Cross Of Iron

[Arkadin]

got an email from amazon.uk pushing back the expected shipping date.
kind of bummed.

[charnier]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

got an email from amazon.uk pushing back the expected shipping date.
kind of bummed.

Understandably so, Arkadin - sorry to hear about this

This should not be happening - there was certainly no problem with HMV's stock, as Bladelia and I can testify. I always knew that Amazon was slower with pre-orders - it usually releases just before or on the day of release - but still it should be in the shipping stage now.

[pro-bassoonist]

NOTE:

I was asked to pass a note that the newly restored Cross of Iron will be showing at the Odeon Panton St. (in London) from June 17th. So if you are visiting London, this would a terrific opportunity to see the film theatrically.

Pro-B

[Supernaut]

Finally Shipped!

[Arkadin]

unfortunately mine is still "preparing to ship"
they obviously didn't even have enough copies to satisfy pre-orders.
the estimate shows it should ship tomorrow perhaps.

[cineaste]

Hi Mike,

Thanks so much for the awesome pics you posted regarding the release of what has to be my fave war film: Cross of Iron. People don't seem to realize that "bullet time" and the "grainy combat look" were already being done and done better back in the 70's by Peckinpah.

Question: How were you able to get such intimate access to Peckinpah? Were you two longtime friends?

Question: I've heard that Peckinpah was routinely, if not always, staggering drunk on the set. I find this hard to believe, since the movie turned out to be quite coherent and powerful. Was Sam truly despondent and staring into a bottle?

Question: Will Stephen Prince's commentary for the standard DVD be imported over for this release? Or will you be giving a new commentary? For that matter, is Prince's comments worth buying the standard issue for?

Question: What is the US edition slated for? I'm assuming the UK one won't play on US players?

BTW, I first heard about this in the magazine Cinema Retro (great mag!; we don't have anything like it in the US). Any chance the mag might devote a special issue to this film like they've done for Kelly's Heroes?

Thanks again, Mike!

Best,
Joseph

PS -- I have the Criterion US Straw Dogs and the supplements on that are outstanding. Had no idea you had produced those. Awesome!

[Arkadin]

mine finally shipped.
with the McQueen box set finished maybe Warner will now turn its attention to the films in the Peckinpah box set for bd release.
one down from years back, three to go.
really want to see Pat Garrett and Ride the High Country in hd.

[HotRats]

Terrific release, an exemplary way to handle a back catalogue title

[mike siegel]

Originally Posted by cineaste

Hi Mike,


Question: How were you able to get such intimate access to Peckinpah? Were you two longtime friends?

Question: I've heard that Peckinpah was routinely, if not always, staggering drunk on the set. I find this hard to believe, since the movie turned out to be quite coherent and powerful. Was Sam truly despondent and staring into a bottle?

Question: Will Stephen Prince's commentary for the standard DVD be imported over for this release? Or will you be giving a new commentary? For that matter, is Prince's comments worth buying the standard issue for?

Question: What is the US edition slated for? I'm assuming the UK one won't play on US players?

BTW, I first heard about this in the magazine Cinema Retro (great mag!; we don't have anything like it in the US). Any chance the mag might devote a special issue to this film like they've done for Kelly's Heroes?

Thanks again, Mike!

Best,
Joseph

PS -- I have the Criterion US Straw Dogs and the supplements on that are outstanding. Had no idea you had produced those. Awesome!

That's a lot of questions!

- I was born 1967, I never met Sam. I co-organized a Peckinpah Retro in 2000 with fellow Peckinpah experts Jeff Slater (UK) and Umberto Berlenghini (Rome). 'became friends with Ali MacGraw, R.G.Armstrong, David Warner and others and decided to start my project PASSION & POETRY (feature doc, book + DVD supplements. Filmed from 2000-2005. If you're such a Sam-fan, buy my 2-Disc DVD set PASSION & POETRY . Sources sometimes mention the CROSS OF IRON extras almost taken were taken from my PASSION DVD set, but that's not really true: the PASSION 2-Disc has 270 min. running time, with maybe 15-20 min. of those used in the 110 min. supplements for the CROSS Blue-ray.

- Sam called himself a 'working alcoholic'. Most people say you never knew he had to much booze until you met him sober...

- no other suppplements (US DVD etc.) 'just' mine...

- CINEMA RETRO: I made a Peckinpah-Special years ago. 18-pages, issue #3, Getaway cover. Send them an e-mail regarding a CROSS issue! They'd rather listen to readers than writers

- STRAW DOGS: I have nothing to do with the Criterion. I co-produced the German 2-Disc(red packiging), similar to the CROSS OF IRON now..

'glad you like CROSS, so do I, saw it first in 1979, age 11. Heavy stuff.

[cineaste]

Originally Posted by mike siegel

That's a lot of questions!

- I was born 1967, I never met Sam. I co-organized a Peckinpah Retro in 2000 with fellow Peckinpah experts Jeff Slater (UK) and Umberto Berlenghini (Rome). 'became friends with Ali MacGraw, R.G.Armstrong, David Warner and others and decided to start my project PASSION & POETRY (feature doc, book + DVD supplements. Filmed from 2000-2005. If you're such a Sam-fan, buy my 2-Disc DVD set PASSION & POETRY . Sources sometimes mention the CROSS OF IRON extras almost taken were taken from my PASSION DVD set, but that's not really true: the PASSION 2-Disc has 270 min. running time, with maybe 15-20 min. of those used in the 110 min. supplements for the CROSS Blue-ray.

- Sam called himself a 'working alcoholic'. Most people say you never knew he had to much booze until you met him sober...

- no other suppplements (US DVD etc.) 'just' mine...

- CINEMA RETRO: I made a Peckinpah-Special years ago. 18-pages, issue #3, Getaway cover. Send them an e-mail regarding a CROSS issue! They'd rather listen to readers than writers

- STRAW DOGS: I have nothing to do with the Criterion. I co-produced the German 2-Disc(red packiging), similar to the CROSS OF IRON now..

'glad you like CROSS, so do I, saw it first in 1979, age 11. Heavy stuff.

Mike,

Where can I purchase your documentary? I don't see it listed on Amazon US. It's only a UK release?

BTW, does the German edition of Straw Dogs also feature an English track?

I'll be sure to get that Cinema Retro issue! Thanks again!

Joseph

[pro-bassoonist]

Mike's film is available in Germany. I left a note/link awhile ago in the "final words" section here:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Cross.../21018/#Review

Terrific release (Mike's)

Pro-B

[samdaman94]

Won a copy of this the other day - couldn't say where from though! I entered loads of competitions to win it, then recently I got it in the post! Didn't even get an email to say I'd won

Anyway, came with the slip too. Lovely stuff.
Haven't seen the film yet - looking forward to it!

[mike siegel]

Originally Posted by cineaste

Mike,

Where can I purchase your documentary? I don't see it listed on Amazon US. It's only a UK release?

BTW, does the German edition of Straw Dogs also feature an English track?

I'll be sure to get that Cinema Retro issue! Thanks again!

Joseph

It's at Amazon.de; ebay USA; eBay UK; or directly from me incl. a Peckinpah still: http://www.eldoradofilm.de

Yes, STRAW DOGS is all in English (not the booklet though)

CINEMA RETRO: I guess they have only a few copies left now..
This week sees the release of Cinema Retro Special Issue# 3, 80 pages on KELLYS HEROES ! WHERE EAGLES DARE (Special #2) is sold out already.

[John Hodson]

Mike; if I ruled the BD world, you'd produce every single Peckinpah film on Blu-ray. Cross of Iron is a terrific release, and available almost criminally cheap - no excuses at all for those so equipped to rush out and buy it.

[Arkadin]

well all I see is a bd that crushes a dvd, but I am very troubled by any decision to do an auto pass to "degrain" and then another to "sharpen"
I don't think anyone can be very encouraged by that description.
sounds pretty depressing to me.
seems apparent that they wanted to lessen the natural look of the film for whatever reason, but the increased detail is still more than apparent.
wonder if the producer would care to comment on this issue?
I mean if there is a sensible reason for doing this I would love to know what it is, as it seems a common occurrence with many restored bds coming out.
btw: cinema retro is an incredible magazine for sure; wish I had more issues.

[Supernaut]

Lets put aside the fact that there's been a blanket tint of green (sound familiar) throughout the picture, but WTF is up with the artifacts in screens 11 & 12? Looks like the auto sharpen was working overtime.

[Supernaut]

Upon a proper screening, the sharpening is not an issue, picture clarity is fine. Not as much grain as one would imagine, but I guess you can't have it all.

The blanket green tint, however is an issue. It makes the movie completely unwatchable.

Any official word on this Mike?

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by Supernaut

Upon a proper screening, the sharpening is not an issue, picture clarity is fine. Not as much grain as one would imagine, but I guess you can't have it all.

The blanket green tint, however is an issue. It makes the movie completely unwatchable.

Any official word on this Mike?

Oh no...not another green tint discussion

[Arkadin]

well the review by pro-b doesn't even mention a "green tint" that makes the film unwatchable, so what in the world are you talking about?

[Supernaut]

I can't speak for pro-b but it's blatantly obvious to me. See for yourself.