British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Yurakucho]

This has probably been asked and answered thousands of times, but what is the quality of the Kurosawa Samurai Blu-ray box set like? I've got the DVD box and the picture is pretty poor. Is the Blu-ray based on a remaster at all?

[grahams76]

UHD and blu-ray reissues of the Kurosawa catalogue can't be that far away - most of the transfers are over a decade old now.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Yurakucho

This has probably been asked and answered thousands of times, but what is the quality of the Kurosawa Samurai Blu-ray box set like? I've got the DVD box and the picture is pretty poor. Is the Blu-ray based on a remaster at all?

From memory, Yojimbo and Sanjuro are actually decent masters, but The Hidden Fortress and Throne of Blood are definitely inferior to the Criterion transfers, and Seven Samurai especially so (the worst PQ of the set). That said, none of them are unwatchable and I'd say it's worth getting if you're region locked - if you're not, better to get hold of the Criterion discs, since apparently BFI don't seem urged to upgrade these. To be fair to them, I think they weren't given the same access to materials as Criterion, and most likely because the latter liked just threw money at Toho 'til they were satisfied with the results, and neither party will share those restorations with the BFI without charging a lot.

Hoping things will change soon for BFI, but part of me thinks Criterion will be planning a big box set of Kurosawa titles that includes several they didn't manage to upgrade to HD before (and maybe even a few in 4K, at least Seven Samurai). What might happen is they port that box set to the UK as well (purchasing the rights to any necessary titles from BFI, as they did with Godzilla and The Young Girls of Rochefort), or at least make their box set Region Free (as they did for the Bergman and Varda sets). Of course though, I'd much prefer if a UK label like BFI could do a domestic box set (and if not, maybe MoC or Arrow).

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

https://shop.bfi.org.uk/dvd-blu-ray/...source=twitter

So I could've waited for a sale to place my order and still not received it any later. Swell.

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by koberulz

So I could've waited for a sale to place my order and still not received it any later. Swell.

Have you contacted them? I'd complain about it not shipping yet and suggest they do it right away, and give you the discount for compensation.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

Have you contacted them?

They told me last week that one of the items in my order was out of stock with the supplier, and they'd send the remainder first thing Monday morning with the OOS item to follow when available.

I believe it is now Tuesday.

[Beatnik]

Originally Posted by rapta

From memory, Yojimbo and Sanjuro are actually decent masters, but The Hidden Fortress and Throne of Blood are definitely inferior to the Criterion transfers, and Seven Samurai especially so (the worst PQ of the set). That said, none of them are unwatchable and I'd say it's worth getting if you're region locked - if you're not, better to get hold of the Criterion discs, since apparently BFI don't seem urged to upgrade these. To be fair to them, I think they weren't given the same access to materials as Criterion, and most likely because the latter liked just threw money at Toho 'til they were satisfied with the results, and neither party will share those restorations with the BFI without charging a lot.

Hoping things will change soon for BFI, but part of me thinks Criterion will be planning a big box set of Kurosawa titles that includes several they didn't manage to upgrade to HD before (and maybe even a few in 4K, at least Seven Samurai). What might happen is they port that box set to the UK as well (purchasing the rights to any necessary titles from BFI, as they did with Godzilla and The Young Girls of Rochefort), or at least make their box set Region Free (as they did for the Bergman and Varda sets). Of course though, I'd much prefer if a UK label like BFI could do a domestic box set (and if not, maybe MoC or Arrow).

I came into this thread to ask the exact same question about BFI's Kurosawa bluray boxset lol. Thanks for your informative reply. You've made me decide to wait a bit more for a potential reissue boxset. Though if I see any of the US Criterion Kurosawa blurays going cheaper than usual I'll probably bite.

Just a shame as I prefer the convenience of using the PS5 and Pulse headset for movies, rather than the multiregion player which the Pulse doesn't work with sadly.

[BobSimms]

Originally Posted by Nedoflanders

Oh dear, that confirms Criterion are not sitting on it.

I don’t think anyone ever seriously thought that in recent years, though—right? There’s been lots of discussion about Warner simply refusing to release it or license it. I’ve never heard any serious discussion about any label sitting on it other than Warner themselves.

[blujazz]

It wouldn't surprise me if there's going to be a BFI rerelease of a few Kurosawa films on blu-ray given there's a Kurosawa season at the BFI Southbank from Jan-March 2023.

https://www.bfi.org.uk/press-release...press-releases

Same thing happened this year with Truffaut, and last year with Bergman.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by rapta

From memory, Yojimbo and Sanjuro are actually decent masters, but The Hidden Fortress and Throne of Blood are definitely inferior to the Criterion transfers, and Seven Samurai especially so (the worst PQ of the set). That said, none of them are unwatchable and I'd say it's worth getting if you're region locked - if you're not, better to get hold of the Criterion discs, since apparently BFI don't seem urged to upgrade these. To be fair to them, I think they weren't given the same access to materials as Criterion, and most likely because the latter liked just threw money at Toho 'til they were satisfied with the results, and neither party will share those restorations with the BFI without charging a lot.

Hoping things will change soon for BFI, but part of me thinks Criterion will be planning a big box set of Kurosawa titles that includes several they didn't manage to upgrade to HD before (and maybe even a few in 4K, at least Seven Samurai). What might happen is they port that box set to the UK as well (purchasing the rights to any necessary titles from BFI, as they did with Godzilla and The Young Girls of Rochefort), or at least make their box set Region Free (as they did for the Bergman and Varda sets). Of course though, I'd much prefer if a UK label like BFI could do a domestic box set (and if not, maybe MoC or Arrow).

I read something similar about a year ago (perhaps from you) and it was enough for me sell my BFI sealed box (I have all the criterions). I'm happy with the criterion releases and I'm not particularly fussed about upgrading. If there is a fancy Kurosawa package coming from criterion a year from now doubtless I'd get hold of it in a sale. It does leave you with the issue of what to do with individual releases. I'm slowly selling my Bergman and Fellini releases less the digipacks of Fanny and Amarcord which I'm hanging on to. They're wonderful. And less any releases that are markedley different.

[koberulz]

Well the non-Napoleon portions of my order have now shipped, but still no ETA on Napoleon itself or explanation as to why it was allowed to go out of stock once I'd ordered it.

[Nedoflanders]

Originally Posted by BobSimms

I don’t think anyone ever seriously thought that in recent years, though—right? There’s been lots of discussion about Warner simply refusing to release it or license it. I’ve never heard any serious discussion about any label sitting on it other than Warner themselves.

It was only a little bit of speculation. And I don't think it's far-fetched to suggest Criterion had it, especially now we know they made an attempt.

[Jorvic]

The transfer on the Blu-ray of The Draughtsman's Contract is fabulous.

Watched it last night (have seen the film before) and it's a feast for the eyes! Some gorgeously composed shots. Love the mannered dialogue.

Puts me in the mood to rewatch Barry Lyndon, another work of exquisite beauty.

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by Jorvic

The transfer on the Blu-ray of The Draughtsman's Contract is fabulous.

Watched it last night (have seen the film before) and it's a feast for the eyes! Some gorgeously composed shots. Love the mannered dialogue.

Puts me in the mood to rewatch Barry Lyndon, another work of exquisite beauty.

I loved seeing A Walk Though H again too; early Greenaway can be very droll & inventive.

[Surge92]

I'm wondering if anyone here can help. I'm trying to order a movie from the BFI sale, but when it comes time to checkout, it's not letting me because supposedly my card information failed 3D authentication. Besides the fact I've never run into that before, it's not telling me what exactly is wrong that I can fix. Anyone have any advice? The sale ends tomorrow, and I don't want to miss out on the sale price.

[Deadend45]

BFI's old Akira Kurosawa Samurai Collection has rather disappointing pq. Hope BFI does a 4k do over.

[djhig]

Originally Posted by Surge92

I'm wondering if anyone here can help. I'm trying to order a movie from the BFI sale, but when it comes time to checkout, it's not letting me because supposedly my card information failed 3D authentication. Besides the fact I've never run into that before, it's not telling me what exactly is wrong that I can fix. Anyone have any advice? The sale ends tomorrow, and I don't want to miss out on the sale price.

3d Secure (or 3DS) authorisation is a fraud prevention mechanism for credit card payments which is mandatory in European countries (due to something called the Strong Customer Authentication legislation). Think of it a bit like Two-factor authentication for credit card transactions.

If a card transaction of over £100 is processed - the payment forces a "challenge" whereby the user has to verify it is them making a payment by completing a verification check (usually fingerprint) on their bank application on their mobile phone.

Unfortunately I don't think this is something that you'll be able to fix individually.

Sometimes this will fail if the customer's bank hasn't enabled support for 3DS - which if you're using an American bank is fairly likely, since this isn't really a thing over there yet.

Options:
* Split your order into totals less than £100 (this isn't foolproof as merchants have been encouraged to force the 3DS challenge regardless of amount, so even lower amounts can trigger the challenge)
* Pay by Paypal if it's an option on the BFI site
* Ring the BFI Shop during opening hours tomorrow (may be difficult depending on your time-zone) - payments taken over the phone aren't subject to 3DS.

[Surge92]

Originally Posted by djhig

Options:
* Split your order into totals less than £100 (this isn't foolproof as merchants have been encouraged to force the 3DS challenge regardless of amount, so even lower amounts can trigger the challenge)
* Pay by Paypal if it's an option on the BFI site
* Ring the BFI Shop during opening hours tomorrow (may be difficult depending on your time-zone) - payments taken over the phone aren't subject to 3DS.

The total is way under £100, but it's still requiring authentication. Paying through PayPal unfortunately isn't an available option. I wish. I e-mailed BFI a couple of days ago, but I haven't heard back from them. I'll try calling tomorrow.

[Aunt Peg]

I wonder if there is any chance of the BFI releasing Greenaway's The Falls (1980) on Blu Ray.

[Mr. Thomsen]

How does the BFI webshop pack box sets?