The Elephant Man (1980)

[DukeTogo84]

Pretty excited about this as it’s a massive hole in my Blu-Ray collection. I don’t care about 4K really, so I’m happy.

[starman15317]

So excited for this release. Day one!

[heineken]

Oh get real. UHD is like, 1% of the market/population. Blu-ray is good enough for most.

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by heineken

Oh get real. UHD is like, 1% of the market/population. Blu-ray is good enough for most.

DVD is good enough for most. Guess they should just release those!

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Criterion are in a league by themselves and that's what make them different than other distributors. If they started releasing 4K UHD blu-rays, they would no longer be a unique, they'll be just like everybody else.

They're no different than Arrow or any of the other distributors who have caught up and surpassed them. What.a waste of a release when there's already better out there, and you know that.

Originally Posted by heineken

Oh get real. UHD is like, 1% of the market/population. Blu-ray is good enough for most.

5%, but since you're okay with moving backward and releasing inferior products to what's already out there, why don't you just buy DVD since that's still the biggest market share? What are you doing in a blu-ray forum if you honestly believe what's good enough to the basic population is good enough for everyone (because that would be DVD)?

[Animatic33]

No offense to Criterion (okay, a little offense), but this really should've had a UHD option to be parity to the SC release.

I mean, I'll still pick this up, but I do have a little bit of a problem with Criterion ignoring the format, especially when their competition is producing UHDs. I feel the exact same way about Parasite as I picked up the UHD for it and will ignore the eventual Criterion blu only release.

Edited: I have given it some thought the last few hours and I conclude I will not be buying this. I want a UHD-disc (obv. region free) release with region A bonus discs. I won't settle for anything less.

[BluProofie]

Originally Posted by Animatic33

No offense to Criterion (okay, a little offense), but this really should've had a UHD option to be parity to the SC release.

I mean, I'll still pick this up, but I do have a little bit of a problem with Criterion ignoring the format, especially when their competition is producing UHDs. I feel the exact same way about Parasite as I picked up the UHD for it and will ignore the eventual Criterion blu only release.

You could just import the SC release.

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by Animatic33

No offense to Criterion (okay, a little offense), but this really should've had a UHD option to be parity to the SC release.

I mean, I'll still pick this up, but I do have a little bit of a problem with Criterion ignoring the format, especially when their competition is producing UHDs. I feel the exact same way about Parasite as I picked up the UHD for it and will ignore the eventual Criterion blu only release.

It seems worse that Parasite to me given what a visually strong film EM is, maybe not my favourite Lynch but definitely the one I was most keen to see in UHD, as said as well the SC steelbook is very nice as well coming from someone who doesn't normally go in for them much.

I believe it was commented on a bit that the BR of the SC release had some issues compressing HDR into SDR? I'v not looked at it in detail but the UHD does exploit HDR quite heavily for a lot of dark clothing.

[anthonyls]

I'll wait for the UHD to come down in price a little bit and just pass on the Criterion. Sorry folks but PQ is pretty important to me. Afterall, isn't that the real reason we all ditched DVD in favor of blu rays to begin with.

[tonylopez]

I understand all sides of the discussion about Criterion going in on 4K UHD for i myself am on the fence of do I or don't I go with the Criterion or the 4K. Of course you go buy both but me personally I don't have or want to spend that much money on every title that comes out on both formats where it would be just a simple resolve if Criterion just released titles in UHD. For me it comes to the individual title in question and assess which one I truly want and so far I'm good on waiting on the Criterion bluray. I do wish they would embrace the format but more for titles that I hold more dear to my heart like SEVEN SAMURAI, TREE OF LIFE or NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. I'm thankful ultimately that we all at least have these options for either or or both.

[Xephix]

IMO the only people who lose in this situation are people who want Criterion to upgrade to 4k. (and maybe people who like special features but can't watch them on the SC release and would have to double dip)

[dwk]

Paramount title, and, if Scream Factory's response to the question of no UHD for Event Horizon was legit, they aren't licensing the UHD rights to their films.

[starsteam]

Originally Posted by anthonyls

I'll wait for the UHD to come down in price a little bit and just pass on the Criterion. Sorry folks but PQ is pretty important to me. Afterall, isn't that the real reason we all ditched DVD in favor of blu rays to begin with.

Yeah but UHD being better doesn't make Blu-ray quality bad. Eventually something will be better than UHD and so forth. You can't really fault people for choosing to stop somewhere. And frankly Blu-ray probably is the end of the road for a lot of movies, as far as disc format is concerned.

[McCrutchy]

Let's say it with some class, courtesy of Mr. Cole:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BdJyML0szc

[mikesncc1701]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Criterion are in a league by themselves and that's what make them different than other distributors. If they started releasing 4K UHD blu-rays, they would no longer be a unique, they'll be just like everybody else.

No don't put the 4K in your player otherwise it will become just another disc. Which it is...

[anthonyls]

Again... I'm sure people will be able to see the difference in PQ between the 4K release and the Criterion BD on a 4K 75" set.

[Mister_Kidd]

Apperenly you all aren't familar with Criterion's mission statement:

Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been dedicated to publishing important classic and contemporary films from around the world in editions that offer the second highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements. No matter the medium—from laserdisc to DVD and Blu-ray to not a goddam other thing—Criterion has maintained its pioneering commitment to presenting each film as its maker would want it seen (but in a lower resolution), in state-of-the-art restorations with special features designed to encourage repeated watching and deepen the viewer’s appreciation of the art of film.

[cgpublic]

My guess is that a legion of buyers who may, or may not, buy a Criterion UHD during a half-price sale at B&N or Criterion is not worth their trouble, i.e., the potential profit from a physical UHD doesn't outweigh the degree of risk to their business model.

Perhaps we'll see it, and other 4K masters, on CC in the not too distant future. Until then, the UHD of The Elephant Man, and others, are out there waiting for you to give them your money.

"You pick it up, it's yours. You don't, I've got no sympathy for you."

[TravisTylerBlack]

What a wasted opportunity. If you had asked me 3 years ago which indie blu-ray label would be the most likely to first test the waters with 4K I would have immediately said Criterion. Never thought they would continue digging their heels into the ground this late in the game.

Anyway, I’ve already imported the UK disc but would have gladly pre-ordered this anyway just as I did with The Deer Hunter from Shout in order to support. Standard blu just gets less and less exciting for me with every passing month.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

They're no different than Arrow or any of the other distributors who have caught up and surpassed them. What.a waste of a release when there's already better out there, and you know that.

Criterion doesn't need to release 4K movies they have their own strategy, and they're not mandated to jump on the bandwagon either.