British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[KrugerIndustrial]

Cheers mate! it's 4.95 today!

edit. There seems to be a 2£ discount code if you spend more than 20£. However, when I tried to apply it nothing happens. Does anyone else have this problem?

[tenia]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

Cheers mate! it's 4.95 today!

edit. There seems to be a 2£ discount code if you spend more than 20£. However, when I tried to apply it nothing happens. Does anyone else have this problem?

You can use fiveroff50 for -£5 for £50 of buyings. I don't know about a £2 discount.

[Leterface]

KrugerIndustrial, I sent you a PM..

[Bruce Morrison]

I'm wondering whether there is any chance of BFI releasing an uncut version of Tony Richardson's 'The Charge Of The Light Brigade' on Blu-ray. They released the film on DVD many years ago but it was severely cut (as was the MGM edition released in the US), missing at least two key sequences. Apparently they were unaware that the master they used was a cut version, so this would be a great opportunity to carry out a full restoration of the uncut version, which was once available on a PAL VHS edition but never on DVD.

Are there any other fans of this underrated film out there?

[John Hodson]

HUUUGE fan. Sadly the BFI lost the home video rights to the film and they're now with Studio Canal; chances of them doing the right thing on BD would seem to be slim to none, though the BFI still holds complete material, including the out-takes in their vaults.

Regarding the film, you might be interested in this link and on Amazon, Trevor Willsmer (who apparently knows of what he speaks) tells of '...the four-hour rough cut footage...' in the BFI's hands.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Just received my copy of The Red Desert and oh boy isn't it a thing of beauty. Hopefully the film itself is too.

[Leterface]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

Just received my copy of The Red Desert and oh boy isn't it a thing of beauty. Hopefully the film itself is too.

I liked the cinematography of it, but the film just is too difficult for me. As someone pointed out somewhere, it might be better to start with some more "easier" Antonioni film. Are the two other BFI's Antonioni films easier for a Antonioni beginner?

[Yami]

I've compiled a list of confirmed, upcoming BFI Blu-Rays:

25 April:
Joanna (Mike Michael Sarne, 1968)
Lunch Hour (James Hill, 1961)

23 May:
Alice (Jan Svankmajer, 1988)
An Autumn Afternoon (Yasujiro Ozu, 1962)
Late Autumn (Yasujiro Ozu, 1960)
L'Age d'Or (Luis Brunel, 1930)

20 June:
The Great White Silence (Herbert Ponting, 1924)
Robinson in Ruins (Patrick Keller, 2010)

Date Unknown:
Before the Revolution (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1964)
Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954)*

* BFI (on Kurosawa Blu-Rays): Unfortunately, there are a few complications holding the release of Seven Samurai back. We definitely agree these films should receive the Blu-ray treatment and hope to achieve this at some point, though we can't say when.

[Leterface]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Have you tried watching it with the commentary?

Thanks, good idea. Actually I've never watched any film with commentary but could try it this time I guess.

[Marius Bava]

Originally Posted by Leterface

Are the two other BFI's Antonioni films easier for a Antonioni beginner?

Yes. I see those two films several years ago, but I remember that they are more...conventional. In my opinion, the "quintessential" Antonioni starts with L'avventura, and Il grido is some kind of prelude of that approach to filmmaking. And...OK, Le amichi could be a prelude to the prelude, but without the dry appearence of later works.

I think that Le amichi is a notable movie. And it could be a very enjoyable film, for those who love L'eclisse or Red desert and for those who don't. La signora senza camelie may be more questionable to Antonioni's fans, but I remember it as a lovely film, considerably emotive.

(excuses about my english)

[KrugerIndustrial]

What are the top3 Antonioni films?

[adamhopelies]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

What are the top3 Antonioni films?

L'Avventura, The Passenger and Il Grido are my favourites. I'm a big fan of all of his work tho.

Le Amiche and La signora senza camelie were released by Masters Of Cinema on Blu-ray last week, and are both great.

[Buffalo66]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

What are the top3 Antonioni films?

I've only seen three; the ones I own on BD.

My ranking:

Red Desert
Le Amiche
La signora senza camelie

[rkish]

Well...thanks to charnier and TJS_Blu, I'm out $20.00. Thanks alot guys!

Thanks for the heads up on the Naruse boxset dropping down in price. After factoring out the VAT charge, it was 12.22 BSP with the shipping to the US.

I'm psyched, as I just got the MoC set this week and really love it!

Thanks again guys!

[charnier]

A pleasure

Hope you enjoy it as much as the MoC

[rkish]

Four of the Naruse boxes left, if anyone has any interest...

[Yami]

So a DVD of Battleship Potemkin is going to be released but what about a Blu-Ray?

[glenneyes]

Was just looking around BFI's website and found something interesting.
Didn't read all 22 pages here, so sorry if its already come up.

http://www.bfi.org.uk/distribution/f...mat/hd_digital
A list of films currently being distributed to cinemas by BFI in HD Digital format.

Should this serve as any indication of possible BD releases in the foreseeable future...say, over the coming year?

[Opdef]

Originally Posted by Yami

So a DVD of Battleship Potemkin is going to be released but what about a Blu-Ray?

I dare to dream... Probably my most wanted Blu-ray release. They've got a HD print so I can't see any reason NOT to release it on BD.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by Opdef

I dare to dream... Probably my most wanted Blu-ray release. They've got a HD print so I can't see any reason NOT to release it on BD.

I've been tempted to pick up the Kino release for £10 from Amazon but I'd like to see what the BFI do with it.