British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Wait, what? Ford's The Informer is coming to Blu-ray?

Not the John Ford remake, but the original 1929 film by Arthur Robison.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by rapta

Ah yeah, nearly forgot about that...yeah likely for Q2 I reckon, as it was shown at this year's LFF.

I don't actually know if there's anything else rumoured or speculated. I think this announcement confirmed those we knew were on their way (El Sur, Chaplin's Essanay set) and a couple we were unsure about (The Glass Shield, Frantz Fanon), and we know that The Crying Game and The Wages of Fear are on their way.

Be interesting to see what their big projects will be for 2017. I wonder if we'll also see some more WCP stuff after the Sembene and Brocka, unless they're only going to do those sporadically. I'd love to see one or two of the titles restored by L'Immagine Ritrovata in recent years too, which could be quite likely (they've been quite busy recently).

I really hope we get some upgrades of some of their Japanese and French DVD titles in the next couple of years. I know that the person I contact at the BFI did mention potentially licensing a new Toho restoration of Ikiru, which would obviously be incredible, but I dunno how likely or unlikely a prospect that is within the next year.

Sorry, just want to clarify... Is this new restoration of Ikiru different from the one Criterion used for their blu in the US?
After reading your comment I did a which Google and it looks like Seven Samuai got a new 4K restoration job done too.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Sorry, just want to clarify... Is this new restoration of Ikiru different from the one Criterion used for their blu in the US?
After reading your comment I did a which Google and it looks like Seven Samuai got a new 4K restoration job done too.

Yes, the subject came up because we were discussing Kurosawa upgrades and the BFI team member said they couldn't license Criterion's restorations (for obvious reasons) but that Ikiru was being restored by Toho themselves, so the BFI would presumably use that to release over here.

A few more details: http://akirakurosawa.info/2016/09/15...dely-in-japan/

That would certainly be at the top of my list for the BFI to upgrade (but I'd love to see Red Beard, Stray Dog, Drunken Angel and High and Low too...and maybe a better edition of Seven Samurai too).

[tenia]

Interesting. I always thought Criterion licenced the 4K restoration from the Japanese.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by tenia

Interesting. I always thought Criterion licenced the 4K restoration from the Japanese.

Usually when Lee Kline is involved, it's an in house restoration. Although in this instance the base scan was done in Tokyo.

[nitin]

Also in for everything except the Essanay set as I already got the Flicker Alley version (it's beautiful so those getting the BFI version are in for a treat).

[tenia]

Originally Posted by nitin

Usually when Lee Kline is involved, it's an in house restoration. Although in this instance the base scan was done in Tokyo.

That's what I thought too but the scan made at Tokyo indeed made me doubt about it.
But yeah, usually, Lee Kline's input usually is a more important giveaway.

[rapta]

One title I notice the BFI are pushing a lot this year is Lubitsch's The Shop Around the Corner, but still only 35mm it seems.

I wonder if we'll see that as a DCP and eventual Blu-ray? Kinda crazy to think the only Lubitsch on UK Blu-ray is Madame DuBarry...

[rapta]

Hehe, guessing you didn't look through the last couple of pages CelestialAgent!

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by rapta

Yes, the subject came up because we were discussing Kurosawa upgrades and the BFI team member said they couldn't license Criterion's restorations (for obvious reasons) but that Ikiru was being restored by Toho themselves, so the BFI would presumably use that to release over here.

A few more details: http://akirakurosawa.info/2016/09/15...dely-in-japan/

That would certainly be at the top of my list for the BFI to upgrade (but I'd love to see Red Beard, Stray Dog, Drunken Angel and High and Low too...and maybe a better edition of Seven Samurai too).

Is this the conversation that took place on Eureka's facebook page? Because I got the impression that the BFI guy didn't realise that Toho had actually finished and released the restored Ikiru before I mentioned it. The thread can be found under Elliot Coen's comment here.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by adamhopelies

Is this the conversation that took place on Eureka's facebook page? Because I got the impression that the BFI guy didn't realise that Toho had actually finished and released the restored Ikiru before I mentioned it. The thread can be found under Elliot Coen's comment here.

Yeah I don't think he had either, but he didn't respond so I'm hoping he does now!

*****************

Just noticed BFI put all titles up for pre-order on their store, so we do have release dates now...

EL SUR - January 23rd
THE GLASS SHIELD - January 23rd
CHARLIE CHAPLIN: THE ESSANAY COMEDIES - January 23rd

THE CRYING GAME - February 20th
THE SPRING RIVER FLOWS EAST - February 20th
FRANZ FANON: BLACK SKIN WHITE MASK - February 20th

LINO BROCKA: TWO FILMS - March 20th
ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE - March 20th
WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR - March 20th

Also some specs are up on both the BFI Shop and Amazon listings for a few titles - obviously not final, but still of interest...

THE CRYING GAME:

Special features:

• The Making of the Crying Game
• Audio commentary with writer and director Neil Jordon
• Alternative ending with commentary by Neil Jordon
• Illustrated booklet with new essay by film critic Ashley Clark and full credits

ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE

Special features:

• Audio commentary with director Martin Scorsese, and actors Ellen Burstyn and Kris Kristofferson
• Second Chances – making-of documentary
• Original theatrical trailer
• Fully illustrated booklet

WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR

Special features:

• Partial audio commentary with Martin Scorsese
• Interview with directorial assistant Mardik Martin
• Fully illustrated booklet with new writing on the film and full credits

The Essanay Comedies set, much like The Mutual Comedies one before it, looks like it'll be very similar to the Flicker Alley release but with some difference in extras (and packaging).

Can't wait to see what they decide to do for the Brocka set in terms of design, packaging and extras...hopefully it looks as fresh as the Black Girl/Borom Sarret release from last year (which was in my Top 10 list at the end of the year). It's £29.99 from the BFI store so I expect it'll be about £20-25 elsewhere (HMV, Amazon etc), which is a fair price for two films I've been hearing a lot about in recent years!

[DavidGallow]

My three filmaking north stars are Welles, Chaplin and Scorsese so the BFI are really making dreams come true for me these days.

I'm already dreaming of a Chaplin Keystone upgrade to complete the "set" of Mutual, Essanay and Keystone.

[Norbie]

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

.... I'll be keen to see what goodies BFI has tucked in the larder for this one, but 4K or no, I may not double-dip on the Criterion I already have.

I'm constantly changing my mind whether to get the BFI set or keep my Criterion. The same thing happened with The Man Who Fell to Earth, but once I saw the U.K. Collectors Set it was an easy choice to get rid of the Criterion set. Now, I don't see the BFI release of The Wages of Fear will be as fancy but the new transfer and extras are tempting. I'm not a big enough fan of the movie and/or director (or a chronic The Criterion Collection collector) so keeping two sets will be a bit of a waste to me.

[rapta]

I noticed that the BBFC have rated both Manila in the Claws of Light and El Sur, so looks like there should be no delay to those two titles (unless assembling extras holds up the Brocka set of course).

Other than The Glass Shield and The Crying Game, still no sign of any of these showing up on Amazon or HMV for pre-order though. Same goes for Arrow's recent announcements (and they're going to be announcing February titles next week I bet)!

[javi92]

I wonder how old the masters are that they will be using for the two Scorsese films? Hope they are not recycling DVD masters.

[tenia]

I believe these 2 received new restorations not long ago.

[Cinematt]

Ooh Scorsese movies!
I'd love to see Boxcar Bertha get a release over here now there's a US blu (not that I'd expect the BFI to do it) but I think that now just leaves After Hours and Bringing Out the Dead to be added to BD for my (non documentary) collection to be complete.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Cinematt

Ooh Scorsese movies!
I'd love to see Boxcar Bertha get a release over here now there's a US blu (not that I'd expect the BFI to do it) but I think that now just leaves After Hours and Bringing Out the Dead to be added to BD for my (non documentary) collection to be complete.

As I brought up on the Signal One thread, I reckon either Signal One or Arrow might get this soon (or may have already licensed it and will announce it soon). Could create some new extras since the TT release has none, and would go nicely along BFI's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and Who's That Knocking At My Door (and possibly The Age of Innocence from Criterion, as is rumoured).

[Foggy]

All these Scoresese talk is getting me all hot and sweaty. Can't wait.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by rapta

As I brought up on the Signal One thread, I reckon either Signal One or Arrow might get this soon (or may have already licensed it and will announce it soon). Could create some new extras since the TT release has none, and would go nicely along BFI's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and Who's That Knocking At My Door (and possibly The Age of Innocence from Criterion, as is rumoured).

I've got the Italian release of Age of Innocence, but a Criterion would go on my 'maybe if Trump gets elected the $ will tank and I can import more' wishlist.

I'd expect someone to pick up Bertha. I only saw it for the first time recently and when I was trying to figure out if there was a version I should get there seemed to be some confusion about whether there's a different cut (some releases labelled as uncut but perhaps with no new footage, or perhaps there was a pre-release cut long lost) which has helped me hold of on the TT release. It's stupidly expensive for UK buyers at the moment, but I have been wanting that collection complete for quite a while...