Criterion Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7

[PfR73]

Milestone did have The Trial in the past; the only time I've seen the film was part of a series of Milestone titles screened by Austin Film Society in 2010, and looks like they put it out on DVD. Of course, rights may have changed, but Milestone definitely do have a history with the film.

[knives]

Milestone did have The Trial in the past; the only time I've seen the film was part of a series of Milestone titles screened by Austin Film Society in 2010, and looks like they put it out on DVD. Of course, rights may have changed, but Milestone definitely do have a history with the film.

Which was the reason for my intrepid assumption.

[therewillbeblus]

Never doubted that, but since there's been a fair amount of discussion on the film being with Criterion over the last year I wanted to make sure it was new info rather than very old info- I just want it to get a blu-ray release, and couldn't care who from

[Big Ben]

The Trial is to the best of my knowledge still in the public domain in the United States as no copyright was ever filed for it here. But that may have changed in recent times due to changes in how the law works. If this is still the case the only hindrance to Criterion releasing it would be the restoration no?

[therewillbeblus]

The Trial is to the best of my knowledge still in the public domain in the United States as no copyright was ever filed for it here. But that may have changed in recent times due to changes in how the law works. If this is still the case the only hindrance to Criterion releasing it would be the restoration no?

That was always my understanding as well

[FrauBlucher]

In 1981, Welles planned to create a documentary on the making of The Trial. Cinematographer Gary Graver was hired to film Welles addressing a University of Southern California audience on the film's history. The footage was shot with a 16mm camera on color reversal stock, but Welles never completed the proposed documentary. The film is now in the possession of Germany’s Filmmuseum Munich, and has since been restored.[19]

No copyright was ever filed on The Trial, which resulted in the film being a public domain title in the US. Although it is possible that the copyright was restored by the URAA, no "Notice of Intent to Enforce" was filed with the US Copyright Office.[20]

In 2000, a restored version based on the long-lost original 35mm negative was released on DVD by Milestone Films.[8] For many years, the film has been available in cheaply made home video of inferior quality, not produced under license. In 2012, a remastered high definition version was released on Blu-ray by Studio Canal which owns the worldwide copyright.[citation needed] As of 2015, a 2K restoration by Rialto Pictures is playing in DCP format in various North American cities.[21][22][23][24]

I still trust the poster GetHarryPalmer that Criterion will release this

[knives]

It should be said that Criterion has a specific public domain policy where there will nevertheless get permission from whomever has the negatives.

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

I don't think Milestone has distributed The Trial in a long while. Looking at their online archive, the film is present in their 2010 catalog but not the subsequent 2014 edition, nor any of the later ones. Rialto has distributed it theatrically in the U.S. since at least 2015 via their relationship with Canal. If Kino hasn't licensed the video rights from Canal, then Criterion is the obvious candidate.

[dwk]

So about a November boxset, Irongod2112 (who helps multiple labels with Hong Kong titles) posted this on the Blu-ray.com forum

[therewillbeblus]

The newsletter about the 4K UHD jump said the Nov releases won't be announced until next week, so unless Criterion is planning to grant us two advanced-notice announcements within days of each other revealing about half of next week's slate, that seems unlikely

[dwk]

Oh, yeah, I'm not sure it is getting announced today, but it is nice to know that a November boxset is happening.

[jwd5275]

Considering the source, I would guess a Jackie Chan set with most of the stuff on the Criterion Channel and possibly Drunken Master.

[yoloswegmaster]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a Sammo Hung boxset, especially since the source has also said that 2021 would be the "year of Sammo".

[criterionsnob]

Aren't we expecting a John Woo box too?

[therewillbeblus]

I have my heart set on a ludicrously reaching 'Robert Altman in the 70s' box set, because somebody needs to release California Split on blu-ray already

[dwk]

No the boxset is a Hong Kong film series.

A couple twitter leaks courtesy of Theodore Witcher: Criterion is releasing Love Jones and Medicine for Melancholy

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

No the boxset is a Hong Kong film series.

After they used the Wong Fei-hung theme for the small doc about Golden Harvest on the Bruce Lee set, I have sort of asumed that would be coming from Criterion. Could be wrong!

[dwk]

Ha ha ha. I was trying to figure out how to hint at the rumor from a certain Kung Fu cinema forum about what the box set is. Turns out I just had to say it was a series. Anyway, word is the set will have the WB owned Parts 4 and 5.

[DeprongMori]

Ha ha ha. I was trying to figure out how to hint at the rumor from a certain Kung Fu cinema forum about what the box set is. Turns out I just had to say it was a series. Anyway, word is the set will have the WB owned Parts 4 and 5.

Has anyone here seen the non-Jet-Li films, Parts 4 & 5 (if this is what I’m thinking it is)? Given I have the Eureka set without 4 & 5, I may need to consider double-dipping on the Criterion if those two are any good.

[yoloswegmaster]

Has anyone here seen the non-Jet-Li films, Parts 4 & 5 (if this is what I’m thinking it is)? Given I have the Eureka set without 4 & 5, I may need to consider double-dipping on the Criterion if those two are any good.

I haven't seen them myself but I've been told that 4 and 5 are on par with 3, with 4 being considered to being the weakest entry in the series.

[swo17]

What's the basis for thinking that Criterion is releasing Once Upon a Time in...Not Hollywood?

[dwk]

A long time poster with a good reputation said that it is a release he was told about.

[bainbridgezu]

What's the basis for thinking that Criterion is releasing Once Upon a Time in...Not Hollywood?

What's Once Upon a Time in...Not Hollywood? One of the Hong Kong titles being discussed? An alternate title perhaps? I'm not finding anything.

[dwk]

Once Upon a Time in C :-#

In any event, whatever the mystery HK boxset is, according to Irongod2112, it should be announced tomorrow.

[bainbridgezu]

Ah, of course. Thank you. I've actually seen at least the first one, but it's been forever and slipped right out of my mind.