The Criterion Collection

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I was disappointed that all the Spinal Tap interviews on the special features were in character.

That kind of thing is played out imo.

And not terribly funny.

I disagree but I understand. But there is an entire commentary with them not playing their characters as well, and they're delightful there (I was especially tickled by them noting Bruno Kirby's meticulous manicures).

Shearer also notes that they have a limited license to use the characters, and if they don't use them in a certain amount of time, they lose that right. That probably explains the reams of material of them in character. (Weirdly enough, it reminds me of Warren Beatty turning up as Dick Tracy every decade or so to make sure he maintains his rights to the character.)

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I was disappointed that all the Spinal Tap interviews on the special features were in character.

That kind of thing is played out imo.

And not terribly funny.

There is a full out of character commentary from the three leads on there. I think the interview you are referring to is 'Back From The Dead', which is (most of) a rare home video special from 2009 that hasn't been in print for a while, rather than anything done for this release. As for new interviews with the cast as themselves, there is a very good and brand new book (and audiobook) by the creators which covers the making of the film in forensic detail, so there would have been little point in Criterion duplicating that approach here.

But regardless of taste, in-character media appearances are an integral part of the performance art project that the original film begat. As a viewer of these later projects you are invited to participate in the false reality of the band as part of a multimedia immersive theatre experience, and examples of that are what Criterion are preserving in the extras (not enough for my tastes, but still!)

Originally Posted by DimitriL

Shearer also notes that they have a limited license to use the characters, and if they don't use them in a certain amount of time, they lose that right. That probably explains the reams of material of them in character. (Weirdly enough, it reminds me of Warren Beatty turning up as Dick Tracy every decade or so to make sure he maintains his rights to the character.)

That option expired altogether after StudioCanal bought the rights, and after they settled the lawsuit in 2020 they all have full ownership of the characters.

[DimitriL]

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

That option expired altogether after StudioCanal bought the rights, and after they settled the lawsuit in 2020 they all have full ownership of the characters.

Absolutely. I just mean it's why so much of the legacy material was likely in character.

[Ishai]

Originally Posted by DimitriL

Absolutely. I just mean it's why so much of the legacy material was likely in character.

Probably why they did that tour as well but having to use those characters once in a while doesn't mean everything has to be in character.

They've been promoting the new movie mostly in character as well and at least there it's better than the standard boring actor interviews you usually get.

For movie fans though, it's nice to sometimes see how the sausage was made and not just get more meals served.

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

there is a very good and brand new book (and audiobook) by the creators which covers the making of the film in forensic detail, so there would have been little point in Criterion duplicating that approach here.

Well, in that case why duplicate any of the existing materials that were released before? People can get those just like they can get an audiobook.

[Cremildo]

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