Studio Canal / Kinowelt / Optimum

[Stefan Andersson]

Thanks! I don't speak French, so Google translate is kinda rough. I thought the Criterion 4K is the preferred version, so was surprised to hear what I thought was positive feedback for the SC version from someone like tenia.

I am a bit surprised that tenia calls Le Cercle Rouge a relative home run, and then mentions, in a generalization, problems with Cercle Rouge masters/gradings ("étalonnages"). This reminds me of online discussion about pros and cons for various home video editions of Cercle Rouge. I have not seen any of these releases personally, so cannot comment or vouch for A/V quality. Perhaps it is best to google for more English-language reviews for the UHD before buying. Proceed with caution.

This comparison page might be useful:
https://caps-a-holic.com/c_list.php?c=6354

French review with top-to-bottom-list of comparison screencaps, DVDBeaver-style:
https://digitalcine.fr/4k-bluray-dvd/te ... ure-du-4k/

The Criterion UHD credits the SC restoration, so Criterion seems to have used SC´s master:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film10/blu-ray ... 4K_UHD.htm
Relevant quote from DVDBeaver:
"It's pretty hard to know Le Cercle Rouge's most authentic look and we tried to use the pool table felt as a barometer. I really have no idea at this point. The new 3840 X 2160 image has a consistent green cast (you get used to it immediately) and the overall visuals are dark per the film's tone. Some of the DVDs - notably the BFI - looked blown-out with overly cool flesh tones" DVDBeaver is referencing two screencaps showing an overhead view of a pool table. The table felt has different colours depending on the master.

Relevant discussion here, including a post quoting Criterion about their use of the SC master:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1339&start=125

[tenia]

That's what the "relative" is for. I know the grading of the new restoration has been debated, but I do think it's an improvement over the past presentations and is far from being, say, Red Sonja. To me, it's akin to the 3 Colors trilogy, and I'm fine with it.

I however do think this debate is one amongst many within the Melville color movies, and that's what this intro paragraph serves for : an overview of the discussions.

I however didn't check if there was compression issues on the SC release when typing this up, so it's more restoration-related than home-video-releases-related.

[Stefan Andersson]

That's what the "relative" is for. I know the grading of the new restoration has been debated, but I do think it's an improvement over the past presentations and is far from being, say, Red Sonja. To me, it's akin to the 3 Colors trilogy, and I'm fine with it.

I however do think this debate is one amongst many within the Melville color movies, and that's what this intro paragraph serves for : an overview of the discussions.

I however didn't check if there was compression issues on the SC release when typing this up, so it's more restoration-related than home-video-releases-related.

Many thanks for your clarifications, tenia!

[nicolas]

That's what the "relative" is for. I know the grading of the new restoration has been debated, but I do think it's an improvement over the past presentations and is far from being, say, Red Sonja. To me, it's akin to the 3 Colors trilogy, and I'm fine with it.

I however do think this debate is one amongst many within the Melville color movies, and that's what this intro paragraph serves for : an overview of the discussions.

I however didn't check if there was compression issues on the SC release when typing this up, so it's more restoration-related than home-video-releases-related.

Many thanks for your clarifications, tenia!

I can add that the compression on the StudioCanal is also inferior to the Criterion, however apparently the audio on the Criterion is weaker than the SC. I haven’t checked the latter on my own though.

[M-A]

That's what the "relative" is for. I know the grading of the new restoration has been debated, but I do think it's an improvement over the past presentations and is far from being, say, Red Sonja. To me, it's akin to the 3 Colors trilogy, and I'm fine with it.

I however do think this debate is one amongst many within the Melville color movies, and that's what this intro paragraph serves for : an overview of the discussions.

I however didn't check if there was compression issues on the SC release when typing this up, so it's more restoration-related than home-video-releases-related.

Many thanks for your clarifications, tenia!

I can add that the compression on the StudioCanal is also inferior to the Criterion, however apparently the audio on the Criterion is weaker than the SC. I haven’t checked the latter on my own though.

Criterion added a tiny bit of filtering in the bass frequencies for their 4K compared to the track on the StudioCanal 4K. It's not a problem - I couldn't really tell them apart.

[eerik]

Hitchcock's silents were restored under the London 2012 banner. It is a shame BFI were never not able put out a boxset of those.

The BFI never had any intention of releasing these; they knew going in that they didn't have (and couldn't clear) the rights, and that it would be up to ITV and StudioCanal to actually do something with the restorations. From their perspective it was an important cultural preservation project, not a commercial one.

I know, did not mean to imply that BFI had planned it. Just a bit of "if they could have, they would have" kind of hopeful thinking from my end.

[yoloswegmaster]

Very surprising to see An Inspector Calls getting a 4K release. Comes out on October 7.



Special Features and Technical Specs:

NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM (2024)
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
NEW Film critic Anna Smith on An Inspector Calls
Audio commentary by author and film historian David Del Valle
Interview with actress Jane Wenham
Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature

[ryannichols7]

can anyone tell me what's all the bells and whistles with the Kind Hearts and Coronets deluxe BD set? is it anything worth seeking out? what's in the booklet? I usually like deluxe editions, but since the UHD is a little more standard, I'm having to figure out what to grab...

[tenia]

It's a digipack, dual format (BD + DVD), has a poster, some art cards and a booklet. There's nothing more to it compared to the standard BD (which is BD-only). There are some pics of it on blu-ray.com. I don't recall what's in the booklet, but most of these Studio Canal booklets never felt very meaningful to me, so it might also be the case here.

[nicolas]

The Third Man is coming to 4K later this year (October 24 in Germany) in a 75th Anniversary edition.

Fidelity in Motion just retweeted SC’s announcement and confirmed their involvement.

[Finch]

African Queen 4K coming October 21

• NEW Audio Commentary with Script Supervisor Angela Allen and Ian Christie
• Audio commentary by cinematographer Jack Cardiff
• Sir John Woolf on the Making of The African Queen
• Embracing Chaos: Making The African Queen, a comprehensive documentary about the making of the film (60mins)
• A video interview with co-screenwriter Peter Viertel
• 2010 NFT Q&A with Anjelica Huston and script supervisor Angela Allen
• 1981 NFT / Guardian interview with John Huston
• Video interview with critic Kim Newman
• Video interview with historian Neil Sinyard
• Lux Radio Theatre adaptation from 1952 with Humphrey Bogart and Greer Garson
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
• Original theatrical trailer

[ryannichols7]

is African Queen a UK release too? cause MOC still have their Paramount-licensed edition out. the new commentary sounds very good

It's a digipack, dual format (BD + DVD), has a poster, some art cards and a booklet. There's nothing more to it compared to the standard BD (which is BD-only). There are some pics of it on blu-ray.com. I don't recall what's in the booklet, but most of these Studio Canal booklets never felt very meaningful to me, so it might also be the case here.

I was curious about the booklet for sure, but I figure it's nothing too impressive. I'm probably safe going for just the UHD release in that case...and I think I can dump the Kino BD since I don't think it has any exclusive extras (Ellinger's track is on the SC). the Criterion DVD is still worth keeping though!

The Third Man is coming to 4K later this year (October 24 in Germany) in a 75th Anniversary edition.

Fidelity in Motion just retweeted SC’s announcement and confirmed their involvement.

I know Lionsgate has ended up with some of the SC/CC titles in the US, but I have a feeling Criterion will get this one and I'll have to get both UHDs in order to get both the CC extras and the SC pic quality. basically the same as Peeping Tom

[dwk]

is African Queen a UK release too? cause MOC still have their Paramount-licensed edition out. the new commentary sounds very good

I think StudioCanal has the UK rights to this now, so the MoC is probably OOP (or going OOP soon.)

[ryannichols7]

is African Queen a UK release too? cause MOC still have their Paramount-licensed edition out. the new commentary sounds very good

I think StudioCanal has the UK rights to this now, so the MoC is probably OOP (or going OOP soon.)

good to know. I wonder if there's any other previously Paramount titles they acquired in the UK

[dwk]

They picked it up when they acquired the Romulus Films catalog

[nicolas]

The Third Man is coming to 4K later this year (October 24 in Germany) in a 75th Anniversary edition.

Fidelity in Motion just retweeted SC’s announcement and confirmed their involvement.

I know Lionsgate has ended up with some of the SC/CC titles in the US, but I have a feeling Criterion will get this one and I'll have to get both UHDs in order to get both the CC extras and the SC pic quality. basically the same as Peeping Tom

I think it was M A who wrote at BR.com that Lionsgate retained the SC titles that went quickly OOP after they were released by Criterion. I wasn’t a collector back then but I read that Criterion had a fully planned Ran Blu-ray ready to be released but Lionsgate/SC pulled the plug. Since Contempt also went to LG, I assume that The Third Man ends up with them as well. Question is how long they’ll take and how lavish or shoddy their edition turns out.

I ordered the German UHD at JPC as they’re currently having a 30% offer on SC/Arthouse titles: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/movie/theme/-/ ... battaktion

[therewillbeblus]

That was my understanding as well. I thought it was pretty much confirmed that Criterion's edition of The Third Man would remain OOP, but I guess you never know

[hearthesilence]

Hopefully someone will simply license Criterion's supplements, at least the commentaries, since a better picture and audio can be had than whatever Criterion put on their last release.

[Drucker]

But wait, is this 4k release going to be a different restoration than the last release? With the audio mistakes?

[JSC]

Details announced. Plus... oh boy, a pop-up music box! Admittely, I like the Holly Martins Western covers.
https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=35152

[domino harvey]

I need to retire from this hobby, I just can’t with this stuff anymore

[TechnicolorAcid]

I need to retire from this hobby, I just can’t with this stuff anymore

Come on don’t be like that, at least you know there will be a standard edition out unlike certain other companies (*cough* Imprint *cough*). Just wait for that to come out.

[perkizitore]

The French 4K is only 25 euro, available for preorder.

[CSM126]

I think I’m with Domino. Not because there’s no chance of a standard edition but because the crassness of these fugly stupid box sets and the associated landfill fodder tat is just so gross and undignified. I can understand Karel Zeman movies being packaged in a pop up book. There is no justification for giving the Third Man the same treatment. It’s dumb.

[tenia]

Details announced. Plus... oh boy, a pop-up music box! Admittely, I like the Holly Martins Western covers.
https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=35152

Missed opportunity to do a pop-up cuckoo clock.