The Criterion Collection

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Why put it as an extra then? I guess we won't know til April anyway..

As I mentioned, instead of making separate lists of disc features for each version of the movie (boxset, BD, DVD, etc..) Criterion made a universal list for all, and distinguished what feature was exclusive to what release. In this case, they note that Antoine and Colette is exclusive to the box set.

[pro-bassoonist]

FINAL PRESS SHEET

THE 400 BLOWS (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)

The unforgettable debut feature by François Truffaut (Jules and Jim) is a wrenchingly personal coming-of-age story that introduced the character that would become the director’s lifelong cinematic counterpart, Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud, in one of the screen’s great child performances). With the utmost sensitivity, The 400 Blows dramatizes the trials of Truffaut’s own difficult childhood, characterized by aloof parents, oppressive teachers, and petty crime. The film marks its maker’s official transition from influential critic to one of Europe’s most brilliant auteurs, and is considered the first true work of the French New Wave.

1959 • 99 minutes • Black & White • Monaural • In French with English subtitle • 2.35:1 aspect ratio

DUAL-FORMAT BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• High-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Two audio commentaries, one by cinema professor Brian Stonehill and another by François Truffaut’s lifelong friend Robert Lachenay
• Rare audition footage of Jean-Pierre Léaud, Patrick Auffay, and Richard Kanayan
• Newsreel footage of Léaud at Cannes in 1959
• Excerpt from a 1965 French television program in which Truffaut discusses his youth, his critical writing, and the origins of Antoine Doinel
• Television interview with Truffaut from 1960 about the global reception of The 400 Blows and his own critical impression of the film
• Trailer
• One Blu-ray and one DVD, with all content available in both formats
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Annette Insdorf

TITLE: THE 400 BLOWS (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)
CAT. NO: CC2349BDDVD
UPC: 7-15515-11431-8
ISBN: 978-1-60465-830-9
SRP: $39.95
STREET: 4/8/14


BREAKING THE WAVES (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)

Lars von Trier (Antichrist) became an international sensation with this galvanizing realist fable about sex and spiritual transcendence. Emily Watson (Punch-Drunk Love) stuns, in an Oscar-nominated performance, as Bess, a simple, pious newlywed in a tiny Scottish village who gives herself up to a shocking form of martyrdom after her husband (Insomnia’s Stellan Skarsgård) is paralyzed in an oil-rig accident. Breaking the Waves, both brazen and tender, profane and pure, is an examination of the expansiveness of faith and of its limits.

1996 • 159 minutes • Color • 5.1 surround • 2.35:1 aspect ratio

DUAL-FORMAT BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• New 4K digital restoration, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Selected-scene audio commentary featuring director Lars von Trier, editor Anders Refn, and location scout Anthony Dod Mantle
• New interview with filmmaker and critic Stig Björkman
• New interviews with actors Emily Watson and Stellan Skarsgård
• Interview from 2004 with actor Adrian Rawlins
• Watson’s audition tape, with commentary by von Trier
• Deleted and extended scenes, with commentary by von Trier
• Deleted scene featuring the late actor Katrin Cartlidge
• Cannes Film Festival promotional clip
• Trailer
• New English subtitle translation
• One Blu-ray and two DVDs, with all content available in both formats
• PLUS: An essay by critic David Sterritt

TITLE: BREAKING THE WAVES (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)
CAT. NO: CC2320BDDVD
UPC: 7-15515-11471-4
ISBN: 978-1-60465-833-0
SRP: $39.95
STREET: 4/15/14


MASTER OF THE HOUSE (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)

Before he got up close and personal with Joan of Arc, the Danish cinema genius Carl Theodor Dreyer (Vampyr) fashioned this finely detailed, ahead-of-its-time examination of domestic life. In this heartfelt story of a housewife who, with the help of a wily nanny, turns the tables on her tyrannical husband, Dreyer finds lightness and humor; it’s a deft comedy of revenge that was an enormous box-office success and is considered an early example of feminism on-screen. Constructed with the director’s customary meticulousness and stirring sense of justice, Master of the House is a jewel of silent cinema.

1925 • 111 minutes • Black & White • Silent • 1.33:1 aspect ratio

DUAL-FORMAT BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• New 2K digital restoration, with a recent score by Gillian Anderson, presented in uncompressed stereo on the Blu-ray
• New interview with Dreyer historian Casper Tybjerg
• New visual essay on Dreyer’s camera work and editing by film historian David Bordwell
• New English intertitle translation
• One Blu-ray and one DVD, with all content available in both formats
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Mark Le Fanu

TITLE: MASTER OF THE HOUSE (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)
CAT. NO: CC2352BDDVD
UPC: 7-15515-11481-3
ISBN: 978-1-60465-834-7
SRP: $39.95
STREET: 4/22/14


RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11 (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)

Early in his career, Don Siegel (The Killers) made his mark with this sensational and high-octane but economically constructed drama set in a maximum-security penitentiary. Riot in Cell Block 11, the brainchild of producer extraordinaire Walter Wanger (Foreign Correspondent), is a ripped-from-the-headlines social-problem picture about prisoners’ rights that was inspired by a recent spate of uprisings in American prisons. In Siegel’s hands, the film is at once brash and humane, showcasing the hard-boiled visual flair and bold storytelling for which the director would become known and shot on location at Folsom State Prison, with real inmates and guards as extras.

1954 • 80 minutes • Black & White • Monaural • 1.37:1 aspect ratio

DUAL-FORMAT BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• New audio commentary by film scholar Matthew Bernstein
• Excerpts from the director’s 1993 autobiography, A Siegel Film, read by his son Kristoffer Tabori
• More!
• One Blu-ray and one DVD, with all content available in both formats
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Chris Fujiwara, a 1954 article by coproducer Walter Wanger, and a 1974 tribute to Siegel by filmmaker Sam Peckinpah

TITLE: RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11 (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)
CAT. NO: CC2351BDDVD
UPC: 7-15515-11461-5
ISBN: 978-1-60465-832-3
SRP: $39.95
STREET: 4/22/14



IL SORPASSO (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)

The ultimate Italian road comedy, Il sorpasso stars the unlikely pair of Vittorio Gassman (Big Deal on Madonna Street) and Jean-Louis Trintignant (Z) as, respectively, a waggish, free-wheeling bachelor and the bookish law student he takes on a madcap trip from Rome to rural Southern Italy. An unpredictable journey that careers from slapstick to tragedy, this film, directed by Dino Risi (the original Scent of a Woman), is a wildly entertaining commentary on the pleasures and consequences of the good life. A holy grail of commedia all’italiana, Il sorpasso is so fresh and exciting that one can easily see why it has long been adored in Italy.

1962 • 105 minutes • Black & White • Monaural • In Italian with English subtitles • 1.37:1 aspect ratio

DUAL-FORMAT BLU-RAY AND DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
• New 2K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• New interviews with screenwriter Ettore Scola and film scholar and professor Rémi Fournier Lanzoni
• Interview from 2004 with director Dino Risi by film critic Jean A. Gili
• Introduction by actor Jean-Louis Trintignant from a 1983 French television broadcast of the film
• A Beautiful Vacation, a 2006 documentary on Risi featuring interviews with the director and his collaborators and friends
• Excerpts from a 2012 documentary that returns to Castiglioncello, the location for the film’s beach scenes, featuring rare on-set color footage
• Trailer
• New English subtitle translation
• One Blu-ray and two DVDs, with all content available in both formats
• PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by critics Phillip Lopate and Antonio Monda, as well as excerpts from Risi’s writings, with an introduction by film critic Valerio Caprara

TITLE: IL SORPASSO (dual-format Blu-ray and DVD edition)
CAT. NO: CC2353BDDVD
UPC: 7-15515-11491-2
ISBN: 978-1-60465-835-4
SRP: $39.95
STREET: 4/29/14

Attn Canada: MASTER OF THE HOUSE is available in English-speaking Canada only. All other titles are available in all Canada.

Pro-B

[Swift1246]

What i find most interesting about the press release is that on the description of the films themselves, when naming the actor or director, other films they have done are referenced that all belong in the criterion collection... Notice emily watson's reference for punch drunk love. I know that has been rumored for some time now, and i think this just serves as another solid hint that we will see it soon.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

As I mentioned, instead of making separate lists of disc features for each version of the movie (boxset, BD, DVD, etc..) Criterion made a universal list for all, and distinguished what feature was exclusive to what release. In this case, they note that Antoine and Colette is exclusive to the box set.

Got ya.. Makes sense.. Pro-B doesn't have it on his press sheet either.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

Most of the time I just let it go. But like clockwork every month we have the same chorus of songs and I just felt I had to put my 2 cents in. I'm not a confrontational person and rather not get in a heated discussion. Ultimately we are all on these boards because we love film and Blu-ray.

At best this is a right church, wrong pew situation. The comments and reactions in this thread have been very measured this month.

'Nothing for me this month' is about as scathing as the reactions got. It's not like villagers are gathering torches and pitchforks.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Swift1246

What i find most interesting about the press release is that on the description of the films themselves, when naming the actor or director, other films they have done are referenced that all belong in the criterion collection... Notice emily watson's reference for punch drunk love. I know that has been rumored for some time now, and i think this just serves as another solid hint that we will see it soon.

Yep, I agree with your line of thinking there.

[hoytereden]

Even in lean months, where say; only 1 or none of the titles appeal to me, there's always back titles to catch up on purchasing. I don't have deep pockets so, with rare exceptions, I always wait for the B&N or Criterion 50% off sales. In the meantime months go by and new titles get added to the for future purchase list, and so it goes. I'll never catch up but I always have something to look forward to, purchase-wise.

With all that said this month's announcements did add to my list with Riot in Cell Block 11, which I haven't seen in many years but has a Who's, who of '50s Heavies in the cast, as the cons. Il Sorpasso looks like fun; would be a blind buy. The 400 Blows would be an upgrade purchase since I've been holding off for the box set also but this probably indicates that won't happen soon. The other two are, hopefully, future Hulu plus or Netflix titles I can watch to make a decision on.

[smoss469]

I was hoping for a new Eclipse set, but I know those only come around a few times per year. I know in the "hey, I think they're going to release xxxxxx soon" posts, no one ever seems to speculate on Eclipse releases.

I know this is a Blu-ray forum, but the Eclipse sets are great values for the money and the ones I've watched have looked great! I know most of the lack any extras which turns some people off but I really get a lot of enjoyment from them. (But I should mention that I love a good box set collection or "The Complete" series release)

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by bigbadwoppet

I find it sad how people whine for overrated crap like from the likes of Wes Anderson when films like this remain to be released. Criterion should only issue films of this quality and this vintage, which DESERVE and NEED the best possible edition.

I imagine that you're eating your words now.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by smoss469

Criterion related, I finished Gosford Park and felt like it tried to be The Rules of the Game but wasn't nearly as entertaining. The first half built up some conflict but then it seems like they rushed to the finish. The film was described as a "whodunit" but there wasn't much investigation or anything of the sort. Overall I thought it was a let down. Glad I got it from Netflix before buying it.

Hunh. I really liked Gosford Park. It never occurred to me that it tried to be The Rules of the Game, though the basic premises share certain similarities.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

Is Criterion going to announce something GOOD today? It's been a looooooooong time...

Hasn't been that long. They consistently announce something good each and every month, like clockwork.

[The Great Owl]

For the Haskell Wexler fans in the thread...

I watched the 1967 film, In the Heat of the Night, earlier tonight. Wexler served as cinematographer in this film two years before he directed the Criterion title, Medium Cool. I'm now enjoying Wexler's discussions in the commentary track, because he employed some fascinating camerawork in this film just as he did in Medium Cool. There's a great moment when the camera is following police hounds through a wooded area. To film this, Wexler attached a camera to a bicycle wheel contraption, and the result puts us down into the bushes with the hounds for a similar point of view.

In the Heat of the Night is a film that sells itself these days by way of its well-earned reputation, but it's also a good flick to watch in conjunction with Medium Cool, since both movies benefit from great cinematography that captures the volatility of the late 1960s.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Are they going to be re-releasing everything in Dual Format?

That's generally the plan. As the existing DVD and Blu-ray stocks of a title get low enough, they'll phase out the separate releases in favor of dual format.

[Scottie]

Is it pretty much confirmed that the Antonioni films "L'Avventura" and "L'Eclisse" will be upgraded in the near future? I'm honestly sick of waiting and I'm really tempted to pull the trigger on them, as both are phenomenal works.

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

For the Haskell Wexler fans in the thread...

I watched the 1967 film, In the Heat of the Night, earlier tonight. Wexler served as cinematographer in this film two years before he directed the Criterion title, Medium Cool. I'm now enjoying Wexler's discussions in the commentary track, because he employed some fascinating camerawork in this film just as he did in Medium Cool. There's a great moment when the camera is following police hounds through a wooded area. To film this, Wexler attached a camera to a bicycle wheel contraption, and the result puts us down into the bushes with the hounds for a similar point of view.

In the Heat of the Night is a film that sells itself these days by way of its well-earned reputation, but it's also a good flick to watch in conjunction with Medium Cool, since both movies benefit from great cinematography that captures the volatility of the late 1960s.

I just watched that film for the first time the other night and I loved it. Ordered it the next day (should be in tomorrow!)

Originally Posted by jayembee

That's generally the plan. As the existing DVD and Blu-ray stocks of a title get low enough, they'll phase out the separate releases in favor of dual format.

Makes sense.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Carletty

'Master Of The House' is quite funny and entertaining, but not as good as 'The Word' or 'Gertrud'.

Perhaps not (I haven't seen it yet, so I can't say), but it's a Dreyer! The first Dreyer film on Blu-ray in Region A. And one I don't already have on DVD, so I'm thrilled.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

If the lineup is final, then the only two titles from April that I'll be buying that month are Riot In Cell Block 11 and The 400 Blows.

Hunh. Different squids for different kids. I'm up for all of the April titles, except The 400 Blows, since I have the previous BD release (as well as the original DVD release).

The two Danish films are the ones I'm most excited about.

[spanky87]

Does every month have an even amount of Criterion releases and does a re-release like 400 Blows take one of those spots or is it an extra?

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'm just confused why Criterion is re-releasing films already on Blu-ray in Dual Format (The 400 Blows, Breathless).

Because their stocks of the BD-only and DVD-only releases are gone, and it's now more cost effective for them to release one Dual Format release than to re-press more copies of the separate releases.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by dsman71

I really hope they release The Third Man again so people wont spend an obscene amount for it.

Not gonna happen, unless Lionsgate severs their licensing agreement with Studio Canal. And even then, there's no guarantee that Criterion will be able to snap up the rights.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Don Siegel is best known for his work with Clint Eastwood (The Beguiled, Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz, etc.), but his early flicks are equally amazing.

Actually, I'd argue that Don Siegel is best know for one of his early flicks: Invasion of the Body Snatchers