Olive Films

[Gregory]

Based on previous experience, they don't respond to Facebook, Twitter, or email. I've heard they don't answer the phone either.

I guess I'll have to send one of these about Bresson and yellow subtitles to their office.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

Why are removable subs important?

Because France alone has produced so many great cinematographers - or used foreign cinematographers for many great French films (the DP for The Devil Probably worked not just with Bresson, but also with Visconti and Rosi) - that fixed subs imposed there on the image are a distraction from the craft of the film. Also, my French is decent, but it could be better. I will often leave the subs off and learn from the actors. It really helps. Now take Police which has superb cinematography and a powerhouse Depardieu performance. The man is a wonder in that movie. Why not smack some subtitles on him, the other actors, and the picture? No, thank you.

[Jeff]

I saw a good-looking 35mm print of the Bresson with Olive logos at the front earlier this year. I guess they're unable or unwilling to create a digital master themselves, and are relying on whatever is supplied to them. Based on previous experience, they don't respond to Facebook, Twitter, or email. I've heard they don't answer the phone either.

This doesn't make sense to me as the film is distributed theatrically on 35mm by The Film Desk.

Logos for both companies appeared at the head of the film. I remember it clearly, as it was the only time I've ever seen an Olive logo on a theatrical release. If you look at The Film Desk's page for it, it is credited as a "A Film Desk/Olive Films Release." I'm guessing (guessing, Frank), that Olive owns the U.S. rights but doesn't necessarily have the infrastructure for theatrical distribution so they've partnered with The Film Desk.

[Hail_Cesar]

Why are removable subs important?

Because France alone has produced so many great cinematographers - or used foreign cinematographers for many great French films (the DP for The Devil Probably worked not just with Bresson, but also with Visconti and Rosi) - that fixed subs imposed there on the image are a distraction from the craft of the film. Also, my French is decent, but it could be better. I will often leave the subs off and learn from the actors. It really helps. Now take Police which has superb cinematography and a powerhouse Depardieu performance. The man is a wonder in that movie. Why not smack some subtitles on him, the other actors, and the picture? No, thank you.

Plus: since a lot of the Olive releases are distributed in Quebec its probably not a matter of rights, I guess they could even find some french subs on French releases to help you guys to learn that beautiful language...

I don't think DVD companies can believe how many people wish there were original language subs on foreign films to learn the language... Also, when English is your second language, its quite hard to understand unsubbed old films.

[htshell]

Logos for both companies appeared at the head of the film. I remember it clearly, as it was the only time I've ever seen an Olive logo on a theatrical release. If you look at The Film Desk's page for it, it is credited as a "A Film Desk/Olive Films Release." I'm guessing (guessing, Frank), that Olive owns the U.S. rights but doesn't necessarily have the infrastructure for theatrical distribution so they've partnered with The Film Desk.

Makes sense. Thanks for the clarification. Can we infer that Olive have the theatrical rights for other older titles too? That is interesting.

[captveg]

And there was MUCH rejoicing!

Blu-ray.com High Noon review

[domino harvey]

Not too surprising-- the DVD was one of the sharpest standard definition discs I'd seen

[Drucker]

This Jeffrey Kauffman fellow sure has a chip on his shoulder (and probably loves the attention) that people who disagree with his reviews give him!

"Universal, of course, is a different matter entirely, usually the bane of withering comments that lambaste its persistent use of DNR on catalog releases (even if I personally seldom find the results as abhorrent as many seem to).

[rwaits]

He's an ass.

[mfunk9786]

He's an ass for saying that he doesn't find the results as abhorrent as many seem to? That might be the least incendiary remark I've ever read.

[rwaits]

He's an ass for saying that he doesn't find the results as abhorrent as many seem to? That might be the least incendiary remark I've ever read.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but the quoted comment above purposefully derides a fair percentage of that site's readership. I've never understood why he feels the need to be such a dick about people being upset about Universal's overzealous application of nasty dnr.

[mfunk9786]

Well, I agree with him, so I don't know what that makes me

[triodelover]

I've never understood why he feels the need to be such a dick about people being upset about Universal's overzealous application of nasty dnr.

OTOH, I've never understood why other people feel need to be such a dick about the fact that he's not.

[Drucker]

I just thought it was odd/unnecessary for him to give this uh...overview...of blu ray releases at the beginning of his review, rather than just stick to the release at hand. Kind of pointless.

[domino harvey]

I've never understood why he feels the need to be such a dick about people being upset about Universal's overzealous application of nasty dnr.

OTOH, I've never understood why other people feel need to be such a dick about the fact that he's not.

He has a highly-visible platform in which to influence potential consumers. If labels/studios see that it doesn't bother someone in that position, they're not gonna be in any hurry to change their practices, and then those who feel DNR is an abomination are screwed on future releases also

[triodelover]

I've never understood why he feels the need to be such a dick about people being upset about Universal's overzealous application of nasty dnr.

OTOH, I've never understood why other people feel need to be such a dick about the fact that he's not.

He has a highly-visible platform in which to influence potential consumers. If labels/studios see that it doesn't bother someone in that position, they're not gonna be in any hurry to change their practices, and then those who feel DNR is an abomination are screwed on future releases also

I should state that I'm firmly in the anti-DNR camp and not defending his glossing over (whoops) the excessive use of DNR. I just wonder how many people are there who are actively incensed about this (i.e. the general buying public) outside a few specialty forums and how being a dick about it on the selfsame forums ameliorates anything. But perhaps I underestimate the influence we have here.

[domino harvey]

We don't have any influence, but a Blu-ray.com review probably gets the most hits for people interested in such things. Plus everyone knows Blu-ray.com is Illuminati

[Brian C]

I just wonder how many people are there who are actively incensed about this...

829.

Give or take.

[Lifeforce]

Now that Phase IV is being screened tomorrow in uncut form, here's hoping Olive see fit to ask Paramount to supply a restored edition for a future blu ray release...

[junderhump]

Disappointed Devil Probably not coming out on blu ray - so if I want to get the DVD is it worth waiting for this Olive release or should I just get the AE release from the UK? I have a multi region-player so can play both but I wondered whether this is a restored print - has any notable extras etc...

[JPJ]

Get the AE.There's no extras but it's usually very cheap,around £5,on Amazon.I doubt Olive's dvd only release will be significantly better.

[solaris72]

Now that Phase IV is being screened tomorrow in uncut form, here's hoping Olive see fit to ask Paramount to supply a restored edition for a future blu ray release...

WOW. For me this is one of the most desired pieces of lost footage from any film. The brief clips of the ending found in this trailer are tantalizing. Had I the money (and were I not working) I'd fly out to LA today to see this! I really hope Olive puts out a blu ray and sticks this on there one way or another.

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Just clarifying, but Phase IV is NOT being screened uncut. The uncut ending was found in the Academy archive, but will be screened after the normal cut of Phase IV. It' still an amazing find that I'll be watching enthusiastically tonight! Crossing my fingers that Olive Films actually cares about special features for once and releases it.

[solaris72]

Review of the original ending of Phase IV.

[tenia]

Beaver on Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Still don't understand how you can release a Blu Ray where the Disc Size is only 14 Gb, whatever how good the movie can already look. :-s
Just use the freaking disc space ! ](*,)