Alfred Hitchcock on Blu-ray

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

What's everyone's opinion on the picture quality of "The 39 Steps" on blu-ray? The reviewer on this site said that the quality left a little bit to be desired and graded the other early Hitch Criterion releases ("The Man Who Knew Too Much" and "The Lady Vanishes") much higher.

I realize that we're probably not get anything better, but I have been enamored with all of these older films that have marvelously restored. If it's only so-so, I can probably wait.

Let's put it this way...

Back when I owned this...



...I was like

Now that I own this...



...I'm like


It's not a demo disc by any stretch, but it's miles above the picture quality of the film on any other home video presentation.

[MikeyHitchFan]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

I think that they would actually be quite user friendly to use. Keep in mind that you're only going to watch one movie at a time. They're really not much different than 15 ordinary blu ray cases on the shelf next to each other - same principle. And they are so cool.

Plus this one has North By Northwest as well, unlike other non-US sets.

And it has To Catch a Thief, too. I would also guess the film canisters are plastic and not metal. The Vertigo background is nice, too.

Now, does anyone know where I can buy it where they ship to U.S.? I see english Megastores website is down, and Laserdisken doesn't list it.

[MikeyHitchFan]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

What's everyone's opinion on the picture quality of "The 39 Steps" on blu-ray? The reviewer on this site said that the quality left a little bit to be desired and graded the other early Hitch Criterion releases ("The Man Who Knew Too Much" and "The Lady Vanishes") much higher.

I realize that we're probably not get anything better, but I have been enamored with all of these older films that have marvelously restored. If it's only so-so, I can probably wait.

My opinion is that it's the least impressive of the 3 Criterions. It is the best quality out there, but a full restoration would yield better results. It's worth $20 on sale for sure.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Let's put it this way...

Back when I owned this...

...I was like

Now that I own this...

...I'm like


It's not a demo disc by any stretch, but it's miles above the picture quality of the film on any other home video presentation.

Cool! It may not be as disappointing as I was thinking. Will just have to track the price and see if I can get a deal on it. Thanks, Great Owl! Thank you, Mikey, as well!

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

And it has To Catch a Thief, too. I would also guess the film canisters are plastic and not metal. The Vertigo background is nice, too.

Now, does anyone know where I can buy it where they ship to U.S.? I see english Megastores website is down, and Laserdisken doesn't list it.

It will also probably contain the theatrical cut of Topaz, as I believe the Nordic countries are getting that.

Universal seems to frequently release theatrical cuts overseas when they lack dubs for the previously deleted scenes (as happened with 1941 on DVD in the UK, and a couple of others I can't remember.)

I want to pick up just that Topaz disc as I've never seen the theatrical cut, just the extended DVD cut that's now on BD as well. I like Topaz, but feel it's way too long, and suspect I will like the shorter version more. (I'm almost never a fan of extended versions of movies).

[Scottie]

I wish they'd release Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo as standalones, so I can get rid of this box set.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

And it has To Catch a Thief, too. I would also guess the film canisters are plastic and not metal. The Vertigo background is nice, too.

Now, does anyone know where I can buy it where they ship to U.S.? I see english Megastores website is down, and Laserdisken doesn't list it.

It's available at Amazon UK:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hitch...Blu-ray/84094/

[MikeyHitchFan]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

It's available at Amazon UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitchcock-Ul...=hitchcock+blu

Thanks! Funny, I look there frequently and didn't see it. D'oh! Even a search under Hitchcock doesn't bring it up. I may wait for a Black Friday sale...it's not something I need but the collector in me wants it.

[MikeyHitchFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I wish they'd release Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo as standalones, so I can get rid of this box set.

If you can't wait for the domestic releases you can always buy the region free ones in the U.K. They're all there in a few weeks.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

If you can't wait for the domestic releases you can always buy the region free ones in the U.K. They're all there in a few weeks.

Thanks for the information. I honestly did not know that.

I'll probably just hold on to the set until they come out over here (hopefully by the start of next year). I also hope Psycho is re-released.

[MikeyHitchFan]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Thanks for the information. I honestly did not know that.

I'll probably just hold on to the set until they come out over here (hopefully by the start of next year). I also hope Psycho is re-released.

I think both of those things will happen early next year once they're done plugging the box set collections for Christmas sales. I really thought they were going to release a 50th anniversary Digibook for The Birds this year.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

I think both of those things will happen early next year once they're done plugging the box set collections for Christmas sales. I really thought they were going to release a 50th anniversary Digibook for The Birds this year.

I did, too.

[MikeyHitchFan]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

It will also probably contain the theatrical cut of Topaz, as I believe the Nordic countries are getting that.

Universal seems to frequently release theatrical cuts overseas when they lack dubs for the previously deleted scenes (as happened with 1941 on DVD in the UK, and a couple of others I can't remember.)

I want to pick up just that Topaz disc as I've never seen the theatrical cut, just the extended DVD cut that's now on BD as well. I like Topaz, but feel it's way too long, and suspect I will like the shorter version more. (I'm almost never a fan of extended versions of movies).

It looks like the long version is the one included in most countries. Sweden has the 126 minute cut, though. It isn't any better, honestly. The longer cut also has the better ending at the airport, and not the cobbled together one released theatrically here.

[TQType]

I wish there was some news regarding Suspicion and the Wrong Man.

I have one of the old Warner DVD 4-Packs (with Strangers on a Train and I Confess), and would really like to get those two films upgraded.

I thought that those two and Foreign Correspondent would be out (or at least announced) by now.

I love the big collection, but I wish there were more new extras for the major releases.

A new retrospective on Vertigo (talking about how the film went from a relative miss during the original run to being ranked as the BFI's #1 movie) would be nice. Still, the corrected audio is a dream. The footsteps and the gunshots in the opening scene were worth the price of the set for me, personally.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by MikeyHitchFan

It looks like the long version is the one included in most countries. Sweden has the 126 minute cut, though. It isn't any better, honestly. The longer cut also has the better ending at the airport, and not the cobbled together one released theatrically here.

You should probably note it in your checklist that there will be two cuts available - for Hitchcock completists, just like you need both versions of The Shining to complete Kubrick. And some people are bound to prefer one over the other. I just can't find where it's confirmed that it's the shorter cut.

[The Great Owl]

On the subject of Hitchcock...

A friend of mine from a running forum that I've posted at for years lives near Bodega Bay and went to a recent autograph signing with his daughter. Since it's common knowledge that I am a massive Alfred Hitchcock fan, he sent me this surprise in the mail this week.

[Show spoiler]

[OneWayFilms]

Does anyone know when THE BIRDS will receive a solo release? I already have Psycho and don't want any of the other films in the expensive Hitchcock collection, but I DO want THE BIRDS....BADLY.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by OneWayFilms

Does anyone know when THE BIRDS will receive a solo release? I already have Psycho and don't want any of the other films in the expensive Hitchcock collection, but I DO want THE BIRDS....BADLY.

There's a great Region Free UK Blu-ray of The Birds.

I've thought about ordering this one myself, just on general principle, although I already have the box set.

[charlieray1]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

On the subject of Hitchcock...

A friend of mine from a running forum that I've posted at for years lives near Bodega Bay and went to a recent autograph signing with his daughter. Since it's common knowledge that I am a massive Alfred Hitchcock fan, he sent me this surprise in the mail this week.

[Show spoiler]

VERY COOL! -- and what a thoughtful friend!

[OneWayFilms]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

There's a great Region Free UK Blu-ray of The Birds.

I've thought about ordering this one myself, just on general principle, although I already have the box set.

THANK YOU for this information. If there is no other information of a US release, then I will order this one. I really DISLIKE that cover art.