The Criterion Collection

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Dwigt

Thanks a lot for the review...

There's just one point I wanted to expand on.

"Paths of Glory" wasn't technically censored in France, it was self-censored by the distributor. France was then in the middle of the Algerian independence war and a huge political crisis, which led to an attempted coup in Alger and General De Gaulle being invested as prime minister a few months later. Any depiction of the French army in negative terms was enough to lead to demonstrations and riots. Especially when the movie was shot in Germany.

"Paths of Glory" was released in Belgium and some French and Belgian veterans went to Brussels to orchestrate incidents near the movie theatre where it was shown, with the support of the French embassy. United Artists then decided not to apply for rating under the guidance of the French State National Center of Cinematography, which meant it couldn't be released.

Of course, had they applied, the movie would have actually been censored or at least heavily cut. An opening title card praising the tradition of courage and ideals of French soldiers was also suggested for the Belgian release.

But it's likely that the movie could have been released earlier than 1975, in particular when the Algerian war was over. It's just that United Artists didn't see any interest in releasing the movie.

Thank you for your note.

A quick clarification - the French government did indeed pressure the film's European distributor, and also had the film dropped from the Berlin International Film Festival. Consequently, the film was banned in France and Switzerland. There are numerous documents confirming these facts, including an essay by James Naremore, which appears in Criterion's release.

In Spain, General Franco's fascist government outright banned the film. Interestingly, the film remained banned well after his death, until 1986.

Pro-B

[italy12]

Originally Posted by montereypop

Has anyone seen The Magician or The Darjeeling Limited out early at any Best Buys (particularly The Magician)?

For some reason, I do not believe that BB will carry these titles. I searched for The Magician on BB's website while at work and it was not even listed.

The Darjeeling Limited has an "18" at the beginning of the SKU, and that generally means it is an online only item.

The only ones we didn't get in the last 2 months were Breathless and The Secret of the Grain.

[Dwigt]

Originally Posted by italy12

Hey Dwigt,

Is your name based on The Office episode where they read Michael's screen play, Threat Level Midnight?

If so...props!

Great men have great names and a great man cannot name himself Samuel L. Chang.

I use that name on many boards as it's generally available everywhere. People generally (and understandably) fail to know the reference but I've already had a few comments on other boards accusing me of supporting American conservatives (one of the worst crimes in France) as I had allegedly took the name as a tribute to Dwight Eisenhower.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by italy12

Years ago I dropped Netflix in favor of Blockbuster.com. I had always lived near a BBuster location, even when I lived in another state. The convenience of being able to go to the store to return my mailer movies and pick up a rental in exchange for free was awesome. I wonder how much longer I'll be able to do that.

The main reason for the switch, however, was selection. I was always dissapointed by the selection of newer films on DVD at the time. When I searched through BBuster's database, I found the newer versions I was looking for.

Two instances that pissed me off about Netflix: I had two movies in my queue at two different points during my subscription, Gone in 60 Seconds: the Director's Cut, and The Shadow (DTS). I KEPT getting the regular version of each, even though online it CLEARLY said it was the other version. Heck, even the envelopes were mislabeled. I sent each back 3 times and checked the box stating that it was the wrong movie (no option for incorrect "version"). I kept getting the wrong one, so I stopped trying.

That plus other reasons made me want to leave Netflix. I am sure that I'll be back soon enough when BBuster folds completely.

Wow...sorry that you had a bad time with NetFlix. I guess it depends on where you live and the location of your distribution center.

Mine is in White Plains, NY and I haven't had a single problem with receiving any rentals...if fact, they couldn't find me a copy of Criterion's "The Burmese Harp", so they sent me a copy from Fla. (which took a few more days to be delivered) and sent a "free" rental from next down on my queue overnight.

I know that there are probably better streaming services available, but it's really convenient to be able to check out films that I might be interested in purchasing and to do it w/o having to "rent". I did that with a number of Criterion titles that I wound up purchasing during the last sale.

[aggienader08]

Originally Posted by italy12

For some reason, I do not believe that BB will carry these titles. I searched for The Magician on BB's website while at work and it was not even listed.

The Darjeeling Limited has an "18" at the beginning of the SKU, and that generally means it is an online only item.

The only ones we didn't get in the last 2 months were Breathless and The Secret of the Grain.

Dang! It's listing Paths of Glory as "online only" as well. I hate this.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

I just make mulitple copies of the coupons.

I usually do the same...but if you catch a manager that is "by the book", then they scan it with your membership number/card and if you've already used it once...then you're out of luck. The others at my local location will usually override the scan and let me "get away with it".

[rkish]

Originally Posted by Dwigt

Great men have great names and a great man cannot name himself Samuel L. Chang.

I use that name on many boards as it's generally available everywhere. People generally (and understandably) fail to know the reference but I've already had a few comments on other boards accusing me of supporting American conservatives (one of the worst crimes in France) as I had allegedly took the name as a tribute to Dwight Eisenhower.

I was an Eisenhower baby, so that's cool with me!

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by italy12

Hey Dwigt,

Is your name based on The Office episode where they read Michael's screen play, Threat Level Midnight?

If so...props!

Loveeeeeee the Office.

[JediFonger]

anyone talking about the eventual nov/dec. sale yet? was it nov or dec?

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by JediFonger

anyone talking about the eventual nov/dec. sale yet? was it nov or dec?

If you are referring to the B&N 50% off Criterion sale, I think that is in November if I am not mistaken.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

Loveeeeeee the Office.

AGREED...Loveeeeeee the BRITISH Office even more!

Ricky Gervais...his "regular" role on FX's "Louie" is a pisser!

[italy12]

Originally Posted by Dwigt

Great men have great names and a great man cannot name himself Samuel L. Chang.

I use that name on many boards as it's generally available everywhere. People generally (and understandably) fail to know the reference but I've already had a few comments on other boards accusing me of supporting American conservatives (one of the worst crimes in France) as I had allegedly took the name as a tribute to Dwight Eisenhower.

Samuel L. Chang...lol

Great stuff. The new season so far has been hit or miss after 3 episodes, and while I thought last season was ok, my wife basically hated it after absolutely loving seasons 1-5. Not sure where they'll go after this season with Carell leaving. Hopefully it will end.

Maybe Criterion will pick up the rights to release a mega-boxset??

Maybe not.

[rkish]

Man...I've seen mortuaries more lively, than this thread today!

[italy12]

DeepDiscount update...

I got home fro work yesterday to find a package containing another BD of Crumb. The one I received last week must have been the first one that was shipped almost 5 weeks ago. This must be the replacement I asked for when I called.

Interesting...

[keldons]

Originally Posted by rkish

Wow...sorry that you had a bad time with NetFlix. I guess it depends on where you live and the location of your distribution center.

Mine is in White Plains, NY and I haven't had a single problem with receiving any rentals...if fact, they couldn't find me a copy of Criterion's "The Burmese Harp", so they sent me a copy from Fla. (which took a few more days to be delivered) and sent a "free" rental from next down on my queue overnight.

I know that there are probably better streaming services available, but it's really convenient to be able to check out films that I might be interested in purchasing and to do it w/o having to "rent". I did that with a number of Criterion titles that I wound up purchasing during the last sale.

Same here, they didn't have a copy of Hiroshima, Mon Amour at my local shipping center, so they sent one from California and in the meantime they shipped the next film on my queue for free. I've seen so many things both on disc, and through streaming that for $11 or so a month (one disc at a time+ blu-ray access) its an amazing deal.

[rkish]

Well...finally cracked open my copy of "Breathless"...

I had streamed it before on NetFlix...and I liked it after my first viewing. I had purchased/seen Pierrot Le Fou (which is visually entertaining, but I'm still trying to embrace it) and I really wanted to "like" a Godard film.

I place Breathless in the "important" film category, along with films like Battleship Potemkin and The General...it always helps if you like them, which I do in the case of these three films.

The packaging is nice...people gots to calm down about the non-plastic cases...this was done very tastefully. The insert booklet is huge and I'll read all of it, when I get a chance.

How much different was/is the DVD packaging and the booklet that came with it?

[greekak229]

Originally Posted by rkish

Well...finally cracked open my copy of "Breathless"...

I had streamed it before on NetFlix...and I liked it after my first viewing. I had purchased/seen Pierrot Le Fou (which is visually entertaining, but I'm still trying to embrace it) and I really wanted to "like" a Godard film.

I place Breathless in the "important" film category, along with films like Battleship Potemkin and The General...it always helps if you like them, which I do in the case of these three films.

The packaging is nice...people gots to calm down about the non-plastic cases...this was done very tastefully. The insert booklet is huge and I'll read all of it, when I get a chance.

How much different was/is the DVD packaging and the booklet that came with it?

I managed to snag the UK version of Breathless, the Digibook, and I really like it.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rkish

The packaging is nice...people gots to calm down about the non-plastic cases...this was done very tastefully. The insert booklet is huge and I'll read all of it, when I get a chance.

How much different was/is the DVD packaging and the booklet that came with it?

Not much different. Only thing missing is a big photo on the inside and they cut a line off of the tiny photos. I believe pics of both are on CriterionForum if you want to take a look.

I love the cardboard cases. And I am actually starting to like the first wave of blu cardboard releases (the thin ones). Actually as I bought a replacement case for the Last Year at Marienbad release a while back, I actually still have it in the original digi. I was lucky enough to get the original digi that was a little wide so it can slide out easy. But it looks awesome, so I kept in it that while I have the clear case put aside.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by rkish

people gots to calm down

rkish went all street!

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by CassavetesGodard

I love the cardboard cases. And I am actually starting to like the first wave of blu cardboard releases (the thin ones). Actually as I bought a replacement case for the Last Year at Marienbad release a while back, I actually still have it in the original digi. I was lucky enough to get the original digi that was a little wide so it can slide out easy. But it looks awesome, so I kept in it that while I have the clear case put aside.

I think the digi goes exceptionally well with Last Year, its the type of movie that I feel if criterion had continued to do special packaging for certain movies like they did with their DVDs it would have have been different anyways.