. Give it a year.

[atcolomb]

How about MR. ARKADIN REDUX.....

[HerrSchreck]

>>And ARKADIN too, it needs a new release. No director commentary. Lousy cheap fucks.<<

Actually, I predict there WILL be an ARKADIN reissue. A single-disc edition of the Comprehensive version. Give it a year.

Not so sure... that would be like cracking LEOPARD.. in a sense. Or a single disc BATTLE ALGIERS. When they present study material they pretty much wanna see them used. ARKADIN's unique of course so anything's possible.

[Derek Estes]

I would LOVE to see the early Fuller titles revisited. It would be cool if they packaged new transfers of Shock Corridor and Naked Kiss, with their releases of the Fuller's Lippert films.

I would also love to see new transfers of Red Shoes, Black Narcissis and Kwaidan (in it's entirety!).

[backstreetsbackalright]

I'm all for a Red Shoes touch-up, but it'll be tough to top the current cover!

[miless]

I wouldn't be surprised if Walkabout were to be re-released in the near future... I mean they could have had these re-masters done for months now and it would certainly make sense if they did it while they had Mr. Roeg in for overseeing The Man Who Fell To Earth and Bad Timing...

I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed for Andrei Rublev in a new ultra-deluxe-edition with the theatrical release alongside the 'Passion' edit (which is owned by Scorsese).

[ianungstad]

I've been waiting forever for a rerelease of Walkabout. I've seen the current CC disc...and was fairly dissapointed. It's an early spine number...and I guess it was good for it's time.

One of my favorite films. Wish it'd happen

[HerrSchreck]

Most pressing reissue hands down........ ANDRE RUBLEV

[atcolomb]

I agree with ANDREI RUBLEV since there are better looking dvd's out there and Criterion could have both cuts of the film and a better print.

[peerpee]

ANDREI RUBLEV definitely needs attention. A 3-disc set like THE LEOPARD.

A new HD, anamorphic transfer of the Scorsese print (as seen on the current CC disc).

Along with the *other* vastly different edit of the film available on the AE/Ruscico releases.

..and a disc of extras.

The definitive set.

[ellipsis7]

Definitely a priority... I also wonder what steps have been taken to preserve the Scorsese print?

[Matt]

Don't worry about that. If there's anyone whose personal collection is well-preserved, it's Martin Scorsese. He has a personal archivist and is president of the Film Foundation--a non-profit film preservation organization--the co-chair of the AFI's National Center for Film and Video Preservation, and on the Board of Directors of the National Foundation for Film Preservation.

[Scharphedin2]

ANDREI RUBLEV definitely needs attention. A 3-disc set like THE LEOPARD.

A new HD, anamorphic transfer of the Scorsese print (as seen on the current CC disc).

Along with the *other* vastly different edit of the film available on the AE/Ruscico releases.

..and a disc of extras.

The definitive set.

Certainly also would be a worthy addition to the MoC catalogue... but do not even begin to consider until you have delivered on Murnau, Naruse and Keaton

[Gregory]

Most pressing reissue hands down........ ANDRE RUBLEV

I would love to see a release like what Nick described but I have to disagree with "hands down." A High and Low SE is what I've been waiting for with the greatest anticipation.

[Steven H]

I would love to see a release like what Nick described but I have to disagree with "hands down." A High and Low SE is what I've been waiting for with the greatest anticipation.

It's a shame the BFI couldn't have pulled through for this one. It's a serious blight on their reputation.

Count me in for Rublyev, though. I can't think of any of their releases that need this more, considering the film, the filmmaker, and the quality of disc. You could write a book based on the DVDBeaver comparison alone, so there is considerable room to improve and question content. Considering the extras and versions that appear readily available (documentaries, interviews, and two different edits of this film) you could almost make a Fanny and Alexander sized DVD shrine to this film. With the history, academic writing, and Tarkovsky's musings, a massive booklet would be appropriate. After seeing the September schedule, wouldn't we all be more surprised if they didn't return to this film than if they did? Then again, wish in one hand... you know the rest.