British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Areopagita]

I was wondering about getting Antonioni's Red Desert. I probably should but I have already spent too much on Blu-rays this month. Is there a way to check which releases are OOP?

[kidc]

Originally Posted by Aclea

There's a lot of hyperbole and conspiracy theories about this film (just as there were about Clockwork Orange), but the reality is rather mundane and very coldly financially rational.

Your argument sounds really strong but why were the BFI forced to cut out the deleted scene from the documentary? Surely that is a sign that there are moral concerns at work?

[GeeTeeUK]

I've just watched my copy of 'Scandal' this evening, which I found to be very enjoyable.

The only thing that spoilt my viewing somewhat was a noticeable flash around half a dozen times through the the film - a horizontal portion of the screen (around a third) appeared to 'flash' for a frame. However, if I scanned back and played the same part it would not do it again. It doesn't, therefore, appear that it's been encoded to the disc like this. It's not something I've ever noticed before and have watched hundreds of blu-rays with the same set-up.

Has anyone noticed something similar with this, or any other disc? Could i just have got a duff copy?

[Aclea]

Not necessarily if there were contractual approval issues as mentioned in my post. TV and for profit home video operate under different constraints: a TV documentary can use the public interest argument to bypass it (ie Channel 4's Clockwork Orange doc's use of uncleared clips when Kubrick still blocked its screening in the UK), but commercial exploitation even by the copyright holder is another matter.

I was involved in one of Frank Mazzola's failed attempts to restore Performance, and some of the deleted shots could only have been used if the actors involved approved them, and digging up a 30 year old legal paper trail made sourcing footage look easy: if it had ever progressed to the stage of going through Mick Jagger's layers of management, lawyers and advisers to get round to adding it as the last item on the agenda of one of his quarterly business meetings and hoping it didn't get dropped because the meeting overran it could have taken forever to approve 8 frames of footage. Sometimes it's not even the content, it's personal grudges. I was involved in the first attempt to restore the 269 minute version of Once Upon a Time in America in 1998: the Leone estate were enthusiastic, Morricone offered to score the new scenes but Arnon Milchan blocked it because he was ending his deal with Warners in very bitter circumstances (so bitter that the wife of one of his employees' was banned from the Regency Christmas party because she worked for Warners: the husband was invited if he left her at home). And Jerry Perenchio blocking the Blade Runner final cut for years because of his beef with Ridley Scott is the stuff of legend.

EDIT - Another clearance grudge example: working on the remastered CD for the WB 75th anniversary edition of The Exorcist we were able to include all but one cue (which he reworked as the title for Petrocelli) of what was recorded of Lalo Schifrin's rejected score despite or because of his hatred of William Friedkin, but we couldn't licence Tubular Bells, not because Mike Oldfield had a grudge with Warners but because he hated Richard Branson and didn't want him making any money off it.

[Spiderwalk]

Originally Posted by GeeTeeUK

I've just watched my copy of 'Scandal' this evening, which I found to be very enjoyable.

The only thing that spoilt my viewing somewhat was a noticeable flash around half a dozen times through the the film - a horizontal portion of the screen (around a third) appeared to 'flash' for a frame. However, if I scanned back and played the same part it would not do it again. It doesn't, therefore, appear that it's been encoded to the disc like this. It's not something I've ever noticed before and have watched hundreds of blu-rays with the same set-up.

Has anyone noticed something similar with this, or any other disc? Could i just have got a duff copy?

I’ve just finished watching my copy, I didn’t notice any flashes. I thought the transfer looked really good.

[floor pie]

Originally Posted by GeeTeeUK

I've just watched my copy of 'Scandal' this evening, which I found to be very enjoyable.

The only thing that spoilt my viewing somewhat was a noticeable flash around half a dozen times through the the film - a horizontal portion of the screen (around a third) appeared to 'flash' for a frame. However, if I scanned back and played the same part it would not do it again. It doesn't, therefore, appear that it's been encoded to the disc like this. It's not something I've ever noticed before and have watched hundreds of blu-rays with the same set-up.

Has anyone noticed something similar with this, or any other disc? Could i just have got a duff copy?

Could it be your telly? I've hsd one TV which made occasional green flashes. It's not a very good TV so I've never bothered to try to fix it. It could've been a player issue too, or maybe something with the HDMI cable.

[GeeTeeUK]

Originally Posted by floor pie

Could it be your telly? I've hsd one TV which made occasional green flashes. It's not a very good TV so I've never bothered to try to fix it. It could've been a player issue too, or maybe something with the HDMI cable.

Like I say, I haven't noticed this before with any other discs. I will see if I notice it again with Scandal as I work through the commentaries, plus check to see if I get it with any other discs.

Thanks all.

[ZODIAC-BLU]

My copy of Scandal is in the mail. Glad to hear that the transfer is okay. I can't believe I pre-ordered this last August!

[cm93]

I just want to give a huge shout out to their shop on site. It's great. Get some really unique finds and I appreciate the fact that they focus on so many different types of films. I bought recently London Symphony from 2017, something I wouldn't have considered nor could find anywhere else.

[OceanBlue]

Haven't ordered a DVD and/or Blu-ray title directly from the BFI before (only one or two issues of the print version of Sight & Sound). The positive comments above have twisted my arm a bit into getting one or two titles from the BFI Shop.

Regarding Sight & Sound, the closest local WHSmith branch to me was the only store locally where I could get the magazine. However, the Merry Hill branch is closing at the end of March. There is the Stourbridge branch, but I very rarely go to Stourbridge. Can still get Sight & Sound directly from the BFI Shop.

[johnpaul2]

Originally Posted by Spiderwalk

I’ve just finished watching my copy, I didn’t notice any flashes. I thought the transfer looked really good.

Same here.

[StarDestroyer52]

DVDBeaver has the review up for the BFI version of Judgement at Nuremberg. I'll quote the first paragraph of the BFI review:

ADDITION: BFI Blu-ray - February 2020: Short story: this BFI Blu-ray is the best of the bunch. They did it right with the extras on a second disc DVD. The image takes a small notch forward with richer black levels looking slightly darker and excellent, it has 24-bit uncompressed mono audio, a new commentary by Jim Hemphill (who spends some valuable time defending Kramer from the likes of Andrew Sarris), and a 86-minute Guardian interview with Max Schell that plays to the film.

Also, the final paragraph of the review:

BFI have easily created the best Blu-ray package - kudos to the herculean commentary for the, almost 3-hour, film and the additional new extras plus the booklet. Fans of this film, many whom consider Kramer's best, should own this BFI Blu-ray. Period.

I think will surely take a double dip on this as this seems like the definitive version to own.

[CouncilSpectre]

^^ Agree. I wasn't going to double-dip over the Australian disc, but sounds like a clear upgrade so......

[malakaheso]

Originally Posted by Aclea

The film may be a cause celebre in the UK, but it's just another Ken Russell flop anywhere else!

Like most Russell films. Are you telling me that The Music Lovers is more sought after than The Devils? The Devils at least has some cult status. TML was all but forgotten until Criterion released it. Never saw it mentioned anywhere in the past, not even in the context of essential Russell lists.

It also doesn't help that Russell's popularity has waned in the last few decades. He isn't relevant to young cinephiles.

[Anthony Thorne]

Funny how Russell’s work was probably more pertinent in an era where he was pushing back against prudery and censorship. Now that people can watch SALO and CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST on YouTube on their phone, next to a browser tab with a list of PornHub links, it’s maybe not as impactful as it used to be.

[grim_tales]

In another thread, a poster mentioned that BFI will release a 25th Anniversary edition of La Haine (1995) with a new 4K restoration later this year.

[senseabove]

"Please note that due to unforeseen material issues, we have had to postpone the UK release of Tongues Untied from this coming March to later in 2020. More details to be confirmed as soon as possible. Apologies for any disappointment caused."

https://shop.bfi.org.uk/pre-order-tongues-untied.html

[magnetiques]

https://twitter.com/BFI/status/1235138676021223424

'To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mathieu Kassovitz's bold and groundbreaking La Haine, we'll be releasing a new 4K restoration in cinemas across the UK & Ireland from 29 May, with a Blu-ray to follow later this year.'

[DefLeppard]

Originally Posted by magnetiques

https://twitter.com/BFI/status/1235138676021223424

'To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mathieu Kassovitz's bold and groundbreaking La Haine, we'll be releasing a new 4K restoration in cinemas across the UK & Ireland from 29 May, with a Blu-ray to follow later this year.'

Thought this one would get a LE 4K box set release by SC but looks like that existing SC BD isn't available anymore...and that says something why this was announced in BFI thread..

[CelestialAgent]

I hadn't seen it updated on here so it's nice to see Beat the Devil and Sunday Bloody Sunday have added some fantastic extras packages since the initial announcement.

Audio commentary featuring films historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman (2018)
Audio commentary featuring DoP Oswald Morris, script supervisor Angela Allen and director’s assistant Jeanie Simms (2007)
By the Fireside (1945, 2 mins): an advert for Maypole Tea emphasising the quintessential Englishness of the afternoon tea ritual
Alexander Cockburn Beat the Devil (2010, 22 mins): the writer talks about his father Claud Cockburn whose novel the film was adapted from
Atomic Achievement (1956, 19 mins): a public information film celebrating the advances of nuclear power in the UK
Stills gallery
**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Fully illustrated booklet with new writing on the film by Peter Tonguette, Alexander Cockburn on how his father and John Huston brought the novel to the screen, plus full film credits

The Starfish (1950, 45 mins): supernatural fantasy made by John Schlesinger and Alan Cooke as students
Sunday in the Park (1956, 15 mins): Schlesinger’s short captures Londoners enjoying their day of rest
Murray Head Remembers Sunday Bloody Sunday (2020): the musician and actor discusses his leading role
Billy Williams Remembers Sunday Bloody Sunday (2020): the award-winning cinematographer on working with Schlesinger
The Pacemakers: Glenda Jackson (1971, 14 mins): the actress talks about her performances, filmed on the set of Sunday Bloody Sunday
Blood Donor: Glenda and Ernie (1981, 3 mins): a reluctant Glenda Jackson and a crafty Ernie Wise make a public-service appeal
Interview with John Schlesinger (1977, audio, 105 mins): the director looks back over an illustrious career
Feature commentary by Amy Simmons (2020): the author and critic on the film and its radical take on 1970s sexuality
Image galleries: rare on-set shots by renowned photographer Michael Childers, plus promotional and press stills

Do we know if the 1977 audio only interview with Schlesinger is the same as is on the Eureka disc for Yanks, or a differing one?