British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[CrockettandTubbs]

I'm sure I saw these details on this thread somewhere: anyway, again (?) here's details of the upcoming Gothic (Ken Russell, 1986) blu-ray:

• Feature commentary by film historian Matthew Melia and Lisi Russell (2018)
• The Fall of the Louse of Usher (2002, 83 mins): Ken Russell returns to gothic themes in this legendarily lurid late video work starring both the director and his wife, Lisi Russell
• A Haunted Evening (2023, 35 mins): Stephen Volk, the writer of Gothic, revisits his earliest feature script
• The Sound of Shelley with Julian Sands (2017, 18 mins): the actor reflects upon the making of Gothic
• Amelia and the Angel (1958, 27 mins): in this charming early Russell short, a young girl, cast as an angel in the school play, is distraught when her brother damages her treasured wings. Pocket money in hand, Amelia traverses London on the hunt for a new pair in time for the play
• The Guardian Lecture: Ken Russell in conversation with Derek Malcolm (1987, 88 mins, audio only): the director reflects upon his career, at the time of Gothic
• Original trailer
• First pressing only: Illustrated booklet featuring new essays by Ellen Cheshire, Jon Dear, and Matthew Melia and full film credits

Definitely got to pick this up: that Julian Sands interview from 2017 has added poignancy now of course

Don't think I've ever seen an interview with him before.

And, as with Sands, the audio track with the recently deceased Derek Malcolm

[James78]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Are there any CFF films people can especially recommend?

There is a thread about the films here: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=310204

My favourites are the Scary Stories and Runaways films.

[Nedoflanders]

Originally Posted by CrockettandTubbs

And, as with Sands, the audio track with the recently deceased Derek Malcolm

It shouldn't have come as a massive surprise, considering his age and gradual physical decline over the period he appeared as a talking head on Sky Arts' templated Discovering and Directors series, but I wasn't even aware of Malcolm's passing until his obituary appeared in last month's Sight and Sound.

R.I.P.

[BAKA]

Were there ever any reported issues with Celine And Julie Go Boating? My PS5 just will not play it. I can access the menu, the special features (sans commentary), but it does not seem to load the movie when selected at all. There’s no scene select so I can’t try that. Genuinely at a loss. If anyone has the disc and a PS5 and is able to check it would be a help!

Sadly having to use my PS5 because my blu-ray player died recently

[koberulz]

Trying to figure out what the overlap is between these three sets:


DVD-Compare indicates the FA and BFI are identical, but the films listed on the BFI overlap significantly with the Kino, which apparently doesn't overlap with the FA, and DVD-Compare's listings for the BFI don't seem to match the FA either.

So...I'm confused.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Trying to figure out what the overlap is between these three sets:


DVD-Compare indicates the FA and BFI are identical, but the films listed on the BFI overlap significantly with the Kino, which apparently doesn't overlap with the FA, and DVD-Compare's listings for the BFI don't seem to match the FA either.

So...I'm confused.

Here you go:

1) Early Women Filmmakers 1911-1940 (BFI) - 22 Films

https://www.dvdcompare.net/compariso....php?fid=50839

2) Early Women Filmmakers: An International Anthology 1902-1943 (Flicker Alley) - 25 Films

https://www.flickeralley.com/list-of...nal-anthology/

3) Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers (Kino) - 59 Films

https://kinolorber.com/product/pione...makers-blu-ray

Just make a list of ALL the films (by set e.g. BFI then Flicker Alley & finally Kino each on separate pieces of paper) & then cross off ones that appear in more than one set & that way you'll have a list of what is exclusive to each set.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

1) Early Women Filmmakers 1911-1940 (BFI) - 22 Films

https://www.dvdcompare.net/compariso....php?fid=50839

2) Early Women Filmmakers: An International Anthology 1902-1943 (Flicker Alley) - 25 Films

So the BFI and Flicker Alley aren't the same release, then, contrary to DVD-Compare's claim.

Given that, do they differ in restorations, scores, or anything else, in cases where there is overlap, either from each other or from the Kino?

[minister_x]

Originally Posted by koberulz

So the BFI and Flicker Alley aren't the same release, then, contrary to DVD-Compare's claim.

Where does DVD Compare claim that? On each film's page it lists if that particular film is available in another set - but doesn't, as far as I can see, claim the sets are identical...

Comparing at a quick glance DVD Compare with the other links fatboyslim142 kindly posted, it seems that there are only two films common to all three sets:
- Falling Leaves (1912)
- Suspense (1913)

Most of the BFI set is available on the FA set, except for the following:
- Matrimony's Speed Limit (1913) [this one seems to also be on the Kino]
- Mabel's Dramatic Career (1913)
- His Trysting Place (1914)
- Should Men Walk Home? (1928)

So the BFI set has three films the others don't, there's an overlap of three films between the sets (two across all three sets), and everything else on the FA and Kino sets are exclusive to those.

(I've ignored extras entirely in this brief comparison.)

The only discrepancy I see on DVD Compare is it doesn't highlight that Matrimony's Speed Limit is also in the Kino set.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by minister_x

Where does DVD Compare claim that? On each film's page it lists if that particular film is available in another set - but doesn't, as far as I can see, claim the sets are identical...

Ah, I misunderstood that note.

there's an overlap of three films between the sets

How are you getting that number? I've got 19 films that are on multiple sets.

Looks like Kino/FA is the way to go, requiring the BFI to fill out a measly three films. Who organised this?

[minister_x]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Ah, I misunderstood that note.


How are you getting that number? I've got 19 films that are on multiple sets.

Ah okay, I see where you're coming from now.

As for that three number, ignore it, it's meaningless, apologies. That's just the overlap between BFI and Kino.

So:
- BFI only = 3
- BFI & Kino overlap = 3
- BFI & FA overlap = 18
- BFI & FA & Kino overlap = 2

I haven't counted:
- Kino only
- FA only
- Kino & FA overlap

I agree with your figure of 19, assuming Kino & FA overlap = 2.

[koberulz]

[Show spoiler]

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by minister_x

Where does DVD Compare claim that? On each film's page it lists if that particular film is available in another set - but doesn't, as far as I can see, claim the sets are identical...

Comparing at a quick glance DVD Compare with the other links fatboyslim142 kindly posted, it seems that there are only two films common to all three sets:
- Falling Leaves (1912)
- Suspense (1913)

Most of the BFI set is available on the FA set, except for the following:
- Matrimony's Speed Limit (1913) [this one seems to also be on the Kino]
- Mabel's Dramatic Career (1913)
- His Trysting Place (1914)
- Should Men Walk Home? (1928)

So the BFI set has three films the others don't, there's an overlap of three films between the sets (two across all three sets), and everything else on the FA and Kino sets are exclusive to those.

(I've ignored extras entirely in this brief comparison.)

The only discrepancy I see on DVD Compare is it doesn't highlight that Matrimony's Speed Limit is also in the Kino set.

Maybe the best thing is to get ALL 3 sets similar to owning BOTH the UK & US Herzog ones.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Maybe the best thing is to get ALL 3 sets similar to owning BOTH the UK & US Herzog ones.

Really hard to justify the BFI given the overlap...

[poisonmail]

I got paid this morning and went to go stock up on the Ozu sale they’re having, only to find the sale page gone and all the titles out of stock. The initial email said the sale would last thru September. Was it just too successful?! If so that’s wonderful for the larger culture but dang!

[Modman]

Anyone still waiting for the items they bought in the August BFI sale?

I ordered on the 14/08/23, mildly frustrating as I am holiday next week and I don't want them potentially dumped at my front door in my absence.

[minister_x]

Yes, same here. Would at least appreciate an update with estimated timeframes, but the uncharitable cynic in me wonders if they're all tied up with LFF planning.

[Arrowheadrevisited]

Ben Stoddart commented on the BFI shop Facebook page a few days ago:

"There will be an ‘official’ update about this but unfortunately our distribution centre is behind schedule regards making all BFI titles available to retailers, including but not limited to the BFI Shop. I’m doing everything I can to resolve the situation but I’m afraid with the best will in the world, I can’t control the timelines of another company. I’m hoping to provide a more concrete update during the coming week."

[blurayisnice]

September 2023

Due to ongoing warehouse issues affecting our distributon partner, the BFI Shop is currently experiencing severe delays in receiving stock of many back catalogue DVDs and Blu-ray titles, including BFI releases. These delays are also affecting a number of other UK labels and retailers.

Unfortunately this means we are still unable to fulfil many orders, including some from our recent 3 for £20 and Ozu special offers. We are working with our distribution partner to resolve this problem as soon as possible.

We are hugely sorry for any disappointment and inconvenience caused. We will of course be fulfilling orders as soon as we can. Please note that your complete order will be shipped once all the products in your order are in stock.

Please note that orders of new releases such as Gregory's Girl, Partie de Campagne, Gothic and Targets should not be affected.

Thank you for your understanding,

BFI Shop Team

https://shop.bfi.org.uk/stock-update.html

[RossyG]

…although Brannigan hasn’t materialised.

[BobsonDugnutt]

Originally Posted by blurayisnice

https://shop.bfi.org.uk/stock-update.html

I’m waiting on 9 titles from the 3for20, this message makes it sounds like it will be weeks rather than days before I receive them. I’d probably be more annoyed if it wasn’t such a bloody good deal!