Studio Canal/Kinowelt/Optimum

GaryC · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:25 pm

John Hodson wrote:

Several etailers are showing that June Backlash release as the '56 John Sturges western. Hopefully that's correct.

I did wonder why Optimum were suddenly releasing an 80s Australian film.

(It's not an Ozploitation movie really, so that isn't the reason.)

Cash Flagg · **Joined:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:15 pm

From DVD Outsider:

Quote:

Adapted for the screen by Terence Rattigan (The Prince and The Showgirl, The Sound Barrier) from his own play, The Winslow Boy is the story of a father’s fight to clear his son’s name. Cedric Hardwicke (The Ten Commandments, The Ghoul) gives a towering performance as Arthur Winslow, whose young son Ronnie, a cadet at the Royal Naval College, is accused of theft. Convinced of Ronnie’s innocence, Arthur and his daughter Catherine (Margaret Leighton) investigate. The family employ the country’s top barrister, Sir Robert Morton (played by the great Robert Donat of The 39 Steps and Goodbye Mr. Chips fame), and so begins their struggle against institutional opposition and the might of the British Establishment itself. Earning a BAFTA Nomination, at the heart of this moving drama is the refusal to back down in the face of injustice, despite the great sacrifices that entails.

This is the original 1948 film version of Rattigan's celebrated play, directed by Anthony Asquith (Fanny by Gaslight, The Importance of Being Earnest, Carrington V.C.), which is getting its UK DVD premiere. The play was subsequently remade in 1958 and 1990 for television, and for the cinema in 1999 by David Mamet.

The Winslow Boy will be released on UK DVD by Optimum Home Entertainment on 6th April 2009 at the RRP of £15.99. No extra features have been listed.

MichaelB · **Joined:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm **Location:** Worthing

Just seen My Dinner With Andre, and am happy to confirm that it's vastly superior to the Fox Lorber version, which Gary Tooze called "the worst commercial transfer ever put to digital."

I'm assuming the 4:3 aspect ratio and copious picture grain reflects the 16mm original (there's plenty of headroom, so I imagine it was cropped to 1.66:1/1.85:1 in cinemas), but there are no other transfer issues worth noting. Crucially, the sound is very clear indeed.

The only extra is a trailer.

Cronenfly · **Joined:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:04 pm

From DVD Times, to be released June 22:

Quote:

Hardware (Special Edition) - Makings its UK DVD and Blu-ray premiere, Richard Stanley’s cult classic debuts as a Special Edition though features are currently TBC.

And specs courtesy of DVD Active:

Quote:

Uncut Version
Brand new Director & Producer’s Commentary
Voices of the Moon Documentary
Original Market Promo for Hardware
Booklet Featuring Shok! (Comic Strip Source Material)
Notes by Kim Newman
Original Storyboard Artwork
More TBC

Not a big fan of Dust Devil, but I'm still really happy this is finally coming out (and on Blu too, no less).

Awesome Welles · **Joined:** Fri Apr 27, 2007 6:02 am **Location:** London

Does anyone know if Optimum's Diary of a Country Priest is going OOP? Seems to be available from very few etailers at the moment.

ellipsis7 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:25 pm

It's a Studio Canal title, so there shouldn't be a problem...

MichaelB · **Joined:** Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm **Location:** Worthing

Worth snapping up if it's going cheap - I'm pretty certain it's the same source master as the Criterion DVD, and the only significant thing you sacrifice is a rather weak Peter Cowie commentary.

barrym71 · **Joined:** Mon Nov 29, 2004 2:52 pm **Location:** NYC

Not sure if this is the absolute best place to post this, but Optimum Releasing (in the UK) has a huge number of catalog titles, many of which will be of interest to forum members (Contempt, Elephant, Belle de Jour, Honeymoon in Vegas). This is one of the more exciting list of catalog titles I've seen in a while. My biggest complaint about blu-ray has been the paltry selection of catalog titles. I'd love to hear anyone's take on the quality of Optimum blu-rays.

justeleblanc · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:24 pm

Ruh Roh, Criterion drops the ball on being the first to release a Blu Ray Contempt.

swo17 · **Joined:** Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:25 am **Location:** SLC, UT

That link also mentions a Blu-ray of Ran. 8-[

tojoed · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:28 pm

barrym71 wrote:

I'd love to hear anyone's take on the quality of Optimum blu-rays.

I think these will be the first Optimum Blu-Rays, so we can't tell yet.

Great news about "Contempt".

"membrillo" · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 2:16 pm

tojoed wrote:

barrym71 wrote:

I'd love to hear anyone's take on the quality of Optimum blu-rays.

I think these will be the first Optimum Blu-Rays, so we can't tell yet.

Great news about "Contempt".

They released "This is England" but I have not seen the Blu-ray.

Also wondering what the quality was like. I think Funny Games was released by Optimum on Blu-ray but this was taken from Tartan UK since they were going under right when the release was scheduled.

ellipsis7 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:42 pm

I've ordered CONTEMPT (Criterion have actually lost Blu-Ray rights to this title apparently)... This potentially could be hugely significant for Region B Blu insofar as Optimum/Studio Canal hold such a massive and rich catalogue...

ellipsis7 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:39 pm

Appears to be decent packaging...

accatone · **Joined:** Thu May 04, 2006 8:04 am

This, or these, moment(s) make(s) me think of upgrading to BR...Le Mépris will be released in Germany via Arthaus/Studio Canal as well...hmmm,
means a new TV as well...fuck!

Flike · **Joined:** Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:47 pm

These are region-free? Incredible packaging.

tojoed · **Posted:** Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:03 pm

Here's the artwork for all the Optimum September BluRays.

domino harvey · **Joined:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm

Uh, are those seriously slots in a Blu-ray package?

Cash Flagg · **Joined:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:15 pm

DVD Times on A Child is Waiting

Oggilby · **Joined:** Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:31 pm

Is Optimum's DVD for The Trial missing the "Before the Law" pinscreen prologue? It's cheap on Amazon UK, but I'd like to confirm before I import it.

Ovader · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2009 3:08 am

Oggilby wrote:

Is Optimum's DVD for The Trial missing the "Before the Law" pinscreen prologue? It's cheap on Amazon UK, but I'd like to confirm before I import it.

Yes it is missing the prologue and reedited according to this post but it is a good transfer and there are some bonus features.

Cinetwist · **Joined:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:00 am **Location:** England

accatone wrote:

This, or these, moment(s) make(s) me think of upgrading to BR...Le Mépris will be released in Germany via Arthaus/Studio Canal as well...hmmm,
means a new TV as well...fuck!

Come on Accatone, I know how big a Godard fan you are. If you don't go blu for one of his scope Technicolor films shot in the med; well you're never gonna go. Do it!

This might be my most anticipated release on the format yet. =P~

accatone · **Joined:** Thu May 04, 2006 8:04 am

Dito! But as far as i am a complet (not completl, but) tech-zero i serously fear going to these electronic markets etc…i hate these and they stink

Plus i fear that i have misscalculated my trip/holiday to Sicilia next week because i did not consider all the vino and food that i will consume there…but when i am back…and the release is there - it will be too hard to resist!!

Jonathan S · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:19 am

Ovader wrote:

Oggilby wrote:

Is Optimum's DVD for The Trial missing the "Before the Law" pinscreen prologue? It's cheap on Amazon UK, but I'd like to confirm before I import it.

Yes it is missing the prologue and reedited according to this post but it is a good transfer and there are some bonus features.

I have the Optimum disc and can confirm the prologue is missing - though the credits for it are retained! I also have the earlier UK Warner disc which does include the prologue. PAL timings are 1:47:25 (Optimum) and 1:50:15 (Warner). Both editions have a 1983 copyright notice under the main title. I do think the Optimum is worth having for the hour's worth of bonus features: two documentaries (in French with English subs) including interviews with people who worked on the film, the trailer and a stills gallery. The extras are not even mentioned on Optimum's box!

Studio Canal/Kinowelt/Optimum

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