Le Samouraï (1967)? Criterion teases 2013 release

[MifuneFan]

I'm leaning towards it being Le Samourai, it fits, and it's definitely one of the more wished for BD's from their catalog so why wouldn't Criterion release it.



Also, that person everyone keeps referring to as a kid could certainly be Valerie (Cathy Rosier) who is pretty petite

[Le Samourai]

I have everything crossed

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm leaning towards it being Le Samourai, it fits, and it's definitely one of the more wished for BD's from their catalog so why wouldn't Criterion release it.

I would like Criterion to release Le Samourai sooner rather than later as well. But we know that they are not going to use the Pathe transfer; or are at least doing what they can with it, if for some reason they are contractually obligated to use it, up to and including not using the restoration at all and commissioning their own.

So that's why there is trepidation about the clue definitively being for Le Samourai.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

I would like Criterion to release Le Samourai sooner rather than later as well. But we know that they are not going to use the Pathe transfer; or are at least doing what they can with it, if for some reason they are contractually obligated to use it, up to and including not using the restoration at all and commissioning their own.

So that's why there is trepidation about the clue definitively being for Le Samourai.

I hope there isn't any forced release of that Pathe transfer, I think people would bad mouth Criterion over it that they would lose some clout for sure. Children of Paradise should be recalled, but Le Samourai OUCH that would be damaging esp for a title that has to have been a huge DVD seller.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

I would like Criterion to release Le Samourai sooner rather than later as well. But we know that they are not going to use the Pathe transfer; or are at least doing what they can with it, if for some reason they are contractually obligated to use it, up to and including not using the restoration at all and commissioning their own.

So that's why there is trepidation about the clue definitively being for Le Samourai.

How do we "know" that? If Janus is the distributor, Criterion is obligated to use whatever master is provided, which in this case will the the Pathe transfer. Pathe did a wonderful job on Tess, and after what happened with Children of Paradise, there's no indication that whatever Criterion releases will definitely be on that level.

The only problem I see is that Criterion never issued a formal statement regarding the PQ on Children of Paradise... presumably because they had no say in the matter.

[PowellPressburger]

I think we all mean that god awful French Pathe BLU released sometime back.

If they given the same transfer and are forced to use it much like Children of Paradise then the powers that be at Criterion Need to step up and demand better transfers. Otherwise the company's reputation will be damaged.

[The Great Owl]

The Criterion Blu-rays of Melville's Army of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge are ace, so I would expect no less from this one.

[Cinemach]

Originally Posted by retablo

How do we "know" that? If Janus is the distributor, Criterion is obligated to use whatever master is provided, which in this case will the the Pathe transfer. Pathe did a wonderful job on Tess, and after what happened with Children of Paradise, there's no indication that whatever Criterion releases will definitely be on that level.

The only problem I see is that Criterion never issued a formal statement regarding the PQ on Children of Paradise... presumably because they had no say in the matter.

It's a figure of speech. Did you read the rest of my post? I address the fact that if they might be contractually obligated to release this problematic transfer, they might just be trying to do everything in their power to correct it if they can.

We do know that they are aware of the backlash for Children of Paradise's transfer/release. We know they don't want a repeat of that.

If indeed this release is on the docket for sooner, conditionally speaking.

[Banned User]

Isn't the person hanging from the clock tower Harold Loyd

One window could be Gate of Hell. Which MoC just recently released.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Banned User

Isn't the person hanging from the clock tower Harold Loyd

Yes, Safety Last.

[Roy Batty]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

We do know that they are aware of the backlash for Children of Paradise's transfer/release. We know they don't want a repeat of that.

Do we? Am I not questioning you, I am honestly asking about the source for that. Has Criterion released any statement? Has anybody commented the issue on the Criterion thread?

I really hope there was a backlash indeed and people voted with their wallets (I know I did, and scratched it from my wishlist), enough to make Criterion stop and listen.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by Cinemach

It's a figure of speech. Did you read the rest of my post? I address the fact that if they might be contractually obligated to release this problematic transfer, they might just be trying to do everything in their power to correct it if they can.

We do know that they are aware of the backlash for Children of Paradise's transfer/release. We know they don't want a repeat of that.

If indeed this release is on the docket for sooner, conditionally speaking.

Well, yes, we know they don't want a repeat of Children of Paradise, but if their hands are tied, what can they do? Like I said, Pathe's restoration of Tess is excellent, so there's no guarantee that any Criterion release of Le Samouri would even be problematic. If indeed the DNR was added after the restoration, they could very well go back to the restored source and use that.

[K-Shaps]

Will we ever get this on Blu-ray in the US?

[Millibar]

Seeing as the French release has slumped in price recently perhaps it's wishful thinking but could there be a new region B release in the offing?
I would've bought this from France but have been put off by the poor reception to the transfer.

[Fiffy]

So, Criterion has released a 1080p version of this movie on iTunes today:

https://www.blu-ray.com/itunes/Le-Sa...-iTunes/15287/

Any news about the rumored Blu-ray release?