criterionforum.org

They're really playing on the "BIG" in that copy. Maybe nothing, but definitely could be some hinting. I know the BFI's got Godzilla, but maybe something along those lines? I'm most excited to see what that Uni title is. They've made great acquisitions thus far. Maybe it's The Magnificent Ambersons. Now, that would be big!

Jeff wrote:Maybe it's The Magnificent Ambersons. Now, that would be big!

Had that thought and didn't want to jinx it. Would buy multiple copies and force my friends to go region-free for it. I have to imagine something of the magnitude of Godzilla would warrant the "BIG". Of course, I'm sure most of us would consider Von Sternberg, and other silent masters big...so who knows.

Are we sure that it's a Universal title? They may have changed the cover in the intervening years but the banner colour matches that of Die Nibelungen and I would assume that would have to be a 2 BD release - not ideal for dual format.

That burgundy banner sure would look nice on this. [-o<



Now I've really jinxed it!

Doesn't Universal own the rights to it in the UK?

Drucker wrote:Doesn't Universal own the rights to it in the UK?

Yes.

Universal owns the rights to the RKO library in the UK but I don't think MoC have released any of them yet.

Calvin wrote:Are we sure that it's a Universal title? They may have changed the cover in the intervening years but the banner colour matches that of Die Nibelungen and I would assume that would have to be a 2 BD release - not ideal for dual format.

I thinkDie Nibelungen is the one without the standard MoC title bar and spine number at the top of the cover. It could be getting special treatment ala Metropolis with a unqiue cover and slip.

If it is a Uni-owned RKO title, it could just as easily be Citizen Kane or King Kong, both of which would fit the "BIG" wording. In the case of Kong, it would go with the literal definition of "big" that I was getting at with Godzilla earlier. They'd have to include a lot of exclusive supplements to make me consider the Warner versions less than definitive, but I imagine they'd sell quite well on the other side of the pond. The best posters of both films play very nicely with that burgundy banner too.

I'm just crossing my fingers and toes that the DVD on the left with the grey banner is In Vanda's Room.

I mean is it totally unrealistic, not even worth considering? I keep rationalizing this in my head and getting myself excited over what will probably be nothing, but is this possible? Could Warner have fast-tracked it to DVD because they knew this was coming and wanted a head start?

"We keep trying!" was the last MoC had to say on the possibility of an Ambersons release and that was back in March. I'd also like to see MoC try and get They Live by Night as I can't see Warner giving it a Blu-Ray release and Universal hasn't even blessed the UK with a DVD.

What about the Lubitsch that was also rumored to come out this year...?

We heard here that MoC's original plan for 2012 was to only put out one DVD this year and the rest Blu-ray. Given that we've had two DVDs already in the Pasolini titles I was hoping we'd be seeing only blu-rays for the rest of the year, but if those are two more DVDs in that picture then I guess their HD plans didn't quite come out as hoped. Shame. Still looking forward to finding out what's in the Q4 schedule though!

Calvin wrote:As far as I remember, MoC said late 2012/early 2013 but I would imagine that they've postponed it until the upcoming restoration is completed. At least it gives them more time to gather supplements.

We knew about the restoration already more than a year ago. Should be finished by now.

eerik wrote:

Calvin wrote:As far as I remember, MoC said late 2012/early 2013 but I would imagine that they've postponed it until the upcoming restoration is completed. At least it gives them more time to gather supplements.

We knew about the restoration already more than a year ago. Should be finished by now.

Which restoration are you referring to? Gaumont haven't finished one yet so what other provenance do you suppose MOC will use?

NABOB OF NOWHERE wrote:

eerik wrote:

Calvin wrote:As far as I remember, MoC said late 2012/early 2013 but I would imagine that they've postponed it until the upcoming restoration is completed. At least it gives them more time to gather supplements.

We knew about the restoration already more than a year ago. Should be finished by now.

Which restoration are you referring to? Gaumont haven't finished one yet so what other provenance do you suppose MOC will use?

The one Gaumont mentioned in March 2011.

I've got no idea what happened with that one but they mentioned a new 2K restoration recently. They may even be one and the same but I don't know.

Moc release of L'Assassin habite au 21 would be a dream come true.

eerik wrote:

eerik wrote:

Calvin wrote:As far as I remember, MoC said late 2012/early 2013 but I would imagine that they've postponed it until the upcoming restoration is completed. At least it gives them more time to gather supplements.

We knew about the restoration already more than a year ago. Should be finished by now.

The one Gaumont mentioned in March 2011.

My question was how should it be "finished by now" if it hasn't been started yet? It is possible that MoC might stick with the existing restoration and not wait for Gaumont I suppose

I'm going to be wrong but I'm tipping Citizen Kane for the Blu only title.

I'm going to guess that we'll get some Val Lewton (in time for Halloween). Cat People Bluray anyone?

What an exciting world this is when someone other than Warners can release things from the RKO catalog! I think I'd be happy enough if that's all that MOC would do.

Here we go...

This October — Fritz Lang's epic masterpiece DIE NIBELUNGEN, in separate Blu-ray (2 disc) and DVD (2 disc) editions.

Samuel Fuller’s long-overlooked hardboiled gem PARK ROW will join the @mastersofcinema series on DVD on 22 October 2012

Also this October: on DVD only: the film widely regarded as perhaps THE supreme masterpiece from Samuel Fuller: PARK ROW