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Cold Bishop, thanks for explaining the Pasolini covers. I've never seen any of the films and I couldn't figure out the artwork. I recall how many barked about Last Year In Marienbad being a dreadful cover only to discover that was how it was presented in the film's credits. With something as brash and shocking as the Trilogy of Life covers I knew there had to be a reason for the way they looked. I find the covers oddly appealing and yes, they make me really want to see these movies. Your insight was helpful.

Films and covers are both irreverent (etc.) takes on "classic" works, I suppose, but in extremely different ways, it seems to me. The divergences in style and concept between the covers and films seem far greater than the connections. But then I can't understand what Skillman [see edit below] was even attempting, and I hate any attempt like this at aping outsider art (especially in such a blatant and hamfisted way) seen in the lettering, squiggles, arrows and cross-out. I also still fail to see how the pictures are true to the films.
I didn't know these were Skillman's work. I applaud his (and Criterion's) risk-taking in general, but feel like it sometimes calls too much attention to its own concept (and need to be unusual and eye-catching) at the expense of doing the job of visually presenting the film.
Very seldom have I complained about Criterion cover art, but to me this is easily some of the worst in recent memory.
EDIT: Apparently this was not done by Skillman at all. Booklet credits Rodrigo Corral.

Gregory wrote:I didn't know these were Skillman's work.

I'm just relieved to learn that Criterion did not in fact hire swimminghorses.

Love the Pasolini covers but I don't really understand the large 'by G Chaucer' credit. It smacks of contractual obligation (a la Grimaldi) but, as much as I love him, I don't think 'astonishing visionary' was one of Chaucer's talents.

Christ, those Pasolini covers are shit. The Canterbury Tales one isn't a patch on the lovely cinema posters.

Those are wonderful, and much more like the film I saw (and they make me want to see it again).

Gregory wrote:Very seldom have I complained about Criterion cover art, but to me this is easily some of the Most Divisive in recent memory.

Fixed

I do rather like the direction that Criterion took, certainly better than some of their other efforts (and I find these to be much more appealing than the BFI covers). I can see why others are ready to crown a new Pepe le Moko, but perhaps we should wait until we have it in hand/can see what the rest of the digipack designs will bring (some covers work a lot better in person - like the Naked Blu cover).

All the bellyaching over the Pasolini covers only serves to distract from the abhorrent Heaven's Gate cover, much to that designer's delight no doubt

Is there a concise version of links to alternate covers?

Huh?

I know those words, but that sign makes no sense

duck duck wrote:Is there a concise version of links to alternate covers?

There used to be a section devoted to the covers Criterion announced and then altered or fully changed, but it doesn't look to be there anymore

Or maybe he/she is looking for a concise list of all those blog entries where various cover designers show their works in progress that led to the final cover.

I left out that I was talking about the Criterion Dungeon fansite in my previous post, I don't think Criterion themselves has ever drawn attention to their changes. But doesn't the proprietor of TCD post here? Perhaps he can help a double duck out

willoneill wrote:Or maybe he/she is looking for a concise list of all those blog entries where various cover designers show their works in progress that led to the final cover.

I don't think even she knows what she's looking for. Just ignore her.

She means things like blogs that show the evolution of covers, especially The Samurai Trilogy.

duck duck wrote:She means things like blogs that show the evolution of covers, especially The Samurai Trilogy.

I thought you meant blogs that analyze books like The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Delon in HD! <faint> Glad he didn't get the Monica Vitti treatment (though get rid of that ghost on his shoulder)

Nice individual covers for the Qatsi trilogy (if a bit too much like ads for a global telecom company), but the box cover is zzzzzzzzzz.

Matt wrote:Nice individual covers for the Qatsi trilogy (if a bit too much like ads for a global telecom company), but the box cover is zzzzzzzzzz.

It's like something off a CD cover in the main Barnes and Noble listening center circa 1996

Love the Following art.

"By Christopher Nolan Following A Film"

Wow, excellent line-up!!! Finally Brazil and the Qatsi trilogy
I actually like the covers of the latter

The Brazil cover is a classic. No need to mess with it.