317 The Tales of Hoffmann

[diamonds]

Hmm, okay. Thanks for the info. Could it be a question of demonstrated public interest? I'd love for it to be because they're putting together an Archers box.

[Minkin]

They have tons of quality masters for films that they have the rights for - let alone titles that can be upgraded. I'm not sure what's going on with their upgrade titles - and why we only just now got some re-issues/upgrades for May, but it certainly appears that redux editions are a lesser priority at this point.

Perhaps they employ the same logic that I do - once I own a film, I'm less likely to watch it - as I'm constantly battling my DVR for space or watching stuff before it expires. I'm sure Criterion is working at their max schedule dealing with their inundation of suddenly available studio titles. Seems like they had more than their hands full before the WB deal even hit. So I'm sure its either pass further films along to Shout/Kino/etc (like Barton Fink), or just hold off on some upgrades for the moment.

[bugsy_pal]

I thought this was one that they lost years ago when they lost that big batch of Studio Canal titles. Have they re-acquired any of those since?

[knives]

If the ultimate rights holder can be pushy enough it can fall back to Criterion as shown with the Tati sets. I'm assuming if it is back Scorsese and Schoonmaker argued quite vigorously.

[teddyleevin]

It's begging for it since the missing footage was reinstated in the theatrical reprisal. Hoping for this one as it's one of my favorite films of all time. There's a great BFI book on it, if you haven't read it!

[bugsy_pal]

T'would be great to see Criterion reissue this - although the SC bluray from the UK looks pretty darn good.

[DarkImbecile]

Blu-Ray edition coming June 7

[ryannichols7]

obviously a huge missed opportunity for 4K, but as pointed out, SC didn't do that themselves, so they may not have allowed Criterion to. shame there isn't anything added to the extras either aside from Eder editing the commentary. no new Thelma interview or a piece on the production design...

but hey I'll be happy to have it on Bluray! never grabbed the Studiocanal so it works out in the end.

[Tommaso]

And there goes my hope for "Herzog Blaubarts Burg"...

[Finch]

Good point about Studio Canal possibly nixing a UHD (though I suppose, they could have asked Criterion to region-lock, given that some UHDs -none of Criterion's, this far- are not region-free?). I checked to see when the UK release was, and June will be a little more than seven years since the UK disc.

[hearthesilence]

obviously a huge missed opportunity for 4K, but as pointed out, SC didn't do that themselves, so they may not have allowed Criterion to. shame there isn't anything added to the extras either aside from Eder editing the commentary. no new Thelma interview or a piece on the production design...

but hey I'll be happy to have it on Bluray! never grabbed the Studiocanal so it works out in the end.

Yeah, the lack of UHD is pretty disappointing, but I guess we'll see if the encoding is improved. I bought the Studio Canal BD several years ago while I was in the UK and it was extremely cheap without looking like it - I want to say it was less than $10 USD after currency conversion and a VAT refund.

[ryannichols7]

considering the 7 year gap I would hope this would better, but I'm surprised it appears neither Thelma nor Scorcese are involved with this at all. guess they have their hands full with their new movie (and they weren't involved for Red Shoes either)

the more P&P titles and the more studiocanal returns we get, the better. just going to have to note that anything wanted in UHD we'll want to see them put out first (looking at Contempt)

[Tuppence]

The odd thing is, there's already a very good interview with Schoonmaker on the UK edition all about this new restoration, so it's a pity that's not been brought over. The only StudioCanal reissue Criterion has made a serious effort with has been the Bunuel boxset. Everything else has been practically a straight port of the previous DVD, regardless of what new extras have been created since that time.

[Fortisquince]

Along with the Schoonmaker interview an intro by Scorsese would have been nice. He's a busy man, but it would have been nice...especially given his connection with George Romero regarding the film.

[ryannichols7]

The odd thing is, there's already a very good interview with Schoonmaker on the UK edition all about this new restoration, so it's a pity that's not been brought over. The only StudioCanal reissue Criterion has made a serious effort with has been the Bunuel boxset. Everything else has been practically a straight port of the previous DVD, regardless of what new extras have been created since that time.

then that really makes little sense to me. at least Bunuel got a glorious treatment (still my favorite of the 'returns' so far), but worried we won't see anything new with Contempt, Grand Illusion, etc whenever they return. the only bigger title I think can get away with just its original supplements is The Third Man, which already had a really exhausting edition. but we've had no true confirmation on whether Lionsgate retained that one at all yet, so we'll see.

not to derail the thread, but I really wonder if Bluebeard's Castle could see its own spine? they've done this before for A Day in the Country, Simon of the Desert, etc

[Stefan Andersson]

Details on still-missing footage up at DVDBeaver:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-ray_ ... lu-ray.htm

Relevant quote:
"Here are the cuts as Michael Powell named them:
Prologue: The Kleinzach Cut, 2 minutes 30 seconds, footage still missing.
Olympia Act: The Cockerel Cut, 2 minutes 54 seconds, footage still missing.
Giulietta and Antonia acts are complete."

[Tommaso]

not to derail the thread, but I really wonder if Bluebeard's Castle could see its own spine? they've done this before for A Day in the Country, Simon of the Desert, etc

I didn't think of this possibility, but it would make sense if the European rights for "Hoffmann" are with SC and so a Criterion UK release of their disc is impossible. I suppose that the rights for "Bluebeard" lie with German TV, and if they indeed are interested in releasing it, they could also make a UK edition. I suppose that now there can't be any rights issues with the music anymore, as Bartok died more than 70 years ago.

[L.A.]

Beaver.