Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection (1942-1976)

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

In this case, though, the shorter version was what the director prepared and approved for the theatrical release. The longer version was cut together after Hitch died, based on a preview screening (except for the ending). Different people will have different opinions on which cut is preferred, but I get the impression that scholars thought so little of "Topaz" that they decided that the "lost" version must be better. I haven't actually watched the theatrical cut yet, but I can't imagine that 20 minutes less of "Topaz" would be a bad thing...

I agree Topaz is definitely low tier Hitchcock. It has some nice cinematography, but the story is dull.
What I'd really like is the slightly less censored version of Psycho to get released, it turns up on TV over here occasionally.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by thatguamguy

In this case, though, the shorter version was what the director prepared and approved for the theatrical release. The longer version was cut together after Hitch died, based on a preview screening (except for the ending). Different people will have different opinions on which cut is preferred, but I get the impression that scholars thought so little of "Topaz" that they decided that the "lost" version must be better. I haven't actually watched the theatrical cut yet, but I can't imagine that 20 minutes less of "Topaz" would be a bad thing...

I agree, I imported the German BD of the theatrical cut, and I prefer it to the extended home video version, though of course I own both.

[backwater]

Heads-up: the UK edition of this is back down to £23.99 on Amazon.co.uk, but it rang up for me at £19.99. Shipped to the US, it was $30 USD total.

(Not sure why, but it seems every time I go to checkout with a blu-ray on Amazon UK, the price drops a few pounds.)

Link

[MTRodaba2468]

Originally Posted by backwater

Heads-up: the UK edition of this is back down to £23.99 on Amazon.co.uk, but it rang up for me at £19.99. Shipped to the US, it was $30 USD total.

(Not sure why, but it seems every time I go to checkout with a blu-ray on Amazon UK, the price drops a few pounds.)

Link

They're removing the VAT, since you're not from the U.K.

[backwater]

Originally Posted by MTRodaba2468

They're removing the VAT, since you're not from the U.K.

Ah ok, thanks! Good to know.

[critterdvd]

Originally Posted by MTRodaba2468

They're removing the VAT, since you're not from the U.K.

I had been wondering the same thing. Thanks!

[themadpanner]

This is the only set to get .

[orbital]

Just a heads-up for the film music lovers: US based soundtrack label Intrada has a Kickstarter campaign running for a re-recording of DIAL M FOR MURDER by Dimitri Tiomkin. If successful this could lead to other re-recordings of the music for Hitchcock's movies.

=> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...core-recording

[orbital]

Originally Posted by orbital

Just a heads-up for the film music lovers: US based soundtrack label Intrada has a Kickstarter campaign running for a re-recording of DIAL M FOR MURDER by Dimitri Tiomkin. If successful this could lead to other re-recordings of the music for Hitchcock's movies.

=> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...core-recording

Just one more bump before this campaign ends...

[88mph]

What’s the difference between the Masterpiece Collection and the Ultimate Collection?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by 88mph

What’s the difference between the Masterpiece Collection and the Ultimate Collection?

Main difference is Ultimate includes 7 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and 3 episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour on DVD.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Main difference is Ultimate includes 7 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and 3 episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour on DVD.

I can't fathom their choice to include this random mix, since Hitchcock directed 17 episodes of "Presents" yet they only include 7 of them, and he only directed one of the three episodes they include from "Hour".

There's a set from France that includes everything he ever did for TV - all 17 "Presents" episodes, and the three other TV episodes he directed:

https://www.amazon.fr/Alfred-Hitchco...dp/B000BVZDQY/

They should have included this same set, in NTSC, with the Ultimate Collection BD set, and Universal would have finally released all their Hitchcock material in the US.

As it is, that French release is, I believe, the only release anywhere of the 3 other episodes.

[ArrestedDevelopment]

Originally Posted by 88mph

What’s the difference between the Masterpiece Collection and the Ultimate Collection?

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Main difference is Ultimate includes 7 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and 3 episodes of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour on DVD.

Also no artwork on the Ultimate Collection blu-ray discs.

[88mph]

Thanks. The Masterpiece Collection seems so much more expensive.

I am thinking to pick this up when I’m in US. But I might just get the much cheaper UK set and then get US Vertigo for the mono.

EDIT: forget it. North by North West lacks a mono track on all regions Will go for individual releases.

[jdw89]

Anyone know why the big price difference between Masterpiece and Ultimate? ($30 roughly)

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by jdw89

Anyone know why the big price difference between Masterpiece and Ultimate? ($30 roughly)

Amazon has the original 2012 release of the Masterpiece Collection at $69 and the 2016 reissue at $98. The Ultimate Collection is going for $60. No real difference. The Ultimate Collection was probably just set at a cheaper SRP because it's more of just a repackaging. It cost them $$ to remaster the films and create the original discs for the first Masterpiece Collection release. Five years later they've just repressed the discs without artwork and set it at a lower SRP. Doubt there's anything really to the prices other than Universal never discontinued the old set or lowered its SRP.

[jdw89]

Originally Posted by Rizor

Amazon has the original 2012 release of the Masterpiece Collection at $69 and the 2016 reissue at $98. The Ultimate Collection is going for $60. No real difference. The Ultimate Collection was probably just set at a cheaper SRP because it's more of just a repackaging. It cost them $$ to remaster the films and create the original discs for the first Masterpiece Collection release. Five years later they've just repressed the discs without artwork and set it at a lower SRP. Doubt there's anything really to the prices other than Universal never discontinued the old set or lowered its SRP.

The ultimate is the one to get though yes?

[Rizor]

Looks that way unless you really love disc art.

[thebalconyfool]

Can anyone please tell me what would be considered a good price would be for the US Masterpiece collection now?

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by thebalconyfool

Can anyone please tell me what would be considered a good price would be for the US Masterpiece collection now?

It was on sale for $50 a few weeks ago from Amazon.