British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[gr451]

Nosferatu the Vampyre and Aguirre, Wrath of God steelbooks are part of the 2 for £12 - Blu-ray sale at Zavvi.

[rapta]

As I've said before, I've kinda got used to seeing this title delayed...but this time it goes against what the BFI told me directly just yesterday on Twitter:

Thanks for checking - it's still due for release at the end of the month

Amazon are now quoting August 24th for Eyes Without A Face (a further 2 month delay). It could be incorrect, but they're often right about BFI delays before the BFI even acknowledge them.

PS: all said, they have updated the product description it seems. No longer 3-disc (1xBD, 2xDVD) but just 2-disc (1xBD, 1xDVD).

Specs...

EYES WITHOUT A FACE (Dual Format Edition – DVD + Blu-ray)
A film by Georges Franju

Pierre Brasseur (Les Enfants du Paradis) is Dr Génessier, a brilliant and obsessive plastic surgeon driven by the need to restore his daughter s disfigured face and push the boundaries of his field. Aided by his loyal assistant Alida Valli (Suspiria), who lures young women to his secluded chateau in pursuit of his dark quest. Eugen Schüfftan's (The Hustler) stunning cinematography lends the chateau an almost Cocteau-esque life of its own, and Edith Scob (Judex) is quite remarkable as the ravaged beauty.

Eyes Without a Face is at once cruel and tender, highlighting Georges Franju's unique blend of pulp, horror and poetry. In the decades since its release it has been a major influence on filmmakers as diverse as Jesús Franco, John Carpenter and, more recently, Pedro Almodóvar.

Special features

• Remastered in High Definition
• Feature-length audio commentary by film expert Tim Lucas (Video Watchdog)
• Monsieur et Madame Curie (Georges Franju, 1953, 14 mins): a study of the life and work of the Curies, told through the words of Marie Curie
• La Première nuit (Georges Franju, 1958, 20 mins): a young boy spends a night in the Métro
• Les Fleurs maladives de Georges Franju (Pierre-Henri Gibert, 2009, 50 mins): an overview of Georges Franju's career
• For Her Eyes Only - An interview with Edith Scob (L P Hugo, 2014, 17 mins)
• Fully illustrated booklet featuring essays from Kate Ince, Isabel Stevens, Roberto Cueto Llera, Raymond Durgnat, Kevin Jackson and Michael Brooke; and full film credits

UK | 1960 | black & white | French language, with optional English subtitles | Original aspect ratio 1.66:1
Disc 1: BD50 | 1080p | 24fps
Disc 2: DVD9 | PAL

Does this mean despite all the delays (over a year of them), they've ditched Le sang des bêtes? I hope that's not the case...

[kuro_sawa]

It's kind of ridiculous to think that after all this time it's dropped. If those are the final release specs, what was the hold up again?

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by rapta

As I've said before, I've kinda got used to seeing this title delayed...but this time it goes against what the BFI told me directly just yesterday on Twitter:



Amazon are now quoting August 24th for Eyes Without A Face (a further 2 month delay). It could be incorrect, but they're often right about BFI delays before the BFI even acknowledge them.

PS: all said, they have updated the product description it seems. No longer 3-disc (1xBD, 2xDVD) but just 2-disc (1xBD, 1xDVD).

Specs...



Does this mean despite all the delays (over a year of them), they've ditched Le sang des bêtes? I hope that's not the case...

Just received my change of release date notification from Amazon for this, which confirms it. Whilst I take on board possible reasons cited by MichaelB, I'm now in the fortunate position of having the Criterion available now so it's a cancellation for me.

BFI have made a complete arse of this release.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Olmo

Just received my change of release date notification from Amazon for this, which confirms it. Whilst I take on board possible reasons cited by MichaelB, I'm now in the fortunate position of having the Criterion available now so it's a cancellation for me.

BFI have made a complete arse of this release.

Me too. I replied to BFI on Twitter asking them why immediately after giving me that response acknowledging that it would be released later this month, Amazon have put the date forward by 2 months.

I don't really get why they would have to delay it any further if they couldn't secure the rights for Le sang des bêtes? Perhaps just submitting stuff to the BBFC, or for production reasons? I guess they have a lot on their plate at the moment...but you would think their delayed titles would be priority (especially after a year).

Despite a lack of Le sang des bêtes, I'm sure it'll still be worth the wait.

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Trying and failing to clear the rights to Le sang des bêtes, I imagine.

I can entirely understand why they thought it was so important that it was worth delaying the release over, but there comes a point when you have to be pragmatic. The rights clock on the main feature will have been ticking all this time, and they've effectively lost a year of their licensing period.

Arrow had a similar dilemma with Rabid Dogs - after fruitlessly searching for 35mm materials of the original Mario Bava cut, they similarly lost a year of their licensing period. Which meant that unless they wanted to start losing serious money on the deal (and money that had already been spent), they eventually had to make a decision to go ahead in some form, even if it was only an HD-SD hybrid.

I sometimes wish they would be a little more communicative...they could've gauged a response from their audience as to whether they would prefer to wait 'til they secured the short and had to wait over a year for it, or whether we'd rather just have the current extras with that short missing. I'm trying to think how other labels have done it, and I'm pretty sure Second Sight ended up releasing Thunderbolt & Lightfoot extras-free because they were struggling to secure rights for certain ones...and in the end I didn't actually mind.

I guess it's actually different when it comes to short films - especially one that's regarded as one of the best documentaries of all time. They were aiming for the most complete package to date, and failed to secure the rights. I wonder if they can release it as part of another Franju release in future? Or maybe as an extra to something similarly-themed, once they can actually secure the rights? That said, I'm sure they'll just give up with it once they release Eyes Without A Face...

[rapta]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

The BBFC wouldn't be an issue: the film clearly doesn't infringe the Animals Act, as it's a legitimate documentary record of things that were happening anyway. Indeed, this is precisely the kind of film that the wording of the Act was designed to excuse - ditto something like Victor Schonfeld's almost unwatchable The Animals Film. ("Unwatchable" because of its subject, not its competence!)

UPDATE: Actually, I see what you were getting at, but I'll leave my original reply as it is. But in general the BBFC's turnaround is surprisingly fast, so it's very unlikely that that would be responsible for a two-month delay. Especially since the main feature already has a video certificate.



Eureka and Satyricon is another recent example.

Yeah sorry, I didn't make myself particularly clear - I just noticed they haven't cleared all of the films on the disc yet as far as the BBFC site goes.

And yes, Satyricon was a similar example which had its own perks. I'm sure most people wouldn't have minded if BFI had released Eyes Without A Face back in November, sans-Le sang des bêtes...so it confuses me that there are still delays to the release, assuming it's still not going to appear.

BFI kindly replied to my follow-up question on Twitter:

There have been some unexpected delays, and we're working hard to get it ready for release.

[Yami]

It's a shame that they seemingly can't get the rights to Le sang des bêtes, especially since it's available on other releases. But, to look at it another way, Le sang des bêtes is widely available on disc and online while La Premiere Nuit is very hard to see. As far as I know, it's the first time it's been released on home video and it should be from a new restoration. Totally worth it.

[ptb2010]

Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn is out on Blu Ray in the USA and is by all accounts a wonderful restoration. So why is it not available in the UK, especially as the BFI was instrumental in the work? Or does anyone know when it is coming here? The price to buy it from the States is high.

[OceanBlue]

Decided to get the BFI Blu-ray/DVD combo release of The Soviet Influence: From Turksib to Night Mail. Not tested the Blu-ray disc out yet, but the case and booklet are in virtually pristine condition.

[Novecento]

Originally Posted by rapta

And I don't know if it's an error, but they also have listings for Blu-ray reissues of Saturday Night, Sunday Morning and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner set for June 22nd.

Weirdly the BFI has the re-issues only listed as DVD but not Blu-ray

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Novecento

Weirdly the BFI has the re-issues only listed as DVD but not Blu-ray

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saturday-Nig...dp/B001NDTA2C/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Loneliness-L.../dp/B001FP9EII

[Funktion]

Originally Posted by rapta

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saturday-Nig...dp/B001NDTA2C/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Loneliness-L.../dp/B001FP9EII

Are these re-releases supposed to feature anything new, besides the new cover art? Anything added/missing?

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Funktion

Are these re-releases supposed to feature anything new, besides the new cover art? Anything added/missing?

Just the DVD copy missing I think, and with new cover art. As I said, it's a mystery why the BFI - releasing so many limited titles at the moment, so presumably watching their pocket - decided to reissue these two when the current editions are still in print! My guess is to promote British film, or to just get the new artwork out there?

[Opdef]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

(A case in point: the nine silent Hitchcock restorations, carried out by the BFI but which are actually owned by either Network or StudioCanal, depending on the individual title. I suspect if the BFI had the rights they'd all have come out years ago!)

I remember going to see the Manxman restoration in 2011(?), was sure it wouldn't be long before I'd get to see the other Hitchcock silents on Blu-ray. Can't believe that it's halfway through 2015 and still no more have surfaced... I hope I actually live long enough to see their eventual release. I've resisted picking up the DVDs as if I'm going to watch them I'd love to see them restored, but I've seen no indication that they will ever see the light of day on physical media. Maybe the rights will expire and BFI can snap them up?

[Opdef]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Almost inconceivably unlikely. Whoever owns these libraries owns them in perpetuity unless they decide to sell them - and the BFI wouldn't be in a financial position to snap them up.

Of course, the films themselves will eventually pass out of copyright, but under EU law this won't be until 2050 at the earliest.

Dashing my hopes again with that gloomy post Michael! Only 38 years to last. Maybe there's a glimmer of hope for the films' centenaries in, what, 13 years? I'll start petitioning Network again. StudioCanal just ignore me.

[Novecento]

Originally Posted by rapta

Just the DVD copy missing I think, and with new cover art. As I said, it's a mystery why the BFI - releasing so many limited titles at the moment, so presumably watching their pocket - decided to reissue these two when the current editions are still in print! My guess is to promote British film, or to just get the new artwork out there?

It is strange. I was thinking maybe they were going to fix the incorrect aspect ratio on "Loneliness..." from 1.78:1 to 1.66:1 but it doesn't seem like that is changing based on the specs.

[EddieLarkin]

Oh I wish this false belief that British films of this time period should automatically be shown at 1.66:1 would die already.

I mean for starters anyway you can see that the BFI Blu-ray has the same top line as the 1.66:1 BFI DVD, and achieves it's wider ratio primarily by opening up the sides, meaning regardless of AR it's going to be a far more accurate and pleasing viewing experience. Certainly anyone who has watched the BFI Blu-ray and thought "hmm, this is awfully tight compared to the old DVD. Damn you 1.78:1!" is a bloody fool.

But historically speaking there is no evidence to suggest this film should be seen at 1.66:1. You can go over these posts to see how rare 1.66:1 really was as a compositional ratio during this time period:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topi...3#entry4129557

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topi...6#entry4137329

Both, especially the second, are goldmines of information that anyone commenting on this subject should familiarise themselves with first. Granted, they don't prove that The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner wasn't one of the very tiny number of 1.66:1 productions from the era, so you may appreciate recollections from Twickenham Studios' own projectionist more, confirming that when they showed rushes from the film they were at 1.75:1:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/archive/t-420726.html

[EddieLarkin]

I wonder how often the reason the difference between 1.66:1 and 16x9 feels so piddling is because the work was actually composed at 1.75:1 or 1.85:1? Though even with some genuine 1.66:1 films you're still absolutely right, as Barry Lyndon proves.

Though I do have one "1.66:1 film presented at 16x9" in mind, where unfortunately the difference is anything but piddling. Much of The Key works fine, but there are moments on the current transfer which look ridiculous, including a close up of a letter Frank Finlay is writing his wife, and as he reaches the bottom of the paper and goes off screen (due to the crop), we can no longer see him signing it!

[edcresdee]

Im looking into Playtime, and dvdbeaver says the BFI has a "feature commentary by Philip Kemp", and the criterion has "Selected scene commentary by film historian Philip Kemp". Yet his review states "Extras include the same Philip Kemp commentary as found on the Criterion". Can anyone tell me if the bfi is a full length commentary or just selected scenes? If they are the same I'll go with the SC set instead

[Spiderwalk]

I was wondering... is BFI Flipside finished now?. I was hoping they might release the rather wonderful - I Start Counting (1970) starring Jenny Agutter. It would fit perfectly alongside their other releases.