British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Simon_LDT]

Wow, 2 Leigh films. Got Naked from Criterion lately but hoping this is a more updated scan/restoration.

Wonder if there's a chance of All or Nothing?

[fatboyslim142]

Great to see BFI beating Criterion to the UHD game:




Oh & extras (more TBC):

Presented on 4K UHD Blu-ray and High Definition Blu-ray
Audio commentary by film critic and editor-in-chief of Diabolique magazine, Kat Ellinger
Other extras TBC

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Gerby

Short Sharp Shocks Vol.2 will be worth it just for The Dumb Waiter alone, that's a standout short.

&/Or for people collecting the BFI Flipside series.

[grahams76]

And one of two Melvilles I've not seen. Nice.

[CelestialAgent]

This is an incredible line-up. Bleak Moments, Naked, Les Enfants terribles! Unfortunate that the two Dietrichs I would be most interested in are The Spoilers and The Flame of New Orleans though.

Hope Bleak Moments features Soda's commentary track

Originally Posted by HTMLJames

What I find most interesting about that product listing - the Cat. No. is BFIUD002! so hopefully at least one other 4K disc is on it's way, I doubt it's Bergman as it looks like The Seventh Seal is the only 4K remaster, with everything else being 2K.

You would be right!

The release marks an exciting new venture for the label, with further UHD editions set to be announced over the coming months.

[minister_x]

I hope by some miracle Naked features the commentary track from the Criterion, but as it was recorded for Criterion (and Criterion seem no longer willing to license their content out now they have a UK presence) I have my doubts... Either way, pre-ordered to show my support to the BFI. As others have said, incredible line-up. Added bonus getting 15% off at the BFI shop and only £4 delivery charge for the four I pre-ordered (the two Mike Leighs, Out of the Blue, and The Seventh Seal UHD).

[greenrose]

Originally Posted by ricky_dicky

I was hoping Criterion would release more Bresson over here.

Yes, I thought that would be the case too. Looks like it's probably not going to happen

[Si Parallel Universe]

Wow where to begin .. Obviously the 4K UHD of The Seventh Seal warrants first mention... The Flipside release is up there too.. The two Mike Leigh films... The Bergman Volume Two ... Oh and Les Enfants Terrible... In no particular order

Wow just wow

[Gacivory]

Really excited about Seventh Seal 4K, Bleak Moments & Les Enfants Terribles!

[rapta]

Best lineup in years maybe? Well up for Out of the Blue, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Les Enfants Terribles and Naked (and the other Leigh at a later date). Very cool to see them doing a Bergman as their first UHD (I wonder if they’ll do Persona if it sells well).

[RazorwireRyan]

4K Bergman, oh my.

[bleedandtrim]

Was on the cusp of catching Naked on All4 last night as it leaves the service in a week - 5mins into it I remembered hearing BFI were restoring it this year and decided to hold off. Couldn't have timed it better!

Also down for that Seventh Seal UHD, excited to see what else they give the 4k treatment now the gates have opened.

[Gacivory]

Pre-ordered Bleak Moments, Les Enfants Terribles, & Out of the Blue.

Out of the Blue is a blind buy, but I heard enough good things about it, so I’m sure it will be a good blind buy.

Will get Naked down the line, if it is a big upgrade on Criterion. I’m sure it will be. Someone give me All or Nothing & Career Girls on Blu! I need more Mike Leigh!

I need someone I can order from to put Seventh Seal 4k up for sale!

[shy86]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

Pre-ordered Bleak Moments, Les Enfants Terribles, & Out of the Blue.

Out of the Blue is a blind buy, but I heard enough good things about it, so I’m sure it will be a good blind buy.

Will get Naked down the line, if it is a big upgrade on Criterion. I’m sure it will be. Someone give me All or Nothing & Career Girls on Blu! I need more Mike Leigh!

I need someone I can order from to put Seventh Seal 4k up for sale!

It's up on Amazon (if you can buy it from them that is):

Amazon

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by shy86

It's up on Amazon (if you can buy it from them that is):

Amazon

Literally just finished the preorder and was coming here to edit my post!

[James78]

18 October
The BFI is excited to announce that Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 masterpiece THE SEVENTH SEAL will be our Blu-ray/DVD label’s very first Ultra High Definition (UHD) Blu-ray release on 18 October 2021. Available in this format for the first time anywhere in the world, the 4K UHD edition offers audiences the chance to experience this timeless classic like never before. This first Ultra High Definition Blu-ray title from the BFI marks an exciting new venture for the home entertainment label, with further UHD editions set to be announced over the coming months.

The second of a four volume collection celebrating the work of Ingmar Bergman features eight of the director’s most celebrated films across six discs, including Summer with Monika, (1953) The Seventh Seal (1957) and Wild Strawberries (1957). INGMAR BERGMAN: VOLUME 2 will be accompanied by newly recorded special features, a 100-page perfect-bound book with new essays on the featured films, and new artwork by designer Andrew Bannister.



25 October
October sees the US sci-fi horror milestone INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956) receive its UK Blu-ray debut. Released in time for Halloween, this enduring and suspenseful classic, directed by Don Siegel (Dirty Harry), will be accompanied by a selection of new and archive material that sheds light on the film’s production and legacy.

BFI Flipside also returns for Halloween with SHORT SHARP SHOCKS: VOLUME 2, a second dose of strange, striking, thrilling, horrific, eerie and eccentric short films from the archives, after the popularity of Volume 1. This carefully-curated 2-disc collection includes a plethora of sought-after titles, many newly remastered in HD for the very first time.



8 November
The punk-fuelled, cult classic OUT OF THE BLUE (1980) is released on Blu-ray. Directed by Dennis Hopper and featuring an astonishing performance by Linda Manz, this limited edition 2-disc set includes a 4K restoration of the film and a host of fascinating extras.



22 November
November also sees Mike Leigh’s directorial debut arrive on Blu-ray for the very first time worldwide. A true landmark in the history of British cinema, BLEAK MOMENTS (1971) has been newly remastered by the BFI and features sleeve artwork based on the film’s original poster. Leigh’s 1993 classic NAKED also arrives on BFI Blu-ray. Featuring an explosive, Cannes prize-winning central performance by David Thewlis, this masterful and controversial drama has been newly remastered by the BFI National Archive and is available on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK.



29 November
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and based on Jean Cocteau’s celebrated novel, LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES (1950) concludes the November slate. Combining the talents of two of French cinema’s most distinguished filmmakers, this hauntingly atmospheric adaptation is presented in a new 4K restoration.



6 December
Following the release last January of the box set MARLENE DIETRICH AT UNIVERSAL 1940-1942, Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne and Randolph Scott’s dazzling performances in two glittering Universal dramas from the Golden Age of Hollywood – PITTSBURGH (1942) and THE SPOILERS (1942) – become available as standalone Blu-ray releases.

[Gacivory]

BFI doing more 4K?

Seven Samurai & Farewell My Concubine next????

[shy86]

Originally Posted by Gacivory

BFI doing more 4K?

Seven Samurai & Farewell My Concubine next????

I would love Farewell my concubine!

[JoeFargo]

Originally Posted by Simon_LDT

Wow, 2 Leigh films. Got Naked from Criterion lately but hoping this is a more updated scan/restoration.

I always infer "new scan" as being a 4K restoration, but it could be another high-definition scan of the interpositive; as Criterion did back in 2011. I am quite optimistic though, as pretty much every release from BFI recently has been a solid 4K restoration. If RADIO ON can get that treatment I have no doubt NAKED will. They seem to be killing it lately.

[rapta]

Speaking of Bergman and BFI, I just got Bergman: A Year in a Life in the post from eBay for just over a fiver and it's the 3-disc edition still (with slip and booklet).