British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[darrellmaclaine]

Slade in Flame is the first and currently only Blu-ray announced by any label in 2025 so far that I actually *definitely* plan to buy. Very few things come out anymore that live very high on wishlists, but I think (along with The Devils, obviously) that Flame is THE most wanted 1970s British film in HD. Can't wait.

It's not even been in print on DVD for about 10 years, and even then it was only a bonus disc to the album on CD for a while. So it's a long time since it's been on the market.

I just hope the extras focus on the filmmakers and other voices rather than being dominated by that flaneur I won't name who has made it his life's work to never shut up about it.

[RossyG]

I’ll name him. Fifties throwback Mark Kermode.

[Olmo]

Originally Posted by RossyG

I’ll name him. Fifties throwback Mark Kermode.

The thin-skinned, preening film critic who deliberately misinterpreted Danny Leigh's intelligent & well-meaning article on film criticism's dearth of talent from the working class as a tirade against privilege & private education. Then publicly creating a false narrative and throwing Leigh under the bus, thereby whipping up his lackeys into a social media frenzy resulting in Leigh's self-imposed exile?

That Mark Kermode?

Prize w****r.

[RossyG]

Originally Posted by Olmo

The thin-skinned, preening film critic who deliberately misinterpreted Danny Leigh's intelligent & well-meaning article on film criticism's dearth of talent from the working class as a tirade against privilege & private education. Then publicly creating a false narrative and throwing Leigh under the bus, thereby whipping up his lackeys into a social media frenzy resulting in Leigh's self-imposed exile?

That Mark Kermode?

Prize w****r.

That’s the one.

[jackranderson]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

Appears to be the usual case of Criterion extras more from the horse's mouth while BFI lean more toward British take on things. So where Criterion offer "Seven Samurai: Origins and Influences" 2006 documentary (55:12), BFI offer "The Art of Akira Kurosawa: An Interview with Tony Rayns" 2013 interview (48:36) .

The Criterion is absolutely stacked. I think this is one of those cases where having both may not be a bad idea.

[justwannaboogie]

Really wanted to flog my Criterion Seven Samurai but the unique extras are just too good to pass up.

[Deadend45]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

The Criterion is absolutely stacked. I think this is one of those cases where having both may not be a bad idea.

And expensive.

[Eidolon]

Regarding the release of Juniper Tree, both BFI and Analois, both discs include mono audio. Apparently this film had a DolbySR mix for cinema exhibition. Is there any info relating to this? I guess the DolbySR is missing now?

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by jackranderson

The Criterion is absolutely stacked. I think this is one of those cases where having both may not be a bad idea.

Extras packages are basically identical apart from the difference I listed above.

Criterion offer "Seven Samurai: Origins and Influences" 2006 documentary (55:12), BFI offer "The Art of Akira Kurosawa: An Interview with Tony Rayns" 2013 interview (48:36) .

I pretty much have all Criterion BD digipack editions and plan on keeping them. I like them. So I'll go with upgrades from other labels in the main. Any different extras are a bonus but I don't find much value in hearing British talking heads pontificate. Their groupthink is mostly what you get (Arrow and BFI especially guilty of loading their discs with it). They often miss the mark. I'd rather hear from the filmmakers themselves or analysts from the countries involved. British "experts" are a busted flush.

[justwannaboogie]

Am I missing something here? The Criterion has 2 commentaries that the BFI doesn't have, likewise the BFI has one the Criterion doesn't, plus the written content is different for both.

[Deadend45]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

Extras packages are basically identical apart from the difference I listed above.

Criterion offer "Seven Samurai: Origins and Influences" 2006 documentary (55:12), BFI offer "The Art of Akira Kurosawa: An Interview with Tony Rayns" 2013 interview (48:36) .

I pretty much have all Criterion BD digipack editions and plan on keeping them. I like them. So I'll go with upgrades from other labels in the main. Any different extras are a bonus but I don't find much value in hearing British talking heads pontificate. Their groupthink is mostly what you get (Arrow and BFI especially guilty of loading their discs with it). They often miss the mark. I'd rather hear from the filmmakers themselves or analysts from the countries involved. British "experts" are a busted flush.

So the supplements difference is 'experts' talking rather then people who were actually involved with the production?

Originally Posted by justwannaboogie

Am I missing something here? The Criterion has 2 commentaries that the BFI doesn't have, likewise the BFI has one the Criterion doesn't, plus the written content is different for both.

None of whom were involved with the production.

[GreatUncleBaal]

Originally Posted by Deadend45

So the supplements difference is 'experts' talking rather then people who were actually involved with the production?

How many people involved in making the Seven Samurai,
do you think are alive today?

[Deadend45]

Originally Posted by GreatUncleBaal

How many people involved in making the Seven Samurai,
do you think are alive today?

That does nothing to change the fact these personalities (which is what the really are) had nothing to with the production and makes their value dubious at best.
Nor do you need to buy a UHD to listen to commentary.
Not to mention these personalities are often trotted out instead of those who were actually involved a production and are still very much alive.

[MifuneFan]

Don't feed the troll folks.

[JoePo]

I've said this before but...I have little interest in hearing from people involved in the production of films I'm interested in but love to hear the views of "experts" and I spend a fair wack on discs so I guess companies are trying to cater to people like me.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by justwannaboogie

Am I missing something here? The Criterion has 2 commentaries that the BFI doesn't have, likewise the BFI has one the Criterion doesn't, plus the written content is different for both.

Thanks for the correction. I did say basically identical referring to the rest.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by JoePo

I love to hear the views of "experts"

[DaveStone]

I’m excited for Throne of Blood! However, the pre-order for it still isn’t available on Amazon UK.

[PhatsoCallum]

Do people watch interviews and just the extras in general more than once? Whats the point of keeping 2 releases especially when you have already watched all the extras on the subpar video presentation.

[GreatUncleBaal]

Originally Posted by DaveStone

I’m excited for Throne of Blood! However, the pre-order for it still isn’t available on Amazon UK.

There's quite a few others as well, arrow and more, that haven't gone up there.