The Criterion Collection

[GenPion]

The 40th Anniversary Criterion Collection box set looks incredible. I am sure it will be especially relevant and fun for newcomers and beginners looking to build their own Criterion physical media collection.

I already own half of the releases in the set but I can always sell off the ones individually released that I own (exceptions of course for the 4K UHD editions not included in the big set). Considering I'll gain 20 films I still had on my wish-list and can recoup some costs by selling the other editions, alongside the average cost of $10 each being much better than $20 each, it's a bargain - especially for people who own few if any of these releases. (Love the deluxe packaging, hefty book addition, and bonus disc with Criterion Closet videos).

[zoodermin]

When I read the email's title, I almost jumped with joy because I thought it was finally the Kurosawa set. Alas, I guess it's a good set for newcomers.

[NeoNical]

A few more things:

- Seeing Barry Lyndon and 8 1/2 (Among a few other big titles) in this set makes me wonder if any of these titles will get a 4K UHD down the line. I mean it would kinda suck for people who bought this set to find out that Barry Lyndon is getting a 4K UHD down the line. As far as I know, only 3 titles have already been upgraded to 4K UHD (The Night of the Living Dead, The Red Shoes, and In the Mood for Love).

- Trivia: And this also does seem like a fair bargain compared to the 2004 Amazon Gift Set. The Amazon reviews from 2004 are saying this costed a little over $5000 for 241 titles! It's a little over $20 per title and this was all before the Blu-ray came out. This is a little trivia that most people don't know about this company!

[Amiibro121]

It's kinda cool that we get a big release for newly interested customers but you'd think for their 40th anniversary that they'll also have one for long established customers too.

[BrokenGlass41]

Wait, I just noticed the disc of Criterion Closet videos… Pardon my French, but C’est quoi ça?! Those are on YouTube for free! And they’re just promotionals. Not happy, Criterion.

[GenPion]

The announcement of this Criterion 40th Anniversary Collection doesn't mean a Akira Kurosawa set won't still happen at some point.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by fteixeira

Good for anyone desperate for shelf space. Other than that, not sure what the point it is. Most people intersted in this would have more than half if not all of these releases in their collection with proper packaging and supplementals. On the positive side, it is always good to have options.

Some of these titles I still haven’t bought yet, but am I paying 640 dollars for a 40 film box set absolutely not that’s a ridiculous amount of money. I’ll just buy them separately no need to spend a huge amount of money on a giant box set like this no thanks.

Titles from this set I still need to buy
Seconds
8 1/2
Bicycle Thieves
Jules and Jim
His Girl Friday
On the Waterfront
House
Tokyo Story
Y Tu Mamá También
Persona
Night of the Hunter buying the Kino Lorber 4K UHD of this
Ace in the Hole

Other than that I just have no interest in buying the rest of these titles minus the ones I already own like Barry Lyndon, and Do the Right Thing which I already have, and Repo Man which I’m buying on 4K UHD in September.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by GenPion

The announcement of this Criterion 40th Anniversary Collection doesn't mean a Akira Kurosawa set won't still happen at some point.

A set that I would definitely buy day one as it’ll probably also finally include the Bad Sleep Well, Stray Dog, and Drunken Angel.

[HenryHill]

I already own most of these movies, so this is a miss for me. If these were all 4K remasters, I might consider a purchase, but this is for film neophytes. I'd have been more impressed if this had been a 4K release of some of their older, neglected titles like The Last Wave, The Ruling Class, or Red Beard.

[Shanghai Express]

These supposed "newcomers" to film who can drop $400 to $800 on a single purchase. Who are they? Why does Criterion give a ****? They're supposed to be a label for discerning film lovers and connoisseurs, not rich dilettantes looking for a coffee table accessory.

[MifuneFan]

You know what would have been amazing, and genius? If they pulled a Willy Wonka, and put a "Golden Ticket" inside a random set where you win a free trip to NYC and get to visit the Criterion Closet and pick out any titles you want in a certain time period.

[Cpt. Feeney]

Originally Posted by Shanghai Express

They're supposed to be a label for discerning film lovers and connoisseurs, not rich dilettantes looking for a coffee table accessory.

In business terminology, ignoring those dilettantes might equate to 'leaving money on the table.'
I'd guess their boutique prestige has some value in those markets.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by Shanghai Express

These supposed "newcomers" to film who can drop $400 to $800 on a single purchase. Who are they? Why does Criterion give a ****? They're supposed to be a label for discerning film lovers and connoisseurs, not rich dilettantes looking for a coffee table accessory.

Do you own all 40 films in the set? Hard to call it that unless you already own everything.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Shanghai Express

These supposed "newcomers" to film who can drop $400 to $800 on a single purchase. Who are they? Why does Criterion give a ****? They're supposed to be a label for discerning film lovers and connoisseurs, not rich dilettantes looking for a coffee table accessory.

Right. They’re really pulling back that niche layer. “They” would likely not care about 4K considering all the re-issues we’ve been getting. But dropping $400+ as a newcomer = pretty epic if you can find them.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

You know what would have been amazing, and genius? If they pulled a Willy Wonka, and put a "Golden Ticket" inside a random set where you win a free trip to NYC and get to visit the Criterion Closet and pick out any titles you want in a certain time period.

That is genius!

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

That is genius!

You hear that Criterion?! Hire ME.

[kmhofmann]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

You hear that Criterion?! Hire ME.

You wouldn't even need the free trip to NYC...

[WillieMLF]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

You know what would have been amazing, and genius? If they pulled a Willy Wonka, and put a "Golden Ticket" inside a random set where you win a free trip to NYC and get to visit the Criterion Closet and pick out any titles you want in a certain time period.

This is really a great idea. That write up on the set, does a great job of instilling the reverence the closet gets, and one lucky Joe Schmo from Anywhere, America is allowed to tour the facility and pick a title. Anyone can win, all you need to do is buy the set in order to be eligible. A set with limited appeal is now much less limited.

[starsteam]

Imagine if they just put a bunch of Eclipse titles in a BD set instead.

Actually no, that would suck too if I didn't want most of the films included.

[concolt]

This is pretty lame. And the NOTLD should be ashamed of themselves for teasing this.

[jcs913]

If it was a 4k set, I would buy it. I will give Criterion credit though, at least they didn’t put new releases in the set to force us to buy it to get those. I know some other companies would do that. Interesting for Criterion though to put out this set, considering the lowering numbers on physical media and them still pushing their own streaming service.