British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[rapta]

Originally Posted by GG88

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

Of the Bergman titles, probably only The Seventh Seal or Persona would sell particularly well as a new title on the format. I still doubt it though as surely they would want people to buy the box set volumes rather than go for one particular title in 4K? Wouldn't seem like a wise decision to announce such a release after the box sets had been announced, but I guess it's not impossible.

La Haine 4K would be more realistic but again, there's already a French 4K release and many people (myself included) bought the initial BFI release, which is already brilliant...again, would people be willing to double-dip? Imagine if Indicator decided to re-release Irreversible on 4K UHD a year after their recent Blu-ray edition. Neither of these labels are Arrow Video...

I therefore think it's more likely to be something new to the format, but maybe could be something BFI already have the rights to (or maybe not). Seeing as their purview includes several different styles of filmmaking, the net could be cast relatively wide. Most likely to be a classic film (maybe British) or something foreign language (likely a cult film, or from a well-known filmmaker).

[ste71]

Originally Posted by rapta

Of the Bergman titles, probably only The Seventh Seal or Persona would sell particularly well as a new title on the format. I still doubt it though as surely they would want people to buy the box set volumes rather than go for one particular title in 4K? Wouldn't seem like a wise decision to announce such a release after the box sets had been announced, but I guess it's not impossible.

La Haine 4K would be more realistic but again, there's already a French 4K release and many people (myself included) bought the initial BFI release, which is already brilliant...again, would people be willing to double-dip? Imagine if Indicator decided to re-release Irreversible on 4K UHD a year after their recent Blu-ray edition. Neither of these labels are Arrow Video...

I therefore think it's more likely to be something new to the format, but maybe could be something BFI already have the rights to (or maybe not). Seeing as their purview includes several different styles of filmmaking, the net could be cast relatively wide. Most likely to be a classic film (maybe British) or something foreign language (likely a cult film, or from a well-known filmmaker).

The Devils

Just imagine.......

[rapta]

Originally Posted by ste71

The Devils

Just imagine.......

It'll never happen.

[ste71]

Originally Posted by rapta

It'll never happen.

One can dream......

[rapta]

Originally Posted by ste71

One can dream......

BFI just confirmed it isn't Nashville btw. Suggested Paramount may port that release over here themselves.

I do wonder if they'll do an Altman film if they can though? Just on Blu-ray obviously. Not much choice though as most are either tied up with MGM, Fox or Warner Bros. The Gingerbread Man perhaps, or Pret a Porter? Maybe The Player, Short Cuts or Secret Honor if we're lucky. I'd also like to see a decent release for Dr. T and the Women (maybe Indicator, since it's Sony).

[ricky_dicky]

La Haine perhaps?

[Yami]

I could be wrong but I would be surprised if the BFI chose a title that they'd recently released a Blu-Ray of the same restoration of - it would be pretty unfair on their buyers. Which would rule out La Haine, Tokyo Story and a few others. I'd also be surprised if they debuted on a new format with anything other than a title that was both commercial and visually....well, visual.

Maybe something like The Man Who Would Be King or Hitchcock's Frenzy? It could even be something along the lines of a release of archival footage to tie in with the Diamond Jubilee next year.

[Dougling]

Originally Posted by ricky_dicky

La Haine perhaps?

They've already released that.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by Dougling

They've already released that.

But not on 4K UHD. Which is what the user was probably speculating.

[minister_x]

Maybe the BFI would like to release a UHD of Days of Heaven

[Lutz]

If BFI want to go 4K with a Paramount title they should do their biggest title: MAHOGANY.

[grahams76]

Originally Posted by minister_x

Maybe the BFI would like to release a UHD of Days of Heaven

May as well aim high.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by minister_x

Maybe the BFI would like to release a UHD of Days of Heaven

Just asked and apparently it's never been available to license, or at least as far as they can tell. More likely Paramount will release it as an HMV Premium Collection title

PS: in fact we're awaiting further title announcements, and I'd be surprised if this wasn't one of them along with titles like A Place in the Sun, Last Train from Gun Hill, Nashville, Mommie Dearest, 48 Hrs, Another 48 Hrs, Breakdown; and maybe even What Lies Beneath, The Stepford Wives, Flesh and Bone.

[CelestialAgent]

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).

Until we get Godzilla 4K in Japan, Toho won’t allow the remaster to be licensed from what I understand. It’s only surfaced on Japanese TV.

[fatboyslim142]

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).

What about Dual format UHDs?

[El Dopo]

Originally Posted by ste71

The Devils

Just imagine.......

Oooh, wasn't Mr Kermode and the BFI involved in compiling a 'director's cut' of this that's never seen a home release?? That would be NICE!

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by El Dopo

Oooh, wasn't Mr Kermode and the BFI involved in compiling a 'director's cut' of this that's never seen a home release?? That would be NICE!

That's what the Commentary on the DVD was edited down from for obvious reasons.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by El Dopo

Oooh, wasn't Mr Kermode and the BFI involved in compiling a 'director's cut' of this that's never seen a home release?? That would be NICE!

Warners wouldn't fund an HD master when they licensed the version they restored in-house (the BFI was not involved: the project was spearhead by Brian Jamieson just before he left WHV) for DVD because those elements are in abysmal condition. There may also be legal clearance issues with them. It would be a particularly poor showcase for UHD.

[minister_x]

Maybe it would be something Universal or Film Four-related. Could be a UHD of Trainspotting or Monsoon Wedding or something. Or if someone like Indicator doesn't have it, the BFI could take a massive gamble and do a UHD of The Straight Story?

I imagine MGM would also license their films to the BFI for a UHD, but on past form, the scans would require a lot of clean up so might not be a task the BFI would enjoy undertaking!

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Until we get Godzilla 4K in Japan, Toho won’t allow the remaster to be licensed from what I understand. It’s only surfaced on Japanese TV.

King Kong vs Godzilla it is then!