Hardcore (1979) (Special Edition) (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)

[tehthomas]

So there are three versions now and I want to say they are all using the same Sony 4K master (please correct me if I'm wrong here), so it comes down to the special features, packaging and encoding.

Indicator:


-Trailer - restored original U.S. trailer for Hardcore. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

-Hardcore Nitzsche - presented here is an edited excerpt from an upcoming feature documentary film titled Stringman, which should be outstanding. The material examines the diverse work and working methods of the prolific Hollywood composer Jack Nitzsche, who scored such classic and cult films as Hardcore, Cruising, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Exorcist, An Officer and a Gentleman, Starman, and 9½ Weeks. Included in it are clips from new interviews with director William Friedkin, producer Paul Gurian (Cutter's Way). director Milos Forman, musicians Tony Berg and Russ Titelman, and director Robert Downey (Greaser's Palace), amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

-Shooting Hardcore - presented here is a short archival piece in which cinematographer Michael Chapman recalls his work with director Paul Schrader on Hardcore, and explains how the film's visual style quickly evolved after George C. Scott was cast to play Jake VanDorn. (Apparently, the initial plan was to shoot the film on 16mm so that it looks like a raw anthropological documentary feature). In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

-The Guardian Interview with Paul Schrader - presented here is an archival interview with writer/director Paul Schrader that essentially covers his entire career, from his early work with Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver and Raging Bull to the controversy surrounding Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters in Japan to the difficult production history of Affliction. There are also some rather interesting observations about popular culture in America, violence in cinema, the historical value of older films, and the strange reality (at least according to Paul Schrader at the time when the interview was conducted) that in America there isn't genuine American cinema because Hollywood has been producing international films. The interview was conducted by Derek Malcolm at the National Film Theatre in London on June 20, 1993. In English, not subtitled. (85 min).

-Image Gallery - an excellent selection of original promotional materials for Hardcore (production stills, promo stills, posters, and lobby stills).

-Isolated Score - presented as an LPCM 2.0 track.

-Booklet - 32-page illustrated booklet featuring writer and critic Brad Stevens' essay "Biting Into Hardcore", an archival interview with Paul Schrader, and technical credits. -OOP/Limited Edition Only

Kino Lorber:


-Trailer - restored original U.S. trailer for Hardcore. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

-Commentary One - Paul Schrader recorded this audio commentary in 2016. The overwhelming majority of the comments that emerge from it address casting choices that were made, the production and shooting processes, the different locations that were chosen for key sequences, the style and tone of the film (and specifically how the San Francisco and San Diego footage was done), as well as some myths about the rating of the film and the use of erotic images in it.

-Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by critics Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo.

-Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art for Hardcore.


Twilight Time:



-Audio Commentary #1 - The first commentary is with director Paul Schrader as he takes a look back at making the film and all of its themes. This is an engaging and informative commentary track where Schrader also talks about casting the film, working with these taboo themes and story lines, as well as some fond memories from the set.

-Audio Commentary #2 - Film experts Eddy Friedfeld, lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo all discuss the life and career of Paul Schrader, Peter Boyle, and George C. Scott, while also discussing the making of this film and it being one of the first films to tackle this sort of subject. This is also a good listen.

-Isolated Score - You can click this option to watch the movie with the score only playing.

-Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2 Mins.) - Trailer for the film.

-Booklet - There is a fully illustrated booklet with an essay by Julie Kirgo about the film.

*Features descriptions taken from bluray.com and highdefdigest, respectively.

[theater dreamer]

That link to the audio commentary seals it for me. I’ll just keep my Indicator copy, and play the Schrader commentary on my phone through my Denon Home speakers as I watch the film.

I have yet to watch this, but I’m in the mood for Hardcore having just watched The Last Run as part of the Criterion Channel’s “‘70s Car Movies” collection.

[tehthomas]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

I have yet to watch this, but I’m in the mood for Hardcore having just watched The Last Run as part of the Criterion Channel’s “‘70s Car Movies” collection.

That is a great collection. Highly recommend 'Fear is The Key'!

[DukeTogo84]

Looks like Kino knocked this one out of the park.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hardc...7/#Screenshots

[buck135]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Looks like Kino knocked this one out of the park.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hardc...7/#Screenshots

They really did. It looks great.

[Jobla]

Time to go have a drink with Big Dick Blaque and J. Jim!

[captainsolo]

If you ever have doubt about encoding between different labels releasing the same master...it's a joke to compare Kino or Shout against Indicator who maxes out bitrate wherever possible. Kino is only now upping bitrate or addressing gamma issues on their earlier discs in this quiet "reissue the same disc but actually quietly make it the specs it should've been in the first place and hope they didn't buy the Indicator disc".

This even goes for classic titles under 90m. Even on restored under 80m films Indicator will have several more GB of space for the film encode than Kino's disc and these are still BD-25s with Indicator having significantly more extras.

For Hardcore I went with the Indicator like I have for many titles. Unless someone else gets a newer master or scan or there's exclusive extras the Indicator version is always the way to go.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

the Indicator version is always the way to go.

Especially if you want clipping/much too loud audio mastering.

[captainsolo]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

Especially if you want clipping/much too loud audio mastering.

Are there some of theirs that notably do that?
I pretty much figure most every studio provided audio element given to a label will have some degree of this by this point.

[gates70]

I have the TT release. Has anyone compared it with the Kino for PQ? All I see are comparisons with the Indicator.

[CelestialAgent]

Maybe it’s too soon since the last release, but I’m hoping this can get a in house 4K release as has been happening with other recently reissued Sony titles like The Lady from Shanghai (Kino only just came out in January 2023), especially given other Indicators have received Sony UHDs.

[Jobla]

Originally Posted by CelestialAgent

Maybe it’s too soon since the last release, but I’m hoping this can get a in house 4K release as has been happening with other recently reissued Sony titles like The Lady from Shanghai (Kino only just came out in January 2023), especially given other Indicators have received Sony UHDs.

I agree with you--and I don't even have 4K UHD equipment.

[LanceL]

Hmm, I might just wait for a UHD.