British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[trobrianders]

Anyone picked up The Juniper Tree yet? Whaddya think?

[Sifox211]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

Anyone picked up The Juniper Tree yet? Whaddya think?

My copy just arrived from Rarewaves. I'll tell you what I think in 2024

[CelestialAgent]

Not sure if it includes physical media rights, but looks like BFI are releasing God’s Creatures to UK cinemas at the end of March, per FDA.

[Murray Futterman]

I see Toho are releasing Stray Dog and Ikiru on 4K UHD in Japan on 13 March. Obviously no use unless you speak Japanese (as there will be no English subtitles), but I wonder if BFI might release them here?

[justwannaboogie]

Originally Posted by Murray Futterman

I see Toho are releasing Stray Dog and Ikiru on 4K UHD in Japan on 13 March. Obviously no use unless you speak Japanese (as there will be no English subtitles), but I wonder if BFI might release them here?

These would absolute no-brainers for BFI, that's if Toho are willing to play ball. Just having these in HD would be enough for me, Ikiru is long overdue a release here.

[Cinematt]

Originally Posted by Murray Futterman

I see Toho are releasing Stray Dog and Ikiru on 4K UHD in Japan on 13 March. Obviously no use unless you speak Japanese (as there will be no English subtitles), but I wonder if BFI might release them here?

I'd love to say surely this, along with the BFI cinema season, means that we're getting upgrades, but given we never got English friendly BD releases of a wealth Kurosawa films I can't get my hopes up too much.
On the plus side I just had a quick look at Ikiru and it's £40 (before taxes and shipping) at the moment and that is way cheaper than most Japanese 4K discs have been so importing isn't out of the question (and my player will load external subtitle files, which are easy to get.)
I wonder if Criterion would have nabbed any for US upgrades?

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Murray Futterman

I see Toho are releasing Stray Dog and Ikiru on 4K UHD in Japan on 13 March. Obviously no use unless you speak Japanese (as there will be no English subtitles), but I wonder if BFI might release them here?

Every time I’ve asked Ben Stoddart he’s seemed very skeptical about any more Kurosawa upgrades (or any golden era Japanese cinema in general), but I hope they’re at least inquiring. I’d buy both in a heartbeat.

[Foggy]

My Bergman vol 4 set came today. Just a quick question, the site has Saraband listed as featured on the set, but I can’t find any evidence on the box to see if it’s actually featured in the box set. Is it included or has it been dropped (I presume for rights issues)?

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by Sifox211

My copy just arrived from Rarewaves. I'll tell you what I think in 2024

That's right. It'll take that long probably

[CrockettandTubbs]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

Anyone picked up The Juniper Tree yet? Whaddya think?

This guy did

[Show spoiler]

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by Foggy

My Bergman vol 4 set came today. Just a quick question, the site has Saraband listed as featured on the set, but I can’t find any evidence on the box to see if it’s actually featured in the box set. Is it included or has it been dropped (I presume for rights issues)?

The film isn’t included.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

The film isn’t included.

I’m not sure but it isn’t listed on the box as it’s own film or in the special features. I haven’t had to time to properly go delving into the set yet.

[Yami]

I think it's purely an error on this site - it's not included and I can't find any evidence that it was ever announced as being so either

[rapta]

Originally Posted by Yami

I think it's purely an error on this site - it's not included and I can't find any evidence that it was ever announced as being so either

I believe that was probably my fault as I was going by comments in the BFI Facebook group regarding all four sets, and I think I was going by the Tartan box set titles originally (titles they didn’t have were mentioned, but not Saraband, or at least I just have missed that comment). I have updated the listing about a week ago but it obviously hasn’t been approved yet. Sorry for any confusion!

[BarnDoor]

The Haunting of Julia (AKA Full Circle) will be part of the BFI Flipside strand. Presumably coming in April:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BTT4YY8N

Full Circle – The Haunting of Julia (UHD + Blu-ray Disc)
Director: Richard Loncraine

A BFI Flipside release: 045

Based on the novel Julia a by Peter Straub, Full Circle is a highly regarded, long-vanished, evocatively eerie cult chiller, newly restored in 4K resolution. Bereaved mother Julia (Mia Farrow, Rosemary’s Baby) flees controlling husband Magnus (Keir Dullea, Black Christmas), re-establishing herself in an old house in leafy West London. Yet she finds herself haunted by apparitions of a ghostly blonde-haired child, sending her on a strange journey of self-discovery - with dreadful consequences. Long requested by fans, the BFI is delighted to bring Full Circle to UK audiences as a limited edition 4K UHD and Blu-ray dual format release.

Extras

Limited edition (includes booklet and slipcase
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Newly recorded introduction by director Richard Loncraine (2023)
Newly recorded audio commentary with director Richard Loncraine and film historian Simon Fitzjohn
Newly recorded interview with Richard Loncraine (2023)
Newly recorded Interview with composer Colin Towns (2023)
Interview with Tom Conti (2023)
Interview with Samantha Gates (2023)
Video essay by author and critic Kim Newman
Location Tour with Simon Fitzjohn (2023)
Galleries
Newly created English subtitles for the Deaf and partial hearing
Reversible sleeve featuring alternative design
Illustrated booklet with new writing on the film by Simon Fitzjohn and on Richard Loncraine by the BFI’s Dr Josephine Botting
All extras are TBC and subject to change

*Please note that the UHD disc included is region ABC, the Blu-ray disc is region B

[jackranderson]

Didn't think the flipside would make it into 4K.

[CelestialAgent]

This is the third release of the film announced in the space of the past week, each announcement more exciting that the last!

Scream Factory - extras TBA
Imprint - BD not UHD, includes soundtrack CD, includes commentary with Rigby/Lyons, video essay by Ellinger and interviews with Towns/Morris/Harlow

[CouncilSpectre]

Flipside 4K? F**k me!

[rapta]

Cool, might get it might not. Only interested in the regular Blu-ray disc, which they’ll presumably reissue separately (this happened with the cancelled Watership Down release too).

[trobrianders]

I still haven't got round to watching Mia Farrow in See No Evil or Secret Ceremony. And now I've got Full Circle to join that queue. I'm sure they'll all be great.