British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[johnpaul2]

Originally Posted by Professor Echo

I went ahead and picked up MOULIN ROUGE (1952) for $14 shipped from Rarewaves on eBay. I was kind of disappointed no trailer was included, but it occurred to me that vintage UA trailers may be very hard to come by? In addition, I asked KINO if they might have a future deal with MGM and if it would include this title and the Insider responded that all new deals were on hold due to the crisis. For some reason, I’m very anxious to see this movie again as I haven’t since my first time on the Late Late Show when I was a teenager. So I’m very happy to get the BFI and appreciate that they released it. Anyone watched their copy yet?

I disliked the movie, but the restoration is quite beautiful and I quite loved the extras.

[ptb2010]

Originally Posted by johnpaul2

I disliked the movie, but the restoration is quite beautiful and I quite loved the extras.

I thought it beautifully made with an exceptional performance from José Ferrer. Full of colour and atmosphere recreating the period of la belle epoque in Paris.

[fatboyslim142]

RIP Tim Brooke-Taylor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKHF...ature=youtu.be

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52262490

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by Rutger Lundgren

Oh. I didn't try it myself because the recent sales sucked me dry. So nothing's changed then, I'm afraid.

since you brought it up I’m now dying to own it so if anyone is selling a copy hmu

[jayembee]

In another thread, there was a slight tangent into Costa-Gavras territory. One title of his I have dragged my heels on getting is Betrayed. Partly because I'm not a fan of Joe Eszterhas, the screenwriter. But also because it was released here in the US from Olive, who's a mixed bag when it comes to quality.

But I noticed that the film had been released on BD by BFI this past December. There's no review of this release here on this site, so I'm wondering if anyone in this thread has a copy and can comment on the quality of the release.

[Areopagita]

There's a DVDBeaver review on this: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film6/blu-r...ed_blu-ray.htm

[CrockettandTubbs]

There are extras listed on Amazon (and the BFI shop) for:

• Re-mastered at 4K and presented in High Definition for the first time in the UK
• Feature-length audio commentary by critic and Asian-cinema expert Tony Rayns
• The Mystery of Marriage (1932, 33 mins): educational filmmaker and pioneering female director Mary Field draws peculiar and poignant parallels between the mating rituals of humans, animals and mould in this eccentric, entertaining educational film
• The Good Housewife “In Her Kitchen” (1949, 8 mins): the fourth wall is shattered in this imaginative public information film, filled with good advice for kitchen users - whether they have a refrigerator or not

***FIRST PRESSING ONLY*** Illustrated booklet with archival essay by Tom Milne, Ozu biography by Tony Rayns and full film credits

[Areopagita]

As kind of usual, some of the extras from BFI are rather detached from the actual film, but it's always nice to see something by Tony Rayns, so I'm rather satisfied with this. That said, I have ordered this directly from BFI, so I guess I'll have to wait quite some time before I get it.

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by Areopagita

As kind of usual, some of the extras from BFI are rather detached from the actual film, but it's always nice to see something by Tony Rayns, so I'm rather satisfied with this. That said, I have ordered this directly from BFI, so I guess I'll have to wait quite some time before I get it.

It's a 68 year old Japanese film. Pretty much everyone involved will be either in their nineties or dead so I'm not sure exactly what film related stuff other than a third party commentary track and/or booklet they could have included. Which they have. Yeah the Tony Rayns commentary is a major reason (other than the film obviously) to pick this up.

If you're worried about having to wait to receive this release Base.com are still shipping as normal and are selling this for £13.99 + £1.49 postage to Poland so it might be quicker to order from them:

https://www.base.com/buy/product/fla...c-bfib1379.htm

[johnpaul2]

Originally Posted by jayembee

But I noticed that the film had been released on BD by BFI this past December. There's no review of this release here on this site, so I'm wondering if anyone in this thread has a copy and can comment on the quality of the release.

It has been reviewed on this French website, with native HD caps.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Areopagita

As kind of usual, some of the extras from BFI are rather detached from the actual film, but it's always nice to see something by Tony Rayns, so I'm rather satisfied with this. That said, I have ordered this directly from BFI, so I guess I'll have to wait quite some time before I get it.

Quite often this is the ONLY way to see these rare short films etc.

[sloejoe]

The Mystery of Marriage was written about in the book the Flipside guys published last year, so that's probably why it's on the BfI's radar. Great to get the chance to see it after reading about it.

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

quite often this is the only way to see these rare short films etc.

Mostly but not always. The BFI are fond of giving popular short films from older releases or only available on the BFIplayer site a HD upgrade and including them as bonus material on appropriate releases.

For example the above mentioned The Mystery of Marriage can also be found on this double DVD compilation from 2009, since retitled The Birds and the Bees for legal reasons.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by sloejoe

The Mystery of Marriage was written about in the book the Flipside guys published last year, so that's probably why it's on the BfI's radar. Great to get the chance to see it after reading about it.

It’s on British Pathé’s YouTube, but only in standard definition and watermarked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD9T...ature=youtu.be

Would have been nice to see some Japanese shorts on there.

[mattyl149]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

Mostly but not always. The BFI are fond of giving popular short films from older releases or only available on the BFIplayer site a HD upgrade and including them as bonus material on appropriate releases.

For example the above mentioned The Mystery of Marriage can also be found on this double DVD compilation from 2009, since retitled The Birds and the Bees for legal reasons.

I didn't know they'd changed the title. I have it under the original one

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by mattyl149

I didn't know they'd changed the title. I have it under the original one

Though as an obvious parody I'd argue the original title was fair use, the publisher's of a certain famous book threatened legal action. I think it happened pretty quick because I got mine about three month after the original release and it came with a big and starkly worded disclaimer/apology sticker covering about 20% of the rear cover.

Apparently this was a surprise critical hit and "best seller" a la the wonderful Here's a Health to the Barley Mow collection a couple of years later, which may be what brought to the copyright holder's attention.

[magnetiques]

in case anyone is interested, got my copy of The Best of COI today and it comes in a glossy o-card slip. don't think that was illustrated anywhere unless i missed it.

wonder if that might be standard going forwards--that first runs will have booklets and slips? could just be unique to this best of edition, though.

[grahams76]

Originally Posted by magnetiques

in case anyone is interested, got my copy of The Best of COI today and it comes in a glossy o-card slip. don't think that was illustrated anywhere unless i missed it.

wonder if that might be standard going forwards--that first runs will have booklets and slips? could just be unique to this best of edition, though.

I'm struggling with whether I should buy this, having four of the old two-disc DVD editions.

[mattyl149]

I collect the BFI DVDs as well as Blu-rays (only where there is a DVD only release)

I saw there was Volume 14 of The British Transport Films Collection coming out this week and checking back, realised I'd missed Volume 13. I couldn't find it for a decent price anywhere apart from the BFI store

I ordered it and received an email saying that they weren't sure when they could despatch it and I could be refunded, but I just left it

I didn't expect it for a while as we're in lockdown, but lo and behold, it turned up today. I now have the full set again. As much as I enjoy the films they release, I do treasure all these documentary sets and public information films which would not normally get a release. I do miss the digipack packaging from the earlier releases of the BTF films

[Areopagita]

Do you think that the fact that the BFI shop is closed may have an impact on the prices of the BFI releases? I held off buying The Edge Of The World for some time and it was available on Ebay for 9 pounds, while now they all cost about 17. (I know it is quite cheap on Amazon, but I avoid buying there). Should I wait for the shop to open and the prices to fall again?