How Now Brown Blu-rays

[Brian C]

Yeah I got mine shipped out within a couple days. Criterion’s customer service really has been second to none in my experiences dealing with them.

[Gregory]

Same here. For years I thought I'd somehow been spared from the disc rot that affected this run of releases but then checked several more discs and realized that M and Bigger Than Life wouldn't play through. Criterion's handling of the replacement was so efficient and professional. I was ready for it to take three weeks or more (which I could have handled, of course) but the replacements came faster than just about any other mail I've received this year.
I've only requested one or two other replacements from Criterion in all these years. One of them they fouled up a bit: not noticing a few of my patient emails but later, when I was about to give up, responding and sending me the thing. So, because I've mentioned that experience some years ago, I'm duty-bound to give them all the points on this recent one.

[Rayon Vert]

I got mine within a week, a lot quicker than they said it'd be sent. Which reminds me I have to fast-forward through it to make sure it works before ditching the old one!

[omegadirective]

Is the Monterey Pop that is potentially affected the first blu ray box set, or the first solo blu ray release? Or both?

[hearthesilence]

Is the Monterey Pop that is potentially affected the first blu ray box set, or the first solo blu ray release? Or both?

The box set and the first standalone Blu-ray use the same physical disc pressing when they came out, so yes, both. (However, the later Blu-ray has a newer 4K restoration and it's a definite upgrade.)

[TMDaines]

Anyone with a faulty Letter Never Sent disc? Mine falls over at around 50:00 minutes in any media player. I can't jump to anything around that point for at least a further five minutes. I can jump to the final part of the film though. My disc has no real noticeable browning, but is showing the same playback symptoms as the discs listed here. Maybe some others of you should check this disc too?

I will need to check my other potentially suspect discs later tonight and contact Criterion with one batch.

[Lemdog]

Anyone with a faulty Letter Never Sent disc? Mine falls over at around 50:00 minutes in any media player. I can't jump to anything around that point for at least a further five minutes. I can jump to the final part of the film though. My disc has no real noticeable browning, but is showing the same playback symptoms as the discs listed here. Maybe some others of you should check this disc too?

I will need to check my other potentially suspect discs later tonight and contact Criterion with one batch.

This happened to me as well. Had to be a disc issue as I tried it in three players. Want to say it was at the 47 min mark.

[therewillbeblus]

I don't know if this is new information, but for what it's worth, the latest C&P email from Criterion regarding the OOP discs they'll replace for bronzing/playback issues is limited to Days of Heaven, Howards End, and the original Le Cercle Rouge and Pierrot le Fou blus

[hearthesilence]

Just noticed the outer edge of my New York Stories Blu-ray (the first Blu-ray release) seems to be browning or bronzing, but it had no problems playing through Scorsese and Woody Allen's segment. Anybody with this disc notice the same thing?

[Peter McM]

Pardon if not exactly on topic (couldn't find a thread I thought suitable); if I acquire a second hand Criterion from someplace like my local Half Price Books that's missing its insert, is it possible to request one?

[swo17]

If it's in print you can probably get one from Criterion. They may charge you $5 for it though

[Gregory]

Just noticed the outer edge of my New York Stories Blu-ray (the first Blu-ray release) seems to be browning or bronzing, but it had no problems playing through Scorsese and Woody Allen's segment. Anybody with this disc notice the same thing?

I also have the Mill Creek release, and it seems fine.

[Yakushima]

My Something Wild Blu-ray now freezes at the 1:19:37 mark, and none of the subsequent chapters are accessible either through the menu or by fast-forward or skipping forward. Was this title involved in the disc bronzing controversy?

I emailed Criterion, but based on my previous interaction with them, I don't keep my hopes up. My brand new copy of A Special Day Blu-ray had a freezing issue, but Criterion's customer service rep flat out refused to issue a replacement based on "no known issues with this disc."

[therewillbeblus]

I emailed Criterion, but based on my previous interaction with them, I don't keep my hopes up. My brand new copy of A Special Day Blu-ray had a freezing issue, but Criterion's customer service rep flat out refused to issue a replacement based on "no known issues with this disc."

Wow, was this extremely recently? They've replaced multiple discs of mine that had "no known issues" but still froze at certain times over the years. They always ask/make sure you've cleaned the disc/attempted other solutions first, but "flat out refusing" is weird

[Yakushima]

I emailed Criterion, but based on my previous interaction with them, I don't keep my hopes up. My brand new copy of A Special Day Blu-ray had a freezing issue, but Criterion's customer service rep flat out refused to issue a replacement based on "no known issues with this disc."

Wow, was this extremely recently? They've replaced multiple discs of mine that had "no known issues" but still froze at certain times over the years. They always ask/make sure you've cleaned the disc/attempted other solutions first, but "flat out refusing" is weird

This was in March of this year. Here is how they replied to my ask for replacement: "There are currently no known issues for this title, so let's try a few troubleshooting steps to see if these might resolve what you're seeing." I replied that I tried this and that, and it did not work, and they sent more suggestions (none very helpful).
In the case of A Special Day disc, I could at least skip through the freezing point to the next part to finish watching the film, so I just left it at that. Perhaps, if I pushed harder, a replacement would be issued.

I'll post here if I have better luck resolving the issue with Something Wild.

[Yakushima]

I emailed Criterion, but based on my previous interaction with them, I don't keep my hopes up. My brand new copy of A Special Day Blu-ray had a freezing issue, but Criterion's customer service rep flat out refused to issue a replacement based on "no known issues with this disc."

Wow, was this extremely recently? They've replaced multiple discs of mine that had "no known issues" but still froze at certain times over the years. They always ask/make sure you've cleaned the disc/attempted other solutions first, but "flat out refusing" is weird

This was in March of this year. Here is how they replied to my ask for replacement: "There are currently no known issues for this title, so let's try a few troubleshooting steps to see if these might resolve what you're seeing." I replied that I tried this and that, and it did not work, and they sent more suggestions (none very helpful).
In the case of A Special Day disc, I could at least skip through the freezing point to the next part to finish watching the film, so I just left it at that. Perhaps, if I pushed harder, a replacement would be issued.

I'll post here if I have better luck resolving the issue with Something Wild.

I got a reply from Criterion (from the same guy, Ryan, who did not offer a replacement in response to my last request). This time the disc in question turned out to have had known issues, so they offered a replacement right away. Here is what the email said:

Thanks for reaching out! I'm happy to help here.
There are known issues with some of the Blu-ray copies of SOMETHING WILD (1986) and we're happy to replace yours.
We replace certain titles with known defects such as bronzing discoloration and/or playback issues. I've included information about all the discs that are worth reviewing in your collection, so we can consolidate any shipments of new discs. In order to receive replacement discs, please email us back with the following:
Your name and a mailing address that will be valid for at least the next 1-2 weeks
A complete list of the titles in your collection that have bronzing discoloration and/or playback issues
A photo of the defective disc(s) with your name and date written on the front/art side (using a sharpie or paint marker - you can write this info on the lighter portion of the disc, and take a photo against a light source so your name and date are visible)
A photo of the underside of the disc(s) - the shiny side
You no longer need to mail us discs affected by disc rot, though any titles that are not listed may still need to be sent in for closer inspection in order to be replaced. We do not cover the shipping or provide mailers for these returned discs but we will send the replacements to you worldwide free of charge. We will alert you which discs need to be sent in, if any. Please note that except for the 4 titles below, we cannot replace out of print releases.
Discs are replaced on a rolling basis. Our current processing speed is about 1-2 weeks.
The best way to tell if your disc from the list is defective is by looking on the underside of the disc (the shiny side) and if you see the letters 'BVDL' your disc will be fine. If you don't see those letters you should have it replaced.

The last sentence seems to be referring to the discs affected exclusively by the bronzing issue. My disc has the letters 'BVDL', yet is is not fine.

[TMDaines]

Tried to watch two previously sealed Harold Lloyd films this morning: The Kid Brother seemingly cannot be read at all and The Freshman has a bad sector once you reach (what is presumably) the final match scene.

[Yakushima]

My Criterion Blu-ray of The Lady Vanishes just croaked. Criterion replied with the "there are known issues with this disc" line and immediately offered a replacement.

[TMDaines]

My Criterion Blu-ray of The Lady Vanishes just croaked. Criterion replied with the "there are known issues with this disc" line and immediately offered a replacement.

I would highly encourage everyone to check their copies of the The Lady Vanishes. Mine has also gone kaputt. I can’t skip to the chapter that starts around 1:21:xx. The last one I can watch is 1:17:xx. Trying to watch the end of the film just crashes the player.

I’ve checked all my other discs of problematic releases and thankfully this is the only one, after the two Harold Lloyds last week.

[criterionsnob]

My copy of The Lady Vanishes doesn’t look brown, but it won’t even load the menu, and therefore doesn’t play at all.

[therewillbeblus]

I revisited my copy within the last year and it played fine, but I also got it as a part of that later-formed Hitchcock set (the one where they paired four releases) - not sure if those included different/newer prints..?

[DeprongMori]

I revisited my copy within the last year and it played fine, but I also got it as a part of that later-formed Hitchcock set (the one where they paired four releases) - not sure if those included different/newer prints..?

Would you mind posting the information from the inner ring of the reflective side of your copy of The Lady Vanishes? That will give us a point of comparison.

I’ll drag out my copy today and see if it plays okay, and post inner ring info either way.

[therewillbeblus]

I revisited my copy within the last year and it played fine, but I also got it as a part of that later-formed Hitchcock set (the one where they paired four releases) - not sure if those included different/newer prints..?

Would you mind posting the information from the inner ring of the reflective side of your copy of The Lady Vanishes? That will give us a point of comparison.

I can't see it super well, but I read "BVDL 26811081 8"

[PfR73]

I bought my copy from Barnes & Noble in July 2012 and it doesn't seem to have any issues. The number on mine looks like "BVDL 26811081 1"

[TMDaines]

After previously replacing discs for free, Criterion are asking me for $15 (FIFTEEN) dollars to send a replacement disc from the Rohmer set to the UK... I wish I had never purchased the set. I am assuming I would to pay that fee for The Lady Vanishes too, which they confirm there is an issue with.