Directed By… Roman Polanski (1992 – 1999) – Imprint #362 – 364 - Oct 30, 2024

[James Luckard]

I'm super excited for this:

Imprint is releasing a new Polanski 1990s boxset on Oct 30, 2024:


https://viavision.com.au/shop/direct...ction-362-364/

None of the films are new to BD, and none list new transfers, but they're loaded with new extras:

Directed By… Roman Polanski (1992 – 1999) – Imprint Collection #362 – 364

5-Disc Blu-ray Limited Edition Hardbox with booklet, packed with brand NEW Special Features – 1500 copies only.

Infamous director Roman Polanski directed these three thrilling films of seduction, betrayal and revenge: Bitter Moon (1992), Death and the Maiden (1994), and The Ninth Gate (1999), packaged together in this 5-Disc Limited Edition Hardbox.

Includes a bonus disc with 2008 feature-length documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, plus an exclusive booklet with essays from film critic Sean Burns on Bitter Moon, Lindsey Romain (Nerdist, Bright Wall / Dark Room, Vulture) on The Death and the Maiden, and filmmaker Scout Tafoya on The Ninth Gate.

_________________________________________

Bitter Moon (1992) – Imprint Collection #362

Hugh Grant stars alongside Peter Coyote, Emmanuelle Seigner and Kristin Scott Thomas in this shocking and steamy erotic thriller.

British couple Fiona and Nigel Dobson encounter a beautiful French woman while sailing to Istanbul en route to India. When Nigel develops an irresistible infatuation with the woman, her paraplegic American husband Oscar tells him the story of their steamy love affair.

Based on the French novel Lunes de fiel (Evil Angels) by Pascal Bruckner, featuring a score from Vangelis (Chariots Of Fire, Blade Runner).

“Polanski directs it without compromise or apology… you could hear a pin drop.” – Roger Ebert

Special Features and Technical Specs:

-1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
-NEW Audio Commentary by filmaker Paul Anthony Nelson & film critic Emma Westwood
-NEW Interview with actress Emmanuelle Seigner
-Theatrical Trailer
-Audio English LPCM 2.0 Stereo
-Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
-Optional English HOH Subtitles

_________________________________________

Death and the Maiden (1994) – Imprint Collection # 363

Based on the stage play by Ariel Dorfman, this critically acclaimed mystery stars Sigourney Weaver on a quest for revenge.

Fifteen years ago, Paulina Escobar had her life shattered when she was taken prisoner and tortured by a sadistic doctor. Now, through a chance encounter, she may have found the man responsible for her nightmares… and tonight he’s going to pay. But how far will she go to get even?

Special Features and Technical Specs:

-1080p high-definition presentation on Blu-ray
-NEW Interview with Ariel Dorfman, author of “Death and the Maiden”
-More NEW Special Features TBC
-Previously unseen behind the scenes footage
-Audio English LPCM 2.0 Stereo
-Aspect Ratio TBC
-Optional English HOH Subtitles

_________________________________________

The Ninth Gate (1999) – Imprint Collection #364

Loosely based on Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s novel The Club Dumas, this cult neo-noir thriller stars Johnny Depp, Lena Olin, Frank Langella, and James Russo.

A rare book dealer who specialises in books on Satanism is hired to recover a 17th-century text with cryptic illustrations supposedly contributed by Lucifer himself. His investigation takes him to Europe, where bizarre deaths inspired by the book’s morbid illustrations befall all those who come into contact with it… except himself.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

Disc One:

-1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
-NEW Audio Commentary by author Troy Howarth and Mondo Digital’s Nathaniel Thompson
-NEW Audio Commentary by author David Huckvale
-NEW Video Essay by film critic Sally Christie
-Audio Commentary by director Roman Polanski (1999)
-Theatrical Trailer & Teasers
-Audio English DTS-HD 5.1 Surround
-Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
-Optional English HOH Subtitles

Disc Two:

-NEW Interview with actress Emmanuelle Seigner
-NEW Interview with actor James Russo
-NEW Encyclopaedia Satanica — interview feature with occult author Gary Lachman, author/writer Mitch Horowitz and occult collector/author Brandon Hodge
-NEW Occult Classics – Analysis of Film & Score with David Huckvale
-NEW Lucifer’s Version – Slideshow of Book’s Illustrations with commentary by David Huckvale
-In conversation with Roman Polanski – featurette
-Promotional Interviews
-Storyboard Selections: Storyboards and Scripts
-Satanic Drawings – art gallery

_________________________________________

Bonus Disc: Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008) – Feature-Length Documentary

This documentary from director Marina Zenovich examines the public scandal and private tragedy which led to legendary filmmaker Roman Polanski’s sudden flight from the United States.

Special Features and Technical Specs:

-1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
-Audio commentary with director Marina Zenovich and editor Joe Bini
-Deleted scenes
-Bonus Interviews
-“Friends and Colleagues Talk About Polanski” Interview feature
-“Writers on Polanski” Interview feature
-“Will He Ever Come Back?” Interview feature
-Audio English 5.1 Surround + 2.0 Stereo
-Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
-Optional English HOH Subtitles

[lemonski]

Same here - a stacked two disc edition of The Ninth Gate! Presumably the same scan, but you never know. And maybe they’ll have fixed the Bitter Moon audio

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by lemonski

Same here - a stacked two disc edition of The Ninth Gate! Presumably the same scan, but you never know. And maybe they’ll have fixed the Bitter Moon audio

It will almost certainly be the correct audio on Bitter Moon.

Kino Lorber inadvertently introduced the error on their disc.

They explained that they were given a PAL HD master which they assumed had been pitch corrected (it had not been). They slowed that master down from 25 to 24fps, but then they raised the pitch to account for pitch correction that wasn't there, raising the pitch by 4%.

[LMFAObros]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

It will almost certainly be the correct audio on Bitter Moon.

Kino Lorber inadvertently introduced the error on their disc.

They explained that they were given a PAL HD master which they assumed had been pitch corrected (it had not been). They slowed that master down from 25 to 24fps, but then they raised the pitch to account for pitch correction that wasn't there, raising the pitch by 4%.

The same thing happened to the German release of That thing you do!(1996)

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by LMFAObros

The same thing happened to the German release of That thing you do!(1996)

Lots of European BDs (especially in France, but also Germany) also use raw unconverted PAL HD masters, at the wrong speed and pitch.

[MovieBuff647]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

It will almost certainly be the correct audio on Bitter Moon.

I hope so because if it will be, this is an easy purchase for me for the fact that two of these are OOP.

[lateralspin]

I already have the Novamedia release of The Ninth Gate, which I am happy with. This Imprint set is just full of filler material that I do not want, and there is no guarantee that the encoding/transfer of The Ninth Gate would be up to par.

[Rottweiler30]

This is a no brainer for me. Will I be able to purchase from anywhere that delivers to the UK though?

[Rottweiler30]

Although..from viavision...£72.51 before shipping, for 2 movies...I thought The Ninth Gate was poor.

[MovieBuff647]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler30

Although..from viavision...£72.51 before shipping, for 2 movies...I thought The Ninth Gate was poor.

You can always resell it. I imagine someone might be interested for the extras.

[Kedrix]

Originally Posted by MovieBuff647

You can always resell it. I imagine someone might be interested for the extras.

I would be for absolutely sure (though shipping might be painful)....Ninth Gate is my favorite Johnny Depp film and actually one of my top 20 favorite movies. I would like this set, but basically I'd be purchasing it for that movie (and maybe Bitter Moon), very hard pill to swallow.

[Rottweiler30]

I didnt realise that WowHD stock imprint titles. Ill order from there when its up. Should be more reasonably priced.

[Pluthero Quexos]

Grindhouse pre-order
https://grindhousevideo.com/products...dition-blu-ray

[Rottweiler30]

£105 at Wowhd!

[Nitroes]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler30

£105 at Wowhd!

https://www.wowhd.co.uk/directed-by-.../9337369043593

[Rottweiler30]

Originally Posted by Nitroes

https://www.wowhd.co.uk/directed-by-.../9337369043593

Added a pound overnight.

[The Hornets]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler30

£105 at Wowhd!

That’s the before VAT price. They’ll add 20% VAT at checkout.

[DaBank]

The ninth gate looks good...anyone know what these transfers are like?

[MovieBuff647]

Curious how DEATH AND THE MAIDEN will compare to the Shout Blu from this year.

[Aunt Peg]

Got a shipping notice today for the set from ViaVision.