Rate These UK Boutique Labels From your Favourite To Least Favourite

[DisneyDreamer2023]

Arrow
Artificial Eye
BFI
Criterion
88 Films
Eureka
Indicator
Network
101 Films
Second Sight
StudioCanal

Which of these labels have released your favourite films?
Which of these labels do you feel consistently puts out the best quality in restorations/bonus features/booklets & other goodies etc?

Which of these labels do you feel that the vast majority of their titles simply just don’t interest you and your tastes? Or you feel their quality control/restorations/special features etc are not as strong as others on this list?

I thought it would be fun getting members to rate all these labels from their favourite to least favourite and add up all the total-scores and in a month or so to add them all up together and see how they all rank then.

So with 11 labels, someone’s favourite label would get 11 points (Arrow for example) and least favourite would get 1 point (Artificial Eye for example)

The main rule is only their UK releases count so for example, any releases Arrow or Criterion released in the USA but not in the UK do not count for this ranking.

[CouncilSpectre]

I wouldn't consider StudioCanal a boutique. They're a huge studio with an immense catalog.

I'd drop them out and replace with either Radiance or Signal One, or both

[JoePo]

Unpopular opinion I know, but Criterion provide me with the most discs I cherish because of the sheer quality of the library.

Second Sight and Radiance for effort put into their releases (many of which I love).

Arrow releases interest my only occasionally now. I like HK actioners but the the top fifty or so is enough for me so Eureka tend to interest me less these days. Indicator for the effort they put into their releases. Their focus has always been all over the map and I frequently get to a point that I think their stuff is no longer for me but then they suprise me with something.

Often excited by BFI's output

[GlacierTuba]

Indicator should be the clear winner here for putting out limited editions with booklets the size of 37 volumes of Encyclopedia Britannica.

Also Network are absolutely whopper. Putting out super rare titles like Small Town Story, which until recently was on the BFI's most wanted list until Network and BFI sourced the only known print of the film in existence. Then there's the hyperforgotten TV series like Slingers Day and Home To Roost they put out. Not forgetting Robbery and it's incredible opening car chase that made me heavily soil my sofa and yfronts.

Network and Indicator for me. Oh and chuck Eureka in there with some juicy stuffs.

Strong adoration for 88 Films and any label that puts out ANY Poliziotteschi films wins my love and adoration instantly.

Oh and even though everyone hates 101, kudos to them for putting out AGFA stuff, because otherwise its unlikely we would get great content like Treasure Of The Ninja over in European waters.

Criterion Laserdiscs for me only. Their Blu Ray and 4K stuff is for people that wear crowns or have won the lottery. No ta.

Agree with the BFI love. They put out some juicy stuff and you always get a tasty booklet packed in. I love their niche tastes too with stuff like the brilliant Pet Shop Boys film that I later hunted down the rare Laserdisc release of from Japan.

Oh and here, whoever that crowd were who put out the limited edition release of Waterloo, they deserve massive kudos because that limited edition was brilliant. Blind buy, great quality release and topped off by the fact it ended up being one of the best films I've ever seen, with more trivia behind it than Bob Holness holding a bunch of question cards on Blockbusters. Whopper label.

[BigNickUK]

They are all equally brilliant (even 101 for their Black Label range). I order releases from all their ranges. It very much depends on individual preferences. Some have box sets with loads of extras which appeal to some but may have a price point to put others off. Some have embraced new formats whereas others havent in the UK (e.g Criterion not releasing UHDs here - a travesty IMHO). Studio Canal need to watch who do their transfers as some releases have been questionable of late. Highlights for me are Studio Canal's Vintage Classics range which has been going for some years. Powerhouse's Indicator series has been consistent up til now but seems to be headed off a little bit towards the niche and obscure. Arrow and Second Sight are consistently strong with their treatment of classics.
Network should be lauded for their releases in particular their The British Film series but it seems to have halted for now. Eureka's Masters Of Cinema and Classics range is consistently excellent although for me personally they seem to be focussing a little too much on martial arts cinema at the moment which to me seems quite niche. BFi releases are superb and its lovely to see some of their more obscure stuff getting the UHD treatment alongside the favourites. PS Artificial Eye is no more and is Curzon Film, and their recent UHD love has been welcome. I think overall for me as I love box sets, UHD with DV, and tat...Second Sight are probably the winner at the moment

[filmlover22]

1. Indicator
2. Arrow
3. Eureka
4. 88 Films
5. BFI
6. Network

[side__on]

Network
BFI
Second Sight
88
Arrow

The Rest

[ricky_dicky]

BFI
Radiance
Second Run
Second Sight
Indicator
Eureka
Criterion
StudioCanal
Arrow
Artificial Eye

I don't have enough knowledge of some of the labels but the listed options need to include Radiance and Second Run, two of my favourites

[filmlover22]

Originally Posted by side__on

Network
BFI
Second Sight
88
Arrow

The Rest

Check out the Network thread. Some are saying the company is now defunct!

[T4ffer]

It's futile to rank things, but

Radiance
Indicator
Arrow
Eureka
Network
BFI
Second Run
Second Sight
Third Window
Curzon Film
Malombra Films
88 Films
101 Films
Signal One Entertainment
Shameless Screen Entertainment

[JoePo]

Completely agree with Second Run. Right up there

[wabrit]

Radiance
Second Run
Indicator
BFI
Third Window
New Wave
Cult Films
MUBI
Arrow
Signal One Entertainment
Curzon Film
Second Sight
Eureka
Network
88 Films
101 Films

[M A]

Originally Posted by wabrit

Radiance
Second Run
Indicator
BFI
Third Window
New Wave
Cult Films
MUBI
Arrow
Signal One Entertainment
Curzon Film
Second Sight
Eureka
Network
88 Films
101 Films

Have we found the only Cult Films fan in existence?

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by M A

Have we found the only Cult Films fan in existence?

I'm such a contrarian :-) but I come from the days of 16mm screenings where examining every pixel for perfection wasn't really the point, so for me Cult Films put out interesting films in acceptable presentations (well at least the ones that I have e.g. L'Innocente and The Ape Woman).

Look on the bright side - at least I didn't include Shameless!

[Nedoflanders]

Second Run
Eureka
BFI
Indicator
Arrow
Criterion
Network
Second Sight
Curzon/Artificial Eye

Some of the lower rankings (Second Sight, Network) are not intended as criticism, I just own fewer of their titles on BD. In the case of Network, I must have 200-300 of their releases on DVD. If the reports are true, their demise is truly gobsmacking and terribly sad. I can't see anyone else filling that gap.

Others have dropped in my estimations (Criterion and Curzon), the latter have severely p***ed me off on a number of occasions in the last five years.

It wouldn't be right for me to rank 88 Films or 101 Films, hardly own any myself - my partner collects 88 Films, so I've seen a number of their releases and they're generally good at what they do.

Likewise, it's too early to rank Radiance, but judging from the two titles I own, they're definitely up there.

[trobrianders]

I can't do a list and leave out US labels. Just ignore them if you don't find them relevant. Numbers are important. They don't lie. I put them in brackets.

The best

Criterion - Just by sheer number (490+, 25+ boxes) Criterion come top. For range in their catalog, their consistent PQ and design/packaging and overall attitude they come top. Gone a bit woke but still right side of the line.

Eureka - (160+ titles) Great titles that I love. A bit muddled about what Masters of Cinema actually turned out to mean. Great PQ and not stingy with extras and booklets.

Warner Archive - (26 titles so far) Hell bent on getting my hands on these. WAC have shot up my list. Phenomenal catalog and PQ straight from heaven.

Kino Lorber - (75 titles, 3 boxes) Focus very much on main features and not on extras means higher production rate. They're really shovelling them out.

HMV PC - (75 titles) 2for£15 baby brother to WAC

Arrow - (100+, 40+ boxes) Agree with most that their offerings have dried up a bit. But their boxsets are the best of any label outside Criterion.

Artificial Eye - (115, 12 boxes) Great unsung label. Fantastic catalog and consistent PQ. Very cheap to pick up pre-owned so an easy collection to grow. Fantastic selection of boxsets. Not a fan of the recent rebrand.

Indicator - (60+, 6 boxes) Hit and miss catalog. Some gems but a lot of middling. Packaging/design very solid. Great ethos.

Twilight Time - (100+ titles) Varied collection, great PQ. Low ranking because hard collection to grow.

BFI - (85+ titles, 15 boxes) They're a bit precious but I've enjoyed picking off the titles I fancy. Fantastic boxsets. Want more strong 30s/40s British content. Particularly enjoy NFT audio extras. Worst design in booklets.

Studiocanal - (50+, 6 boxes) I wold include them here for their vintage and world. And for their boxsets.

The rest

Network - (14 titles, 2 boxes) I picked off what I wanted but I appreciate they were offering a lot to those who love that content. Too bad it's over.

Arthaus - (16 titles) Yes it's Studiocanal but it's turned out to be a nifty, reliable little label that's given us English-friendly titles not yet out in the UK; Polanski's Bitter Moon, Death And The Maiden, Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes, Altman's Cookie's Fortune, Malle's Damage, Schlöndorff's Homo Faber, Schepisi's The Russia House

Signal One - (17 titles) Great so far. Wish they'd pick it up.

Cohen Media - (17 titles, 3 boxes) - Occasional purchase. Some real gems.

Second Sight - (14, 5 LEs) Fancy packaging. Wish they'd pick it up. Ever grateful they gave us Heimat.

Olive Films - (8 titles) Occasional purchase. Some real gems.

Radiance - Low on the list only because it's just kicking off but a fast riser.

101 Films (3 titles)

[RossyG]

Originally Posted by DisneyDreamer2023

Arrow
Artificial Eye
BFI
Criterion
88 Films
Eureka
Indicator
Network
101 Films
Second Sight
StudioCanal

1. Network
2. BFI
3. Eureka
4. Indicator
5. StudioCanal
6. Criterion
7. Arrow
8. 88 Films
9. Second Sight
10. Artificial Eye
11. 101 Films

Ten years ago, Artificial Eye would've been in second place. During the Arrow Academy days, Arrow would've been in 4th.

Had Radiance been included in this list, it'd be in 4th position, maybe even 3rd. And Second Run would be between Eureka and Indicator.

[drush9999]

Indicator
Eureka
Second Sight
Arrow
88 Films
BFI
Radiance
Network
Signal One

Bottom would be the likes of Shameless. Not overly fond of 101 Films, made too many problem releases for my liking. Fabulous generally just dump Universal stuff on BD so nothing special. Same for Mediumrare and other such labels.

[fatboyslim142]

My top 10 in NO particular order & I'm NOT counting Criterion as that is a US one.

BFI
Network
Arrow
Indicator
Radiance
Second Run
Second Sight
Third Window Films
Eureka
Nucleus

Bottom of the barrel:

Shameless
101 Films
Signal One
Mediumrare
& some others I'm forgetting.

[CrockettandTubbs]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

My top 10 in NO particular order & I'm NOT counting Criterion as that is a US one.

BFI
Network
Arrow
Indicator
Radiance
Second Run
Second Sight
Third Window Films
Eureka
Nucleus

Bottom of the barrel:

Shameless
101 Films
Signal One
Mediumrare
& some others I'm forgetting.

Signal One have some excellent titles - Nightmare Alley, Man Hunt (Lang), The Seven-Ups, Mr Majestyk, Doc, Culpepper Cattle Co. etc.