Fritz Lang on DVD/Blu-ray

[Tommaso]

I'm not sure, but the way it is spelled and phrased in German, it's probably a headline of a review or advertisement for "Spione" from the 20s. There's a curious 'old-fashioned' feeling to it, and it's perhaps a good example for what you lose by translated intertitles in silent films.

[Rsdio]

Does anyone have any info on this box set? I'm assuming it's just all of Eureka's current Lang releases in one package, it could be time for me to offload the others in the hope of claiming back some precious shelf space..

[peerpee]

Does anyone have any info on this box set? I'm assuming it's just all of Eureka's current Lang releases in one package, it could be time for me to offload the others in the hope of claiming back some precious shelf space..

Instead of spending MoC time redoing M, MABUSE THE GAMBLER, and TESTAMENT OF DR. MABUSE for the MoC Series, it has been decided that packing existing editions of these with MoC METROPOLIS and MoC SPIONE (in this "A FRITZ LANG BOX SET") was a worthwhile thing to do in the short term.

The digipak for MABUSE THE GAMBLER has been replaced with a single-sized 2-disc Amaray (like M and METROPOLIS), and the hard box, an MoC design, is hard like SHOAH/KEATON/NARUSE. As is this CLASSICS OF GERMAN CINEMA (1920-1943) box set released at the same time, containing old Eureka editions of THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI, THE BLUE ANGEL, MUNCHHAUSEN, DER GOLEM, and MoC's ASPHALT.

[Rsdio]

Thanks for that, looks like two nice new sets to buy then.

[denti alligator]

New artwork reflecting the MoC design? But no spine number, right?

Will these eventually getr spine numbers and nice booklets, too?

[peerpee]

New artwork reflecting the MoC design? But no spine number, right?

No. The hard box is an MoC design. The contents are the same editions as existing editions (same old sleeves), except MABUSE THE GAMBLER now has an Amaray. I took the opportunity to redo the SPIONE sleeve slightly as it was repressed (it now has a yellow MoC banner on the front cover). [Whooo!]

Will these eventually get spine numbers and nice booklets, too?

I can't see it happening in the next 18 months I'm afraid, and because of this boxset, they've dropped down the priority list.

We have too few resources to be repackaging releases that have already cost quite a lot for Eureka to put out in the first place, and we'd rather spend our time on new stuff.

I would like MoC to redo DER LETZTE MANN though.

[denti alligator]

Understood. Thanks. Glad I held on to my copy of The Gambler.

And I'm glad to hear Der letzte Mann may be coming. On your way to a Collected Murnau!

[addz]

Does anyone have any info on this box set? I'm assuming it's just all of Eureka's current Lang releases in one package, it could be time for me to offload the others in the hope of claiming back some precious shelf space..

Instead of spending MoC time redoing M, MABUSE THE GAMBLER, and TESTAMENT OF DR. MABUSE for the MoC Series, it has been decided that packing existing editions of these with MoC METROPOLIS and MoC SPIONE (in this "A FRITZ LANG BOX SET") was a worthwhile thing to do in the short term.

The digipak for MABUSE THE GAMBLER has been replaced with a single-sized 2-disc Amaray (like M and METROPOLIS), and the hard box, an MoC design, is hard like SHOAH/KEATON/NARUSE. As is this CLASSICS OF GERMAN CINEMA (1920-1943) box set released at the same time, containing old Eureka editions of THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI, THE BLUE ANGEL, MUNCHHAUSEN, DER GOLEM, and MoC's ASPHALT.

Those two boxsets add up to quite a significant saving. Too bad I already have Metropolis and Spione otherwise I would have happily bought both sets and then traded up when MOC editions of the rest of the films were released. I guess I still could buy it and give those two away, I still would have saved a fortune.

The Classics one is going straight on my list however as I've yet to get Asphalt (which I love) and I've been meaning to get the rest of those films for some time.

[Gofter]

"Fritz Lang Collection" (6 DVDs!) from Germany

Arrived today after a release delay.

DVD 1+2
Dr. Mabuse, Der Spieler Teil 1+2
The old German DVDs, the same as the Eureka DVDs

DVD 3
Spione
German intertitles, no subs!

DVD 4
- "Spione, ein kleiner Film, aber mit viel Action" (68 min.)
In German, no subs!
- Text pages (in German), photo gallery.

DVD 5
Frau im Mond
German intertitles, no subs!

DVD 6
- "Frau im Mond, der erste wissenschaftliche Science-Fiction-Film" (14 min.)
In German, no subs!
- Text pages (in German), photo gallery.

Screenshots

[Tommaso]

Totally ridiculous to make a 6-disc set from this, and the attempt to cash in by selling the Mabuse discs again to all those who want "Frau im Mond" is abominable. Wait for MoC!

[Toxicologist]

The French label Wild Side has Secret Behind the Door out. I own a number of their releases of classic American films (Caught, Brute Force/Naked City, God's Little Acre, Men of War, etc), and they are all top notch. So, I will plunge for their edition next time I order from France.

I notice too that they have just released House By The River which i have seen garnering very favourable reviews on various French websites.

[Kinsayder]

Some upcoming French DVDs:

Ministry of Fear (Carlotta, 4 July)
Spione (mk2, 31 Oct)
Frau im Mond (mk2, 31 Oct)
Die Nibelungen (mk2, no release date yet)

[otis]

Beaver review of the French Moonfleet by our very own Flixy Fox. Looks great! David, is that Jack Elam in the second screen cap? And Billie Whitelaw to his left?

[patrick]

I would really like to see Moonfleet, but I think I'll end up waiting for the R1 release next year.

[patrick]

It's listed as a certainty for 2008 in the Forthcoming Warner Classics thread, and I believe that confirmation comes from one of the HTF chats.

[bergelson]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone knows which DVD edition is the best. I know that that the U.S and U.K editions are appalling but I've seen that it was released in Spain and Germany as well. Any thoughts?

In addition, I know that Lang's Human Desire was released in a very good condition in Japan. How is the Spanish release?


Thanks.

[tryavna]

Word has it that the German DVD of Hangmen is the longest available version, though I have yet to pick it up for myself.

[otis]

According to Dvdclassik, Wild Side in France will be bringing out both While the City Sleeps and Beyond a Reasonable Doubt in 2010/2011.

[Der Spieler]

It puzzles me that the above-mentioned titles and Secret Beyond the Door didn't get a DVD release in the US.

It's not like they are obscure or rare films. The prints are good and available. Just release them already!

[TMDaines]

How are the UK releases of The Woman in the Window and The Big Heat in comparison to their US counterparts? They aren't dodgy NTSC to PAL ports or anything are they?

[bugsy_pal]

Can't answer your question - but according to Beaver, the earlier R1 single disc of the Big Heat is a tad sharper than the more recent disc that forms part of the Sony Noir box set.

Just thought I'd mention that Ministry of Fear is available on DVD in Australia from Madman (http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view). It's quite a nice disc - a little soft but fairly good contrast. Seems quite good for the age of the film. It has a commentary by Dr Adrain martin, and Australia film scholar, which I have not yet listened to.

There's also a version available from France (http://www.amazon.fr/Espions-sur-tamise ... 56&sr=1-14) - I assume it's quite a reasonable version as well.

[Jonathan S]

How are the UK releases of The Woman in the Window and The Big Heat in comparison to their US counterparts? They aren't dodgy NTSC to PAL ports or anything are they?

Until recently I had both the UK and the earlier US releases of The Big Heat and they looked almost identical to me except of course for PAL speed-up on the UK.

[TMDaines]

How are the UK releases of The Woman in the Window and The Big Heat in comparison to their US counterparts? They aren't dodgy NTSC to PAL ports or anything are they?

Until recently I had both the UK and the earlier US releases of The Big Heat and they looked almost identical to me except of course for PAL speed-up on the UK.

Thanks. I've got one in the mail.

[Der Spieler]

Cornerstone Media will be releasing 'Human Desire' on DVD August 23.

[Gregory]

^ Horrible "budget"/PD label. The upcoming R1 Film Noir Vol. 2 box set with Human Desire is a much better bet.