The Cinema of Powell & Pressburger - Imprint

[Dailyan]

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger forged a filmmaking partnership that has forever influenced the silver screen, crafting a catalogue of twenty-four films that are among the most renowned works cinema has to offer.

This first selection features six entries from the first eight years of their collaboration:

The Spy In Black (1939)
49th Parallel (1941)
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
A Canterbury Tale (1944) – Worldwide Blu-ray debut!
A Matter Of Life and Death (1946)
Black Narcissus (1947)

Limited Edition 7-Disc Hardbox. 1500 copies only.

The Spy in Black

1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a restored high-definition transfer
NEW Audio Commentary by film critic Kim Newman and Jo Botting from the BFI National Archive
NEW Interview with Powell and Pressburger film scholar Ian Christie
NEW Interview with author Charles Barr on The Spy In Black
Original Theatrical Trailer
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
Optional English HOH Subtitles

49th Parallel

1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a restored high-definition transfer
NEW Audio Commentary with Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons
NEW Interview with Powell and Pressburger film scholar Ian Christie
NEW Interview with interview with Jeremy Arnold, author of Turner Classic Movies
Original Theatrical Trailer
Audio: English 2.0 Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
Optional English HOH Subtitles

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

Disc One:

1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 4K restoration by The Film Foundation and Janus Films, in association with the BFI National Archive, ITV Studios Global Entertainment Ltd., the Museum of Modern Art, and Romulus Films.
NEW Audio Commentary by film historian/filmmaker Daniel Kremer
Theatrical Trailer
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.37:1
Optional English HOH Subtitles

Disc Two:

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp – 115 minute 1945 US version (standard definition)
NEW Interview with Powell and Pressburger film scholar Ian Christie
NEW Interview with Charles Drazin author of The Finest Years: British Cinema of the 40’s
Restoration Featurette with Martin Scorsese
A Profile of The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp – featurette
Photo Gallery

A Canterbury Tale

1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a restored high-definition transfer
NEW Audio Commentary by script supervisor Paddy Arnold, assistant editor Jim Pople & Paul Tritton, author of A Canterbury Tale: Memories of a Classic Wartime Movie
NEW Interview with Powell and Pressburger film scholar Ian Christie
NEW Interview with Kim Newman on A Canterbury Tale
NEW Interview with author Charles Barr on A Canterbury Tale
Two excerpts from the American version, with Kim Hunter
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
Optional English HOH Subtitles

A Matter of Life and Death

1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a restored high-definition transfer
NEW Audio Commentary by cinema historian & author Stuart Galbraith IV
NEW Interview with Powell and Pressburger film scholar Ian Christie
NEW Interview with Charles Drazin author of The Finest Years: British Cinema of the 40’s
The Colour Merchant – 1998 short film featuring cinematographer Jack Cardiff
Theatrical Trailer
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.37:1

Black Narcissus

1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a restored high-definition transfer
NEW Audio Commentary by author and critic Kat Ellinger
Audio Commentary with co-director Michael Powell and filmmaker Martin Scorsese
NEW Interview with film critic & writer Hannah McGill
NEW The Women of Powell & Pressburger – Video Essay by critic and film historian Pamela Hutchinson
NEW Interview with Powell and Pressburger film scholar Ian Christie
Profile of Black Narcissus – documentary
Painting with Light – documentary about cinematographer Jack Cardiff
Neil Labute on Black Narcissus
Photo Galleries
Original Theatrical Trailer
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Mono
Aspect Ratio 1.37:1
Optional English HOH Subtitles

https://viavision.com.au/shop/the-ci...ction-456-461/

[koberulz]

I'm not a fan of P&P generally, but AMoLaD is an exception and the bundle only costs $50 more than buying the Hitchcocks on their own, so why not?

[filmlover22]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I'm not a fan of P&P generally, but AMoLaD is an exception and the bundle only costs $50 more than buying the Hitchcocks on their own, so why not?

I thought that, too, but that bundle does not include AH Presents, and the bundle that does include AH presents doesn't include the P&P set but includes the remakes of 39 steps/Lady Vanishes instead! arrgh.

Will wait for the next JB Hi-Fi sale for these.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by filmlover22

I thought that, too, but that bundle does not include AH Presents

Ah, good catch.

[filmlover22]

curious which transfer they will be using for Black Narcissus. The one Criterion used or the one that Network used (that I found superior)?

[cochon]

Originally Posted by filmlover22

I thought that, too, but that bundle does not include AH Presents, and the bundle that does include AH presents doesn't include the P&P set but includes the remakes of 39 steps/Lady Vanishes instead! arrgh.

Will wait for the next JB Hi-Fi sale for these.

I am sorry I am not following this which bundle includes the AH presents? Are you talking Imprint or something else because I did not see it in their announcement?

[lateralspin]

Originally Posted by cochon

I am sorry I am not following this which bundle includes the AH presents?

Two bundles:
* Imprint Bundle Pack – August 2025 (omits AH hour: S1, it has Cinema of Powell & Pressburger: C1 instead)
* Alfred Hitchcock Bundle – Imprint August (AH hour: S1, omits Cinema of Powell & Pressburger: C1)

[cochon]

Originally Posted by lateralspin

Two bundles:
* Imprint Bundle Pack – August 2025 (omits AH hour: S1, it has Cinema of Powell & Pressburger: C1 instead)
* Alfred Hitchcock Bundle – Imprint August (AH hour: S1, omits Cinema of Powell & Pressburger: C1)

I get it now, the poster made a mistake, it is not AH present, it is AH hour. I thought I was missing an announcement of a release of the AH present but that is not coming. Thank you.

[filmlover22]

Originally Posted by cochon

I get it now, the poster made a mistake, it is not AH present, it is AH hour. I thought I was missing an announcement of a release of the AH present but that is not coming. Thank you.

Yes, my mistake. I actually thought it WAS AH Presents and it is not. sigh. Don't remember seeing any of the hour shows so can't comment on them. Reviews on the web seem varied with most people liking it, but some feel the padding makes the episodes drag out and boring. Not quite as excited as I was since it is not Presents.

[LMFAObros]

Life and death should be the same master as BFI and Criterion. Black should be the same as the UK and our earlier release

[Aunt Peg]

I'll purchase this, but I really wish I Know Where I'm Going! was included.

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by Aunt Peg

I'll purchase this, but I really wish I Know Where I'm Going! was included.

It'll be on the next box set.

Knew this was coming when I saw the Lean and Olivier announcements. Just glad someone is able to get ITV to see sense and get their AAA library out properly!

Just wish they hadn't used so many rent-a-gobs on the new extras. Having someone actually good like Melanie Williams on the Lean set is so much more preferable than yet more phoned-in rubbish from Newman and Ellinger here.

[Pecker]

Blimp is the only one where they've said it's from the Film Foundation restoration, which strongly hints the others aren't.

And no IKWIG! still!

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by Pecker

Blimp is the only one where they've said it's from the Film Foundation restoration, which strongly hints the others aren't.

There aren't any HD masters for them *other* than the ones TFF have financed over the years. ITV are misers, and have happily let Scorsese pay for the whole lot of their P&Ps to be done.

Originally Posted by Pecker

And no IKWIG! still!

Strongly suspect it's been held over til Volume 2 to spread out the exclusives/marquee titles. That one will have The Red Shoes on it, and probably The Small Back Room and Tales Of Hoffman. Likely the others will be one or both of The Elusive Pimpernel and Gone To Earth, and Oh Rosalinda.

[SilverBlueSnow]

This boxset is important for making these great films available - Ian Christie supplements should be great

Criterion has some great editions and I am sure more are on the way.

But the UK ITV editions are shameful really - these are some of cinemas most treasured films and it is a shame we don’t have editions that do them justice.

I wonder if Criterion will be able to issue there editions in the UK?

A dream would be if BFI could access these.

Made In England documentary also has no UK release.

[darrellmaclaine]

Originally Posted by SilverBlueSnow

This boxset is important for making these great films available - Ian Christie supplements should be great

Criterion has some great editions and I am sure more are on the way.

But the UK ITV editions are shameful really - these are some of cinemas most treasured films and it is a shame we don’t have editions that do them justice.

I wonder if Criterion will be able to issue there editions in the UK?

A dream would be if BFI could access these.

Made In England documentary also has no UK release.

I did wonder if Made In England might be on box 2 actually.

It is my understanding (don't take as gospel but I believe to be true) that ViaVision's ITV deal is for Region B exclusivity, so these (plus the David Leans, ITV Hitchcocks, Carry Ons etc etc) are de facto 'UK editions' as well.

[DavidRoylance]

I think Gerry Anderson and Spirit are the only UK companies working now with ITV. ITV themselves seem to be committed 100% to their streaming service.

[SilverBlueSnow]

Originally Posted by darrellmaclaine

I did wonder if Made In England might be on box 2 actually.

It is my understanding (don't take as gospel but I believe to be true) that ViaVision's ITV deal is for Region B exclusivity, so these (plus the David Leans, ITV Hitchcocks, Carry Ons etc etc) are de facto 'UK editions' as well.

Interesting. Quite bizarre to think that maybe instead of getting UK editions (imagine what BFI, Masters of Cinema, Radiance could offer us with these films?) the only option is an Australian Edition (nothing wrong with that but these are British films and there are exceptional labels as mentioned above)

To think that if you want to watch The 39 Steps, Brief Encounter or A Matter of Life and Death the only UK option is really poor ITV editions.

Hard to understand. Surely labels would love to release these - it points to either future editions are coming (maybe via Criterion at some point) or some licensing issue with ITV in the UK

[Cherry Valance]

Originally Posted by SilverBlueSnow

Interesting. Quite bizarre to think that maybe instead of getting UK editions (imagine what BFI, Masters of Cinema, Radiance could offer us with these films?) the only option is an Australian Edition (nothing wrong with that but these are British films and there are exceptional labels as mentioned above)

To think that if you want to watch The 39 Steps, Brief Encounter or A Matter of Life and Death the only UK option is really poor ITV editions.

Hard to understand. Surely labels would love to release these - it points to either future editions are coming (maybe via Criterion at some point) or some licensing issue with ITV in the UK

from what i understand, ITV only allow labels to license films in bulk deals, which means that if a label wants to release certain films like from the P&P catalogue, they have to take and release everything else that ITV gives them, which isn't feasible for small labels like indicator, radiance, etc.

i think the indicator representative mentioned as much in their thread a while back.

EDIT: here's the post i was thinking of;

Originally Posted by Indicator

In a word, no.

In several words, the rightsholder has to ensure that a suitable master is available (the more obscure the film, the greater the chances that a high-definition master doesn't yet exist; we've had several planned projects collapse at this stage) and that all the underlying rights - script, personnel, music, etc. - have been cleared for commercial video release. This can sometimes be an expensive legal headache, particularly with older films made before home video had been introduced, and it's what torpedoed our planned release of California Split a few years ago.

They also have to set aside time to approve the content of the disc, sleeve and booklet, liaise regularly with the label, and so on - all of which costs them money, and sometimes so much money that the profit that they make on individual titles is ultimately pretty piddling, if indeed they make any money at all.

Which is why larger rightsholders prefer to do big bulk deals - which in turn requires the label to have both the finances and the manpower to be able to service them by what is usually a contractually mandated deadline.