A Midnight Clear (1992) - May 26, 2020

[Akijama]

https://www.shoutfactory.com/product...roduct_id=7363

Synopsis
"The cast is first-rate ..." – Roger Ebert

With an amazing all-star ensemble led by Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise, Kevin Dillon and Peter Berg, A Midnight Clear is a classic war movie that has won critical acclaim and a cult following.

As the end of World War II approaches, a group of American soldiers are assigned to watch activity amidst the stark snow-covered landscape of the French-German border and soon discover a battle-weary enemy as reluctant to fight as they are. With common ground established, the German platoon offer to be "captured" and a phony battle is staged to save honor. However, a tragic misunderstanding has devastating consequences in this powerful depiction of war's insanity.

[gates70]

I'm in!

[James Luckard]

Fantastic! I've always wanted to see this but, as I understand it, there has never been an OAR release before in the US. I believe the DVD was pan-and-scan.

[Spiderwalk]

Originally Posted by james luckard

fantastic! I've always wanted to see this, but as i understand it, there has never been an oar release before, i believe the dvd was pan-and-scan.

[Monterey Jack]

Always wanted to see this, so cool.

[The Great Owl]

It's about time. One of the best movies of the 1990s.

[DukeTogo84]

Never seen this, but it sounds good. Any films that are good comparisons to this one to get a better idea of this film?

[sandman slim]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Never seen this, but it sounds good. Any films that are good comparisons to this one to get a better idea of this film?

Maybe Joyeux Noel?

[bonehica]

Wow, never even heard of this movie at all. How can that be? Sounds like a solid blind buy.

[philip74]

I never heard of this movie before, but I`m intrigued.

[Dubstar]

wow, no one here saw this in the theaters ? day 1 purchase for sure.

[wonkavision]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

wow, no one here saw this in the theaters ? day 1 purchase for sure.

I was there. I’ll be there again Day 1.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Isn't this owned by MGM, at least overseas?

If they do have US rights to the early Beacon catalog, then this would signal a new Shout MGM deal.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

I've never heard of this but I'm very curious! I'm a big fan of Keith Gordon as an actor but I don't think I've seen anything he has directed yet.

[Nailwraps]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

Isn't this owned by MGM, at least overseas?

If they do have US rights to the early Beacon catalog, then this would signal a new Shout MGM deal.

From my research, Lionsgate owns it in the States.

[Kristian Idol]

Ten years ago, people were asking on the IMDb page about a US widescreen release and director Keith Gordon commented:

It would really be the production company, Beacon Pictures. They currently hold the rights for US DVD and Blu-Ray.

Sony had always planned to put it out back in 2007, when we made the masters that are being used for the new European version, but, as luck would have it, their 15 year 'lease' on the rights were just running out, and - to their surprise - they couldn't negotiate a new agreement with Beacon. I have no idea if Sony would still want to put it out, since their library seems to have merged into MGM, and discs are making less each year.

But I can't believe someone (Criterion? Magnolia? Olive?) wouldn't put it out if Beacon would make a realistic deal for an art-house level film. I'd love it if people would let them know they would want a copy, maybe that would move them to a softer stance.

He also mentioned that he had done a commentary.

(Did I just bury the lede? )

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by Nailwraps

From my research, Lionsgate owns it in the States.

They probably only have TV or streaming rights, as Lionsgate almost never licences out titles they own the theatrical and video rights to. Sony held US video rights, but they're long expired by now as evidenced by the above post.

Possible that Shout did indeed strike a deal with Beacon for titles they outright own in the US. It's also obvious that Beacon owns US rights to The Commitments as the Image BD was licensed from them despite using a recent MGM HD master. It's also believed Beacon now has US rights to Sugar Hill, The Van (both released by Fox), and Trippin' (Universal/Rouge Releasing), while MGM appears to own international rights since Hemdale/Sovereign Pictures distributed most of their early titles.

[mport5150]

I’m so excited about this release! I watch this movie every year on Christmas Eve while wrapping gifts and will be very happy to watch the BD version this year instead. Day 1 for me!

[sandman slim]

Pre-order is up at Amazon. Cover art is for some Stephen Baldwin movie. Sent them an error report, maybe it'll get fixed in a few days...

[Reddington]

Never heard of it but definitely intrigued. Another one added to the list!