British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[nitin]

Originally Posted by Sleazeaddict

blown away ? Here's beaver review for Canterbury, not so much difference between both, maybe less pict on Criterion.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...es_blu-ray.htm

Same for Decameron + Arabian Nights


http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDRe...ts_blu-ray.htm

You don't think that's a sizeable difference?

[Sleazeaddict]

Not really, some screens i prefer the BFI!

[Vidya]

Originally Posted by Sleazeaddict

Not really, some screens i prefer the BFI!

According to the review, the Criterion most resembles the original release Tech prints. I can't comment on the framing.

[magnetiques]

Originally Posted by Sleazeaddict

Not really, some screens i prefer the BFI!

same here, that brighter & sharper look some screens have suit the subject better imo

[edcresdee]

Originally Posted by rapta

Seem to remember being told specifically not to buy it - I seem to remember hearing it was just an upscale, and nowhere near the equivalent of the HD master Criterion used. I assume the BFI release will use the same one as Criterion, but with different extras and a lot cheaper too!

Can anyone confirm what the Film4 disc is like? I was about to order it but then saw this release due. I did own the criterion but had to sell.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by edcresdee

Can anyone confirm what the Film4 disc is like? I was about to order it but then saw this release due. I did own the criterion but had to sell.

Hi Ed!

There's a review on Amazon saying it uses the same master as the DVD (possible upscale then) and a comment on here described it as "bog standard 2.0 lossy DD and no extras and is pretty grainy" whatever that's worth.

Either way I'm sure the BFI will match the Criterion in terms of PQ/AQ and has some different extras (including a recent short film) and will be cheaper too. Can wait for reviews though to stay on the safe side?

Most recent Film4 releases of Secrets & Lies and High Hopes are great though.

[grahams76]

Does this mean the BFI might release a blu-ray of The Limey?

[Dougling]

Originally Posted by grahams76

Does this mean the BFI might release a blu-ray of The Limey?

I hope so. I really hope so.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by grahams76

Does this mean the BFI might release a blu-ray of The Limey?

I'm a huge Soderbergh fan, and even though that's not nearly my favourite of his films, I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it ever hit Blu-ray. Terrence Stamp is terrific in that film.

Originally Posted by Dougling

I hope so. I really hope so.

"You ell 'im I'm coming...tell 'im I'm ****ing comiiiing!"

[norrareal1968]

Originally Posted by rapta

Hi Ed!

There's a review on Amazon saying it uses the same master as the DVD (possible upscale then) and a comment on here described it as "bog standard 2.0 lossy DD and no extras and is pretty grainy" whatever that's worth.

Either way I'm sure the BFI will match the Criterion in terms of PQ/AQ and has some different extras (including a recent short film) and will be cheaper too. Can wait for reviews though to stay on the safe side?

Most recent Film4 releases of Secrets & Lies and High Hopes are great though.

I actually have the Film4 disc and can confirm that it looks fine. It is definitely not an upscale. Not as good as Criterion in terms of PQ but not far from it.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by norrareal1968

I actually have the Film4 disc and can confirm that it looks fine. It is definitely not an upscale. Not as good as Criterion in terms of PQ but not far from it.

Oh, well fair enough! I'll still likely get the BFI release though as the Film4 disc is barebones - BFI add a short film, other extras, and a booklet. I probably won't pre-order it but it will get bought soon after release.

[norrareal1968]

Originally Posted by rapta

Oh, well fair enough! I'll still likely get the BFI release though as the Film4 disc is barebones - BFI add a short film, other extras, and a booklet. I probably won't pre-order it but it will get bought soon after release.

BFI will most certainly top it when it comes to extras, yet I doubt we'll get a much better presentation in terms of PQ/AQ

[sjt]

I can't untangle this thicket of non-sequential quotes of quotes of quotes far enough back to determine what the "it" actually is.

Someone please enlighten me....

[nitin]

Originally Posted by sjt

I can't untangle this thicket of non-sequential quotes of quotes of quotes far enough back to determine what the "it" actually is.

Someone please enlighten me....

Life is Sweet.

[Dougling]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

What about Beautiful Thing, Velvet Goldmine, Bully, Trainspotting and so many other films Film4 released?

I don't disagree those would be good, but Soderbergh is my favourite director so The Limey would be a huge deal for me.

[seamus11]

From Je veux le Blu Ray/Dvd de FULL CIRCLE/THE HAUNTING OF JULIA FB page:

1. A 35mm print of 'The Haunting of Julia' has been tracked to the University of North Carolina film school archive. They are checking the print for me at present, but claim it is in pretty good condition but slightly 'faded'. They are offering 'a deal' for possible screenings and a possible restoration of that print - more to follow.
2. Having spoken to Richard Loncraine about this, a tentative plan is to cough up and get the print restored in some shape or form, then maybe host a couple of screenings as a way of building interest/recognition of the film - maybe even a screening at the University itself.
The reason why we want to 'build interest' is ......
3. The full negative of the film has been located in technicolour's vault (as I mentioned previous). This is complete, with all audio intact. They will not release the negative for a full-blown restoration/release until ownership rights are resolved. However....
4. After my 'hassling' of Richard (!) he is now pushing the BFI in London to purchase the negative from technicolour and hold it in their own archive - they could claim it is an important piece of British cinema history, which would not only push the cost down, but could potentially also see the BFI give it the full restoration treatment, and possibly even release the film through their own blu-ray label (as they have done with several other British retro horrors in the past). Richard did an on-stage Q&A at the BFI last year for his film Richard III (which is great btw) so according to him they 'owe him a favour'
The great news is Richard is fully on board with this, so at this point in time we are probably closer than ever to getting the film the release it deserves.
I am not going to stop with this - even if it takes years to get sorted, as the sense of achievement from seeing the film on the big screen and on store shelves would be amazing.

[BarnDoor]

According to Cliff MacMillan (of Scream Factory), the rights to this film are with Sony. If true for the UK also, I wonder if this would impact a potential BFI release, and maybe present Indicator with an opportunity?

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

According to Cliff MacMillan (of Scream Factory), the rights to this film are with Sony. If true for the UK also, I wonder if this would impact a potential BFI release, and maybe present Indicator with an opportunity?

Either option wouldn't do the finished product any harm. I suspect that BFI may have archival material that would outweigh Indicator in that regard but as far as the main feature is concerned it would be fantastic either way.

[havalina]

A bunch of titles have gone to 8.99 at hmv, so I reckon there's another bfi 5 for 30 coming up, perhaps once Arrow finishes. Quite a few of them the same as last time but some others like Cry of the City, Women in Love, On the Black Hill, Birth of a Nation. Amazon is price matching some

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by havalina

A bunch of titles have gone to 8.99 at hmv, so I reckon there's another bfi 5 for 30 coming up, perhaps once Arrow finishes. Quite a few of them the same as last time but some others like Cry of the City, Women in Love, On the Black Hill, Birth of a Nation. Amazon is price matching some

That's good news I missed a couple of titles from last years promotion so I welcome this.