British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[nightcrawler]

I watched Late Spring last night (first time) and really enjoyed it. I really like Setsuko Hara as well, who plays Noriko. I'm still quite new to the world of Ozu - so far I have only seen Tokyo Story and Late Spring. There's something about these films which is very captivating, and am looking forward to discovering more of Ozu's output. I have also got Early Summer as well but haven't yet watched it. Thank you BFI for releasing these!

[rkish]

Originally Posted by nightcrawler

I watched Late Spring last night (first time) and really enjoyed it. I really like Setsuko Hara as well, who plays Noriko. I'm still quite new to the world of Ozu - so far I have only seen Tokyo Story and Late Spring. There's something about these films which is very captivating, and am looking forward to discovering more of Ozu's output. I have also got Early Summer as well but haven't yet watched it. Thank you BFI for releasing these!

They are WONDERFUL! I've got all of the (5) current BFI Ozu releases and have preordered the (2) coming out in late May (An Autumn Afternoon and Late Autumn).

I wonder what the next pair will be after this May?

[nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by rkish

They are WONDERFUL! I've got all of the (5) current BFI Ozu releases and have preordered the (2) coming out in late May (An Autumn Afternoon and Late Autumn).

I wonder what the next pair will be after this May?

What are the other 2 I haven't yet got then? Are they Equinox Flower and Good morning?

[rkish]

Originally Posted by nightcrawler

What are the other 2 I haven't yet got then? Are they Equinox Flower and Good morning?

That is correct!

The best part about these releases is, that though there are no supplements, you get (2) films...so at the end of May, there will be (14) of his films released.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

I'd say a hefty booklet most definitely counts as a supplement.

Sorry MichaelB...I was only meaning to reference the material on the disc(s) themselves. Thanks for keeping me honest!

The booklets are a GREAT supplement and more than make up for the lack of an audio commentary and/or doc features.

I really like the fact that they are pairing the main film releases with films from earlier in his career that I either haven't seen and/or have never seen a release. With the more than fair pricing on these releases, this makes it a very economical way of collecting his films!

EDIT: I'll make an early prediction on at least one of the next Ozu releases. "Floating Weeds" paired with "A Story of Floating Weeds".

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by rkish

EDIT: I'll make an early prediction on at least one of the next Ozu releases. "Floating Weeds" paired with "A Story of Floating Weeds".

Your prediction leads me to a question I've been wanting to ask:

MichaelB, do you have any news if BFI will also release Floating Weeds and The End of Summer (both currently released by Artificial Eye)? It would be odd to release other 32 films and not these two. I'm sure some kind of an agreement could be reached...

[Leterface]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

I'd say a hefty booklet most definitely counts as a supplement.

That's for sure; I use to never watch the supplements on the discs, but a week ago after I watched Salo for the first time, I read almost everything in its informative HEFTY booklet.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Maybe I should've asked this before purchasing, but what are your opinions on Red Desert and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning? Just blind bought both.

[Buffalo66]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

Maybe I should've asked this before purchasing, but what are your opinions on Red Desert and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning? Just blind bought both.

I blind bought Red Desert and I love it. It's beautiful and quite different.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Originally Posted by Buffalo66

I blind bought Red Desert and I love it. It's beautiful and quite different.

That's what they keep telling me. Impressive collection you have there.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

Maybe I should've asked this before purchasing, but what are your opinions on Red Desert and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning? Just blind bought both.

I don't own the BFI BD version, but I rented the US DVD version from NetFlix. I enjoyed the film! I'd buy it and some other BFI titles now, but got a lot of domestic titles (mostly Criterion) and the next Ozus coming out, but would absolutely consider buying it at some point.

[buffetfroid]

rkish you should buy it if it's one of the titles on amazon.uk that's £6 right now. I've bought probably around 15 or so bfi titles in the past week at that price. Take out the VAT and even with shipping it comes out to about 10 bucks each. I already have SNaSM so didn't notice if it's reduced that low.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by buffetfroid

rkish you should buy it if it's one of the titles on amazon.uk that's £6 right now. I've bought probably around 15 or so bfi titles in the past week at that price. Take out the VAT and even with shipping it comes out to about 10 bucks each. I already have SNaSM so didn't notice if it's reduced that low.

Thanks for the heads up buffetfroid! Do you know which other BFI titles are currently in that price range?

I have "The Great White Silence" on preorder and am hoping that the John Krish films see a reduction in the near future, as they look intertesting to me.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by rkish

Do you know which other BFI titles are currently in that price range?

Most of the early blu-ray only discs in the main line and the earlier Flipside titles, Rich.

Here's the Amazon UK listing of BFI blu-rays by lowest price.

In my opinion, the "Bill Douglas Trilogy" is essential... as is "Saturday Night And Sunday Morning," "Salo," "Comrades," "Nighthawks/Strip Jack Naked," and "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner."

I finally picked up the Pasolini trilogy of films.

Between this site's reviews from pro-b and DVDBeaver's reviews, I think most people will find something they'll love at those great prices.

CC

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

Most of the early blu-ray only discs in the main line and the earlier Flipside titles, Rich.

Here's the Amazon UK listing of BFI blu-rays by lowest price.

In my opinion, the "Bill Douglas Trilogy" is essential... as is "Saturday Night And Sunday Morning," "Salo," "Comrades," "Nighthawks/Strip Jack Naked," and "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner."

I finally picked up the Pasolini trilogy of films.

Between this site's reviews from pro-b and DVDBeaver's reviews, I think most people will find something they'll love at those great prices.

CC

Thanks Chris!

Maybe I'll consider the Bill Douglas Trilogy and posibly SNaSM for the time being...I've already rented the latter. What can you tell me about the Douglas Trilogy?...I've seen it, but don't know a lot about it.

Glad you picked up the Pasolini trilogy...these are DVDs?

Tax check coming in a few weeks...then I'll be able to go a bit more wild. Too many great domestic titles coming out here in April, May, and June.

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by rkish

Glad you picked up the Pasolini trilogy...these are DVDs?

No, BFI blu-rays... Pasolini's "Trilogy of Life" includes The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, and Arabian Nights.

CC

[ccfixx]

Originally Posted by rkish

Maybe I'll consider the Bill Douglas Trilogy and possibly SNaSM for the time being...I've already rented the latter. What can you tell me about the Douglas Trilogy?...I've seen it, but don't know a lot about it.

What can I tell you about it? Nothing, but pro-b and DVDBeaver can.

Blu-ray.com

Bill Douglas Trilogy

CC

[rkish]

Originally Posted by ccfixx

What can I tell you about it? Nothing, but pro-b and DVDBeaver can.

Blu-ray.com

Bill Douglas Trilogy

CC

I know...I wanted to get YOUR feedback on it!

Thanks for the links though and the Pasolini BDs...might even check those out.

EDIT: Wow..just read the DVDBeaver review of the Douglas Trilogy...I might just order this now...thanks CC!

[rkish]

Hey...those of us living in the US...has anyone tried ordering multiple DVDs/BDs from the UK (be it Amazon UK, MoC/Eureka!, and/or BFI)? I want to do so, but am afraid that if I order more than (1) per order, that it'll take more than a month to be delivered...like my Ozus did over the holidays.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by rkish

Hey...those of us living in the US...has anyone tried ordering multiple DVDs/BDs from the UK (be it Amazon UK, MoC/Eureka!, and/or BFI)? I want to do so, but am afraid that if I order more than (1) per order, that it'll take more than a month to be delivered...like my Ozus did over the holidays.

Yes. I always order multiple from amazon because it lowers the shipping total per title. With these BFI blus it's been I think 2 orders of 6 and 1 of 8. None of them have shipped yet but that appears to be a stocking issue. Haven't had significant delays in the past. I don't really care when they show up. Not a rush for me. I also def. recommend Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner among these cheap ones. Most others I haven't seen. Saw Salo years ago...don't need to own it.