Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo deserves a Criterion Edition

[Riddler95]

Does anyone else think that it would be great if Criterion created their own Blu-Ray release of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo.

After all it became number one and knocked Citizen Kane to number two when it was voted to be the greatest film ever made on Sights & Sounds poll.

I figure since Criterion puts so much time and effort into their Blu-Ray and DVD releases the picture and sound quality would be perfect and the selection of special features would be terrific. If something like this happened, it would most likely be the definitive home video release of Vertigo.

[DoubleDownAgain]

Haven't seen the Universal transfer myself, but from reading reviews there seems to be issues with the source material, something of which Criterion couldn't fix.

[balthazar_bee]

It won't happen, but it'd certainly be wonderful.

If Universal threw open the vaults, and brought back Robert Harris to supervise, I'm sure we could get something better than what we have.

Not that the Universal blu-ray is poor; it's one of their better catalog efforts. But it could/should be even better.

[Riddler95]

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

It won't happen, but it'd certainly be wonderful.

If Universal threw open the vaults, and brought back Robert Harris to supervise, I'm sure we could get something better than what we have.

Not that the Universal blu-ray is poor; it's one of their better catalog efforts. But it could/should be even better.

How can it not happen?

[klauswhereareyou]

I don't know about Vertigo, but it would be nice if somebody could find a way to put out editions of Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy, and especially Family Plot with improved transfers.

[Roy_Batty]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

I don't know about Vertigo, but it would be nice if somebody could find a way to put out editions of Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy, and especially Family Plot with improved transfers.

These are all availabe through Amazon UK, in fact they were running a special sale 2 titles for 10 pounds. I just picked up Marnie, Man who knew too much and psycho. The only one that has become hard to find is the Birds.
It has been repackaged with psycho as a seperate release. And off course the blu-ray of Vertigo looks stunning!

[Bucky]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

I don't know about Vertigo, but it would be nice if somebody could find a way to put out editions of Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy, and especially Family Plot with improved transfers.

I would love a new transfer for Frenzy.

[bhampton]

I'm not a fan of criterion at all.

Many great movies are only available as Criterion so I have some.

-Brian

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by Riddler95

How can it not happen?

Well, I guess it boils down to, "What's in it for Universal?" They licence out one of their prestige titles, then the buyers opt for the Criterion release because they assume (correctly) that it'll be superior.

For that matter, "What's in it for Criterion?" They'd have to pay a pretty steep licencing fee.

Hell, even if they got hold of it, it'd probably end up being the same transfer.

And if it weren't, how much money would they have to invest to create a new, better one?

[Show spoiler]Too much.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by Riddler95

Does anyone else think that it would be great if Criterion created their own Blu-Ray release of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo.

After all it became number one and knocked Citizen Kane to number two when it was voted to be the greatest film ever made on Sights & Sounds poll.

I figure since Criterion puts so much time and effort into their Blu-Ray and DVD releases the picture and sound quality would be perfect and the selection of special features would be terrific. If something like this happened, it would most likely be the definitive home video release of Vertigo.

The extant blu-ray of Vertigo is an excellent release (other than the fact that for people not wanting the box set, it's unavailable individually). There's no need to licence it out to Criterion. Not everything has to be released by Criterion to be considered an excellent release. Criterion would have nothing new to bring to the table in terms of the film itself, so it would boil down to bonus features and, really, Criterion would be better off putting their time and energy elsewhere.

Originally Posted by balthazar_bee

Well, I guess it boils down to, "What's in it for Universal?" They licence out one of their prestige titles, then the buyers opt for the Criterion release because they assume (correctly) that it'll be superior.

For that matter, "What's in it for Criterion?" They'd have to pay a pretty steep licencing fee.

Hell, even if they got hold of it, it'd probably end up being the same transfer.

And if it weren't, how much money would they have to invest to create a new, better one?

[Show spoiler]Too much.

Universal are the only studio that actually lets Criterion release titles that they themselves have released as well (Brazil, Dazed and Confused, Fear & Loathing), so it's not an impossibility but, as you indicated, it's a prestige title considering its status as #1 and I'm sure they'll want to exploit that themselves.

[L'armée des ombres]

Originally Posted by Riddler95

Does anyone else think that it would be great if Criterion created their own Blu-Ray release of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo.

After all it became number one and knocked Citizen Kane to number two when it was voted to be the greatest film ever made on Sights & Sounds poll.

I figure since Criterion puts so much time and effort into their Blu-Ray and DVD releases the picture and sound quality would be perfect and the selection of special features would be terrific. If something like this happened, it would most likely be the definitive home video release of Vertigo.

[42041]

I haven't seen the actual disc but the screenshots suggest that it reproduces the original Robert Harris restoration pretty well. Not sure if Criterion has the resources to take it beyond that level, restoration is expensive.

[MifuneFan]

Vertigo already looks great. If Criterion got a hold of it, they'd probably just digitally up the contrast, and perhaps boost the colors a little too. Criterion usually just puts out the transfers they're provided, I don't know why people still have the impression that they frequently do significant restoration work themselves

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I don't know why people still have the impression that they do significant restoration work themselves.

Because they actually do a significant amount of work themselves? Not as much as some think, but still a lot.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by rezpekt

Because they actually do a significant amount of work themselves? Not as much as some think, but still a lot.

Define a lot. They do some signfificant restorations from time to time, like The Man who Knew Too Much, The Gold Rush,or IAMMMMW, but for the most part their restorations boil down to some minor digital resto work. All the ones I mentioned were collaborations with outside sources in fact.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Define a lot. They do some signfificant restorations from time to time, like The Man who Knew Too Much, The Gold Rush,or IAMMMMW, but for the most part their restorations boil down to some minor digital resto work. All the ones I mentioned were collaborations with outside sources in fact.

You are right MifuneFan in regards to dealing with what they are given but they handle it better than any other company out there. If there is anything they can do to make it better they will do it. I'm sure that digital tinkering takes a lot of work sometimes too...for example in the case of Kiss Me Deadly, I know they had to remove a massive amount of dirt and white specks and man does the final output look great.

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Vertigo already looks great.

Agreed Vertigo already looks great! I rather have Criterion continue to put out Hitch's earlier efforts like they have been...especially Secret Agent since we never even got a decent DVD of that.

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

If Criterion got a hold of it, they'd probably just digitally up the contrast, and perhaps boost the colors a little too.

Which I don't really think needs to be done...the colors are lush and vibrant and just look great to me. The scene where the two leads are in Scottie's apartment and the fireplace is going...the flames in the fire place just looked amazing(just an example of a scene that really stood out to me).

[Doctor Jack]

Originally Posted by RiFiFi1955

Agreed Vertigo already looks great! I rather have Criterion continue to put out Hitch's earlier efforts like they have been...especially Secret Agent since we never even got a decent DVD of that.

This. No more discussion needed.

[grim_tales]

I'm not sure but is Vertigo available individually in the UK? Does anyone know or have any thoughts how that compares to the one in the boxset and the Universal Legacy DVD?

[RiFiFi1955]

Originally Posted by grim_tales

I'm not sure but is Vertigo available individually in the UK? Does anyone know or have any thoughts how that compares to the one in the boxset and the Universal Legacy DVD?

Yes and it is the same disc that is in the boxset and it blows the 2008 DVD out of the water.