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

[Jason One]

The Man Who Fell to Earth shouldn't be affected, right?

[SammyJankis]

My Paris, Texas disc has the code, but there is no apparent bronze. I'm not sure if it'll get worse over time, but it seems fine.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Will lightly bronzed discs end up getting worse? I've had that particular disc for a couple of years and I watched it for the first time a couple of months ago without a problem.

I compared Pierrot le Fou to my disc of Rosetta, which is clearly silvery and there was a slight difference in coloration. It's obviously not as bad as Howards End, which is to the point of gold at this point, but still.

By the way, is it possible for some discs that have the code will not be affected at all?

Yes, someone earlier had mentioned that one of his bad discs got progressively bronzer and bronzer over time.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by iScottie

By the way, is it possible for some discs that have the code will not be affected at all?

Yes, the code only makes it more probable that the disc is bad, but if it is not bronzing by now that means it's not from the bad batch.

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Originally Posted by iScottie

By the way, is it possible for some discs that have the code will not be affected at all?

My copy of Days of Heaven has one of the codes, but doesn't appear to be affected.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by Jason One

The Man Who Fell to Earth shouldn't be affected, right?

I don't believe so. My code on the back of the disc is "BDV" something.

This leads me to the question about whether or not Criterion has used different Blu-ray discs from years past. My TMWFFE disc is clearly not "silver silver" like my Rosetta disc - it is more along the lines of the coloration of Bigger Than Life, which happens to have the L0 code.

I checked the disc out (BTL) and there were no problems in terms of freezing in either the main feature or the supplements.

[GxyExpress999]

I can't seem to find the mastering code. These look and play fine so far.

Pierrot le Fou
Inner: CC1840BD L1 DO 22 A01
Mould: 10K6

Howards End
Inner: CC1841BD L1 DO 26 A01
Mould: 10K6

[Fellini912]

Thank you for all your hard work jscoggins. Now I have to check my blu-rays.

[Partyslammer]

Criterion's official announcement on their blog:

"We have confirmed that certain Blu-ray discs pressed at a replication facility that we used for a period in 2010 have become defective, showing a noticeable bronze discoloration on the underside and developing playback problems. We have confirmed the problem on seven titles, though not on all copies of those titles. All of these titles have since been re-pressed at a different pressing plant, and the vast majority of discs in circulation should not be affected.

The potentially affected Blu-ray titles are:

Howards End
M
Paris, Texas
Pierrot le fou
The Seventh Seal
Summer Hours
Walkabout

If you have found that your Blu-ray copy of one of these titles does not play, please send your disc to the following address for a replacement:

Jon Mulvaney
The Criterion Collection
215 Park Avenue South
5th floor
New York, NY 10003

Please include only your disc—no packaging—along with the address to which you'd like us to mail your replacement. We will not be replacing or exchanging packaging. There is no need to email us in addition.

If we learn that other titles are similarly defective, we will add them to this list and continue to replace them as well.

Thank you for your patience and understanding."

[jscoggins]

Yes, we know.

[Crimson King]

Anybody else gonna insure their packages?

[schlock]

Wow, they're even replacing the two OOP titles! Class act all the way.

[jma11_2000]

My Walkabout blu ray is bronzed all to hell and freezes at the 51 minute mark. I'm guessing it needs replacing - does anyone know if Criterion's replacement program covers the UK?

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by jma11_2000

My Walkabout blu ray is bronzed all to hell and freezes at the 51 minute mark. I'm guessing it needs replacing - does anyone know if Criterion's replacement program covers the UK?

They have in the past. You'll want to confirm with them, though.

[Torrente]

My problem is I live in France... Would they ship the replacement discs to foreign countries? Or do I have to provide a US address?

Is it possible to send some discs that are not in the list for replacements (my Christmas Tales disc is peeling for instance and my copy of Ride with the Devil is bronzing)?

Thanks for any infos you could provide!

And thanks to the OP

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Torrente

My problem is I live in France... Would they ship the replacement discs to foreign countries? Or do I have to provide a US address?

Is it possible to send some discs that are not in the list for replacements (my Christmas Tales disc is peeling for instance and my copy of Ride with the Devil is bronzing)?

Thanks for any infos you could provide!

And thanks to the OP

Thanks for confirming that A Christmas Tale is indeed peeling.

[PGW]

I'm uncomfortable sending OOP discs to them, because I don't see HOW they can replace them, since they no longer have the rights to press more copies.

Anyone else want to see this verified before shipping off their OOP discs?

[Torrente]

Well... OOP or not we will have no use for them if they don't play anymore

[bruceames]

No way is Criterion going to tell you to send OOP discs to them if they can't replace them. Even if there was any doubt, I have nothing to lose because the one I'm sending is defective anyway.

[Lino11]

Pretty sure the OOP titles can be exchanged and printed again... it's just that they can't be sold in stores anymore. Or "sold" at all.

For a colossal ****up like this, concerning a customer service-related issue, I don't see them not being able to deliver.

I hope the discs still come with a nice picture on the front, like they always have, and not some blank disc like you'd buy in a store.