Victor Erice on Blu-ray

[James78]

Víctor Erice Collection (Fnac exclusive) - http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Victor...Blu-ray/29179/

El Espíritu de la Colmena (1973) - http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/El-Esp...Blu-ray/47690/

El Sur (1983) - http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/El-Sur-Blu-ray/47689/

El Sol del Membrillo (1992) - Currently unavailable.


25GB discs, MPEG-4 AVC 1080p, 1.78:1, Spanish LPCM 2.0 (16-bit), optional English and Spanish subtitles, no extras and region B locked. The picture and sound quality are good. The Blu-rays cost €9.99 or less, depending on which of these websites you use:

http://www.amazon.es
http://www.dvdgo.com
http://www.fnac.es
http://www.starscafe.com

[ariello2001]

Voy a referirme respecto a estos films (o al menos a uno de ellos) de Victor Erice, no a la edición en BD.
¿Por qué tanta importancia por la edición de estas películas? Recuerdo haber visto hace tiempo en cine "El espíritu de la colmena" y era una película común y corriente. Pienso que hay otras películas españolas de los años 70 y 80 más representativas y recorodadas (por ejemplo "Cría cuervos", "Asignatura pendiente", "Solos en la madrugada" o "Las cosas del querer") que ni siquiera tuvieron una edición decente en DVD y que si salen en Blu ray, sí habría que festejar.

[DrManhattan]

Hombre, que te guste más o menos una película es entendible: es lo que tiene el arte, es una apreciación personal y totalmente respetable. Pero las películas de Erice aparecen siempre que los críticos y especialistas hacen listas de 'mejores películas de todos los tiempos'. Únicamente por eso ya merecen una edición en BD

(copio de la W¡iki)
"Su tercer y último largometraje hasta la fecha es El sol del membrillo, un retrato documental del pintor hiperrealista Antonio López; premiada en Cannes y Chicago y elegida varias veces como una de las mejores películas de la historia del cine. En una encuesta hecha a todas las filmotecas del mundo, fue elegida como la cinta más importante de la década."

[Immersion]

I ordered my copy of Spirit of the Beehive at Starscafe earlier on in the week, it was only 7 euros but they didn't have any copies in stock, so I'm not sure how available the item is. It seems on back order on a lot of sites. Has anyone had their copy?

[James78]

I bought mine from a Fnac in Spain, not online. You're right though; the website stock does seem erratic!

[Immersion]

Originally Posted by James78

I bought mine from a Fnac in Spain, not online. You're right though; the website stock does seem erratic!

I remember seeing them last month and the page on Amazon appeared like the release had been delayed, but Spanish releases do indeed seem erratic so maybe it has just gone out of stock. It is saying 1-3 weeks on Amazon.es, but I'm in no rush. It took about 2 months for them to get the Albert Serra boxset back into stock at Amazon, but with a decent price I was OK waiting instead of paying more shipping at sites like FNAC.

It is a shame that Spanish cinema is so poorly distributed outside of Spain, but luckily Spanish have great labels for DVDs like Intermedio, and Cameo. Spain is one of the finest countries right now for film, and they have many interesting auteurs.

The Criterion DVD of Spirit appears to have a lot of extras, and I wondered whether it might be worth buying that too, to accompany this Blu-ray. Their re-release output is so erratic that you are never sure which DVDs will later be released on Blu-ray

[James78]

Originally Posted by Immersion

The Criterion DVD of Spirit appears to have a lot of extras, and I wondered whether it might be worth buying that too, to accompany this Blu-ray.

It just has some interviews. I don't watch extras myself. I say save your money and borrow a book about Spanish cinema from your local library. Blood Cinema by Marsha Kinder is excellent.

[DryIce2007]

I was curious how the quality on this bluray release was. Criterion usually does a hell of a job on their releases so I'm curious how this transfer stacks up against some of criterions dvd releases. I'm about to pull the trigger on the Italian version of Spirit of the Beehive or the Criterion Edition. I'm sure I'll be happy either way.

[James78]

I don't think anyone would rate the picture or sound quality as less than solid. The image is grainy and detailed, but does not have the pristine look of Criterion releases. I'm happy with it, and the price is right!

[DryIce2007]

James78,

Thanks for the inside scoop. Want to get this one and also the German Blu-ray version of "Watership Down". Only release so far for that film on blu.

[James78]

I've found a link showing pictures of the Fnac box set for those who are interested, although bear in mind that the single releases are cheaper and include the same discs:

http://www.mundodvd.com/pack-victor-...-el-sur-87277/

[retask]

Adonde se puede comprar estas películas? Vivo en Noruega.

Where can I buy these films? I live in Norway.

[Marienbad]

I've been looking around for this at the Spanish sites but it seems to be out of print after less than a year. Or at least it is unavailable to order anywhere... Was it a limited edition or could be back in stock in a while? Who knows. I suppose I'll just to have to hope for a Criterion release.