The Complete Kubrick

[CriterionPhreak]

I got my set today. The box is beautifully designed, with all the detail lovely to look at, from page to page, cover to cover. But the disc sleeves are tough to handle. I had to use patient nudging, pivoting, and careful amount of force to pull out all 30 discs from their sleeves, which took me quite a bit of time. And I had a particularly hard time pulling out one of the discs. I used a flashlight to check out the inside of the sleeves -- nothing strange inside, no glue, or anything weird. The sleeves are just TIGHT, I guess. There is NO WAY I'm putting any of the discs back into the box.

Obviously, the high number of discs is why they used this packaging and cramped all the discs into as little space as possible. The Wes Anderson box set has 20 discs and is able to have individual disc cases. Maybe a 4K-only Kubrick set should've been made, which would've reduced the number to 13 discs.

[Finch]

Jason Gorber had the same trouble with retrieving the discs and he was also not going to put them back.

I would have included BDs for the extras only if it were me but they must have crunched the numbers and concluded that splitting the set into two separate 4k and BD exclusives would likely have meant prohibitively low sales of the BD only set. My guess anyway.

[Noiretirc]

I had actually given thought to getting this, BD discs for me (because I ain't doing 4k anytime soon), and 4k discs as a present to someone...

...But I'm the only person I know who does discs in real life.

[CriterionPhreak]

Jason Gorber had the same trouble with retrieving the discs and he was also not going to put them back.

The sleeves he uses are also not ideal because they don't prevent contact to the disc surface. Those sleeves touch the disc constantly, which is disconcerting and just as bad as Criterion's sleeves. The only ways to store discs safely are (1) storing them in cases that have hubs that prevent contact, and (2) stacking discs on a spindle, which also prevents contact. Discs have "ridges" at the center of the ring that prevent contact when discs are stacked. That's why stacks of blank discs are sold that way. (When you spin the first disc on a stack, it can spin freely because it doesn't rub against the disc below it, because it doesn't touch it. The downside of a stack is, of course, it's inconvenient to retrieve the discs near the bottom.)

[domino harvey]

Discs have "ridges" at the center of the ring that prevent contact when discs are stacked. That's why stacks of blank discs are sold that way. (When you spin the first disc on a stack, it can spin freely because it doesn't rub against the disc below it, because it doesn't touch it. The downside of a stack is, of course, it's inconvenient to retrieve the discs near the bottom.)

Interesting. I can’t believe I didn’t know this! Still never going to be okay with the Sony chocolate box thing they did with the NewsRadio complete series though

[CriterionPhreak]

I just looked through all 30 discs and noticed that there are actually pretty substantial new supplements from the titles that already have 4K discs from other publishers, such as 2001, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining. A few of these are vintage documentaries over an hour long. Criterion didn't just port existing extras over, but they also spent time looking for worthy new ones, knowing that the fans probably wouldn't be satisfied with the same old extras for such an expensive set. That is commendable. The disc that has A Life in Pictures also has new extras too. By "new," I mean not having been released on US home video before.

Even though we can find a lot of rare videos online, Criterion often manages to find stuff that can't be found on YouTube or anywhere else online. That's true for some of the aforementioned new extras (and many extras in other Criterion discs). Maybe that's why they spent the effort to find them -- you have to buy their discs to see them.

[CriterionPhreak]

Discs have "ridges" at the center of the ring that prevent contact when discs are stacked. That's why stacks of blank discs are sold that way. (When you spin the first disc on a stack, it can spin freely because it doesn't rub against the disc below it, because it doesn't touch it. The downside of a stack is, of course, it's inconvenient to retrieve the discs near the bottom.)

Interesting. I can’t believe I didn’t know this! Still never going to be okay with the Sony chocolate box thing they did with the NewsRadio complete series though

The "ridge" is very tiny and barely noticeable even when seen up close. But it is just enough to put some distance between two adjacent discs -- a distance that is not too big to allow debris to come in, but still big enough to prevent contact. The spindle holds the discs in place and keeps them horizontal to make sure they don't "tilt" and touch each other.

[Noiretirc]

Isn't it wonderful that we are discovering all of this disc-technology in 2026.

[HinkyDinkyTruesmith]

For any New Yorkers, The Museum of the Moving Image will be doing a full retrospective in conjunction with the release of this box set, most of which are on prints.

[mfunk9786]

For any New Yorkers, The Museum of the Moving Image will be doing a full retrospective in conjunction with the release of this box set, most of which are on prints.

Lotta people are gonna be unhappy about that color timing!

[Zot!]

Discs have "ridges" at the center of the ring that prevent contact when discs are stacked. That's why stacks of blank discs are sold that way. (When you spin the first disc on a stack, it can spin freely because it doesn't rub against the disc below it, because it doesn't touch it. The downside of a stack is, of course, it's inconvenient to retrieve the discs near the bottom.)

Interesting. I can’t believe I didn’t know this! Still never going to be okay with the Sony chocolate box thing they did with the NewsRadio complete series though

The "ridge" is very tiny and barely noticeable even when seen up close. But it is just enough to put some distance between two adjacent discs -- a distance that is not too big to allow debris to come in, but still big enough to prevent contact. The spindle holds the discs in place and keeps them horizontal to make sure they don't "tilt" and touch each other.

Count me among those that didn't realize that stacked discs on a spindle don't touch the information areas. Still this really only works with a level spindle, because as soon as I try to get it them out, I no doubt tilt and bend them and make them rub. Still if it puts anyone at ease, I have been handling optical media for at least 35 years now, and I have never rendered ANY disc less playable due to handling or storage, that isn't remedied by a quick wipe. I do understand UHD discs might be more sensitive however.

[mfunk9786]

It’s the players that are sensitive - I think the idea that some laminated paper stock is going to “scratch” a disc in any meaningful way is one of the silliest ongoing discussion points in physical media. Now, if it’s super rough cardboard stock with a rough finish, maybe? But discs are far more resilient (post-DVD) than those vocal fretters think they are. We all have our packaging preferences though, and it sounds like in this case they’re just really annoying to pull out, which is another thing altogether.

[CriterionPhreak]

It’s the players that are sensitive - I think the idea that some laminated paper stock is going to “scratch” a disc in any meaningful way is one of the silliest ongoing discussion points in physical media. Now, if it’s super rough cardboard stock with a rough finish, maybe? But discs are far more resilient (post-DVD) than those vocal fretters think they are. We all have our packaging preferences though, and it sounds like in this case they’re just really annoying to pull out, which is another thing altogether.

Optical discs require *microscopic* precision that needs much less than "scratches" to damage. As an analogy, does your computer hard drive or USB thumb drive need "scratches" to be damaged? These things operate at a completely different level and can be damaged without your eyes noticing it. Jewel cases and standard DVD/Blu-ray cases have been around since beginning of time, and they are all designed to store the discs without touching them. Ask yourself why optical discs have "ridges" and vinyls and laserdiscs don't. It is this newly formed opinion that sleeves are safe (or touching the discs is safe with "smooth sleeves") that is truly silly. This is all born out of people having too big a disc collection and having to store discs in sleeves to save space. Don't do it.

It's not just touching a disc, but touching it *constantly* like sleeves do that is troubling. Touching it with hands momentarily when we take out a disc, or touching it with the disc tray during the brief moment when a disc is loaded into the player, is not as problematic. (Btw, after a disc is loaded into the player, it is elevated from the disc tray, allowing it to spin and be scanned by the laser. Hence, no touching during playback.)

[denti alligator]

If using the sleeves Criterion designed to house these discs makes them unplayable after a while, ask for a replacement. You’ve spent enough on the set. Criterion will surely oblige. I say this as someone who seems never to have issues with these things. Even the Pasolini set caused me no problems.

[agnamaracs]

The box is now listed as out of print on Criterion's website.

On the set's page, under "purchase options," it lists... absolutely nothing.

[therewillbeblus]

It's not out of print, it's just unavailable for purchase after the big sale. It'll come back in stock soon

[CriterionPhreak]

Here are the old and new extras on the discs, to the best of my knowledge after glancing through all 30 discs. Audio commentaries are on both 4K and Blu-ray discs, while other extras are only on the Blu-rays. As I said earlier, by "new," I mean never on US home video before, but I can't be sure. Many new extras are vintage programs, so there is a good chance that older home videos (VHS?) may have shown them.

Killer's Kiss and Early Films:
The 3 early films are new 4K restorations. One interview is a new extra, and one is old. Does not include audio commentary from Kino Lorber's 4K Bu-ray of Killer's Kiss.

The Killing:
Extras are carried over from the 2011 Criterion Blu-ray.

Paths of Glory:
Extras are carried over from the 2010 Criterion Blu-ray.

Spartacus:
Extras are carried over from the 2001 Criterion DVD.

Lolita:
New 4K restoration. All new extras, including Sue Lyon's screen tests.

Dr. Strangelove:
Extras are carried over from the 2016 Criterion Blu-ray.

2001: A Space Odyssey:
Has both old and new extras. Several, but not not all, extras from 2018 Warner 4K Blu-ray are carried over. New extras are 4 vintage documentaries and TV programs.

A Clockwork Orange:
Carries over 2 extras from past Warner releases, and adds 3 vintage documentaries and interviews.

Barry Lyndon:
Extras are carried over from the 2025 Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

The Shining:
The theatrical cut has the 4K restored Vivian Kubrick short doc, plus a new extra: 2013 doc Staircases to Nowhere. The international cut has 2 old extras and 5 new ones, mostly vintage programs.

Full Metal Jacket:
Has one old extra: Beyond Good and Evil featurette. New extras are 3 vintage docs.

Eyes Wide Shut:
Extras are carried over from the 2025 Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

Stand-alone Blu-ray supplement disc:
A Life in Pictures is an old extra. New extras are vintage interviews and the 2020 doc Kubrick by Kubrick.

[Lowry_Sam]

[From Criterion OOP]

The Complete Kubrick is listed as OOP.

Any chance that a 2nd printing will be "new & improved" in packaging (more possible) or content (more improbable but no less welcome)?

[DimitriL]

The box is now listed as out of print on Criterion's website.

On the set's page, under "purchase options," it lists... absolutely nothing.

That’s pretty unusual for sure. They may simply have no hope of getting any more copies pressed with everyone else rushing to press holiday releases (including their all-important KPop release, currently an astonishing-for-Criterion #16 on Amazon), and are setting expectations accordingly. BN may be the only hope before the new year.

[CriterionPhreak]

Maybe not "out of print" per se, otherwise it would show that exact wording on the page, like here.

[CriterionPhreak]

Here is my unboxing video. I check out the packaging, the discs, and I also sample the disc content. I can't show film clips, of course, due to copyrights. So I show still frames whenever possible.