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The Ferreri is pretty remarkable, and without getting into spoilers it veers off into territory that could easily widen its appeal to Arrow's fanbase beyond just the arthouse crowd (I reckon the same could be argued for Grand Bouffe as well). Would be a special, essential release imo.

The Scola has just out on Blu-ray in France. None of the others have anywhere. Cronaca isn't available on DVD even anywhere, so that would be awesome.

Would Urotsukidoji get by the BBFC these days?

Orlac wrote:Would Urotsukidoji get by the BBFC these days?

I'd doubt if it would get through unscathed as the films are all heavy on scenes of eroticised sexual violence, which is a really problematic area for the BBFC even for 18 rated films (although I think there is an amazing undercurrent of shattering apocalyptic nihilism to the whole series into which these acts get placed). The first two films and the mini-series-like third film were released, albeit heavily edited, in the early 90s but who knows if they would even come through that process at all if resubmitted. The fourth film in the series Inferno Road was rejected outright even back then because it pushed its Children of the Corn-like premise of psychic children abusing grown ups into still quite shocking areas.

Orlac wrote:Would Urotsukidoji get by the BBFC these days?

I can't wait for the ultimate 90s nostalgia franchise revival of UROTSUKIDOJI vs KOYAANISQATSI.

Transformers the Movie (1986) - new re-master of both US and UK versions

Also, a proper remaster of the original series (all the DVDs worldwide are affected with quality control issues)

Just thinking, a complete box set of Sergei Parajanov's work. Any interest?

Arrow Academy just posted a picture of Fritz Lang on their Facebook page...let the speculation commence! It will most likely be one of his Hollywood noirs, but I'd love to be surprised with a Western of his. We haven't had any non-silent Lang on Blu-ray in the UK yet, right?

L.A. wrote:Just thinking, a complete box set of Sergei Parajanov's work. Any interest?

Yes please! Wasn't The Colour of Pomegranates restored in 4K by WCP and L'Immagine Ritrovata? Been itching for MoC to get hold of it, but wouldn't mind if another label such as Arrow Academy, Second Run or BFI got there first!

Second Sight has The Colour of Pomegranates and Artificial Eye has the other three major Parajanovs.

In other words, I wouldn't hold your breath.

I did notice that Second Sight had it, but that was almost 5 years ago...presumably their license will expire at some point, in which case somebody might seek a Blu-ray release. Unless Second Sight can manage it themselves, of course.

Add those other Parajanov titles to AE's extended list of 'titles we want to see on UK Blu-ray'.

PS: Bought and watched Ran over the weekend, Michael...great job on your video extra! Very informative with a great attention to detail. I watched Marker's film afterwards too, and this has fast become one of my favourite of Kurosawa's. One of those films you feel a little stupid for not having seen before, but grateful to have finally sat down to!

Thanks for that - I haven't seen the disc myself yet, and that filming session was a bit of a blur because I did Ran and The Happiest Days of Your Life back to back in the same session last summer, so I can't for the life of me remember what I said. Although I do vividly remember what I didn't say, which was anything about Toru Takemitsu's score, which was extremely annoying as I'd prepared a fair amount.

Joyce Grenfell would have made a fantastic Lady Kaede!

Some Carlos Saura films like Sweet Hours (1981) would be great. More Frankenheimer too. I don't know who owns Seven Days in May in the UK (is it WB?) but it'd complement The Manchurian Candidate nicely.

Finch wrote:I don't know who owns Seven Days in May in the UK (is it WB?) but it'd complement The Manchurian Candidate nicely.

It's owned by Warner. (They released it on VHS in UK)

My Arrow wish list is mostly Hong Kong films. It's a shame there are no definitive copies to be had of most of Jackie Chan's catalog, the Once Upon a Time in China series, John Woo's films, the A Chinese Ghost Story series, Peking Opera Blues, etc, etc.

Is any label taking on the Great Lost Hong Kong Film Legacy?

88 Films started their own Asian line with Hex and Five Element Ninjas (aka Super Ninjas) scheduled for August 8.

How about Babenco's Pixote? Has it ever has a decent release?

With one of the crowd funding perks for Svankmajer's new movie INSECTS being a blu ray five pack of his movies what are the chances of Arrow also picking these up?

None, as New Wave Films has the UK rights.

Il Grande Silenzio/The Great Silence? My favorite Spaghetti Western seems like it would fit right in. The Fantomas disc I have right now is...less than optimal. I'd love to see this restored.

Many years ago I saw on Broadway Eugene O'Neill's "Strange Interlude" with Glenda Jackson. It was memorable.
I see that this version is available on an out of print VHS, selling for high price.
Other versions of "Strange Interlude" are severely cut. I have not seen any of them, but would like to see the full-length Glenda Jackson version on DVD, or better still, on Blu-ray.
Is there any chance that Arrow or the BFI might release this? Who owns the rights?
Thank you for any insight you might share.

That production of Strange Interlude was a television production. I
believe it was shown stateside as part of 'American Playhouse' on PBS.
I'm not sure how it was broadcast in the UK (whether as a standalone
drama or as part of some anthology series).

It was shot entirely on video so I can't see it being upgraded by Arrow.
The BFI might be a possibility, but my closest guess is that a release
like that would be through a company like Network.

I can't see how it would fit the BFI's remit either. Videotaped American stage productions are well outside it!

Sorry, I should've mentioned it wasn't a taped stage piece.
It was shot as a studio-bound production a la Play for Today
or Armchair Theatre.

I dug a little deeper and it did indeed get a showing in the UK,
but again I'm not sure in what context. Also noticed that it was
produced by Bowden Productions which produced a couple
other Glenda Jackson vehicles including 'Stevie' (which is definitely
something I could see being added to the BFI Flipside, or even
the mainline releases, since that has never gotten a dvd release
either).

So Arrow have announced one key title off my wish-list, and I'm very excited about it:

Spoiler

Joe Dante's MATINEE!

Not formally announced yet but Amazon have spoiled the surprise as they sometimes do.