Phase IV (Saul Bass) - 101 Films Black Label #012

[Hintermann]

Phase IV, the cult sci-fi films from the 70s, has been announced for Region A Blu Ray release by Olive Films. But it looks like it is a barebones disc with little or no extras and the original cinema release cut (rather than Saul Bass' extended version).

IMO, this is the time for a UK based company to bring out a much better release, complete with that extended ending. 88 Films are a likely candidate but the film may not be campy enough for their tastes. Arrow and Artificial Eye are other possibilities.

[BarnDoor]

Eureka are the most likely candidate, given that they have a deal with Paramount. If not a Masters of Cinema release then certainly a Classics one.

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Eureka are the most likely candidate, given that they have a deal with Paramount. If not a Masters of Cinema release then certainly a Classics one.

I'll buy that (pun intended). Eureka have a tendency to go one (or two) better than their corresponding US releases. It Eureka release Phase IV, it will certainly be the extended version with all the trimmings.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Hintermann

I'll buy that (pun intended). Eureka have a tendency to go one (or two) better than their corresponding US releases. It Eureka release Phase IV, it will certainly be the extended version with all the trimmings.

One or two better would be a massive understatement in this case, since Olive's release is clearly a zero. :P For some reason this annoys me about as much as it would if the bluray release of Kingdom of Heaven or Once Upon a Time in America had been the theatrical cut only, or something. The ending is right there on youtube and every fan of the movie knows about it, it's like they're actively TRYING to have a garbage release.

[rapta]

Yeah Eureka are the only possibility on this one, as to my knowledge they're the only label with a repeated deal with Paramount. Since there's been a change in Paramount's international distribution and Universal have taken over, it might be more difficult for them to try and license it now, but they've got the contacts and they could already have it lined up as part of this year's deal - they've lined up a string of Paramount titles this year already, and there could be a couple left. This could well be one of them...and most likely an Eureka Classics title.

[Yami]

April 6th

101 Films presents 1970s sci-fi classic Phase IV (1974), a gripping and philosophical cult classic that examines humanity’s place in the universe, releasing on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK. Phase IV is the only feature film directed by legendary designer and filmmaker Saul Bass. This release includes his original ending, among a host of additional extras, including a bonus disc featuring the finest of the director’s short films. This limited edition version features special packaging, and a booklet with newly-commissioned writing on the history of ‘killer bug’ movies and the career of Saul Bass.

In a sealed lab in the Arizona desert, scientists James Lesko (Michael Murphy, Manhattan) and Dr. Ernest Hubbs (Nigel Davenport, A Man for All Seasons) search for answers to an evolutionary shift in the ant population; the development of a collective intelligence and cross-species hive mentality. With humanity under threat, the scientists are faced with the choice of either communicating with, or eradicating their antagonists.

Brand new extras
New HD restoration
The Original Saul Bass ending (plus optional commentary)
An Ant's Life: Contextualising Phase IV, a documentary on the film's influences
Commentary with film historians Allan Bryce and Richard Holliss
Limited Edition Booklet: includes Phase IV by Deborah Allison, and Adapt or Die: Killer Bug Cinema and Phase IV by Liam Hathaway

Saul Bass: Short Films (Disc 2)
The Searching Eye (1964)
Why Man Creates (1968)
Bass on Titles (1977)
Notes on the Popular Arts (1978)
The Solar Film (1980)
Quest (1984) (new HD restoration)

Specifications
Cert: TBC
Runtime: 101' 45" (Disc 1) 127' 27" (Disc 2)
Aspect ratio: 16:9 (1.85:1) (Disc 2: various)
Format: Blu-ray
Region: B
Sound: Stereo PCM (Disc 2: various)
Language: English
Subtitles: English HOH
Cat no.: 101BL012
First 3,000 copies come with limited edition slipcase and booklet

[DTSBOY]

Aye, I'll be having that.

[Martoto]

Give'z it!

[rapta]

Oh wow, I assumed Indicator or Eureka had this as it’s a Paramount title. I wonder who’s producing these 101 titles as they seem to be licensing titles from labels and not just stuff they bought from Metrodome (ie curated properly).

[ste71]

Want. Very much so

[BarnDoor]

Very nice. Might be that 101 Films are the UK label with Monster Squad as well.

[KJones77]

Interesting that it is 101.

I was iffy on this one when I watched it not too long ago, but this looks like a great release.

[XGEEKEDGERX]

Great film, interesting that it's 101 putting it out. I like the slip but I still might pick up the Carlotta edition in April.

[CouncilSpectre]

Looks like a sweet package. From a new restoration too, nice. Just have to wait and play the usual game of encode Russian roulette now. Hopefully this will be a good one....

[XGEEKEDGERX]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

Looks like a sweet package. From a new restoration too, nice. Just have to wait and play the usual game of encode Russian roulette now. Hopefully this will be a good one....

Aye. David M has done some stuff for Carlotta in the past so with a bit of luck he might have gotten his hands on Phase IV...that would be a no brainer for me.

[dressedtokill]

Wow, looks like a terrific and comprehensive package.
Two questions though:
1) I've never heard of this label. Are they any good with encoding and general AV specifications?
2) I'm a big fan of Saul Bass, but I've never seen this movie. Is it any good, what can I expect? Based on the films of my bluray collection would I like it?
Thanks!

[paaaaul]

Originally Posted by dressedtokill

Wow, looks like a terrific and comprehensive package.
Two questions though:
1) I've never heard of this label. Are they any good with encoding and general AV specifications?
2) I'm a big fan of Saul Bass, but I've never seen this movie? Is it any good, what can I expect? Based on the films of my bluray collection would I like it?
Thanks!

I think if you like the films listed on this page, you'll probably like Phase IV.

https://www.indiewire.com/feature/20...-1970s-101018/

[ste71]

Originally Posted by paaaaul

I think if you like the films listed on this page, you'll probably like Phase IV.

https://www.indiewire.com/feature/20...-1970s-101018/

There's some favourites of mine on that list!

[tim_p]

Oooooh. And another oooooh. Lovely - and loaded. Not sure about stereo though - this had a mono soundtrack - maybe it's dual mono. The wording of the PR strongly implies it's the theatrical plus the alternate ending as an extra so presumably the same version rights that have been handed to Carlotta.

[Le Grande Blu]

Still would much prefer the original ending reinstated to the film rather than as an optional extra. Turns a good film into a great one.