bjeggert82 wrote:So I'm watching TCM, and Tim Roth just co-introduced David Lean's Hobson's Choice, which I believe is an MGM property. It was annouced a couple years back by MGM for release, but then cancelled last minute. Anyhow, the Janus logo appeared before the film... This would be one helluva Criterion release. Certainly a little known picture from Lean's filmography.
MGM never had the rights to those David Lean films. Wasn't that the box set that was also going to contain Oliver Twist and Great Expectations?
They pulled the plug on that set when the realized that the rights were with Janus and not MGM. Hobson's Choice was released on VHS from Janus via Home Vision. I'm sure Criterion will release it eventually...but it's certainly not a part of any additional MGM licenses.
ianungstad wrote:MGM never had the rights to those David Lean films. Wasn't that the box set that was also going to contain Oliver Twist and Great Expectations?
They pulled the plug on that set when the realized that the rights were with Janus and not MGM. Hobson's Choice was released on VHS from Janus via Home Vision. I'm sure Criterion will release it eventually...but it's certainly not a part of any additional MGM licenses.
MGM does have some rights to OLIVER TWIST, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, BRIEF ENCOUNTER and some other early Lean titles, I think mostly TV and Non-Theatrical, through the Goldwyn/Rank deal. Some have turned up on TCM with MGM logos, and they supplied prints for some of the titles in the American Cinematheque's recent Lean retrospective.
The confusion came over home video rights. MGM's initial legal review led them to believe that Criterion's rights were to expire a few years ago, so they planned the box set and got so far as to press test discs before Criterion contacted them.
HOBSON'S CHOICE was never part of the Goldwyn/Rank deal, so it was never planned as part of the proposed MGM box set.
Halie Gerima’s Mypheduh Films company should make a deal with Criterion to distribute his work on DVD. Sankofa is a brilliant film that everyone must see. Peace.
Last edited by MuzikJunky on Wed May 21, 2008 7:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Regards films by Elio Petri, I've often marveled that Criterion has never released any of his films. Even more than Francesco Rosi, he has to be currently one of the most neglected Italian directors. None of his films have appeared on DVD in America, except for THE TENTH VICTIM. His film INVESTIGATION OF A CITZIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film for Chrissakes! Sony has the rights and I doubt they'll be putting it out any time soon. Another phenomenal film by Petri: A QUIET PLACE IN THE COUNTRY, a very dark and funny ghost story about an artist going mad with Franco Nero and Vanessa Redgrave with possibly Morricone's most avant-garde style score. MGM have rights and once again, I won't hold my breath waiting for that to come out. WE STILL KILL THE OLD WAY is another little masterpiece, a very strange existential film about one man's encounter with the mafia in Sicily. LACMA here in LA did a retrospective a few years ago and there are a number of films he did that seemed to never have gotten distribution here, including excellent tragicomedies LADY KILLER OF ROME, NUMBERED DAYS, PROPERTY IS NO LONGER THEFT and THE WORKING CLASS GOES TO HEAVEN. It is a shame that only a limited number of people seem to know about his films now. One of the unsung greats.
chrisdesjardins wrote:His film INVESTIGATION OF A CITZIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film for Chrissakes!
Not to mention winning the FIPRESCI Prize and the Grand Prix du Jury, also being Oscar nominated for Best Screenplay, the film is not short of accolades.
With regards also to La Classe Operaia va in Paradiso it shared the Palme d'Or at Cannes with Il Caso Mattei (another film desperately needing decent release my old unsubbed VHS is nearly dead).
So it's not as if Petri doesn't have his share of critical acclaim and a DVD revival is definitely needed. I don't know if I share the sentiments about Petri being a misogynist director having only seen the above two films. I guess one could say that there is a latent misogyny at work though I wouldn't agree with that, it just seems like a tired old complaint, similar to the one Hitchcock had to deal with.
Just wondering if anyone or lots of people on here suggest titles to Criterion? Also has anyone asked for Ingmar Bergman's Persona in particular? That would be a great release by Criterion if they got their hands on it, but I'm guessing other people have already gone through the trouble and might have a little bit more information. My Dinner with Andre by Louis Malle would be another I would really love to see Criterion release as no other DVD is really available of that film.
When I email them I do usually ask if they will release certain titles, though I wouldn't necessarily call that suggestions, I often ask whether they will release Ambersons in an edition something like their LD. I don't see the point in sending an email every week as it will just end getting ignored. I do find that being complimentary always returns a reply though
psufootball07 wrote:Just wondering if anyone or lots of people on here suggest titles to Criterion? Also has anyone asked for Ingmar Bergman's Persona in particular? That would be a great release by Criterion if they got their hands on it, but I'm guessing other people have already gone through the trouble and might have a little bit more information. My Dinner with Andre by Louis Malle would be another I would really love to see Criterion release as no other DVD is really available of that film.
Persona is part of MGM's Bergman boxset (you can buy each title separately. There's no way MGM lets those titles go. Here's the DVD Beaver comparison on Persona. The image is a little cropped, but it's an acceptable version and the price is good.
I usually only inquire about titles if I know there's no region 1 version available and in print. When a title goes OOP, there's a chance (a la My Dinner with Andre that Criterion will pick it up.
Last edited by jbeall on Thu May 22, 2008 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks, I do own the MGM version, and it is a decent release, but nothing close to the Criterion Bergman films in terms of picture and additional information.
Glad to know My Dinner with Andre is finally getting a decent release. That Bottle Rocket release also gets me a little excited, and I hope Criterion can get out a release of the Darjeeling Limited.
Tom Hagen wrote:Perhaps someone was able to convince Woody Allen that his work deserves the Criterion treatment. Doubtful, I know. But a Criterion set including, say, Hannah and Her Sisters and Crimes and Misdemeanors, plus another mid '80s film would be outstanding.
Weren't there some LDs? (A: Annie Hall & Crimes And Misdemeanors) No idea if there was anything resembling an extra.
[edit: Actually now that I think about it, the U.S. version of Annie Hall is atrocious... who knows, maybe...]
Last edited by fdm on Fri May 23, 2008 10:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Has anyone specifically asked Tamara about whether Criterion would release Malle's Vanya on 42nd? I know we've speculated about it quite a bit, but has Tamara or anyone else at Criterion given an answer? I would send her an email now but I just sent one last week and don't want to push it.
I know it's been discussed elsewhere on the labyrinth that is this forum, but what's the consensus on the likelihood of a Tati set sometime in the future? I'm considering holding out on the criterion dvds if only to potentially save some money and get them "all done up together" later.
justeleblanc wrote:Has anyone specifically asked Tamara about whether Criterion would release Malle's Vanya on 42nd?
I have a feeling it'll be awhile before we get any more Malle, since we just got Fire Within and The Lovers. I'd rather see Black Moon get dvd treatment anyway.
Well, we know that MY DINNER WITH ANDRE is coming from them, maybe not soon, but definitely at some point, so I was merely curious if anyone ever got a confirmation about it's complement, VANYA.
Darbicus wrote:Just out of curiosity, who holds the American rights to Terence Davies "Distant Voices, Still Lives?"
Ah, now there's a movie I've always wanted to own.
Not sure about the US rights, but it's available as a BFI release in the UK. (2007 issue--not too sure on the quality, but as it's BFI, I imagine it would be a pretty good transfer. No extras.)
I would think of it as a title that Criterion could consider. Its (and Davies') stature has only increased over the last few years. Also, the fact that 2008 sees Davies releasing his first new film in a long time is being seen as a reason to celebrate. Maybe this will increase his visibility and bring about its stateside release?
It all depends on Pauline at the Beach. If MGM's license expires, all six films would then be the property of Losange, and like Six Moral Tales, would all be available for Criterion. But then I've had this question go unanswered many times.
Darbicus wrote:Just out of curiosity, who holds the American rights to Terence Davies "Distant Voices, Still Lives?"
it's available as a BFI release in the UK. (2007 issue--not too sure on the quality, but as it's BFI, I imagine it would be a pretty good transfer.
What a great film... I've got the BFI disc, and it's a beautiful transfer. And as for extras, there's a commentary from Davies, an interview, filmed introduction, trailer and a nice booklet to boot!
Hopefully The Long Day Closes and his Trilogy will be presented as well - due in July IIRC
bdsweeney wrote:Not sure about the US rights, but it's available as a BFI release in the UK. (2007 issue--not too sure on the quality, but as it's BFI, I imagine it would be a pretty good transfer. No extras.)
The BFI disc of Distant Voices is sublime - no need to wait indefinitely for a Criterion release.
