British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Jerry2345]

Originally Posted by scala

Thanks. Want to pick up Onibaba, probably from Amazon, and wanted to ensure I got the booklet.

Onibaba is Eureka, isn’t it? Not BFI. It’s a Masters of Cinema release, which means booklet is always ensured (also on new releases).

[scala]

Originally Posted by Jerry2345

Onibaba is Eureka, isn’t it? Not BFI. It’s a Masters of Cinema release, which means booklet is always ensured (also on new releases).

Yep, please ignore my brain fart.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Jerry2345

Onibaba is Eureka, isn’t it? Not BFI. It’s a Masters of Cinema release, which means booklet is always ensured (also on new releases).

True this. But he would do well to pick it up fast because it's an 8 year old release that may go OOP, like Naked Island released in the same year.

[Aclea]

Watching it this evening, this one could do with a remaster - at least part of it is shot on 16mm, which cleans up nicely with a little care, and they would make a better job of it than the BBC - and literally has their label's name on it:

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Watching it this evening, this one could do with a remaster - at least part of it is shot on 16mm, which cleans up nicely with a little care, and they would make a better job of it than the BBC - and literally has their label's name on it:

Depends if 16mm exists though. They didn't have a remit to archive inserts for VT shows and only kept the finished product, unless it was something deemed prestigious or of historical significance (I think they used some sort of grading system back in the day to denote archival importance). What does survive is often more luck than design. I honestly have no idea in this case if it does or not.

[Aclea]

The DVD isn't bad but the 16mm night scenes are the worst looking part. The show was popular and acclaimed enough to get a sequel and a couple of repeats as well as a VHS release but, as you say, that doesn't mean they kept the original elements.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by Aclea

The DVD isn't bad but the 16mm night scenes are the worst looking part. The show was popular and acclaimed enough to get a sequel and a couple of repeats as well as a VHS release but, as you say, that doesn't mean they kept the original elements.

Picked this up a couple of weeks ago, it was going cheap on Amazon and i had fond memories of watching it sometime in the eighties, now just need to find the time to watch.

I have so many distant memories of long gone TV shows, i can't remember whether they were good or just memorable e.g. Sexton Blake and the Demon God.

[Aclea]

It retains its charm and has an appealing cast with a lot of familiar faces. If the British film industry weren't in such dire straits at the time it's easy to see it being intended for the big screen.

[benkell]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Watching it this evening, this one could do with a remaster - at least part of it is shot on 16mm, which cleans up nicely with a little care, and they would make a better job of it than the BBC - and literally has their label's name on it:

I bought and watched this for the first time (just too young to remember the original broadcasts) about three or four years ago and really enjoyed both films,although i thought the first film was much stronger than the sequel.

I would definitely buy any sort of upgrade because as you say the DVD looks mediocre.

[ravenus]

Dunno how it is otherwise, but I see lots of Flipside stuff for 8.99 on Zavvi. For those who cannot order from Amz UK, this might be worth a look.

[IVI13]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Dunno how it is otherwise, but I see lots of Flipside stuff for 8.99 on Zavvi. For those who cannot order from Amz UK, this might be worth a look.

plus free postage using code FREEAC - just ordered Short Sharp Shocks. I only need I Start Counting and my Flipside collection will be complete.

[DefLeppard]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Dunno how it is otherwise, but I see lots of Flipside stuff for 8.99 on Zavvi. For those who cannot order from Amz UK, this might be worth a look.

Most of these Flipside releases are down to £7.66 on rarewaves.com and a couple of other BFI releases as well in this price range but I've had a bad experience with them, not on their webshop but ~£7 worth CC Moonrise Kingdom purchased on their eBay store never arrived.

Originally Posted by IVI13

plus free postage using code FREEAC - just ordered Short Sharp Shocks. I only need I Start Counting and my Flipside collection will be complete.

Yeah, it effectively removes £1.99 off the international delivery fee £9.99.

[CelestialAgent]

The Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice, Tokyo Story, An Actor's Revenge, Maborosi, After Life - £7.99 each

[Richard A]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

The Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice, Tokyo Story, An Actor's Revenge, Maborosi, After Life - £7.99 each

...at HMV.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by Richard A

...at HMV.

I only noticed it on Amazon but maybe I should pop in store and see if they have a copy of An Actor’s Revenge

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Jerry2345

They used to be fixed, but since recently (2019 or 2020) it’s first print run only. If you buy an older release, the booklet should still be included.

The re-released of the concentration camps documentary has a slimmed down version of the booklet. I'm not sure if this is a title that will keep the booklet due to its historial importance or not.

[rapta]

So it sounds like BFI are considering doing a UHD 4K release, but it won't be Seven Samurai nor will it be Salo. I imagine it would have to be something as notorious as either of those but who knows if it'll be a title they already have the rights to, or something brand new to them? I would say Godzilla but not sure a 4K release would appeal to that many people (those people would've already been buying the big Criterion Showa set).

Guess we'll find out in the near future (not that I'll buy it, as I'm firmly Blu-ray only for the foreseeable).

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by rapta

So it sounds like BFI are considering doing a UHD 4K release, but it won't be Seven Samurai nor will it be Salo. I imagine it would have to be something as notorious as either of those but who knows if it'll be a title they already have the rights to, or something brand new to them? I would say Godzilla but not sure a 4K release would appeal to that many people (those people would've already been buying the big Criterion Showa set).

Guess we'll find out in the near future (not that I'll buy it, as I'm firmly Blu-ray only for the foreseeable).

Seventh Seal?

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

Seventh Seal?

Maybe, but that's going to be in the Ingmar Bergman Volume 2 set out later in the year.

Perhaps they might be able to snag a Paramount title, as they're acquiring stuff from them at the moment? I only say that because Nashville has just been restored and Eureka's rights may have expired...

[GG88]

Originally Posted by rapta

So it sounds like BFI are considering doing a UHD 4K release, but it won't be Seven Samurai nor will it be Salo. I imagine it would have to be something as notorious as either of those but who knows if it'll be a title they already have the rights to, or something brand new to them? I would say Godzilla but not sure a 4K release would appeal to that many people (those people would've already been buying the big Criterion Showa set).

Guess we'll find out in the near future (not that I'll buy it, as I'm firmly Blu-ray only for the foreseeable).

A Bergman maybe? Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries, Persona or Fanny are probably popular enough for the format. IIRC only seventh seal is a 4K restoration in the Criterion set though and I assume BFI have the same masters. The US import sales alone could make it worth while since Criterion show no interest in UHD.

Or maybe something more modern like La Haine which had a 4K restoration

I can’t see it being something that hasn’t yet had a Blu ray release (on any label) especially for a first title in the format