Early Blu-rays that may have playback issues (Criterion, Well Go USA, etc.)

[Brian81]

Just looked at the posted image of the email from Mr. Mulvaney. Looks like the pressing plant theory was indeed it! Time to add 'The Wages of Fear' through 'Kagemusha' to the list, Mr. OP. Hopefully Criterion will be able to recoup costs from the plant involved, considering I'm certain they paid a hefty sum for all those titles to be pressed.


I went on Amazon UK and ordered the StudioCanal Collecton edition of 'Pierrot Le Fou' today. It's said to be a nice transfer, but lacks some color corrections that are supposed to be there (and are on the Criterion release). It is Region A friendly.

I already had the StudioCanal Collection edition of 'Last Year at Marienbad' in addition to the Criterion release for the differing extras. For anyone looking for this one, this edition is also Region A friendly. Like 'Pierrot Le Fou', the transfer is also different to the Criterion release. It is slightly more grainy and has elevated contrast compared to the Criterion. Either way, there's at least two enthusiast-aimed releases available out there for Region A people who may find their OOP Criterion discs unplayable.

Don't know about 'Howards End'. Is the Australian release the only one that is Region A friendly? This site only lists Australian and French (Region B) releases.

Good to hear about an upcoming Tati box set. Who is releasing that?

[Brad1963]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Yeah, it's pretty worrying, especially when there's at least four OOP in that range.


Howards End
Pierrot Le Fou
Last Year at Marienbad
Playtime

Playtime is in the Tati box coming out at the end of the month. With a new transfer. I'm starting to think that Pierrot Le Fou and Last Year at Marienbad may return to Criterion soon. Lionsgate appears to only want to handle the Studio Canal titles digitally.

[ElliesDad]

Yep, my e-mail response from Mr. Mulvaney is in as well, and pretty much what I would expect from a top-notch concern.

Move along folks, nothing more to see here...

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Yep, my e-mail response from Mr. Mulvaney is in as well, and pretty much what I would expect from a top-notch concern.

Move along folks, nothing more to see here...

Um, it's not quite the end of the matter. We don't know the entire list of titles, and Criterion hasn't actually started replacing discs yet.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by Freeza

I have each release save for a few re-issues I decided not to upgrade, so which titles would be on the list to check? The numbers I put up this afternoon were only for those from an initial 'could be' list from another user.

Edited to add that I too received the Criterion e-mail.

Hi, titles which were released before or after the range that is confirmed. Just because my copies are OK doesn't mean that there might be other batches that aren't... All I'm saying. For example, there might have been a different batch of 'The 400 Blows' that was pressed at this plant and not Sony. Either way, Criterion probably knows which titles they had pressed at the place.

I do wonder what Criterion will do about existing stock. Would they end up recalling these titles if they believe some of the defective stock may be out there, and swap out and repackage where necessary? I don't know how they do these things.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Good to hear about an upcoming Tati box set. Who is releasing that?

Criterion, on 10/28

[neo_reloaded]

I doubt they are doing a recall, and I doubt every disc pressed at that plant is bad. Bad discs will be replaced as customers encounter them.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I doubt they are doing a recall, and I doubt every disc pressed at that plant is bad. Bad discs will be replaced as customers encounter them.

Yeah, a recall is too drastic as it would result in good discs being sent back to be destroyed. This isn't like the Powerpuff Girls DVD that had a computer virus, lol.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

Yeah, a recall is too drastic as it would result in good discs being sent back to be destroyed. This isn't like the Powerpuff Girls DVD that had a computer virus, lol.

wouldn't "Powerpuff Girls" actually BE the virus?

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

I doubt they are doing a recall, and I doubt every disc pressed at that plant is bad. Bad discs will be replaced as customers encounter them.

I feel like I have ten Criterion titles that are ticking time bombs... They aren't bronzed yet but they might be in a year, or five years. It is like my copy of Lethal Weapon on HD DVD, I watched it once a year the week of Christmas. It worked fine for 4 years, and the 5th year, it wasn't even recognized by the player at all. Maybe I'm just too paranoid, especially after having ~125 Warner/Rhino/EagleRock/Magnolia HD DVDs, that are failing one by one.

I know if I rebought these titles to obtain a newer pressing, I'd feel disingenous unloading my current copies on the used market, knowing that they might work now but not later.

[Helikaon]

It just occurred to me that all the dual format haters who refuse to upgrade to Blu-ray must be laughing their asses off right now.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Brian81

Just looked at the posted image of the email from Mr. Mulvaney. Looks like the pressing plant theory was indeed it! Time to add 'The Wages of Fear' through 'Kagemusha' to the list, Mr. OP.

That seems rather drastic. I think as long as everyone knows that 2009-2010 is the date range, we'll know where to focus our research.

I will add titles to the OP if at least one person has a problem playing a specific BD.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by jscoggins

That seems rather drastic. I think as long as everyone knows that 2009-2010 is the date range, we'll know where to focus our research.

I will add titles to the OP if at least one person has as problem playing a specific BD.

I guess I really shouldn't be requesting YOU to change your posting, but rather Partyslammer, since you are highlighting titles for different reasons. Apologies for that.

The list by Partyslammer currently has 'ITROTS' as the oldest potentially affected title, but there has already been mentions of confirmed rotted copies of 'Seventh Seal' (which was released prior) in this very thread. That particular posting already differentiates titles that have confirmed FAILED copies with asterisks and boldface. The rest are still listed, but in plain text. I feel that those other titles probably should be listed on his/her posting.

[Scottie]

I am not sure if my Howard's End disc is affected by this. However, I plan to watch it tonight to see whether or not it is.

If the disc ends up being corrupted, will it affect my BD player or no? Sorry for the question, I am just a noob when it comes to these things.

[Vriess]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I am not sure if my Howard's End disc is affected by this. However, I plan to watch it tonight to see whether or not it is.

If the disc ends up being corrupted, will it affect my BD player or no? Sorry for the question, I am just a noob when it comes to these things.

Probably not, although my drive did struggle when trying to read these bad discs

[Brian81]

Just don't do it a lot, it's possible to damage a player if you stress it enough. I killed a high end HD-XA2 trying to slog my way through bad Warner HD DVDs one after another.

[Scottie]

Thanks for the response guys. I was mostly worried in terms of other discs being affected if the corrupt discs are played.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Thanks for the response guys. I was mostly worried in terms of other discs being affected if the corrupt discs are played.

You should be fine, though your concern reminds me...back in the day, a bad VHS tape could destroy your VCR.

[Red Dragon]

remains one of my ultimate joys as a film enthusiast and as a blu-ray collector. I have discovered more than a few cinematic gems thanks to them and I am almost always impressed by their high standards with regard to supplements included with virtually every film. I have already spent countless hours enjoying dozens upon dozens of films from the Criterion Collection.

As an owner of every single Criterion film released (at least up until Barnes & Noble's last 50% off sale ...so basically every title released before "The Big Chill"), I can assure you that these circumstances have me more than a bit concerned. However, I have always had complete confidence that Criterion would (will) step up and supply everyone with proper replacement discs. Of course, common sense decrees that it would most likely not include Out-Of-Print titles (starting with "Howard's End", "Last Year at Marienbad", "Pierrot Le Fou" and "Playtime"), due purely and simply to economic viability. Losing OOP titles obviously is not something anyone wants to consider, however; at the end of the day (and in cases such as this) some of us, myself included, may just have to chalk it up to "the cost of doing business".

As for myself, I have every confidence that criterion will continue to put out the best product it can and that they will also attempt to do right by their customer base. I will continue to inspect and watch my discs (with special attention paid the the titles repeatedly mentioned within this thread), and wait to hear about the upcoming replacement disc program.

And yes ...I will be buying all of the Criterions available (from "The Big Chill" onward) once the November Barnes & Noble 50% off sale commences. because ...A.) I've yet to be disappointed with any of their offerings thus far (including several blind buys) and B.) I have faith in the company.

Of course, if I turn out to be like totally wrong here and I find myself left with over four or five hundred Criterion Discs reduced to a smoldering pile of embers in about five years or so ...well let's just say someone will be donning a mask, tights and a cape (the cape will be really cool though!) and seeking vigilante justice! (and a really cool TUMBLER car!!! ...oh yeah ...and a Batcave!!!)

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Red Dragon

Of course, if I turn out to be like totally wrong here and I find myself left with over four or five hundred Criterion Discs reduced to a smoldering pile of embers in about five years or so ...well let's just say someone will be donning a mask, tights and a cape (the cape will be really cool though!) and seeking vigilante justice! (and a really cool TUMBLER car!!! ...oh yeah ...and a Batcave!!!)

I think Bruce Wayne would just buy the entire Criterion company.