The Piano 4K UHD (1993)

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

Something interesting of note is that this is a Miramax/Paramount title. I wonder if this means if they have signed a deal that includes UHD rights with Paramount or if this is a one off.

The US Blu for The Piano has been OOP for a while and is no longer available digitally, meaning Lionsgate/Miramax's US distribution rights expired.

I suspect US rights reside with StudioCanal and Criterion got it from them in a package with Mulholland Drive. Canal owns one of the French producers and did the 4k resto for the UK and Euro releases.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Could Miramax's rights to the title have lapsed?

See above.

[yoloswegmaster420]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

The US Blu for The Piano has been OOP for a while and is no longer available digitally, meaning Lionsgate/Miramax's US distribution rights expired.

I suspect US rights reside with StudioCanal and Criterion got it from them in a package with Mulholland Drive. Canal owns one of the French producers and did the 4k resto for the UK and Euro releases.

I'm pretty certain that SC don't own the rights for Mulholland Drive in the U.S. The U.S rights reverted back to David Lynch, who decided to give it to Criterion/Janus.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

I'm pretty certain that SC don't own the rights for Mulholland Drive in the U.S. The U.S rights reverted back to David Lynch, who decided to give it to Criterion/Janus.

Criterion originally licenced Mulholland Drive from Universal (who held US distribution rights) despite using the 4k master supplied from StudioCanal (who were one of the main producers and had a exclusive US distribution arrangement with Lionsgate at the time). Criterion's BD very nearly went OOP when Universal's US distribution rights expired and reverted to Canal/Lionsgate. David Lynch himself acquired US theatrical and video distribution in conjunction with StudioCanal, which allowed Janus theatrical rights and Criterion an exclusive licence to keep their release in print. Lionsgate only got US digital/streaming rights from the StudioCanal distribution arrangement.

Canal owns the film elements and recently created a 4k HDR master, which Criterion are presumably using.

[CelestialAgent]

I don't know what extras Criterion will use but these are the most significant:

Optimum DVD

Audio Commentary with director Jane Champion and producer Jan Chapman
Michael Nyman interview (48:36)
"Making Of" featurette (15:07)
"Jane Champion and Jan Chapman in Conversation" (75:51)

StudioCanal - 25th Anniversary BD

Audio commentary with writer/director Jane Campion and producer Jan Chapman
"Inside the Piano" featurette (15:10)
"The Piano at 25" featurette (30:26)
CD Soundtrack

Theatrical trailer on Miramax BD and 2014 UK StudioCanal BD.

Interestingly the Artisan DVD also featured the film in fullscreen!

[gkolb]

I haven’t seen this since it’s theatrical release.
It was very moving. Looking forward to this 4K release.

[BluCollector13]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

I don't know what extras Criterion will use but these are the most significant:

Optimum DVD



StudioCanal - 25th Anniversary BD



Theatrical trailer on Miramax BD and 2014 UK StudioCanal BD.

Interestingly the Artisan DVD also featured the film in fullscreen!

One would hope Criterion is able to get the rights to the Michael Nyman interview as the music of "The Piano" is pretty integral to the film, as well as any interviews with Campion. I would also imagine new interviews with Hunter and Paquin, possibly Keitel and Neill.

Anyway, can't wait for Harvey Keitel's **** in 4K.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by SpaceBlackKnight

The US Blu for The Piano has been OOP for a while and is no longer available digitally, meaning Lionsgate/Miramax's US distribution rights expired.

Lionsgate's license expired, but The Piano is still very much available to rent or buy on iTunes, Vudu, Amazon, etc., with Miramax listed as the distributor.

[yoloswegmaster420]

New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Stuart Dryburgh and approved by director Jane Campion, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack

In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features

New conversation between Campion and film critic Amy Taubin

New interviews with Dryburgh and production designer Andrew McAlpine

Interview with actor Holly Hunter on working with Campion

“The Piano” at 25, a program featuring a conversation between Campion and producer Jan Chapman

Excerpts from an interview with costume designer Janet Patterson

Water Diary, a 2006 short film by Campion

Trailer

New English subtitle translation and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

PLUS: An essay by critic Carmen Gray

[tama]

This one will look beautiful 😍

[Cvalda]

Just sold off my UK Blu so this announcement is very welcome. And wow, much nicer than the Kane cover

[MifuneFan]

Greg Ruth does top-notch work.

[SpacemanDoug]

one thing I REALLLLLLLYYYY hope is that Criterion restores the subtitles that were accidentally dropped on the old blu-ray master during the sign language scene

[Rizor]

That's a nice cover! Shame they didn't include some of the extras like the commentary, but what can you do.

[CelestialAgent]

Originally Posted by Cvalda

Just sold off my UK Blu so this announcement is very welcome. And wow, much nicer than the Kane cover

There are still reasons to keep it

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

The Piano is unfortunately missing many of the extras from the UK releases, including:

25th anniversary Blu-ray:

Soundtrack CD

20th and 25th anniversary Blu-ray:

Audio commentary with writer/director Jane Campion and producer Jan Chapman
Inside the Piano

20th anniversary Blu-ray and 2 disc DVD:

76 minute Interview with writer/director Jane Campion and producer Jan Chapman

2 disc DVD:

49 minute Michael Nyman interview

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by Hindustani

could've gone for A THIN RED LINE instead

Could have done good burger

[Scottishguy]

Originally Posted by Agent Kay

Could have done good burger

Could have done Pluto Nash.

[DAT_JB]

I really hope SC will come up with something nice too.

[cgpublic]

Wonderful. As in, wonderful memories of screening this downtown with a too cool GF, drinks and a bite at Fanelli’s before the show, coffee and desert at her apartment after.

Also wonderful? This cover.

[Geoff D]

You mean you didn't go for a dip in the too-cool-for-school pool to round off the evening? Though I'm disappointed you haven't managed to work an actual piano into that anecdote.