British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Ben_C]

In an ideal world (one where rights issues are no issue) we’d get a massive Kurosawa box set similar to the Bergman one. I’d buy the shit out of a set like that.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by Si Parallel Universe

I enjoyed Stranger In The House . It's not classic Mason but its worth the price tag I paid to own it.

I think the only bits that feel really contrived to me are the casting of Bobby Darin. I feel it's a hangover from the days of British films casting American stars in order to get a film made but he seems to be an odd choice even then.

It's not as if those days have ever left us: we've still got Bryce Dallas Howard playing Elton John's mum, Kate McKinnon playing Himesh Patel's agent, Mike Myers playing a British record executive and Joseph Mazzello playing Queen's bass guitarist, Meryl as Mamma Mia, Samuel L. Jackson, Channing Tatum, Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges in the Kingsmen movies, while next year Henry Cavill will become only the second British actor to play Sherlock Holmes in a movie since 1988. It's been the price of getting a decent budget since the 50s. On the plus side, Brits do get to play American superheroes these days, so that's progress.

Darin's casting makes more sense when you bear in mind that the movie was majority financed by ABC's film arm and at the time Darin was a hot TV presenter and guest star who appeared fairly regularly on the network.

Olgilvy as a rather old person for someone on the cusp of their 21st.

Ogilvy was only 23 when the film was made, so it's fairly age-appropriate casting. They matured quicker in them days.

The 1942 version with Raimu, Les Inconnus dans la Maison, recently got released on Blu in France with English subtitles: it's apparently the best of the four versions.

[Si Parallel Universe]

Originally Posted by Aclea

It's not as if those days have ever left us: we've still got Bryce Dallas Howard playing Elton John's mum, Kate McKinnon playing Himesh Patel's agent, Mike Myers playing a British record executive and Joseph Mazzello playing Queen's bass guitarist, Meryl as Mamma Mia, Samuel L. Jackson, Channing Tatum, Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges in the Kingsmen movies, while next year Henry Cavill will become only the second British actor to play Sherlock Holmes in a movie since 1988. It's been the price of getting a decent budget since the 50s. On the plus side, Brits do get to play American superheroes these days, so that's progress.


Darin's casting makes more sense when you bear in mind that the movie was majority financed by ABC's film arm and at the time Darin was a hot TV presenter and guest star who appeared fairly regularly on the network.



Ogilvy was only 23 when the film was made, so it's fairly age-appropriate casting. They matured quicker in them days.

The 1942 version with Raimu, Les Inconnus dans la Maison, recently got released on Blu in France with English subtitles: it's apparently the best of the four versions.

Difference being that Bobby Darin is the singular US principle in it. I think casts these days are much more international through happenstance rather than simply at the behest of studio execs. He doesn't quite gel for me.

See this is what i like about these discussions. I was unaware of the 1942 Version and now it has me curious. Thank you.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by Si Parallel Universe

Difference being that Bobby Darin is the singular US principle in it.

Geraldine Chaplin is actually American, though she never sounded it: I believe she now has Spanish nationality. Paul Bertoya, who plays the boyfriend, was Canadian.

I think casts these days are much more international through happenstance rather than simply at the behest of studio execs. He doesn't quite gel for me.

No, sadly it's still the old Hammer mentality: if you want a US theatrical release, you have to cast an American either in the lead or a prominent supporting role to give them something familiar to sell Stateside even though it usually - well, almost always - doesn't work. It really is that cynical and depressing.

]See this is what i like about these discussions. I was unaware of the 1942 Version and now it has me curious. Thank you.

It's very highly regarded. The 1992 Jean-Paul Belmondo-Georges Lautner version of the novel is also out on Bluray in France, but that apparently doesn't have English subtitles.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Mind is wending its way across the pond. Hopefully it should arrive by Monday. Nobody Knows is my favorite of his so far.

Came today! Huzzah! I know what I'll be watching this weekend...

[CelestialAgent]

The copy of the BFI Blu-ray/DVD dual release of The Adventures of Prince Achmed I picked up from Norwich CEX (£4!) came with 2 booklets: the one in the case, and the one stored in the plastic sleeve behind the counter. Pretty sure CEX had another copy of Achmed recently that must have sold! So if anyone bought a copy in Norwich without a booklet then respond to this post or message me (or, if you have a missing copy anyway or want a quick read, if you’d like me to post the booklet for around £1 to you anyway!)

[Cremildo]

Quick question: how's the packaging when ordering directly from BFI?

Now that Amazon started to collect import fees deposit for orders delivered to my country, I need to buy directly from the labels.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Quick question: how's the packaging when ordering directly from BFI?

Now that Amazon started to collect import fees deposit for orders delivered to my country, I need to buy directly from the labels.

Amazon UK hasn't started it at least till my last order a couple days back. Make sure you don't mix Amazon and third party seller orders together.

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by ravenus

Amazon UK hasn't started it at least till my last order a couple days back. Make sure you don't mix Amazon and third party seller orders together.

They started charging IFD (as well as raising shipping & handling costs to 10 pounds!) in orders shipped to Brazil in July.

It's less of a hassle for me to buy directly from the labels now, even if more expensive. I just worry about the packaging. Never ordered from the BFI store before.

[minister_x]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Quick question: how's the packaging when ordering directly from BFI?

Now that Amazon started to collect import fees deposit for orders delivered to my country, I need to buy directly from the labels.

So far the only BFI order I have made directly that has arrived is the Hirokazu Koreeda set. It was wrapped in bubble wrap and in a firm cardboard wrapping. Clearly done by hand, and with care. I have high hopes for everything else I order from BFI - the slightly higher cost in postage will almost certainly be worth it, and at any rate is usually covered by the 15% discount I get as a member!

[Cremildo]

Originally Posted by minister_x

So far the only BFI order I have made directly that has arrived is the Hirokazu Koreeda set. It was wrapped in bubble wrap and in a firm cardboard wrapping. Clearly done by hand, and with care. I have high hopes for everything else I order from BFI - the slightly higher cost in postage will almost certainly be worth it, and at any rate is usually covered by the 15% discount I get as a member!

Thank you! Good to know. They'll be getting my money in the coming years.

Take that, Amazon!

[tcslevitt]

According to one of the guys in HMV Nottingham today, BFI will form part of their sale once Arrow Academy and Premium Collection titles go back up to full price next week.

[jackranderson]

I wonder if Alan Clarke’s set will be part of the deal? Wouldn’t mind buying 2 and then selling the other so I get it for a decent price.

[grahams76]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

I wonder if Alan Clarke’s set will be part of the deal? Wouldn’t mind buying 2 and then selling the other so I get it for a decent price.

[jackranderson]

Originally Posted by grahams76

What? I wouldn’t sell it for silly amounts, I’m not a tout, in fact I’d sell it for half the amount I paid. If there was something of a similar price I could pair it up with I would but there isn’t.

All theoretically of course as it may not even be in the offer or available at the HMVs / FOPPs I visit.

[grahams76]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

What? I wouldn’t sell it for silly amounts, I’m not a tout, in fact I’d sell it for half the amount I paid. If there was something of a similar price I could pair it up with I would but there isn’t.

All theoretically of course as it may not even be in the offer or available at the HMVs / FOPPs I visit.

There’s no indication from the above post that this will be a BOGOF sale, but it seems you think it is. Which changes thing a bit. So apologies.

[jackranderson]

Originally Posted by grahams76

There’s no indication from the above post that this will be a BOGOF sale, but it seems you think it is. Which changes thing a bit. So apologies.

No problem mate, yeah probably silly of me to assume but it just seems that’s HMVs thing at the moment with Arrow Video, Premium Collection and then Arrow Academy doing it

[sjt]

Starting on Monday 9th, Fopp (and presumably its parent) will be running a 2-for-£15 sale of an extensive selection of BFI titles up to and including the recent releases of Room at the Top and The Caretaker

[knuckles96]

Just got word in that HMV will indeed be doing a BOGOF sale soon.

[BarnDoor]

Final art and specs:

- Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition
- Worldwide Blu-ray debut including the longest cut of Legend of the Witches ever released
- Newly recorded commentary on Secret Rites by Flipside founders Vic Pratt and William Fowler
- Newly commissioned sleeve art by acclaimed illustrator Graham Humphreys
- The Witch’s Fiddle (1924, 7 mins): possibly the first student film ever made, this tale of a magical instrument was shot by the newly formed Cambridge University Kinema Club
- Out of Step: Witchcraft (1957, 14 mins): investigative journalist and charismatic Soho bon vivant Dan Farson presents this polite yet probing, nuanced TV documentary about witchcraft
- The Judgement of Albion (1968, 26 mins): bold, poetic images populate this ode to resistance by the writer of Blood on Satan’s Claw, Robert Wynne Simmons
- Getting it Straight in Notting Hill Gate (1970, 25 mins): short but spectacular time-capsule counter-culture documentary was designed to redress negative perceptions of Notting Hill in 1970
- Image gallery
- **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** fully illustrated booklet with essays by Christina Harrington, publisher and expert on the occult Mark Pilkington, and authors of The Bodies Beneath, Vic Pratt and William Fowler. Includes full film credits.