Criterion Random Speculation Vol.1

News on Criterion and Janus Films.
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devlinnn
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:23 am
Location: three miles from space

#26 Post by devlinnn » Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:07 pm

The introductions are also teasers / ads to the other films for people only with the Fanny and Alexander DVD. Sales of the other Bergman films already in the collection will improve, and the appetites for the unreleased films will be wetted, as this thread indicates.

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Dylan
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm

#27 Post by Dylan » Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:23 pm

The only e-mail I've ever sent to Mulvaney was several months ago when I asked if there was a chance Sawdust and Tinsel would be released on CC (this was way before I found out that the Fanny and Alexander DVDs would have the trailer on it). I never received a response.

Dylan

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ola t
They call us neo-cinephiles
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 4:51 am
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#28 Post by ola t » Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:24 am

I haven't been able to locate a complete list of the introductions. They were produced by Swedish Television for a 2003 Bergman retrospective which included those 11 whose intros are on the F&A disc plus Prison, Dreams, Persona and the TV series version of Scenes from a Marriage. I know that an introduction was made for Persona (it will be on the upcoming Swedish DVD; English subs unlikely) and I'm pretty sure that no introduction was made for Scenes from a Marriage. Introductions may or may not have been recorded for Prison and Dreams -- I just haven't been able to find out.

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ellipsis7
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 1:56 pm
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#29 Post by ellipsis7 » Fri Dec 03, 2004 7:36 am

Very interesting. So the PERSONA introduction was specifically excluded from the F&A extra disc, presumably because the CC did not want to promote a rival's product... On that basis it could maybe be deduced that the 3 intros in question would not be there unless, 1) CC was sure noone else was releasing these films on DVD in the US so included them purely for academic purposes 2) CC expected to release these titles sometime in the future, and chose to promote them in advance...

Narshty
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#30 Post by Narshty » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:27 am

ellipsis7 wrote:Very interesting. So the PERSONA introduction was specifically excluded from the F&A extra disc, presumably because the CC did not want to promote a rival's product...
I can't imagine that being a problem. It's not like they've already got a version out that the MGM is beating, and there are countless trailers and promos on other releases (The Killers, Pickup on South Street, Fiend Without A Face, Hard Boiled) for other films Criterion didn't release. Very odd.

viciousliar
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2004 6:12 am

#31 Post by viciousliar » Fri Dec 03, 2004 11:32 am

"Sawdust and Tinsel" was not produced by Svensk Filmindustri but by Sandrew-Metronome (the only major work by Bergman not produced by SF) - and I don't believe Criterion currently has any rights to titles from their library, and I bet this bugs the hell out of them, hence their no-replies. Sandrew Metronome has released "Sawdust" on DVD themselves (boasting a fine transfer) in Scandinavia only(no English subs). That would be region 2. For those interested in purchasing this release, here's a link. Finally, this title was once available in the US on laser disc with English subs.

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Dylan
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm

#32 Post by Dylan » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:32 pm

Hopefully Criterion has some tricks up their sleeve regarding "Sawdust"...if not, then a Tartan release will be fine.

Dylan

Narshty
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#33 Post by Narshty » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:46 pm

viciousliar wrote:"Sawdust and Tinsel" was not produced by Svensk Filmindustri but by Sandrew-Metronome (the only major work by Bergman not produced by SF) - and I don't believe Criterion currently has any rights to titles from their library
They did get I Am Curious from them.

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milk114
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:38 pm
Location: Mar Vista, Los Angeles

#34 Post by milk114 » Sat Dec 04, 2004 5:48 pm

Just finished watching Tanner 88 for the first time got me wondering what other TV shows would fulfill Criterion's mission?

I would argue Johnny Steccato for the selfish reason that I've heard its great but have never had a chance to see it. Cassavetes as a P.I.? fantastic! Would play nicely off the box set and any other releases they could wrangle.

at the moment I can't think of any others, hah! my brain blanked. But Im sure someone who's seen a lot more tv than myself could name a few worthwhile contenders.

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TomReagan
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#35 Post by TomReagan » Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:54 am

Two I would love to see included: Campion's Portrait of a Lady (currently OOP via USA) and Weir's Fearless (one of the great unsung films of the early 90's, and one I have been suggesting to Mulvaney for years). If Criterion is already (?) working with Campion I suspect / hope this may be a distinct possibility, and they have already shown some love for Weir.

In any event, Fearless is screaming for a respectful treatment on DVD.

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Gregory
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:07 pm

#36 Post by Gregory » Mon Dec 06, 2004 12:40 am

Every year Criterion releases several DVDs of titles from their Laserdisc catalog. They're getting close to running out of eligible titles, but here are some that have not been released on R1 DVD yet and might be obtainable by Criterion:
3 Penny Opera
Burmese Harp
Dodes' ka-den
Earrings of Madame de...
F for Fake
Evergreen
Fallen Idol
Fires on the Plain
Forbidden Games
Green for Danger

F for Fake is a strong rumor, and there have also been rumors in the past about 3 Penny Opera, Burmese Harp, Dodes' ka-den and Fires on the Plain. No rumors about Madame de.. or Forbidden Games as far I know, but I'd sure love to see them release those in 2005.

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milk114
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#37 Post by milk114 » Mon Dec 06, 2004 3:41 am

how did the 3 penny opera laserdisc look? I saw a unbearably crappy vhs copy of this great film... would love to see a restored print. The world needs Brecht right about now.

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milk114
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#38 Post by milk114 » Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:39 am

There a quite a few documentaries in the collection (interesting that tehy don't link Tokyo Olympiad with them)
http://www.criterion.com/asp/connections.asp?id=57
What documentaries are out there that would fit Criterion's mission?

In another thread someone mentioned Barbara Kopple... Harlan County USA would be an interesting choice, especially with some acknowledgement of why anyone'd want to make a fictionalized account for tv. The VHS is out of print from First Run Features

Also, any Frederick Wiseman would be fantastic, especially, of course, Titicut Follies. I'm sure by this point the any residual bad feelings from the filming could be cleared up, being 37 years and all (in other words people shown on screen are likely to be dead by now). But I doubt if Wiseman wants to give up control of his works, or the $500 per cassette.
http://www.zipporah.com/sandr.html

I'm sure there are more obscure documentaries and documentarians out there that I've not heard of who would work with as a Criterion release. Any ideas?

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Dylan
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm

#39 Post by Dylan » Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:44 am

I second the incredible "Forbidden Games" by Rene Clemet, which would be a wonderful addition to the collection.

Dylan

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Ashirg
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 9:10 am
Location: Atlanta

#40 Post by Ashirg » Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:47 am

Forbidden Games
What an incredible film! I just watched it this weekend on Korean DVD. It's taken from Studio Canal restoration and looks very good. Unfortunately, the picture was squeezed a little (thankfully, I was able to tweak X-Y scaling) and I cannot access extras from the menu. They include alternative opening and ending (no subtitles), 2 trailers and silent outtakes and I played them on my computer. It was only $4, so no complaints, but I'll buy Criterion release in a heartbeat if they release it.

miloauckerman
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 2:08 am

#41 Post by miloauckerman » Mon Dec 06, 2004 3:15 pm

Harlan County and Wiseman would have been my choices, purely for selfish reasons. (I've never gotten to see either)

sherlockjr
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:34 pm
Location: Mississippi

#42 Post by sherlockjr » Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:26 pm

Forbidden Games is at the very top of my must-have list. The only copy I've ever seen is an old copy of a copy VHS edition.

What a beautiful, touching film it is. It's heartbreaking. The only thing else I know to say is, "Michelle. MI-chelle. MICHELLE!"

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Gregory
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:07 pm

#43 Post by Gregory » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:30 pm

In addition to those I listed in the previous page (and the already rumored or confirmed Jour de Fete, Naked, Tales of Hoffman, This Sporting Life, Ugetsu), Criterion might release some of these from their LD catalog:
Life of Oharu
Magician
Makioka Sisters
Miracle in Milan
Osaka Elegy
Sansho the Bailiff
Shoot the Piano Player
Soft Skin
Sword of Doom
Three Cases of Murder
Vengeance is Mine
Virgin Spring
Waltz of the Torreadors

I guess they're not as close to running out of eligible titles as I initially thought.

DrewReiber
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:27 am

#44 Post by DrewReiber » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:45 pm

Gregory wrote:Sansho the Bailiff
I doubt this is coming anytime soon. Criterion is taking an awful lots of time restoring the Mizoguchi stuff and don't seem entirely sure that Ugetsu is going to return their investment yet. So we'll probably have to wait and see how that does, then we'll probably see Sansho and 47 Ronin.

DrewReiber
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:27 am

#45 Post by DrewReiber » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:49 pm

Ok, for speculating on possible releases timed to theatrical films?

How about a 12 Monkeys/La Jetee pack for November to coincide with Brothers Grimm? Or maybe a later one to coincide with the DVD release?

How about a Casino/Italianamerican 2 disc Scorsese set to coincide with the DVD release of The Aviator?

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zedz
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:24 pm

#46 Post by zedz » Wed Dec 08, 2004 4:29 pm

DrewReiber wrote:Ok, for speculating on possible releases timed to theatrical films?

How about a Casino/Italianamerican 2 disc Scorsese set to coincide with the DVD release of The Aviator?
I'm afraid I don't see the connection between Casino & Italianamerican, but I'd love to see an edition of Scorsese's documentaries / shorts (especially the hilarious American Boy: "Break the case!")

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Buttery Jeb
Just in it for the game.
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:55 pm

#47 Post by Buttery Jeb » Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:25 pm

I'm afraid I don't see the connection between Casino & Italianamerican, but I'd love to see an edition of Scorsese's documentaries / shorts (especially the hilarious American Boy: "Break the case!")
According to the New York Film Forum's website, they're going to be showing "American Boy" in January. No info yet, but it might be as part of the "Three by Scorsese" or "Five by Scorsese" packages that usually make the rounds.

http://www.filmforum.com/films/taxidriver.html

-BJ

DrewReiber
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:27 am

#48 Post by DrewReiber » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:57 pm

zedz wrote:
DrewReiber wrote:Ok, for speculating on possible releases timed to theatrical films?

How about a Casino/Italianamerican 2 disc Scorsese set to coincide with the DVD release of The Aviator?
I'm afraid I don't see the connection between Casino & Italianamerican, but I'd love to see an edition of Scorsese's documentaries / shorts (especially the hilarious American Boy: "Break the case!")
Simply that they are Scorsese films and sometimes Criterion is willing to release the films and documentaries of filmmakers that are not necessarily related to get them out (Eyes Without a Face/Blood of the Beast). I highly doubt, especially considering how long Criterion waited to get ahold of Fitzcarraldo to no avail, that they will risk releasing Scorsese's documentaries on their own. They'll probably bundle them or something into a box, that would be my guess.

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Subbuteo
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 2:10 am
Location: Hampshire, UK

#49 Post by Subbuteo » Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:59 pm

Alvin Stardust wrote:I think Volker Schlöndorff's Voyager deserves a DVD release why not Criterion.
Indeed, a lovely film! Not a great fan of Schlöndorff's other films but I loved 'Voyager'

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Jeff
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
Location: Denver, CO

#50 Post by Jeff » Thu Dec 23, 2004 4:15 pm

Apparently, these were announced a couple of weeks ago, but I don't really pay nearly as much attention to region 2 as I should. From The Digital Bits:
In Region 2 news. Carlotta's plans for 2005 include a dozen or more titles. Kiss of Death (1947), Night and the City (1950), and Cry of the City (1948) will appear in July either singly or in a box set. Anne of the Indies (1951), The Wild River (1960), and Bigger Than Life (1956) will appear in August either singly or in a box set. November will bring The Shooting(1967) and Ride in the Whirlwind (1965) either singly or in a box set, as well as Bedazzled and Two for the Road (both 1967) either singly or in a box set and The Girl Can't Help It (1956).
Now, the interesting part is, that except for the Hellmans, every damn one of those titles was produced by 20th Century Fox. Clearly, they have put together a package of titles which they don't have an interest in releasing themselves. Criterion may not be able to do all of these. You will recall that Peter Staddon said that (paraphrasing) they had licensed "about a dozen" titles to Criterion and would have happily parted with many others, but that Criterion has a limited capacity. I suppose I'm afraid that the above list contains the "many others" that Criterion couldn't handle. Anchor Bay is now a Region 1 Fox licensee too, and they could pick up many of these. I'd be happy to let them have the two Donen pictures for example. It would be a shame though, if Criterion couldn't work The Girl Can't Help It into their schedule (and even better - a double bill with Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?). And do I really need to mention Bigger Than Life again? It's available, it's great, and it's never been released on home video before. A collection without Nicholas Ray is really no collection at all. Anyway, besides those two gems, there is a title each from Siodmak, Kazan, and Tourneur -- all of which are welcome in CC.

Fox titles released/announced by Criterion thus far:
Naked Lunch
Pickup on South Street
Three Women
The Leopard
Kagemusha
Night and the City
Thieves Highway

We also know that they've got at least one (probably three) Ford titles, Unfaithfully Yours and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls on the way. That's twelve right there. C'mon Criterion, ante up for another round from Fox.

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