British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[Yami]

A tremendous line-up. Great to finally see Nil By Mouth and I'm definitely in for The Draughtsman's Contract and Watership Down as well.

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

With BFI licencing from Universal these days, and giving Watership Down the 4K UHD treatment, I wouldn't be at all surprised if we saw a 4K UHD of Quadrophenia from them at some point.

Watership Down isn't a Universal licence. While it has been released by Universal and Warner before that, it was in the Euro-London Films catalogue, which also includes Scum, Walkabout, Tommy, Whip and the Body, and Repulsion but Richard Adams' estate successfully won back the rights from Martin Rosen in a lawsuit back in 2020. Presumably the BFI have licenced it directly from the estate.

[CrockettandTubbs]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Never heard of Ghost Stories for Christmas, but it sounds right up my alley and the release looks great.

Whistle and I'll Come To You (the b/w Michael Hordern version especially) and A Warning to the Curious are excellent.

[trobrianders]

Thank you fatboyslim142 for your excellent summary. Have copied it for future reference. Outstanding!

[GG88]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Basically the Bergman sets are as follows along with additional info etc & hope this helps:

[Show spoiler]

1) Vol 1 (Differeing exclusive extras):

Torment (1944) - NOT in the Us set. Bergman wrote it
Crisis (1946)
Music in Darkness (1948) - NOT in the Us set
Eva (1948) - NOT in the Us set. Bergman wrote it
Port of Call (1948)
Prison (1949) - NOT in the Us set
Thirst (1949)
To Joy (1950)

2) Vol 2 (Differing exclusive extras):


Summer Interlude (1951)
Waiting Women (1952)
Summer with Monika (1953)
A Lesson in Love (1954)
Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
The Seventh Seal (1957) - There is a seperate UHD release of this which includes a BD & both the UHD & Vol 2 discs have the same extras as the tartan release with newly added commentary.
Wild Strawberries (1957)
The Magician (1958)


3) Vol 3 (differing exclusive extras):

The Virgin Spring (1960)
The Devil's Eye (1960)
Through a Glass Darkly (1961)
The Silence (1963)
Winter Light (1963)
All These Women (1964)
Persona (1966)
The Rite (1969)


4) Vol 4 (presumably differing exclusive extras):


Cries and Whispers (1972)
Scenes from a Marriage (1973) - NO mini-series version due to rights holder of that being different
Autumn Sonata (1978)
Faro Document (1979)
From the Life of the Marionettes (1980)
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Fanny and Alexander (Mini-Series), (1983)
After the Rehearsal (1984)

5) Titles Tartan released that ARE NOT included in the 4 Bergman sets:

Faithless (2000) - Bergman wrote this. Available on BD from BFI
Saraband (TV) (2003)

6) BFI Bergman titles already released before the Bergman sets:

The Magic Flute (1975) - Has differing exclusive extras to the Criterion set
The Touch (1971) - Has differing exclusive extras to the Criterion set
The Lie (Play For Today) (1970) - Bergman wrote this (was translated for UK TV & filmed as an episode of Play for Today. Available in Play for Today: Volume One set

7) Other NON-BFI Bergman UK BD releases:

It Rains on Our Love (1946) (Artificial Eye) - NOT in Criterion set
A Ship Bound for India (1947) (Artificial Eye)
Sawdust and Tinsel (1953) (Artificial Eye)
Dreams (1955) (Artificial Eye)
So Close to Life (1958) (Artificial Eye)

The Serpent's Egg (1977) was also release by Arrow Academy

8)This leaves the following Bergman directed work from the Criterion box without a UK blu:

Hour of the Wolf (1968)
Shame (1968)
The Passion of Anna (1969)
Fårö Document (1970) [the BFI boxes only list ‘79?]
The Making of Autumn Sonata (1978) [possible extra in BFI box 4?]
The Making of Fanny and Alexander (1984) [possible extra in BFI box 4?]
Saraband (2003)

9) This leaves 2 Bergman directed theatrically released films without a Blu:

This Can't Happen Here (1950)
Face to Face (1976)

10) and finally there’s a lot of TV work he directed without a Blu

Mr. Sleeman Is Coming (1957)
The Venetian (1958)
Rabies (1958)
Storm Weather (1960)
A Dream Play (1963)
The Misanthrope (1974)
Hustruskolan (1983)
Dom Juan (1985)
The Blessed Ones (1986)
Madame de Sade (1992)
Backanterna (1993)
The Last Gasp (1995)
In the Presence of a Clown (1997)
The Image Makers (2000)

[raphph]

Is Draughtsman the same transfer as the excellent German Blu-ray that came out a few years back? That was also a remaster by the BFI.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by raphph

Is Draughtsman the same transfer as the excellent German Blu-ray that came out a few years back? That was also a remaster by the BFI.

No, it's a brand new 4K restoration

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by GG88

The Serpent's Egg (1977) was also release by Arrow Academy

8)This leaves the following Bergman directed work from the Criterion box without a UK blu:

Hour of the Wolf (1968)
Shame (1968)
The Passion of Anna (1969)
Fårö Document (1970) [the BFI boxes only list ‘79?]
The Making of Autumn Sonata (1978) [possible extra in BFI box 4?]
The Making of Fanny and Alexander (1984) [possible extra in BFI box 4?]
Saraband (2003)

9) This leaves 2 Bergman directed theatrically released films without a Blu:

This Can't Happen Here (1950)
Face to Face (1976)

10) and finally there’s a lot of TV work he directed without a Blu

Mr. Sleeman Is Coming (1957)
The Venetian (1958)
Rabies (1958)
Storm Weather (1960)
A Dream Play (1963)
The Misanthrope (1974)
Hustruskolan (1983)
Dom Juan (1985)
The Blessed Ones (1986)
Madame de Sade (1992)
Backanterna (1993)
The Last Gasp (1995)
In the Presence of a Clown (1997)
The Image Makers (2000)

I forgot about that Arrow release. Also there's a longer TV version of Face to Face (1976).

Ther's also a whole load of documentaryu shorts that I don't think have had any release on BD as well as the following which Bergman wrote:

Woman Without a Face (1947)
While the City Sleeps (1950) - ONLY provided some input
Divorced (1951)
Last Pair Out (1956)
The Pleasure Garden (1961)
The Lie (TV) (1970) - The ORIGINAL Swedish TV drama
Paradise Place (1977) - ONLY produced it
Sally and Freedom (1981) - ONLY produced it
The Best Intentions (mini-series) (1992) - ONLY the butchered cinema version has been released on DVD & BD. Someone needs to release the ORIGINAL Mini-Series on BD
Sunday's Children (1992)
Private Confessions (Mini-Series) - There is a butchered cinema version that is 109 mins shorter.

[OceanBlue]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Almost certainly the same based on the description.

I wonder if they'll be able to get some of Imprint's extras? Their release is stacked.

What you ended your post with BarnDoor was what I was thinking. I checked a thread in the Australia sub-forum for the Imprint title, and the Via Vision website listing page for The Ballad of Tam Lin (aka Tam Lin), and yes it's stacked full of extras. So I'm a bit torn here. If the BFI were able to port over all of the extras in the Australian release, I'd get just the BFI release. If not, it would for me be an example of double-dipping.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

My God, BFI win the year - Nil By Mouth, and an upgrade of BBC's Ghost Stories for Christmas at last!


The Ballad of Tam Lin (Flipside) (10th October)

Watership Down (4K UHD) (24th October)

The Draughtman's Contract (21st November)

Nil by Mouth (5th December)

Ghost Stories for Christmas - Volume One (5th December)

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

Ingmar Bergman Vol. 4 is also being released in November:

[Show spoiler]

The Films:

Cries and Whispers (1972)
Scenes from a Marriage (1973)
Autumn Sonata (1978)
Faro Document (1979)
From the Life of the Marionettes (1980)
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Fanny and Alexander (TV Series), (1983)
After the Rehearsal (1984)

Wow, that is a killer lineup from BFI. Ghost Stories for Christmas, Watership Down, The Draughtman's Contract and Nil by Mouth will all be mine, and possibly Ingmar Bergman Vol. 4 if the compression is superior to the Criterion editions.

[CavebobSpongeman]

Man, I am all OVER Nil by Mouth. New commentary? F***in' A!

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Wow, that is a killer lineup from BFI. Ghost Stories for Christmas, Watership Down, The Draughtman's Contract and Nil by Mouth will all be mine, and possibly Ingmar Bergman Vol. 4 if the compression is superior to the Criterion editions.

That Bergman set doesn't include the Mini-Series version of Scenes from a Marriage due to said TV version's rights holder is different.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

That Bergman set doesn't include the Mini-Series version of Scenes from a Marriage due to said TV version's rights holder is different.

Yes, but I already have the Criterion boxset, anyway.

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Sawdust and Tinsel (1953) (Artificial Eye)

This is currently out from Criterion UK (I own a copy).

Also missing is Stimulantia (1967), a portmanteau film for which Bergman directed one episode, "Daniel".

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by koberulz

How does the BFI store handle orders that including preorder items? Have had several items sitting in my cart for months now waiting for Draughtsman's Contract to get a release, what happens if I throw it in and order now?

Anyone?

[CZDK]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Basically the Bergman sets are as follows along with additional info etc & hope this helps:

[Show spoiler]
1) Vol 1 (Differeing exclusive extras):

Torment (1944) - NOT in the Us set. Bergman wrote it
Crisis (1946)
Music in Darkness (1948) - NOT in the Us set
Eva (1948) - NOT in the Us set. Bergman wrote it
Port of Call (1948)
Prison (1949) - NOT in the Us set
Thirst (1949)
To Joy (1950)

2) Vol 2 (Differing exclusive extras):


Summer Interlude (1951)
Waiting Women (1952)
Summer with Monika (1953)
A Lesson in Love (1954)
Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
The Seventh Seal (1957) - There is a seperate UHD release of this which includes a BD & both the UHD & Vol 2 discs have the same extras as the tartan release with newly added commentary.
Wild Strawberries (1957)
The Magician (1958)


3) Vol 3 (differing exclusive extras):

The Virgin Spring (1960)
The Devil's Eye (1960)
Through a Glass Darkly (1961)
The Silence (1963)
Winter Light (1963)
All These Women (1964)
Persona (1966)
The Rite (1969)


4) Vol 4 (presumably differing exclusive extras):


Cries and Whispers (1972)
Scenes from a Marriage (1973) - NO mini-series version due to rights holder of that being different
Autumn Sonata (1978)
Faro Document (1979)
From the Life of the Marionettes (1980)
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Fanny and Alexander (Mini-Series), (1983)
After the Rehearsal (1984)

5) Titles Tartan released that ARE NOT included in the 4 Bergman sets:

Faithless (2000) - Bergman wrote this. Available on BD from BFI
Saraband (TV) (2003)

6) BFI Bergman titles already released before the Bergman sets:

The Magic Flute (1975) - Has differing exclusive extras to the Criterion set
The Touch (1971) - Has differing exclusive extras to the Criterion set
The Lie (Play For Today) (1970) - Bergman wrote this (was translated for UK TV & filmed as an episode of Play for Today. Available in Play for Today: Volume One set

7) Other NON-BFI Bergman UK BD releases:

It Rains on Our Love (1946) (Artificial Eye) - NOT in Criterion set
A Ship Bound for India (1947) (Artificial Eye)
Sawdust and Tinsel (1953) (Artificial Eye)
Dreams (1955) (Artificial Eye)
So Close to Life (1958) (Artificial Eye)

[Show spoiler]

Thanks for the extensive list, fatboyslim142! Although I still find it a bit hard to figure out exactly what is worth getting

I already have the Criterion set and the Artificial Eye collection. It seems Vol. 1 from BFI will give you the most content not present on the Criterion set, so I might double dip on that. I'm not sure the exclusive extras on the following sets will be enough to warrant a double dip for me, though.

The exclusive extras on BFI's The Magic Flute release seem to be only thematically linked to Mozart and not Bergman or his movie, so I think I'll skip that for now. Their release of The Touch, on the other hand, seems to contain some worthwhile exclusive extras.

So I think I might get BFI's Vol. 1 set, The Touch, and Faithless in addition to the two sets I already have (Criterion and AE). Would that leave me missing out on anything essential, in your opinion?


Maybe it's worth mentioning that BFI also released the documentary A Year in a Life about Bergman. I'm not sure if it's included on any of the releases already mentioned.

[The Second Floor]

It might also be worth noting that the version of Smiles of a Summer Night in the BFI set is apparently based on a more recent transfer, and is an improvement over the Cirterion.

There are two other potential differences, although these are based on things I’ve read online rather than observed myself. The BFI version of The Magician apparently looks better than the Cirterion, and the Arrow Academy release of The Serpent’s Egg supposedly has a better encode.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by CZDK

[/SPOILER]

Thanks for the extensive list, fatboyslim142! Although I still find it a bit hard to figure out exactly what is worth getting

I already have the Criterion set and the Artificial Eye collection. It seems Vol. 1 from BFI will give you the most content not present on the Criterion set, so I might double dip on that. I'm not sure the exclusive extras on the following sets will be enough to warrant a double dip for me, though.

The exclusive extras on BFI's The Magic Flute release seem to be only thematically linked to Mozart and not Bergman or his movie, so I think I'll skip that for now. Their release of The Touch, on the other hand, seems to contain some worthwhile exclusive extras.

So I think I might get BFI's Vol. 1 set, The Touch, and Faithless in addition to the two sets I already have (Criterion and AE). Would that leave me missing out on anything essential, in your opinion?


Maybe it's worth mentioning that BFI also released the documentary A Year in a Life about Bergman. I'm not sure if it's included on any of the releases already mentioned.

I forgot about that Doc about Bergman & NO it has not been included with any of the above mentioned sets. The BFI BD (3 disc set) is the release to get as it includes the LONGER TV version (discs 2 & 3 of said BD). It includes a 62 min Ingmar Bergman Guardian Interview from 1982, audio only, that plays over the film among the extras on disc 1.

Also the Arrow Academy release of The Serpent's Egg has the most extras, including a David Carradine commentary, so worth getting that.

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

It includes a 62 min Ingmar Bergman Guardian Interview from 1982, audio only, that plays over the film among the extras on disc 1.

This is also in the box set Volume 1 - it plays as an alternative audio track to Torment.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by GaryCouzens

This is also in the box set Volume 1 - it plays as an alternative audio track to Torment.

A Year in a Life documentary is well worth getting.

[jhm]

The BFI Bergman sets are encoded by Fidelity in Motion which for some is a bonus.