Studio Canal / Kinowelt / Optimum

[Matt]

There are three major dialects of English in Canada and eight major dialects in the US, but there are almost infinite minute variations even within single major cities.

[HarryLong]

And some of those variations are the result of whatever country a person's family might have originated from. In the area where I live there is a dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch (though actually Pennsylvanis German would be more correct); it not only has distinct pronunciation differences from "proper" English (our and hour are pronounced as are, for instance) but a distinctly different cadence and word order (Throw Papa down the stairs his hat).

[Michael Kerpan]

There are three major dialects of English in Canada and eight major dialects in the US, but there are almost infinite minute variations even within single major cities.

I don't think one can reasonably lump all "southern coastal" accents into one group. Probably more profound differences _within_ this area than _between_ a number of the more northerly areas.

[John Hodson]

Those September Studio Canal Collection release details from their website...

The Third Man

Languages: French, German, English
Picture Ratio: 1.33 : 1
Subtitles: German, French, Spanish, Dutch
Region Code: A or B
Bluray Disc Extras:
- Shadowing the Third Man
- The Third Man on the Radio
- Audio commentary with Guy Hamilton (Assistant Director), Simon Callow & Angela Allen (2nd Unit Continuity)
- Guardian NFT Interview with Joseph Cotton (Audio only)
- Guardian NFT Interview with Graham Greene (Audio only)
- Joseph Cotton’s Alternate Opening Voiceover Narration
- Original Trailer 1
- Original Trailer 2
- Stills Gallery
- The Third Man Interactive Vienna Tour
- Interview and zither performance by Cornelia Mayer

The Pianist

Languages: French, English, Italian
Picture Ratio: 1.85 : 1
Subtitles: French, Italien, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Region Code: B
Bluray Disc Extras:
- Original Trailer
- A story of survival: behind the scene of the pianist
- Interview with writer Ronald Harwood
- Interview with Andrzej Szpilzman
- Interview with Daniel Szpilzman

Mulholland Drive

Languages: French, Italian, English
Picture Ratio:1.85 : 1
Subtitles: Italian, French, Dutch
Region Code: B
Bluray Disc Extras:
- Introduction by Thierry Jousse
- In the Blue Box
- Making Of: On the Mulholland Drive
- Interviews: Mary Sweeney, Angelo Badalamenti, Angelo Badalamenti, audio interview, 10 years after

The Graduate

Languages: French, German, English
Picture Ratio: 2.35 : 1
Subtitles: English; French, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Japanese
Region Code: A & B
Bluray Disc Extras:
- Original Trailer
- The Graduate at 25
- The Graduate – Looking back
- Interview with author Charles Webb
- Analysis of the Seduction Sequence
- About the music

Le Cercle Rouge

Languages: French, English, German
Picture Ratio: 1.66 : 1
Subtitles: French, English, German
Region Code: B
Bluray Disc Extras:
- Introduction by Ginette Vincendeau
- Code Name: Melville
- Interview Bernard Stora
- Interview José Giovanni
- Interview Rui Nogueira
- Trailer
- Booklet

Delicatessen

Languages: French, German, Spanish
Picture Ratio: 1.85 : 1
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Japanese
Region Code: A & B
Bluray Disc Extras:
- Making of: Fine cooked pork meats by Diane Bertrand (13’)
- Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Audio Commentary
- Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Archives (8’)
- Main course Pieces (1H05)
- Trailer
- Teaser

Breathless

Languages: French, German, Spanish
Picture Ratio: 1.33:1
Subtitles: English, German, Dutch, Japanese, Portuguese, Turkish, Castilian Spanish
Region Code: A & B
Bluray Disc Extras:
Introduction by Colin McCabe, Godard Expert
Room 12, Hôtel de Suède
Jean-Luc According To Luc Image
Gallery Posters (8)
Trailer
Godard, Made In USA (HD) documentary on the film
BD-LIVE

Interesting that Breathless is A & B, and Le Cercle Rouge is just B.

[Matt]

Those September Studio Canal Collection release details from their website...

Le Cercle Rouge

Languages: French, English, German
Picture Ratio: 1.66 : 1
Subtitles: French, English, German
Region Code: B
Bluray Disc Extras:
- Introduction by Ginette Vincendeau
- Code Name: Melville
- Interview Bernard Stora
- Interview José Giovanni
- Interview Rui Nogueira
- Trailer
- Booklet

1.66:1 (not 1.85:1) and Region B for Le Cercle Rouge. I guess I'm kind of happy that it leaves some small amount of hope for a Criterion BD and (unless that aspect ratio is a typo) that I wouldn't want this disc anyway. And whatever your stance on the colors of the film, I doubt there can be any debate over what the intended aspect ratio was for this film, as it's hard to argue with that framing.

[tojoed]

It must be a typo. The current Studio Canal (Optimum) DVD is 1.85:1.

[Jonathan S]

Those September Studio Canal Collection release details from their website...
The Third Man
- Guardian NFT Interview with Joseph Cotton (Audio only)
- Guardian NFT Interview with Graham Greene (Audio only)
- Joseph Cotton’s Alternate Opening Voiceover Narration

I hope they spell it "Joseph Cotten" on the packaging...

[tojoed]

Studio Canal, France are releasing Bertrand Blier's Beau Pere
on Blu-Ray in October. No word on English subtitles. If not, I hope they release this in the UK soon, as the only edition on DVD was a wretched thing by, I think, Fox Lorber.

[DanV]

Actually, 1.66 seems to be the correct AR for that Melville, although a return to 1.66 after filming a pair of films in 1.85 might sound strange. Anyway, who cares?! Le Cercle Rouge on BD!!!

[Matt]

Actually, 1.66 seems to be the correct AR for that Melville

Please explain how you've come to know/believe this. I find it patently ridiculous, but I await with bated breath your response.

[DanV]

Unreliable IMDb. As unreliable as DVDs and screenings.

[FerdinandGriffon]

Unreliable IMDb. As unreliable as DVDs and screenings.

If you look at the DVDBeaver review that Matt linked to previously, you can see a shot of a pool table from above that was most definitely never meant to be in anything but 1.85:1.

[swo17]

I await with bated breath your response.

You've misspelled the way that people usually spell that here.

[andyli]

Studio Canal, France are releasing Bertrand Blier's Beau Pere
on Blu-Ray in October. No word on English subtitles. If not, I hope they release this in the UK soon, as the only edition on DVD was a wretched thing by, I think, Fox Lorber.

Besides that, on October 5th Studio Canal also has The Innocents, Le testament d'orphée, Quelques jours avec moi, Madame claude, Ice Storm, Pontius Pilate, Ave maria and Diary of a Chambermaid on Blu-ray slate.

All of them are temporarily shown in DVD cover art. Some of the titles might qualify as StudioCanal Collection, but it's probably not gonna happen since the prices are set at a humble 9.49 euro.

[eerik]

Early screenshots of September releases (except Le cercle rouge). All of them look kind of bad. The Third Man has been horribly DNR'ed. Delicatessen is the best looking in my opinion. But I'm still getting Mulholland Drive...

[Murdoch]

MD just looks awful, especially that first still.

[Finch]

Agree that only Delicatessen (and then only in some shots) seems to warrant a (modest) upgrade, going by those images. Waiting for final reviews but the Jeunet/Caro apart, I'm sorely tempted to cancel my preorders and rebuy Mulholland Drive (on DVD that is) and the BFI Cercle Rouge (assuming the BD looks as bad as the four other titles previewed).

[tojoed]

Finch, the BFI "Cercle Rouge" is the same as the Studio Canal, at least the DVDs are. I'm not upgrading no matter what. I'm very happy with the Melville box.

[Finch]

If those screengrabs are representative of the final discs, then our only hope of a decent BD for Mulholland Drive may be the US release if and when it happens. Which brings me to my question: do Universal still have the rights for the US? (I know Universal's own track record is at least as dodgy as Studio Canals but their recent transfers of Carlito's Way and Psycho give me hope).

[peerpee]

I puked in my mouth when the SNICKERS ad appeared at the start of Optimum's A PROPHET BD.

What an appalling 'trend'. They should sell their discs at half price if they have that sort of stuff on there.

[manicsounds]

I puked in my mouth when the SNICKERS ad appeared at the start of Optimum's A PROPHET BD.

What an appalling 'trend'. They should sell their discs at half price if they have that sort of stuff on there.

I didn't expect to see Mr. T before the start of "A Prophet", but I admit it was funny. I guess Optimum is trying to re-create the movie theater commercials experience? Maybe soon we will have a "Set your phones to silent mode" or "Know your emergency exits" ads before BDs and DVDs start....

On to these new StudioCanal discs...
I really think that the US DVD of "The Graduate" is the best example of what the film should look like. I remember reading that Sony put in a lot to restore the film (but then the MGM library went to Fox....) and it shows. No green tint either...

[pro-bassoonist]

I dont want to believe any of those grabs actually come from the BluRays - they're all appalling.

Hello David,

I don't have any of these discs yet so I cannot comment on the quality of the high-definition transfers, but I can assure you that what you see posted on the site are very heavily compressed JPEG files - which is the reason why I never judge quality by random screenshots.
Additionally, I happen to have the French BD of Breathless, and can assure you that the grain structure of the high-definition transfer is a lot more prominent. Similar is the problem with DVDBEAVER's screencaptures - all are very heavily compressed and filtered (colors), which is why I assume David (not you) was so upset with them some time ago.

Pro-B

[Duncan Hopper]

Well that is odd. About 2 or 3 months ago I got Pierrot le fou through from my loveFilm list (UK Netflix).
When I put it in the player it was actually Breathless. I watched it and sent it back as 'wrong film sent'.
I had no idea that the actual disc had yet not been released. I'm no expert, but the picture didn't look too bad, not as good as I'd have expected, but certainly no disaster.

[RossyG]

Meanwhile in Oz we seem to glide through some sort of privileged transition between Defining Moments In Capitalism. Or so it seems here in nowheresville.

Australia makes most of its money exporting minerals to China. All the while China avoids the worst of the recession, Australia will too.

As for Canal Plus, surely they can do better with the Canal Collection range. They should be making sure each one is damn-near perfect as it's an advert for their 'brand'. That's why they put their company name in the collection's title. By putting out substandard product they're damaging their reputation.

They certainly have with me. If the BFI or MoC were putting out these titles next month, I'd have the ones I wanted pre-ordered by now. As it's Canal, I'll give it a few months to assess the general online consensus. Is this really what they wanted with this elite range?

[Finch]

Peeping Tom has a preliminary UK Blu-Ray release of Nov 1 and it's currently only £8.99 on Amazon UK.