Fritz Lang on Blu-ray

[Drake2222]

Is there anything new we can expect to be released for Fritz Lang in the future? Restorations? New scans? Movies not out on blu ray? I know I would like to see Dr. Mabuse the Gambler re-released but with a new score. And like to see the prior version of Metropolis Eureka did on dvd (before they added in all the ultra-damaged scenes on their last blu release) released to blu ray as well

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Drake2222

And like to see the prior version of Metropolis Eureka did on dvd (before they added in all the ultra-damaged scenes on their last blu release) released to blu ray as well

I don't think anyone will ever release that version again. It was knowingly incomplete.

Now that Lang's full version of the film has been discovered, I don't think there would be enough of a market to justify releasing an archival incomplete version of the film, for better or worse.

I've kept my old DVD of that version, but honestly I can't imagine ever watching it again, the rediscovered scenes make such a huge impact on the narrative.

[Drake2222]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I don't think anyone will ever release that version again. It was knowingly incomplete.

Now that Lang's full version of the film has been discovered, I don't think there would be enough of a market to justify releasing an archival incomplete version of the film, for better or worse.

I've kept my old DVD of that version, but honestly I can't imagine ever watching it again, the rediscovered scenes make such a huge impact on the narrative.

Incomplete, but vastly more watchable than the ‘complete’ version

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Drake2222

Incomplete, but vastly more watchable than the ‘complete’ version

The earlier versions were so choppy, I just can't imagine watching them again, and they didn't reflect Lang's vision for the film, they were just the best possible approximation at the time.

The difference in quality between the sections is less than ideal, but at least we're seeing the film he wanted us to see, which nobody ever thought possible for almost a century.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Drake2222

Is there anything new we can expect to be released for Fritz Lang in the future? Restorations? New scans? Movies not out on blu ray? I know I would like to see Dr. Mabuse the Gambler re-released but with a new score. And like to see the prior version of Metropolis Eureka did on dvd (before they added in all the ultra-damaged scenes on their last blu release) released to blu ray as well

There are remarkably few of his films not out on blu-ray:

(1) His first two films, Halbblut and Der Herr der Liebe are lost.

(2) The Last Will of Dr. Mabuse, a French-language version of The Testament of Dr. Mabuse filmed at the same time, was on the Criterion DVD of Testament. Whether it'll get upgraded when/if Criterion decides to upgrade Testament is anyone's guess (mine is "probably not").

(3) Fury needs a lot more restoration work before it's ready for blu-ray. Probably the same with Rancho Notorious and Clash by Night.

(4) No idea of the status of You and Me and The Blue Gardenia.

(5) American Guerilla in the Philippines is lost in the FoxMaus maw.

[Pecker]

Definitely Fury, his first American film.

It's ripe for exactly the sort of work WB have been doing on other titles.

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by jayembee

(4) No idea of the status of You and Me

The Kino Lorber Insider believes this one is with another US label, as it was unavailable for them to license from Universal.