Le Samouraï (1967)? Criterion teases 2013 release

[trip66]

If you haven't checked out the annual Criterion teaser artwork, check it out:

The birdcage and samurai sword most definitely references Le Samouraï, however, I think the man and kid in the same window references a different movie.
Anyone agree or disagree?
One of my favorite movies and most anticipated blu-rays!

[The Great Owl]

Some discussions about this have been kicked back and forth in the Criterion thread.

Le Samouraï is my all-time favorite movie, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that Criterion will be releasing a Blu-ray upgrade.

The samurai and birdcage in the above hint point to Le Samouraï, but the kid throws a wrench into it. I would say Leon: The Professional, but that does not seem like Criterion material just yet.

[Darth Marcus]

I know this isn't a priority for most, but I was really hoping for The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou this year.

[Cinemach]

Let's hope Criterion is taking their time to do this right, doing their own transfer if they can. I'm sure they know of the debacle that the French blu release is, and are very aware of the lukewarm reception their blu of Children of Paradise received - even if they were obligated to release that subpar transfer.

[Oscar Rothman]

I suppose birdcage could be a reference to Mike Nichol's The Birdcage and samurai could refer to Zatoichi movies or whatever else. This is just a wishful thinking.

[Cinemach]

That is, of course, if Criterion is working on this. I mean, I'm sure they always are at some extent but this clue could totally be for something else.

[JHas]

Whether or not the hint represents Le Samourai, I'm sure that Criterion will release it sooner or later. They know the high demand for it, which it rightfuly deserves.

It was my first Criterion I bought, I was sucked in from the opening shot.

[Blu Titan]

Hopefully the hint does refer to Le Samurai, but it is less than certain. Le Samourai is in my top two (most anticipated from Criterion) along with The Hidden Fortress.

[Scottie]

I've heard such great things about this movie that I really want to check it out.

Originally Posted by Oscar Rothman

I suppose birdcage could be a reference to Mike Nichol's The Birdcage and samurai could refer to Zatoichi movies or whatever else. This is just a wishful thinking.

People seem to think it's actually Edouard Molinaro's La Cage Aux Folles and not Mike Nichols' The Birdcage. It appears to me that The Birdcage is a remake of some sorts of La Cage Aux Folles.

[MifuneFan]

I'm leaning towards it being Le Samourai, it fits, and it's definitely one of the more wished for BD's from their catalog so why wouldn't Criterion release it.



Also, that person everyone keeps referring to as a kid could certainly be Valerie (Cathy Rosier) who is pretty petite

[Le Samourai]

I have everything crossed

[JohnDoe NY]

Originally Posted by trip66

The birdcage and samurai sword most definitely references Le Samouraï,

Its just your imagination. Thread should be moved to wishlist section.

[PowellPressburger]

It seems to be multiple clues and one is for sure le Samourai, otherwise Criterion would have had the sketch not have the birdcage next to one holding a sword etc. It would be too confusing. Usually for the clues they can be vague but they aren't usually confusing.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm leaning towards it being Le Samourai, it fits, and it's definitely one of the more wished for BD's from their catalog so why wouldn't Criterion release it.

I would like Criterion to release Le Samourai sooner rather than later as well. But we know that they are not going to use the Pathe transfer; or are at least doing what they can with it, if for some reason they are contractually obligated to use it, up to and including not using the restoration at all and commissioning their own.

So that's why there is trepidation about the clue definitively being for Le Samourai.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

I would like Criterion to release Le Samourai sooner rather than later as well. But we know that they are not going to use the Pathe transfer; or are at least doing what they can with it, if for some reason they are contractually obligated to use it, up to and including not using the restoration at all and commissioning their own.

So that's why there is trepidation about the clue definitively being for Le Samourai.

I hope there isn't any forced release of that Pathe transfer, I think people would bad mouth Criterion over it that they would lose some clout for sure. Children of Paradise should be recalled, but Le Samourai OUCH that would be damaging esp for a title that has to have been a huge DVD seller.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

I know this isn't a priority for most, but I was really hoping for The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou this year.

This does not mean Criterion has no plans to release it later this year.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

I would like Criterion to release Le Samourai sooner rather than later as well. But we know that they are not going to use the Pathe transfer; or are at least doing what they can with it, if for some reason they are contractually obligated to use it, up to and including not using the restoration at all and commissioning their own.

So that's why there is trepidation about the clue definitively being for Le Samourai.

How do we "know" that? If Janus is the distributor, Criterion is obligated to use whatever master is provided, which in this case will the the Pathe transfer. Pathe did a wonderful job on Tess, and after what happened with Children of Paradise, there's no indication that whatever Criterion releases will definitely be on that level.

The only problem I see is that Criterion never issued a formal statement regarding the PQ on Children of Paradise... presumably because they had no say in the matter.

[PowellPressburger]

I think we all mean that god awful French Pathe BLU released sometime back.

If they given the same transfer and are forced to use it much like Children of Paradise then the powers that be at Criterion Need to step up and demand better transfers. Otherwise the company's reputation will be damaged.

[The Great Owl]

The Criterion Blu-rays of Melville's Army of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge are ace, so I would expect no less from this one.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by retablo

How do we "know" that? If Janus is the distributor, Criterion is obligated to use whatever master is provided, which in this case will the the Pathe transfer. Pathe did a wonderful job on Tess, and after what happened with Children of Paradise, there's no indication that whatever Criterion releases will definitely be on that level.

The only problem I see is that Criterion never issued a formal statement regarding the PQ on Children of Paradise... presumably because they had no say in the matter.

It's a figure of speech. Did you read the rest of my post? I address the fact that if they might be contractually obligated to release this problematic transfer, they might just be trying to do everything in their power to correct it if they can.

We do know that they are aware of the backlash for Children of Paradise's transfer/release. We know they don't want a repeat of that.

If indeed this release is on the docket for sooner, conditionally speaking.