John Huston films on blu-ray - Blu-ray Forum

atfree · 03-05-2015, 02:10 PM

For me, Key Largo, The Asphalt Jungle, The List of Adrian Messenger, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, The Mackintosh Man, and Victory would be definite purchases.

I always found Huston's films to be an acquired taste that I never fully acquired.

P.S.- I would also buy the French BD of The Kremlin Letter....does anyone have it? Quality of transfer, etc?

MikeyHitchFan · 03-06-2015, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atfree

For me, Key Largo, The Asphalt Jungle, The List of Adrian Messenger, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, The Mackintosh Man, and Victory would be definite purchases.

I always found Huston's films to be an acquired taste that I never fully acquired.

P.S.- I would also buy the French BD of The Kremlin Letter....does anyone have it? Quality of transfer, etc?

I have the BD on order and will let you know.

MikeyHitchFan · 03-10-2015, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atfree

I would also buy the French BD of The Kremlin Letter....does anyone have it? Quality of transfer, etc?

The transfer is very good and region free! Twilight Time should release a BD and not just a DVD. Very good film, too. I hadn't seen it.

atfree · 03-10-2015, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

The transfer is very good and region free! Twilight Time should release a BD and not just a DVD. Very good film, too. I hadn't seen it.

THANK YOU!!! I will have to purchase this one.

atfree · 03-05-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianS

If The Kremlin Letter is on blu-ray in France, why didn't Twilight Time put their version on blu-ray? I wish they would have, but at their prices I won't be double dipping with Twilight Time.

The film was so much better than I was expecting.

I actually asked TT on Facebook about a possible BD of The Kremlin Letter last year....their response was that the DVD version sold so poorly they were not planning on a BD release.

baheidstu · 03-05-2015, 03:52 PM

Did you overlook Casino Royale or deliberately exclude it because he did not direct the entire picture?

MikeyHitchFan · 03-06-2015, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baheidstu

Did you overlook Casino Royale or deliberately exclude it because he did not direct the entire picture?

Yes, as he was only one of 4 or 5 directors, so I don't think it qualifies here.

MikeyHitchFan · 03-06-2015, 02:33 AM

Does anyone else have The Unforgiven from Kino? It seems the last 1/2 hour has a slight audio sych issue. The review here didn't mention it.

oildude · 03-10-2015, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

Does anyone else have The Unforgiven from Kino? It seems the last 1/2 hour has a slight audio sych issue. The review here didn't mention it.

I have it. Awesome film. One of the great westerns that has become somewhat overlooked with the passing of time. I did not notice any synch issues.

Great thread, BTW.

baheidstu · 03-05-2015, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atfree

I actually asked TT on Facebook about a possible BD of The Kremlin Letter last year....their response was that the DVD version sold so poorly they were not planning on a BD release.

Maybe that's because people are holding off on buying the DVD because they're awaiting a blu-ray release.

obscurelabel · 03-05-2015, 05:18 PM

A few thoughts about some of these:

Key Largo is very good, with the attraction of Bogart, Bacall, and Robinson, this is a good candidate for the WA or a regular release.

I found We Were Strangers to be a bit uneven, but Garfield is appropriately intense, Jones is glamorous, and the scene where Pedro Armendariaz and Jones share an uncomfortable dinner is something to see. This is Sony so about the only choice is Twilight Time, and I don't know how much of an audience this would have.

The Asphalt Jungle is an all-time classic, surprised it isn't out already.

The Night of the Iguana is worth watching for the star power, especially Ava Gardner, but I find the story pretty flat and uninvolving. Another candidate for the WA.

Beat the Devil is another personal favorite, such a fun send-up of adventure films in general and The Maltese Falcon in particular. Seeing Bogart in that outlandishly effete smoking jacket at the beginning is topped only by the outlandishly effete car that he rides in later on. Jennifer Jones proved that her real strength was comedy, as she is bright and energetic here (I think that in most of her movies she looks like she has a headache). It is a shame that this is public domain, I saw a print on Antenna TV recently and it looked outstanding, probably direct from Sony who I think must have good elements for this, but we all know releasing a PD movie is problematic. Criterion have probably done as much with PD titles as anyone, so get on this one guys.

I'm a big fan of the creepy Reflections in a Golden Eye, although I must admit I don't care much for the golden-hued DVD, which is how the film was originally released in theaters, for about a week, before being replaced with a full color version. I had seen the film on TV several times in full color before seeing the DVD, and the gold version seemed a bit lifeless to me. I checked out the French release, and it looks as if the main blu is the film in full color, with the gold version relegated to a DVD only - can anyone confirm this? If this is released in Region A it would be great to have both versions.

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean starts out very strong, but stumbles in the last act. Still worth watching for all of the guest stars, and some of the episodic scenes are much better than the movie as a whole.

Wise Blood is one of my very favorites ever and I hope that Criterion has the blu rights since they put out a fine DVD of this. There don't seem to be may adaptations of Flannery O'Conner's works, and if there's a better one than this I'd like to know about it

oildude · 03-10-2015, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baheidstu

Maybe that's because people are holding off on buying the DVD because they're awaiting a blu-ray release.

I am one of those people. I would buy it on BD if they gave it a release, but passed on the DVD. Same with the rest of their DVDs. They later upgraded Fate is the Hunter and Violent Saturday to BD, and I have both.

baheidstu · 03-10-2015, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oildude

I am one of those people. I would buy it on BD if they gave it a release, but passed on the DVD. Same with the rest of their DVDs. They later upgraded Fate is the Hunter and Violent Saturday to BD, and I have both.

I blind bought the DVD last year during their sale. I would have gladly upgraded to blu if they bothered to release it, but now that I know about the French release as well as the fact that TT have no intention to release it to blu, I'll probably sell the DVD and import the French release. It's seems silly to me that TT don't intend to release it to blu... most of the people who are aware of them are blu-ray collectors who are no longer interested in buying DVDs. I only bought it because I was curious to see it.

MikeyHitchFan · 03-10-2015, 02:30 PM

Buying the French BD of The Kremlin Letter is cheaper on Amazon Spain. The shipping is costly, but I bought several titles at the same time to save money.

I'm waiting for Fat City & Reflections in a Golden Eye to arrive. Both are French releases bought through Amazon Spain.

wonkavision · 03-10-2015, 02:36 PM

I think his last film, The Dead, is one of his most remarkable and poignant and will be so glad to see it on blu-ray.

baheidstu · 03-10-2015, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

Buying the French BD of The Kremlin Letter is cheaper on Amazon Spain. The shipping is costly, but I bought several titles at the same time to save money.

I'm waiting for Fat City & Reflections in a Golden Eye to arrive. Both are French releases bought through Amazon Spain.

How so? It's currently 13.75 on FR and 16.68 on SP.

03-05-2015, 05:18 PM	#11
obscurelabel Senior Member Member since:Jul 2011 Location:Lower Appalachia Blu-ray collection:17 Trading Score:1	A few thoughts about some of these: Key Largo is very good, with the attraction of Bogart, Bacall, and Robinson, this is a good candidate for the WA or a regular release. I found We Were Strangers to be a bit uneven, but Garfield is appropriately intense, Jones is glamorous, and the scene where Pedro Armendariaz and Jones share an uncomfortable dinner is something to see. This is Sony so about the only choice is Twilight Time, and I don't know how much of an audience this would have. The Asphalt Jungle is an all-time classic, surprised it isn't out already. The Night of the Iguana is worth watching for the star power, especially Ava Gardner, but I find the story pretty flat and uninvolving. Another candidate for the WA. Beat the Devil is another personal favorite, such a fun send-up of adventure films in general and The Maltese Falcon in particular. Seeing Bogart in that outlandishly effete smoking jacket at the beginning is topped only by the outlandishly effete car that he rides in later on. Jennifer Jones proved that her real strength was comedy, as she is bright and energetic here (I think that in most of her movies she looks like she has a headache). It is a shame that this is public domain, I saw a print on Antenna TV recently and it looked outstanding, probably direct from Sony who I think must have good elements for this, but we all know releasing a PD movie is problematic. Criterion have probably done as much with PD titles as anyone, so get on this one guys. I'm a big fan of the creepy Reflections in a Golden Eye, although I must admit I don't care much for the golden-hued DVD, which is how the film was originally released in theaters, for about a week, before being replaced with a full color version. I had seen the film on TV several times in full color before seeing the DVD, and the gold version seemed a bit lifeless to me. I checked out the French release, and it looks as if the main blu is the film in full color, with the gold version relegated to a DVD only - can anyone confirm this? If this is released in Region A it would be great to have both versions. The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean starts out very strong, but stumbles in the last act. Still worth watching for all of the guest stars, and some of the episodic scenes are much better than the movie as a whole. Wise Blood is one of my very favorites ever and I hope that Criterion has the blu rights since they put out a fine DVD of this. There don't seem to be may adaptations of Flannery O'Conner's works, and if there's a better one than this I'd like to know about it Last edited by obscurelabel; 03-05-2015 at 05:24 PM.

03-05-2015, 02:10 PM	#1
atfree Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Jan 2011 Location:South Carolina Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:60 Blu-ray collection:1120 DVD collection:125 MA collection:65 Digital collection:8 iTunes collection:86 Prime collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 4	For me, Key Largo, The Asphalt Jungle, The List of Adrian Messenger, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, The Mackintosh Man, and Victory would be definite purchases. I always found Huston's films to be an acquired taste that I never fully acquired. P.S.- I would also buy the French BD of The Kremlin Letter....does anyone have it? Quality of transfer, etc?

03-05-2015, 03:52 PM	#6
baheidstu Banned Top contributor Member since:Jun 2012 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:36	Did you overlook Casino Royale or deliberately exclude it because he did not direct the entire picture?

03-06-2015, 02:33 AM	#8
MikeyHitchFan Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Southern California, USA Blu-ray collection:74 Blu-ray reviews: 10 Trading Score:2	Does anyone else have The Unforgiven from Kino? It seems the last 1/2 hour has a slight audio sych issue. The review here didn't mention it.

03-10-2015, 02:30 PM	#14
MikeyHitchFan Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Southern California, USA Blu-ray collection:74 Blu-ray reviews: 10 Trading Score:2	Buying the French BD of The Kremlin Letter is cheaper on Amazon Spain. The shipping is costly, but I bought several titles at the same time to save money. I'm waiting for Fat City & Reflections in a Golden Eye to arrive. Both are French releases bought through Amazon Spain.

03-10-2015, 02:36 PM	#15
wonkavision Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jul 2010 Location:PST 4K collection:316 Blu-ray collection:1537 iTunes collection:2 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	I think his last film, The Dead, is one of his most remarkable and poignant and will be so glad to see it on blu-ray.

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