The Criterion Collection

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by retask

Is the UK version of Modern Times going to be the superior? Heard some rumors that the criterion-release was a bad cut or something?

At this point, all of the distribution companies are receiving the same cuts of the film from the Chaplin estate. Even Warner Brothers' previous DVD releases were cut, as well, from what I know. I'm not a Chaplin expert, by any means, so hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

Have you taken the time to read the reviews for the other released Chaplin blu-rays, yet, on this site or other sites?

Modern Times - DVDBeaver
City Lights - DVDBeaver
The Great Dictator - DVDBeaver

The Great Dictator - blu-ray.com
The Kid - blu-ray.com
The Gold Rush - blu-ray.com

The UK release of "Modern Times" will be identical to the German release that is reviewed on DVDBeaver. The Chaplin Estate only seem to be allowing the alternate cuts that Chaplin made to be shown these days. I think you have to pick up the OOP Image Entertainment DVDs for the original versions of his feature films.

Here is a nice list of cuts from a user over at criterionforum.org...

The Kid: Original cut is 68 min. (with speed correction), the re-release is 50 min. Both cuts can fit a single DVD-9 with room to spare. The second disc can have the remaining First National films not featured in The Chaplin Revue. The combined length of Sunnside, A Day's Pleasure, Pay Day, and The Idle Class is about 120 min. (34/25/32/28 min. respectively). Would require 2-disc set.

The Chaplin Revue (and Shoulder Arms, The Pilgrim, and A Dog's Life): 1959 compilation is 120 min.; three original cuts are a combined 146 min. with speed correction (40/46/60 min. respectively). Obviously would require 2-disc set.

A Woman of Paris has both the original 1923 and 1976 re-release cuts, which are both around 90-110 min. each. Probably would require a 2-disc set. Original cut would need re-edited score. No idea if inclusion of both is necessary.

The Gold Rush has the original 1925 and 1942 re-release cuts. Would need a 2-disc set since the cuts are 96 min. and 82 min. respectively.

The Circus probably only needs one cut, with only the option to watch it with or without the 1971 re-release credits song.

City Lights only has one cut, but with the option of the original 1931 score or the 1988 Carl Davis re-recording. Only physical change is a single title card with the United Artists credit blacked out.

Modern Times only has two physical changes: opening titles poorly altered to delete a United Artists credit and the cuff song shortened. Most likely would only need seamless branching.

The Great Dictator's only change is the United Artists credit removed.

Monsieur Verdoux never had any changes, apparently.

Limelight only had one scene removed for general release, could either be seamless branched or stay as a deleted scene (even the Image DVD had it separate).

A King in New York has two cuts with minor changes, but I think both Image and MK2 used the original longer British version.

CC

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Off-topic, I know, but shockingly I received The Lives of Others and A River Runs Through It from Deep Discount today--I ordered them on Sunday and didn't get a shipping email until Wednesday.

The Lives of Others is one of my favorite films.

[kndy]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

At this point, all of the distribution companies are receiving the same cuts of the film from the Chaplin estate. Even Warner Brothers' previous DVD releases were cut, as well, from what I know. I'm not a Chaplin expert, by any means, so hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

You can find more about the cuts here.

This is probably one of the few rare occasions where you will fans object to a release of what the director had wanted.

Many people who grew up and watched Charlie Chaplin films loved the originals but when Charlie Chaplin was older, he went in and made his own changes. Many of his fans object to what Charlie did but it's what he wanted (granted, late in his life) and the estate is following what he wanted.

Thus the reason why the original Charlie Chaplin Image DVD's (which the estate allowed David Shephard [for the Flicker Alley fans] a chance to release the original versions one time. And thus those Image Entertainment DVD's are so expensive. These are the versions that the hardcore Chaplin fans prefer.

There are some people who feel that John Cassavetes "SHADOWS" was a better film before he went in and reshot and added new footage and removed other footage. I personally would like to see the original version that Andrew Sarris wrote so positive about.

I suppose one can say the same with the revised Star Wars episode 4-6 films. Which version would you like to own?

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

The Lives of Others is one of my favorite films.

Mine as well. Can't believe it took me this long to own it.

[italy12]

Tonight, I decided to watch one of Criterion's talky two and a half hour Blu rays. The choice came down to "A Christmas Tale" or "Secret of the Grain", two films I had not yet seen.

I went with the latter, and, despite some negative things I've read around this forum and others, I absolutely loved it!!

For real, after reading some random comments a while back, I actually thought this movie was going to be two and half hours of a family sitting and eating, with long close-ups of them shoving fish and couscous into their mouths. So, it took me a while to actually talk myself into watching it.

I am glad I did. I was so interested in Slimane's journey and all the things going on around him. I really liked the relationship between him and his girlfriend's daughter, Rym.

A lot of people also questioned the need for one of Slimane's son's adulterous behavior, but I thought it added more realism to the story, and made the odds even more insurmountable...especially, for those that have seen it, when he leaves the restaurant near the end.

Oh, and Rym is hot!! I had to watch her interview afterwards, and I love how she talked about her gaining weight for the role and how she felt about the dancing, which was incredible by the way. Kinda reminded me of Napolean Dynamite

Anyone else enjoy this film as much as I did??

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by italy12

Anyone else enjoy this film as much as I did??

Yes. It is one of the top 5 Criterion releases this year.

Pro-B

[scorsetinogilliam]

Anyone else enjoy this film as much as I did??[/QUOTE]

Hell yes! It absolutely floored me! It's (as I believe mentioned in the booklet) a perfect answer to a white washed solipsistic piece of drivel like Slumdog Millionaire (which I must admit, I still enjoy if I can completely shut my brain off)

[Woodstove]

Originally Posted by bigshot

I watched John Huston's Wise Blood on Criterion DVD the other night, and I can't imagine it looking any better on bluray, but I'd like to find out if it does someday.

One can hope. As my avatar attests, I'm quite fond of Wise Blood.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Yes. It is one of the top 5 Criterion releases this year.

Pro-B

Interesting to hear YOUR top 5.


Oh, and Chabrol passed away today. RIP.

I guess that leaves Jacques Rivette and Godard as the only ones left from the Cahiers du Cinéma/French New Nave connection (again not all French New Wave, just the writers from the Cahiers du Cinéma days).

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Oh, and Chabrol passed away today. RIP.

I guess that leaves Jacques Rivette and Godard as the only ones left from the Cahiers du Cinéma/French New Nave connection (again not all French New Wave, just the writers from the Cahiers du Cinéma days).

Well, that just sucks rotten eggs. I still need to pick up the Chabrol Collection from the UK.

On an unrelated note, I've made it through "Underworld" and "The Last Command" in my Sternberg set now. I enjoyed both immensely, but found that I gravitate more towards the latter on first viewing.

CC

[vectorsfire]

So since I hear that StudioCanal's version of The Third Man is subpar to the Criterion version will there be any chance at all for Criterion to get back the rights to the film? I jumped late on the bandwagon to collect Criterion blurays and looks like I payed the price not much I can do I guess, I'm not even old enough to get a job

[rkish]

Everyone talks about Lindsay Anderson's "If"...but I never hear any talk about "O' Lucky Man!", which was another of his intriguing but bizarre films.

I wonder if this will ever make it to BD?

[gwoemul]

It would be wonderful if Criterion released 'Princess Racoon' by Seijun Suzuki on blu-ray. Not that anyone asked.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Interesting to hear YOUR top 5.


Oh, and Chabrol passed away today. RIP.

I guess that leaves Jacques Rivette and Godard as the only ones left from the Cahiers du Cinéma/French New Nave connection (again not all French New Wave, just the writers from the Cahiers du Cinéma days).

Don't forget Resnais.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by kndy

You can find more about the cuts here.

This is probably one of the few rare occasions where you will fans object to a release of what the director had wanted.

Many people who grew up and watched Charlie Chaplin films loved the originals but when Charlie Chaplin was older, he went in and made his own changes. Many of his fans object to what Charlie did but it's what he wanted (granted, late in his life) and the estate is following what he wanted.

Thus the reason why the original Charlie Chaplin Image DVD's (which the estate allowed David Shephard [for the Flicker Alley fans] a chance to release the original versions one time. And thus those Image Entertainment DVD's are so expensive. These are the versions that the hardcore Chaplin fans prefer.

Are "these" the Image DVDs that you're talking about?
Chaplin Boxset.jpg

[s00perd00per]

Originally Posted by rkish

Are "these" the Image DVDs that you're talking about?
Attachment 23449

Yeah, that's the one. I've been watching the MK2 versions and it's bad with the cropping. I might have to rewatch these.

http://www.ednapurviance.org/chaplin...rstunited.html

[rkish]

Yeah...someone is selling the boxset "like new" for $99.00 on EBay.

[keldons]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Don't forget Resnais.

Who is still kicking and still making good films

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Don't forget Resnais.

He wasn't involved with the Cahiers du Cinéma group though, which is what I was talking about.

[rkish]

Hmmmm....I had put The Last Temptation of Christ in my NetFlix streaming queue and it was originally the Criterion version (had the DeFoe pic on the cover)...now it's a red cover with the thorn branches. I started the film and it's the Universal version.

I wonder why they pulled the CC version?