British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by XGEEKEDGERX

You're right there, that did come to mind when I picked the BFI up originally. Until someone takes a fresh crack at the film and unlikely as the 1.37:1 AR probably is, the BFI definitely wins out over the Olive release due to the zooming issue.

OK, I have changed my mind and ordered the BFI release; the Olive is OOP anyway.

I agree that with the present widescreen TVs there is a tendency to be "widescreen obsessed" but I am not one of them. I have a very large number of pre-1953 films on disc which were 1.37:1 (or 1.33:1) anyway. But what I don't want is (as used to happen with some early DVD releases) a 1.85:1 film cropped to 1.37:1, which is what I thought had happened to Odds Against Tomorrow, considering that it was made in 1959. But since reading the comments about horizontal cropping in the Olive disc plus its current non-availability, I did an about turn.

There re many borderline films from the early and mid-fifties which have both versions (some on older DVDs only). I prefer the widescreen versions in Shane, Touch Of Evil, This Island Earth, The Night of the Hunter etc. One notable exception is Dial M For Murder in which the 1.85:1 looks overcropped to me with all its indoor scenes; I prefer to watch that film on the older 1.37:1 DVD.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by Arrowheadrevisited

Should it be of interest, the Otto Preminger Collection is currently on eBay (Rarewaves-outlet) for £16.78 delivered. 9 left at time of posting.

I noticed that and nabbed one - I had the two that TT released and £29.95 was more than I was willing to pay just for Fallen Angel, but with the set definitely going out of print soon that was the right price. If you're on the fence, grab it while you can.

[burdette]

Originally Posted by Arrowheadrevisited

Should it be of interest, the Otto Preminger Collection is currently on eBay (Rarewaves-outlet) for £16.78 delivered. 9 left at time of posting.

What a tip, thanks so much! Jumped on this immediately. Six remaining.

[roiroiroi]

Originally Posted by burdette

What a tip, thanks so much! Jumped on this immediately. Six remaining.

Yeah thanks for the tip! Bought one. (here it says 9 remaining though!)

[benkell]

Originally Posted by Arrowheadrevisited

Should it be of interest, the Otto Preminger Collection is currently on eBay (Rarewaves-outlet) for £16.78 delivered. 9 left at time of posting.

Thanks, that's a great spot. I have been meaning to pick this up for a long time and at that price it's a steal.

[Hintermann]

Originally Posted by Arrowheadrevisited

Should it be of interest, the Otto Preminger Collection is currently on eBay (Rarewaves-outlet) for £16.78 delivered. 9 left at time of posting.

Ordered it just now. 3 left.

Best of all, I did not own any of the 3 films; not even on DVD.

Boy, will I be in trouble with the wife now! Preminger would probably have made another noir of my fate.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by Hintermann

Ordered it just now. 3 left.

Best of all, I did not own any of the 3 films; not even on DVD.

Boy, will I be in trouble with the wife now! Preminger would probably have made another noir of my fate.

Now down to 2 as I ordered one! Although I saw it increased from 6 copies left to 9 copies left earlier so either orders were cancelled, or they found some more. It says 9 sold in one hour! Important reminder that this set will be going OOP likely this year as no more copies will be printed after this run is gone (Fox license is expiring.)

I had it in my head the extras were just commentaries, but actually the first disc does have The Guardian Lecture - Otto Preminger audio interview by Joan Bakewell.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Arrowheadrevisited

Should it be of interest, the Otto Preminger Collection is currently on eBay (Rarewaves-outlet) for £16.78 delivered. 9 left at time of posting.

Plan on grabbing this from Rarewaves, tomorrow. I've been wanting to get the remaining Fox films on my wishlist, and these are two of them as I already have the Twilight Time version of Where the Sidewalk Ends, but I imagine the BFI version blows that away and well the Otto Preminger set has Fallen Angel which I liked and Whirlpool which I want to see.

Also, not to make a new post, I take the opinion is that the BFI version of Odds Against Tomorrow is the version to get? If so I might double dip on that version to go alongside the Otto Preminger Film Noir set.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Plan on grabbing this from Rarewaves, tomorrow. I've been wanting to get the remaining Fox films on my wishlist, and these are two of them as I already have the Twilight Time version of Where the Sidewalk Ends, but I imagine the BFI version blows that away and well the Otto Preminger set has Fallen Angel which I liked and Whirlpool which I want to see.

Can't remember if it's Whirlpool or Where the Sidewalk Ends, but pretty sure one of those uses an older master than the TT.

Also, not to make a new post, I take the opinion is that the BFI version of Odds Against Tomorrow is the version to get? If so I might double dip on that version to go alongside the Otto Preminger Film Noir set.

For me, yes, but others would disagree. Depends on where you stand re the OAR - the Olive is widescreen, but cropped from the BFI 1.37:1 image. Plus, the BFI is stacked with extras.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Plan on grabbing this from Rarewaves, tomorrow. I've been wanting to get the remaining Fox films on my wishlist, and these are two of them as I already have the Twilight Time version of Where the Sidewalk Ends, but I imagine the BFI version blows that away and well the Otto Preminger set has Fallen Angel which I liked and Whirlpool which I want to see.

0 available, 17 sold

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Arrowheadrevisited

Should it be of interest, the Otto Preminger Collection is currently on eBay (Rarewaves-outlet) for £16.78 delivered. 9 left at time of posting.

Thanks for the heads up! I might sell off the TT “Whirlpool”.

Originally Posted by StarDestroyer52

Plan on grabbing this from Rarewaves, tomorrow. I've been wanting to get the remaining Fox films on my wishlist, and these are two of them as I already have the Twilight Time version of Where the Sidewalk Ends, but I imagine the BFI version blows that away and well the Otto Preminger set has Fallen Angel which I liked and Whirlpool which I want to see.

I wouldn’t sleep on that since there’s only one copy left. The BFI uses an older master of “Where the Sidewalk Ends” (I’m still gonna hold on to my TT).

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

I wouldn’t sleep on that since there’s only one copy left. The BFI uses an older master of “Where the Sidewalk Ends” (I’m still gonna hold on to my TT).

Yeah, I just grabbed the last copy. Not a bad price of just $21.30 USD before tax. Odds Against Tomorrow should be safe waiting for. Or least for another day or two.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Thanks for the heads up! I might sell off the TT “Whirlpool”.



I wouldn’t sleep on that since there’s only one copy left. The BFI uses an older master of “Where the Sidewalk Ends” (I’m still gonna hold on to my TT).

The TT Whirlpool is superior to the the one in the BFI set.

And although the booklet wrongly claims David Mackenzie encoded the BFI set, he has stated himself that is incorrect, although the rather un-David like bitrates also give it away.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

Can't remember if it's Whirlpool or Where the Sidewalk Ends, but pretty sure one of those uses an older master than the TT.



For me, yes, but others would disagree. Depends on where you stand re the OAR - the Olive is widescreen, but cropped from the BFI 1.37:1 image. Plus, the BFI is stacked with extras.

I have the TT version of Where the Sidewalk Ends. Never did get around to Whirlpool during the TT liquidation sale so this is why I had this set on my wishlist. Then, Fallen Angel never did get a Region A release. Looked at the extras for Odds Against Tomorrow and that is stacked. Will grab it in the next few days as I imagine that title should be safe for a while.

[jackranderson]

Damn missed out!

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by nitin

And although the booklet wrongly claims David Mackenzie encoded the BFI set, he has stated himself that is incorrect, although the rather un-David like bitrates also give it away.

Not to mention, "dual-mono" and "lossless" commentaries are a giveaway that it isn't him.

[atl.steven]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

Damn missed out!

4 available from rarewaves-ca

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alice-Faye-Charles-Bickford-Otto-Preminger-Collection-UK-IMPORT-Blu-ray-NEW/274394329814?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[StarDestroyer52]

Yeah, Rarewaves-ca should have copies for those who want one. Also in many instances Rarewaves and there other storefronts usually replenish their stock quickly. Though with this being a limited edition, who knows how much longer there will be copies before the only buyers are the ones who jack the price up.

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by Arrowheadrevisited

Should it be of interest, the Otto Preminger Collection is currently on eBay (Rarewaves-outlet) for £16.78 delivered. 9 left at time of posting.

Interesting - just this minute ordered and there were 10 left in the listing before I did so; now it says there are 9.

[jackranderson]

Back in stock!

I love you guys.