The Criterion Collection

[TylerDurden]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

Thanks for filling in the rest of the story for me.

The more these films get discussed (and I learn about them), the more I become intrigued by them. I think they certainly could be considered fascinating films from a historical perspective at the very minimum.

If Kino can release Birth of a Nation without stirring up too much controversy, I don't see how Criterion could get any real "bad press" from releasing these films. I could be very wrong, though, as the Nazi's are looked at in a completely different perspective as the KKK. Deservedly so, don't get me wrong here, I have no sympathy for the Nazi's, the KKK, or anyone/organization who supports hate or bias. I am merely saying that Olympia certainly is interesting from a historical perspective. Criterion could include an essay/booklet that covers the films history, and the stories surrounding it.

Im actually really curious about Olympia. It does cover a rather controversial Olympics which were awarded to Germany as a host in 1931 before Hitler came to power. The Olympic committee could not just say no so they allowed the athletic competition to go forward in Berlin. This film, however many swastikas it displays, is still a sporting event, which I see nothing wrong with. However it is rather embarrassing for the French as they all gave the Nazi salute upon entering the stadium. There is also a good documentary about the banned Jewish high jumper Gretel Bergmann. Im sure this could make for excellent supplement material for a CC.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

On it, thanks for posting!

No, Thank you. Each person helps that much more. I hope this guy gets this moving.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

For anyone that wants to help:

A guy name Patrick started this and has been posting it on Criterion's Facebook (and others). It's a petition for ANY company to try to get the Hopper Estate to hand over the rights to release The Last Movie. The reason I am posting it here (besides obvious reasons of me and my love for the movie) is he is actually making some progress. Supposedly he has had Sam Fuller's (who is in the film) wife Christa Fuller, and Tom Farrell, one of Nicholas Ray's assistants sign this petition.

So anybody that wants to help, you can sign it too. I figure I will help him out by posting it here, since I want it released as well.

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-...the-last-movie

Thought you don't have a Facebook, how'd you see that?

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Thought you don't have a Facebook, how'd you see that?

Nope, I have had a facebook page for sometime now. Started an account actually to request this same movie.

Edit: thanks for the support.

[jacobsever]

Also, for 2012, I would LOVE to see the rest of Polaski's Apartment Trilogy released on blu ray.

Rosemary's Baby and The Tenant. Also an upgrade of Knife in the Water would be awesome. And it's a long shot, but I would be so happy if Criterion was able to release his newest film, Carnage, on blu.

I guess I am a fan of Roman Polanski.

[Narcissus]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

I guess I am a fan of Roman Polanski.

don't feel bad about that.

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by Narcissus

don't feel bad about that.

Wonder if it's a coincidence that my girlfriend is only 17.

[SpiderBaby]

Thanks for whoever put my username down as the reason why you signed for The Last Movie.

Edit: Another SpiderBaby shout out.

[SpiderBaby]

lol, ok 2 people have wrote Spiderbaby on the petition. Whoever it concerns that will read the petition will now see Spiderbaby all over it.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

lol, ok 2 people have wrote Spiderbaby on the petition. Whoever it concerns that will read the petition will now see Spiderbaby all over it.

On the bright side, they might get it wrong and release "Spider Baby", now that Rhino doesn't have it anymore.

[Narcissus]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Wonder if it's a coincidence that my girlfriend is only 17.

HA!

if it's voluntary , then that isn't, and shouldn't be an issue.

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

I acknowledge those films hold artistic merit, but for me the morality of them undermines their artistry in such a way that I don't find them important. Just my opinion.

The artistry is what makes them important, the morality is what sucks out any enjoyment one might otherwise feel in watching them. I've never seen Olympiad; the Pathfinder release was dreadful by all accounts. I don't care who releases it, I just hope they do as good a job as Synapse did on Triumph. I think two viewings of Triumph (one without the commentary and the second with) before one can vote would make this a better country. I would put these toxic nazi films in a different class than Birth, the 'censored eleven', or Song of the South, though, mainly due to the enthusiasts of the latter 'entertaining' offerings. If you're ever short of ipacac, start a thread on one of those subjects.

[fdm]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

Well, there is always hope ! There was a lot of discussion about the BD release of The Birth of a Nation when Kino announced it months ago but, at the end, it all turned pretty well (For us, at least ). Films like Olympia and The Triumph of the Will would fit perfectly in the Collection. I mean, what about the "A continuing series of important classic and contemporary films"? It sure will bring lots of discussion from both sides but it is hard to argue against the importance of these films.

Somebody's probably already mentioned this by now, but Olympia was a Criterion laserdisc title.

(Edit: Nope guess nobody else mentioned it. )

[Guitar Joe]

Why did they take a picture of Traffic sitting on top of a dirty diaper?

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by Guitar Joe

Why did they take a picture of Traffic sitting on top of a dirty diaper?

I think that it's supposed to be bags of cocaine.

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by Guitar Joe

Why did they take a picture of Traffic sitting on top of a dirty diaper?

I guess the Universal release is supposed to be in the diaper or something like that.

[Criterion Collector]

Originally Posted by fdm

Somebody's probably already mentioned this by now, but Olympia was a Criterion laserdisc title.

(Edit: Nope guess nobody else mentioned it. )

I did some quick research and found (according to Wikipedia) that Olympia was released in three versions: German, French and English. There are slight differences between each version, extending to which portions were included and their sequence within the entire film.

Additionally, in 1955 Riefenstahl agreed to remove three minutes of Hitler footage for screening at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The same version was also screened on West German television and in cinemas around the world.

IMO, that then makes anywhere between four to six versions floating around (if each language's edition had the Hitler footage removed/altered).

I also found that Olympia was released on Laser Disc in Japan by Pioneer LDC, an additional Japanese release from IVC, and (as you stated) by Criterion in the U.S.A. It was spine number 338.

I am curious as to what edition was on the Criterion LD, and whats the possibility of them returning it to the collection for a remaster and BD release.

[Guitar Joe]

Originally Posted by Criterion Collector

I think that it's supposed to be bags of cocaine.

I think you might be right!

[JHas]

Originally Posted by Joe Dalek

These used to be clever, but now they're bordering on absurd.

This photo is about as creative as a Steven Soderbergh film.

[billzfan]

Originally Posted by JHas

This photo is about as creative as a Steven Soderbergh film.

I agree except for Traffic as well as Sex, Lies, and Videotape. Those two flicks were great. But, the Oceans films are Hollywood trash.