Dressed to Kill (1980)

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

In this case does "extended cut" actually mean "director's cut?"

I'm not familiar with the cut, but further down in the thread its confirmed the BD has the theatrical cut, not extended.

[klauswhereareyou]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

In this case does "extended cut" actually mean "director's cut?"

When someone brought up the idea of a Snake Eyes director's cut in an interview from around the time Passion came out he mentioned that the Casualties of War "director's cut" was approved by him. From what I understand all the cut footage is towards the end of the film and at the time the studio wanted the final act to end as quickly as possible.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

If you guys don't want Criterion to waste resources on a Dressed to Kill BD, spend more money on non-Dressed to Kill BDs.

Spending more money on non-Dressed to Kill BDs is exactly what we want to do.

That's kind of the point of wishing they would devote their resources to something else, isn't it?

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Was the Arrow release from a 4K scan?

No. It is actually from a dated master. While it has a pleasing organic appearance, there are very obvious limitations.

Pro-B

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

No. It is actually from a dated master. While it has a pleasing organic appearance, there are very obvious limitations.

Pro-B

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

No. It is actually from a dated master. While it has a pleasing organic appearance, there are very obvious limitations.

Pro-B

Thanks, that's what I figured. So there is room for improvement, and hopefully Criterion does just that.

[Mystic]

Originally Posted by javi92

Not saying this is totally pointless, as I'm sure certain fans of the film have neither the Arrow nor MGM release, but it seems like Criterion could use the limited resources they have better by not releasing native English titles that already have acceptable or fantastic blu-ray releases in region A and B respectively already.

Perhaps I want the Criterion Collection version of the film rather then the Arrow or MGM release of the film. Criterion will certainly distinguish their release of the film from the other distributors, and THAT is the reason why I'm looking forward to this release.

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Yeah, the Arrow release is pretty tight...great transfer, excellent special features. Granted, the 5.1 soundtrack has a line from the R-rated theatrical cut (where Nancy Allen is referring to the "bulge" in Michael Caine's pants), but the unrated cut line is preserved on the original mono track. And it has the great 45-minute documentary from the 2001 DVD and the MGM Blu as well. I wish Criterion or another label would concentrate of giving us some new-to-Blu De Palma titles like Casualties Of War, Raising Cain (especially if De Palma's original cut could be presented) and Femme Fatale instead of re-hashing perfectly adequate releases.

Raising Cain and Femme Fatale will be day ones for me if they ever make it.

[Jobla]

I'd still like to see De Palma's OBSESSION land on Blu-ray in the states.

[needles7]

Originally Posted by antennahead

Raising Cain and Femme Fatale will be day ones for me if they ever make it.

Me too. Love both of those. Sooooo underrated.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Jobla

I'd still like to see De Palma's OBSESSION land on Blu-ray in the states.

Considering the Arrow version is region free, what are you waiting for? It doesn't have any PAL content or 1080i/50hz stuff.

I think the Arrow Dressed to Kill will be nearly impossible to beat in the extras department, but I could imagine it looking better. Still seems bizarre that they're re-doing something with a decent US blu-ray, though. While not as good as the Arrow, it still has a lot of good extras on it and doesn't look half bad. Carrie would have been much more exciting since the bluray is completely bare-bones. Ah well. I'll probably buy it again anyway just to try and help encourage the possibility of Carrie

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Considering the Arrow version is region free, what are you waiting for? It doesn't have any PAL content or 1080i/50hz stuff.

I think the Arrow Dressed to Kill will be nearly impossible to beat in the extras department, but I could imagine it looking better. Still seems bizarre that they're re-doing something with a decent US blu-ray, though. While not as good as the Arrow, it still has a lot of good extras on it and doesn't look half bad. Carrie would have been much more exciting since the bluray is completely bare-bones. Ah well. I'll probably buy it again anyway just to try and help encourage the possibility of Carrie

Did the MGM have extras then?

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Did the MGM have extras then?

The MGM dressed to kill does, yes.

The Making of a Thriller Documentary (SD, 43:51): An extensive retrospective documentary that features interviews with just about everyone involved in the film, sans Michael Caine. The most interesting revelation here is when De Palma claims that his original idea for the opening of the film was to show a man hacking off his own penis.
A Film Comparison - The 3 Versions of Dressed to Kill (SD, 5:14): Here, we get to see differences between the unrated, R-rated, and network TV versions of the opening shower scene, the first murder sequence, and the scene where Liz strips down to her lingerie in Dr. Elliot's office.
Slashing Dressed to Kill (SD, 9:50): De Palma, Nancy Allen, and Keith Gordon discuss the changes that had to be made to avoid an X-rating.
Dressed to Kill: An Appreciation by Keith Gordon (SD, 6:06): Gordon elaborates on the particular genius of Brian De Palma.
Photo Gallery (SD, 6:13)
Original Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:10)

The making-of in particular is very well-done. All of these were carried over to the Arrow, which adds several more.

It's sort of odd MGM bothered carrying everything over from the SE DVD for Dressed to Kill, but didn't carry over any of the good stuff from the Carrie DVD. Maybe they just learned from their mistakes.

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

The MGM dressed to kill does, yes.

The Making of a Thriller Documentary (SD, 43:51): An extensive retrospective documentary that features interviews with just about everyone involved in the film, sans Michael Caine. The most interesting revelation here is when De Palma claims that his original idea for the opening of the film was to show a man hacking off his own penis.
A Film Comparison - The 3 Versions of Dressed to Kill (SD, 5:14): Here, we get to see differences between the unrated, R-rated, and network TV versions of the opening shower scene, the first murder sequence, and the scene where Liz strips down to her lingerie in Dr. Elliot's office.
Slashing Dressed to Kill (SD, 9:50): De Palma, Nancy Allen, and Keith Gordon discuss the changes that had to be made to avoid an X-rating.
Dressed to Kill: An Appreciation by Keith Gordon (SD, 6:06): Gordon elaborates on the particular genius of Brian De Palma.
Photo Gallery (SD, 6:13)
Original Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:10)

The making-of in particular is very well-done. All of these were carried over to the Arrow, which adds several more.

It's sort of odd MGM bothered carrying everything over from the SE DVD for Dressed to Kill, but didn't carry over any of the good stuff from the Carrie DVD. Maybe they just learned from their mistakes.

Well this does seem pointless then, weird.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Well this does seem pointless then, weird.

Yeah. Truth be told the extras on the MGM bluray are better and more extensive than some Criterion releases. Apparently they're adding another Nancy Allen interview (she's interviewed plenty in the stuff on the MGM disc), but I can't see them doing much else that wouldn't be redundant. Then again, Arrow also added the following:

Lessons in Filmmaking - actor Keith Gordon, who plays Peter Miller, explains how Dressed to Kill influenced his career and discusses the film's unique qualities. The documentary was directed by Robert Fischer. It also appears on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (31 min).
Dressed in White - in this video interview, actress Angie Dickinson discusses in great detail her contribution to Brian De Palma's Dressed to Kill. The interview also appears on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (30 min).
Dressed in Purple - in this video interview, actress Nancy Allen talks about her work on Dressed to Kill and discusses her relationship with director Brian De Palma. The interview also appears on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).
Symphony of Fear - in this video interview, producer George Litto recalls his first encounter with director Brian De Palma and discusses their professional relationship during the years, as well the production history of Dressed to Kill. The interview also appears on Carlotta Films' release of Dressed to Kill. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).
Booklet - 36-page illustrated booklet featuring: "Dressed to Kill: American Giallo" by Maitland McDonagh; "I Know You're Watching Me: The Poster of Dressed to Kill - Stephen Sayadian Interviewed by Daniel Bird"; and poster gallery.

[dvdmike]

I have the Arrow, got it super cheap.
Not watched it yet tho.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Well this does seem pointless then, weird.

I think MGM did a very good job with their release but there's room for PQ/AQ upticks. This could turn out to be something like The Innocents.

I was very happy with the BFI release but the Criterion release is a noticeable improvement.

In this case I still kind of wish they were directing their energies elsewhere but I can also see myself breaking down and grabbing this someday.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Does anyone here own this, and how is the image because I can't find any reviews for it on here?

it's a very solid transfer.

[Brian81]

Who wants to place money on the older disc looking better?

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

Dang it! I just got this from Arrow's sale!

Arrow > Criterion, when it comes to compression. Look at 'Time Bandits', 'Thief', 'Koyaanisqatsi'...

I think even the friggin Universal release of 'Traffic' was better...