British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[BarnDoor]

In further disappointing news, the prospect of further Play for Today sets looks rather bleak as things stand. Ben's recent comments on Facebook:

Originally Posted by Ben Stoddart

Currently a Vol.4 collection isn't scheduled for release and if it does happen I don't envisage it being before Summer 2023.

Originally Posted by Ben Stoddart

More people need to buy them. That's the only way a Vol.4 will happen.

[grahams76]

Yes, very disappointing.

[Aunt Peg]

A real shame about the delays with Targets but I appreciate the BFI frankness and that they want to provide the best possible version that they can.

[Wendell Armbruster]

That would be a real shame about Play For Today. I know everyone interested will have plays they were hoping for - for me Alan Bennett's Intensive Care (unreleased on disc) or (even longer shot) Dennis Potter's Traitor - but have supported the series as there's something to be offered in each box. Hope this encourages enough people to pick them up so we get another!

Shame about Targets too, but at least that's still a maybe.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by Marcus Aurelius

Barbarism.

And with this lot that comment is not too far off. Nadine Dorries Minister of Culture.

Password sharer Mad Nad has just said that Netflix's 40% share drop, layoffs and cancellations are proof of their huge success and makes the case for privatising Channel 4 even stronger. Oh, and the public service remit will be limited to ten years and the new owners won't have to provide a news service because they'd only criticise the Tories (she really was that blatant). Which translates as they've already decided to get rid of the BFI as we know it and sell it to the public as another 'bonfire of the quangos,' just as they did with the Film Council, regardless of the result of any review or subsequent 'public consultation' (only 2% supported privatising the profitable Channel 4 in that consultation, which again apparently just makes the case for privatising it).

So, a couple of years to start stocking up on BFI Blus and DVDs while we can...

[Yami]

I wouldn't be too pessimistic about Targets - we already knew that it was postponed indefinitely until the restoration was ready, this is just an admission that they have no idea when that will be and they can't just keep people's money forever.

Re: Play for Today, the BFI could probably have done with some bigger hitters - e.g. a Dennis Potter or a Mike Leigh - in each set. Though whether or not the BBC are willing to licence those out is another matter. It'd be a shame if they don't continue as I think they're pretty essential.

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Password sharer Mad Nad has just said that Netflix's 40% share drop, layoffs and cancellations are proof of their huge success and makes the case for privatising Channel 4 even stronger. Oh, and the public service remit will be limited to ten years and the new owners won't have to provide a news service because they'd only criticise the Tories (she really was that blatant). Which translates as they've already decided to get rid of the BFI as we know it and sell it to the public as another 'bonfire of the quangos,' just as they did with the Film Council, regardless of the result of any review or subsequent 'public consultation' (only 2% supported privatising the profitable Channel 4 in that consultation, which again apparently just makes the case for privatising it).

So, a couple of years to start stocking up on BFI Blus and DVDs while we can...

We really are in the dark days.

[Nedoflanders]

Originally Posted by Wendell Armbruster

That would be a real shame about Play For Today. I know everyone interested will have plays they were hoping for - for me Alan Bennett's Intensive Care (unreleased on disc) or (even longer shot) Dennis Potter's Traitor - but have supported the series as there's something to be offered in each box. Hope this encourages enough people to pick them up so we get another!

Shame about Targets too, but at least that's still a maybe.

Ditto.

Originally Posted by Yami

Re: Play for Today, the BFI could probably have done with some bigger hitters - e.g. a Dennis Potter or a Mike Leigh - in each set. Though whether or not the BBC are willing to licence those out is another matter. It'd be a shame if they don't continue as I think they're pretty essential.

The third volume acted more as a Greatest Hits (Edna, the Inebriate Woman, Bar Mitzvah Boy and Just Another Saturday) but evidently it hasn't paid off.

[Aclea]

I fear it's like Network's Armchair Theatre - they liberally included plays with the biggest stars (one with Stanley Baker even directed by James Ferman) - but despite trying two different brandings on DVD (four volumes of 12 episodes each, four 'archives' of four episodes each) the line never caught on and seems if not dead a long time dormant (the last released mid-2019).

[MillyD]

I must admit I haven't bought any of the Play for today sets yet, but have bought the first two Bergman ones, even though I am not very sure like his cold, scandinavian style much. Even duplicating for The Seventh Seal in 4k, because it's the one film of his definitely do like. I guess Bergman is a name, whilst the Plays seem kind of bland.. A name doesn't always generate sales though because have been watching the Marlene dietrich set price go ever lower.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Nedoflanders

Ditto.



The third volume acted more as a Greatest Hits (Edna, the Inebriate Woman, Bar Mitzvah Boy and Just Another Saturday) but evidently it hasn't paid off.

Wasn't Bar Mitzvah Boy previously included in the Jack Rosenthal BBC collection DVD set?

[Nedoflanders]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Wasn't Bar Mitzvah Boy previously included in the Jack Rosenthal BBC collection DVD set?

Yes. Individually as well:



Just Another Saturday also received a DVD:

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Nedoflanders

Yes. Individually as well:



Just Another Saturday also received a DVD:

I knew that Peter McDougall one had a DVD release as I have it in a boxset of TV stuff said writer did but NEVER got round to getting that Jack Rosenthal BBC set (I have the ITV one from Network though). Hopefully BFI release the rest of McDougall's Play for Today stuff on BD.

I'm hoping BFI, or someone else, releases Peter McDougall's "The Play On One" Episode "Down Where the Buffalo Go" on BD. Harvey Keitel gives a great performance in it.

[rapta]

Nice, BFI will be releasing the new Mark Jenkin film Enys Men later in the year. Looking forward to it!

[Marcus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Password sharer Mad Nad has just said that Netflix's 40% share drop, layoffs and cancellations are proof of their huge success and makes the case for privatising Channel 4 even stronger. Oh, and the public service remit will be limited to ten years and the new owners won't have to provide a news service because they'd only criticise the Tories (she really was that blatant). Which translates as they've already decided to get rid of the BFI as we know it and sell it to the public as another 'bonfire of the quangos,' just as they did with the Film Council, regardless of the result of any review or subsequent 'public consultation' (only 2% supported privatising the profitable Channel 4 in that consultation, which again apparently just makes the case for privatising it).

So, a couple of years to start stocking up on BFI Blus and DVDs while we can...

If you scraped the collective gray matter of these charlatans together it would barely cover one slice of a sandwich.

The arts have always been a poor relation in Britain. Marginalized and seen as unnecessary. All the hard work of those foresighted enough to see the value of the arts to everyone in elevating the human condition and mind will be turning in their grave.

And that includes previous iterations of older Conservatives who at least had a modicum of intelligence unlike this third rate Barbara Cartland.

Not even in America would they contemplate taking an axe to hallowed institutions such as these which do such invaluable work. Particularly in preserving the visual and audio history of the nation.

Does Dorries honestly think a private just for profit enterprise would be interested for instance in digitizing holiday home videos from the thirties or the films of Mitchell and Kenyon. Of course not.

It's another ill thought out utterly lacking in common sense plan from these buffoons.

[wabrit]

Originally Posted by Marcus Aurelius

If you scraped the collective gray matter of these charlatans together it would barely cover one slice of a sandwich.

The arts have always been a poor relation in Britain. Marginalized and seen as unnecessary. All the hard work of those foresighted enough to see the value of the arts to everyone in elevating the human condition and mind will be turning in their grave.

And that includes previous iterations of older Conservatives who at least had a modicum of intelligence unlike this third rate Barbara Cartland.

Not even in America would they contemplate taking an axe to hallowed institutions such as these which do such invaluable work. Particularly in preserving the visual and audio history of the nation.

Does Dorries honestly think a private just for profit enterprise would be interested for instance in digitizing holiday home videos from the thirties or the films of Mitchell and Kenyon. Of course not.

It's another ill thought out utterly lacking in common sense plan from these buffoons.

They don't want independent public-funded arts because it tends to produce art that criticises them or challenges the status quo. Its the same reason they loathe the BBC - they don't want the modern equivalent of Play for Today, but rather marketforces-led pap to keep everyone entertained, and no dissenting voices (that's why we have a Tory stooge as DG). I loathe current government for pretty much everything they have done, and this is just another example.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by Marcus Aurelius

If you scraped the collective gray matter of these charlatans together it would barely cover one slice of a sandwich.

The arts have always been a poor relation in Britain. Marginalized and seen as unnecessary. All the hard work of those foresighted enough to see the value of the arts to everyone in elevating the human condition and mind will be turning in their grave.

And that includes previous iterations of older Conservatives who at least had a modicum of intelligence unlike this third rate Barbara Cartland.

Not even in America would they contemplate taking an axe to hallowed institutions such as these which do such invaluable work. Particularly in preserving the visual and audio history of the nation.

Does Dorries honestly think a private just for profit enterprise would be interested for instance in digitizing holiday home videos from the thirties or the films of Mitchell and Kenyon. Of course not.

It's another ill thought out utterly lacking in common sense plan from these buffoons.

You could start a political party. All you'd need to do is convince a majority.

[CouncilSpectre]

Worked for Macron. En Marche was founded in 2016. 12 months later Macron is elected El Presidente…

[Benoit Blanc]

Why the **** did Aclea get banned?!

[justwannaboogie]

Originally Posted by Benoit Blanc

Why the **** did Aclea get banned?!

Banned again. Seriously Mods?