British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[fdm]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

It was packaged in a box, one of the wrap around ones with all the flaps that surround the item. They take VAT off, so anything you see on their site checks out 4 or so pounds less. The set cost me about $53 shipped, or £35. I tried them out when Amz banged up a steelbook I ordered, and have chosen them since. I've yet to have a damaged item and like I said this order showed up looking like it was fresh from the factory. Took exactly one week to arrive as well.

The kind of boxes that Eureka use? Even those haven't been completely successful with at least their bigger box sets. Sounds good otherwise.

[kuro_sawa]

This is a bit different. It's similar, but this has more flaps so the item(s) are covered before the top is wrapped around it. Also has a pull string instead of glue. Wish I didn't throw it out so I could take a pic as I'm having a hard time explaining it, sorry. It's not bulletproof, no, but I haven't had a damaged item yet. Probably jinx myself here.

[fdm]

I think I'll give them my next box set order. I'll pass on saying more than that so I don't jinx myself either. In the meantime, will do some price shopping. Thanks!

[nitin]

Base is a recommended seller, much better CS than zavvi too.

[Telstar]

Originally Posted by nitin

Base is a recommended seller, much better CS than zavvi too.

I'll vouch for Base as well. Zavvi on the other hand is possibly the worst seller I've ever had the displeasure to deal with. After my last horror show experience with them I vowed to never use them again, regardless of how good the "deal" appeared.

[rapta]

Finally got a response from the BFI as to how many copies the Dreyer set might be limited to...not particularly helpful, all they could say was that it wasn't more than 3000. I could've guessed that! Kinda wanted to know if it was 2000, 2500 or 3000...

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by rapta

Finally got a response from the BFI as to how many copies the Dreyer set might be limited to...not particularly helpful, all they could say was that it wasn't more than 3000. I could've guessed that! Kinda wanted to know if it was 2000, 2500 or 3000...

My copy is on its way. We should know if they follow same approach as Rosselini which said x/3,000 or are these unnumbered ?

[rapta]

Originally Posted by malcy30

My copy is on its way. We should know if they follow same approach as Rosselini which said x/3,000 or are these unnumbered ?

Unnumbered, but still 'strictly limited edition'. Same goes for the upcoming Chaplin set too. Will order this over the next few days from MovieMail most likely (as I just cancelled a few pre-orders). Will have to get the Rossellini set at some point too...hope it doesn't go OOP too quickly!

[kuro_sawa]

Thanks for the info. Wonder why they numbered War Trilogy and not this?? Puzzling.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Thanks for the info. Wonder why they numbered War Trilogy and not this?? Puzzling.

Dunno why. My inkling is that the Dreyer set might in fact be a higher print run (4000), or less and they didn't want to spend extra on numbering the sets (2000). But it's not clear, hence why I asked them in the first place...and got a vague response!

[Norbie]

I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on the Rossellini set by BFI since I already the the Criterion one. If there were only more bonus features.....

[EddieLarkin]

What use is the Criterion set now that new remasters and a Blu-ray release are available (and don't forget a whole additional film!)? In fact, already having the Criterion DVD set is MORE reason to get the BFI. That way you can keep it and have all of the extras across both releases, instead of waiting for the inevitable Criterion upgrade and excluding the BFI set completely.

[tenia]

The PQ on the BFI set is marvelous, but to be fair, the set does not have the same appeal extras feature-wise (which is quite a BFI constant, except for a few stuff).

[rapta]

Beaver review...

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by rapta

Beaver review...

Well there goes my free time as soon as this arrives, looks packed!

[rapta]

Just got a reply from the BFI on Twitter regarding the delay to Rashomon. Seems to be caused by a delay in the production of extras, so by the sounds of things a similar situation to Eyes Without A Face. Let's hope they both get a release this year rather than next, but I look forward to them both!

[tenia]

Originally Posted by kuro_sawa

Well there goes my free time as soon as this arrives, looks packed!

Yes, it is a marvelous package. I think that the quantity/quality of the extras could make the Dreyer looking as an even better boxset than the War trilogy one.

[Vakulinchuk]

Originally Posted by tenia

I think that the quantity/quality of the extras could make the Dreyer looking as an even better boxset than the War trilogy one.

You think? With four feature films seven shorts (thus eleven Dreyer works) and a feature-length documentary, the sheer magnitude of this can't be rivaled easily.

I'd say of the boxset I own probably only "Late Mizoguchi" can stand next to this.

[javi92]

BFI has really hit it out of the park with releases this first half. I hope they continue strong throughout the rest of the year.

[tenia]

Originally Posted by Vakulinchuk

You think? With four feature films seven shorts (thus eleven Dreyer works) and a feature-length documentary, the sheer magnitude of this can't be rivaled easily.

I think restoring in 4K the War Trilogy was more challenging than using the 2008/2010 restorations of the Dreyer movies.

It also seemed to me that the Dreyer movies have been more easily available in good quality while it was not so much the case with the War Trilogy. That's why I think some could say that on these terms, the Dreyer boxset is "less deserving" than the Rossellini one. Also, the Rossellini set comes with a very nice new 2K restoration of L'amore, which was almost invisible nowadays.

However, indeed, the content of the Dreyer set surpasses easily the Rossellini set.