The Werner Herzog Collection (BFI) in July

[rapta]

Originally Posted by huntauk

And all again was good with the world

Woohoo! Even Dwarfs Started Small is one I want to see though...my friend keeps mentioning it (the only early Herzog he's seen I think). Perhaps it will be in the set as an extra? Or they'll announce it later on? I hope this set isn't too expensive - I'm sure they'll be across several discs, right? If they're all in HD it'll be an extra treat!

Being BFI though they might put some of the lesser-quality films on DVD, am I right? Like they did with the Ozu releases (I wish they'd released an Ozu set...I already have Tokyo Story and Good Morning but don't know where to go from there...An Autumn Afternoon does look appealing).

EDIT: here's what it says on the Aguirre listing:

Three additional Werner Herzog films, all remastered in HD:
1. The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz (1967, 14 mins)
2. Precautions Against Fanatics (1969, 12 mins)
3. Fata Morgana (1971, 79 mins)

And the Nosferatu listing:

On-set documentary (1979, 13 mins)

[huntauk]

Originally Posted by rapta

Woohoo! Even Dwarfs Started Small is one I want to see though...my friend keeps mentioning it (the only early Herzog he's seen I think). Perhaps it will be in the set as an extra? Or they'll announce it later on? I hope this set isn't too expensive - I'm sure they'll be across several discs, right? If they're all in HD it'll be an extra treat!

I'll be honest even though I had the 2 DVD boxsets I only got round to watching 4 Herzog films, Aguirre, Nosferatu, Fitzcarraldo and Cobra. I'm much more selective with the blu-ray purchasing and only have 3 films currently still in the 'to see' pile so I'm sure I'll have time in a few evenings in the summer to whizz through the rest of these!

[rapta]

Originally Posted by huntauk

I'll be honest even though I had the 2 DVD boxsets I only got round to watching 4 Herzog films, Aguirre, Nosferatu, Fitzcarraldo and Cobra. I'm much more selective with the blu-ray purchasing and only have 3 films currently still in the 'to see' pile so I'm sure I'll have time in a few evenings in the summer to whizz through the rest of these!

I've only seen those too, except Cobra Verde. Reason being I was going to get the boxset after picking up separate releases of Fitzcarraldo, Nosferatu, and stupidly not getting the Woyzeck and Stroszek Anchor Bay DVD's when they were still available (I used to see them in Fopp, but looks like they've been deleted/OOP at least in the last year). My friend gave me a decent quality rip of Aguirre and that instantly became my favourite Herzog narrative (or fantasy at least) film, as until that point I'd only really seen his later films. Once BFI announced this set, I decided to hold back on the Anchor Bay sets as I'd rather put the money towards potential HD releases.

But when they mentioned it (in press releases for Aguirre and Kasper Hauser), I assumed there would just be separate releases under the 'Herzog Collection' umbrella, much like the current Cassavettes and Ozu 'collections'. So I'm very, very, very pleased to hear that they're committing to one big set - and for me this is already 'release of the year'. Only thing that could top it is a blu-ray Tarkovsky set or something (and judging by Artificial Eye's commitments to more modern auteurs like Lars Von Trier and Claire Denis instead, I doubt they'll be released anytime soon...even looks like they cancelled their release of Haneke's Funny Games US which sounded promising).

[rip63]

Wondering whether the set will have all the audio commentaries from Herzog's Kinski flicks previously released on SD-DVD...? They're very good and herzog is always such a pleasure to listen to.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by rip63

Wondering whether the set will have all the audio commentaries from Herzog's Kinski flicks previously released on SD-DVD...? They're very good and herzog is always such a pleasure to listen to.

I've always wondered if he'd ever consider doing a sat-nav voice option for TomTom or something. Or a series of self-help tapes.

[HotRats]

This looks amazing, I haven't seen all the films so this is an absolute must. It would be nice if they could include the documentaries My Best Fiend and Burden Of Dreams and the short Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe.

[HotRats]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

My Best Fiend was made in 1999, so is outside this box's "early Herzog" remit - and the other two weren't made by Herzog at all.

Quite so, but My Best Fiend is about his relationship with Kinski and Burden Of Dreams is about the making of Fitzcarraldo and as such would fit in nicely. Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe is simply fun and a demonstration of his commitment.

[CastrosfriendChe]

I've always had a soft spot for 'The Dark Glow of the Mountains' so shame it doesn't seem to be present for this future release.

Been waiting years for something like this (actually it goes beyond my expectations.) Wonder what price tag will be put on it

[NoirFan]

Please tell me that the use of the plural box sets in the press release means that we won't be stuck with a massive, unwieldy, and redundant combo box!

[Yami]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Please tell me that the use of the plural box sets in the press release means that we won't be stuck with a massive, unwieldy, and redundant combo box!

To me it would indicate exactly the opposite, while if it was the singular 'box set' it would be much more likely to be dual format.

[rapta]

MovieMail seem to have the set up for pre-order for £56.99. Might pre-order it but can feel it being up for a little cheaper at Amazon (probably around £49.99) but may put in a pre-order now just in case.

They're saying 7 discs for the set, but also say 7 DVD's for the DVD set which doesn't sound right? Or are DVD discs better these days...anyway, 1310 minutes of Herzog doesn't sound too bad does it?

They also have the Aguirre and Nosferatu separate steelbook releases up for £13.99 each, but I'm thinking I won't be getting either of those if I'm getting the set. And Eyes Without A Face for £13.99 Dual Format (though that isn't Herzog, just thought I'd mention it).

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by Yami

To me it would indicate exactly the opposite, while if it was the singular 'box set' it would be much more likely to be dual format.

That was my point:

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Please tell me that the use of the plural box sets in the press release means that we won't be stuck with a massive, unwieldy, and redundant combo box!

In any case, Movie Mail has separate BD and DVD listings, so I think we're all good.

[Ozu Teapot]

Interesting contents listing on Amazon for the box set where they say Les Blank's Burden of Dreams will be included and have 31 numbered contents listed with about 13 blank spaces, which maybe means more as yet unannounced films and documentaries (or maybe means Amazon have made an error!)

A big (but good value I guess) price of £79.99...

[rapta]

BFI just replied to me on Facebook, RE: pricing...

"Herzog 7-DVD box set RRP will be £59.99. Herzog 7-Blu-ray box set RRP will be £79.99"

Might wanna get your MovieMail pre-orders in whilst they're cheap then! £56.99 seems like a bargain now

Great news about Burden Of Dreams! 31 listings though is a bit odd...will it be THAT complete in the end? Thought they quoted only 18, not 31? Intriguing...

[rapta]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Looks like a fairly obvious Microsoft Word numbering cock-up to me. I'd lay money on it.

It could just be all the extras listed for the discs potentially? Not films necessarily but interviews/documentaries/commentaries etc.

Very excited for this set. I'm surprised MovieMail are setting the price so low compared to the RRP, very competitive pricing! Over £23 saving...not bad. Probably won't cancel my pre-order with them now if Amazon stick with the current price-point. Wonder what the HMV price will be.

[edcresdee]

Once you've placed a pre-order with MovieMail can they still raise the price or cancel the order? I ordered the Brit Indie boxset from them the other day for £9.99 and they cancelled it, saying it should have been £19.99.

Placed an order with MovieMail for the boxset anyway, and Amazon for the Aguirre steelbook. Here is the artwork for them on MM:

[Special Feature]

The Encounters in the Natural World boxset appears to be OOP and listed for crazy money on Amazon Marketplace. I'm kicking myself I didn't get it when it was €20 in HMV a few years ago.

[BarnDoor]

Are the special features on the set final? I'm disappointed it seems to be lacking the Herzog commentaries from the Anchor Bay DVD releases, since they are always good value.

[rapta]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Are the special features on the set final? I'm disappointed it seems to be lacking the Herzog commentaries from the Anchor Bay DVD releases, since they are always good value.

They have only announced two documentaries as features so far. They say there are more - I'm sure if they're doing an extensive restoration of Herzog's back catalogue there will be at least a few commentaries!

Originally Posted by Special Feature

The Encounters in the Natural World boxset appears to be OOP and listed for crazy money on Amazon Marketplace. I'm kicking myself I didn't get it when it was €20 in HMV a few years ago.

It was still a sensible price a year or two ago - I remember because I had the DVD set and when I got a blu-ray player wanted to upgrade. From what I've heard, the BR isn't much better than the DVD edition - La Soufrière and The Flying Doctors of East Africa are in SD anyway, and the two 'big' films, Grizzly Man and Encounters At The End Of The World, weren't exactly reference material from what I've heard (seeing as they weren't shot in HD). So the set is only really worth getting for The White Diamond on blu-ray. But I have the DVD set and it looks alright anyway - didn't seem worth it to upgrade to BR at the time.

Originally Posted by edcresdee

Once you've placed a pre-order with MovieMail can they still raise the price or cancel the order? I ordered the Brit Indie boxset from them the other day for £9.99 and they cancelled it, saying it should have been £19.99.

Placed an order with MovieMail for the boxset anyway, and Amazon for the Aguirre steelbook. Here is the artwork for them on MM:

I've never heard of anyone cancelling items apart from Amazon and that's been mispricing - I believe they can't cancel a pre-order if they've set it at that price, so if they do cancel it I'd kick up a fuss (well I will because I pre-ordered it too). I reckon they cancelled your Brit Indie boxset because it was mispriced - sometimes happens briefly when they doing sales etc (and MovieMail always have sales and promotions going on).

I also ordered Aguirre from Amazon but I'll likely cancel that because it'll just be 1 of the 7 discs from the boxset. I have a feeling HMV might have a competitive price for these but we'll have to wait and see - I will let you all know once it's up on the system. I say that because recent BFI releases have been very fair prices recently - £10.99 for The Epic Of Everest (£17.99 for the double-set with The Great White Silence), £10.99 for upcoming Classe Tous Risques, £9.99 for various Dual Format titles...whereas they've all been at least £2-3 more than that online (the new releases anyway). But yeah, definitely keeping my MovieMail order for the time being (but might cancel Eyes Without A Face as it'll likely be cheaper elsewhere).

PS: full artwork for Nosferatu up...as expected bare metal like the Seven Samurai steelbook - nice design but will look a little dumbed down by the bare metal finish in my opinion. Aguirre seems a little better but still not really worth it if I'm getting the set (though it is my favourite Herzog film)

[Skog]

Originally Posted by rapta

Might wanna get your MovieMail pre-orders in whilst they're cheap then! £56.99 seems like a bargain now

might not, they've taken the money from my account already.