The Italian Job (1969) coming from Kino

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by jkoffman

I've wondered this for a while now, so don't think of it as another "request" for Kino specifically, but apply it to any US company in this situation.

Since many of us are used to importing region locked BDs because they're not allowed to be sold by major retailers in our own country, don't these exclusive 4K UHD releases sell more imports due to them being region free by design? For example, wouldn't you expect Kino's sales of Silence Of The Lambs 4K UHD were improved due to this? Yes, I know Kino can't directly sell most releases outside of US/Canada, but they do sell through Amazon, DeepDiscount, and other retailers who will ship to other countries. I would think that being the only UHD release in the world would bump sales in these cases.

When I've mentioned Australia's region free Imprint BDs in the Kino thread, KLI said he doesn't even follow them and didn't know they have region free limited edition exclusive titles. Also, that they had already released a BD of a title on Kino's upcoming schedule. Seems like Kino leaves various other options on the table when they don't consider a global market, but it's possible that the sales figures still wouldn't work for them anyway. I've just been surprised how little consideration they appear to have for such import-friendly potential.

Many consumers are unaware of cross importing. Just like in the heydey of VHS, many were unaware of obtaining import tapes for Anime, European slashics, and Hong Kong/Chinese movies.

Distributors in Thailand and Hong Kong were afraid that cross importing would damage their chances for selling to international distributors so their DVD releases would only offer the original language without subtitles. As those fears became unfounded, they loosened up. And some international rights holders are even unaware that 4K disc is standardized without region locking. Arrow made a joke that no one tell Toei.

Of course, some distributors have circumvented the standard and are locking 4K discs.

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Many consumers are unaware of cross importing.

[Show spoiler] Just like in the heydey of VHS, many were unaware of obtaining import tapes for Anime, European slashics, and Hong Kong/Chinese movies.

Distributors in Thailand and Hong Kong were afraid that cross importing would damage their chances for selling to international distributors so their DVD releases would only offer the original language without subtitles. As those fears became unfounded, they loosened up. And some international rights holders are even unaware that 4K disc is standardized without region locking. Arrow made a joke that no one tell Toei.

Of course, some distributors have circumvented the standard and are locking 4K discs.

I get that. I've been importing media since the 80s. But you'd have to look outside of forums like these to find people who aren't aware of these imports. And it's clearly becoming a very niche market, but with a driven fanbase. There's a reason that KLI is the most active rep here in the forum: It's good for their business.

Another recent example that comes to mind is Second Sight's 4K UHD Dawn Of The Dead. 2 UHD editions (region free) and 2 BD (region locked) that clearly sold TONS outside of their region. I realize demand for that one was high, but even adding a 1000 more sales due to imports has to be meaningful to these companies.

The ability to buy these imports online with just a few clicks really levels the playing field of old.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by jkoffman

I've wondered this for a while now, so don't think of it as another "request" for Kino specifically, but apply it to any US company in this situation.

Since many of us are used to importing region locked BDs because they're not allowed to be sold by major retailers in our own country, don't these exclusive 4K UHD releases sell more imports due to them being region free by design? For example, wouldn't you expect Kino's sales of Silence Of The Lambs 4K UHD were improved due to this? Yes, I know Kino can't directly sell most releases outside of US/Canada, but they do sell through Amazon, DeepDiscount, and other retailers who will ship to other countries. I would think that being the only UHD release in the world would bump sales in these cases.

When I've mentioned Australia's region free Imprint BDs in the Kino thread, KLI said he doesn't even follow them and didn't know they have region free limited edition exclusive titles. Also, that they had already released a BD of a title on Kino's upcoming schedule. Seems like Kino leaves various other options on the table when they don't consider a global market, but it's possible that the sales figures still wouldn't work for them anyway. I've just been surprised how little consideration they appear to have for such import-friendly potential.

I was considering raising that point myself but it surely would have resulted in a snarky "We only sell to the U.S. market" or some similar response.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by blackprojection

I didn't say that liberty valance got a previous remastered BD, I said it went directly to 4K in the same presents line... geez.

my point is: kino doesn't think it's worth putting it on 4K alright. but that's not what Paramount thinks. if they thought the same, there wouldn't be a 4K remaster in the first place, maybe 2K at best or they could've handed the old master right? no. they did a 4K remaster. and paramount themselves will release a 4K disc globally at some point. that's all I'm saying. what are you arguing about? what you're writing doesn't make sense

There are hundreds of films with 4K masters that will never see the light of day on 4K disc.

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I was considering raising that point myself but it surely would have resulted in a snarky "We only sell to the U.S. market" or some similar response.

Yeah, that’s why I only mentioned it here, in friendly territory.

[jkoffman]

In lighter news...

[whiteberry]

Michael Caine Glasses - YouTube

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/n...oto/1372750709

[CelestialAgent]

I think no 4K is frustrating because Kino just released several 60s classics on UHD (Leone and The Great Escape), and BFI just released a Caine on UHD (Get Carter).

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by jkoffman

In lighter news...

[Show spoiler]

ROFL. What is that from? Mad or National Lampoon or something?

[jkoffman]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

ROFL. What is that from? Mad or National Lampoon or something?

From the World Wide of Web! Deluxe Fuxley Corporate Archives

[HotRats]

Those glasses made me think of

Harry Enfield & Chums - Michael Paine #2 - YouTube

[Master O]

Has any kind of release date been announced for KL's release of The Italian Job?

The original twitter post had "Coming Soon!" and nothing else:

https://twitter.com/KinoLorber/statu...20604052475905

[Master O]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Many consumers are unaware of cross importing. Just like in the heydey of VHS, many were unaware of obtaining import tapes for Anime, European slashics, and Hong Kong/Chinese movies.

Distributors in Thailand and Hong Kong were afraid that cross importing would damage their chances for selling to international distributors so their DVD releases would only offer the original language without subtitles. As those fears became unfounded, they loosened up. And some international rights holders are even unaware that 4K disc is standardized without region locking. Arrow made a joke that no one tell Toei.

Of course, some distributors have circumvented the standard and are locking 4K discs.

That's ironic. Most of the time, when people try to circumvent something, it's usually to get around protection. In this case, it's in the opposite direction.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Many consumers are unaware of cross importing. Just like in the heydey of VHS, many were unaware of obtaining import tapes for Anime, European slashics, and Hong Kong/Chinese movies.

Distributors in Thailand and Hong Kong were afraid that cross importing would damage their chances for selling to international distributors so their DVD releases would only offer the original language without subtitles. As those fears became unfounded, they loosened up. And some international rights holders are even unaware that 4K disc is standardized without region locking. Arrow made a joke that no one tell Toei.

Of course, some distributors have circumvented the standard and are locking 4K discs.

It isn't just that. In the US, there is an active bias against importing, at least for movies. I have seen evidence of users passing on cheaper and / or superior editions of films from abroad, especially if there is no existing US release. For example, look at how many will not import the HBO Max titles that aren't released in the US, even though any US release would almost certainly be an identical disc, and then there's the Universal titles on Blu-ray internationally with Dolby Atmos that few seem to care about.

[MifuneFan]

4K coming now too

Originally Posted by teddyballgame

So after some kvetching we will be getting The Italian Job after all (skip to 15:47)

https://youtu.be/MfFCws4M_gg?t=947

[Nicage22]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

4K coming now too

That is really cool.

This movie was crying out for a restoration, and I held out watching the old blu-ray disc because of the scrubbed transfer. I was hoping it would get better treatment - and here we are.

[whiteberry]

Originally Posted by Kino Lorber Insider

Coming January 31st on 4KUHD and Blu-ray!

The Italian Job (1969)

DISC 1 (4KUHD):
• New HDR/Dolby Vision Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
• Audio Commentary by Screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and Matthew Field, the Author of The Making of THE ITALIAN JOB
• Audio Commentary by Producer Michael Deeley and Matthew Field, the Author of Michael Caine: You’re a Big Man
• 5.1 Surround & Lossless Restored 2.0 Mono Audio
• Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
• Optional English Subtitles

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
• New HD Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
• Audio Commentary by Screenwriter Troy Kennedy Martin and Matthew Field, the Author of The Making of THE ITALIAN JOB
• Audio Commentary by Producer Michael Deeley and Matthew Field, the Author of Michael Caine: You’re a Big Man
• THE GREAT IDEA: 2002 Documentary
• THE SELF PRESERVATION SOCIETY: 2002 Making-of Documentary
• GETTA BLOOMIN’ MOVE ON: 2002 Documentary
• MINI ADVENTURES: 2009 Featurette
• The Deleted Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary by Matthew Field
• Original Theatrical and Re-Release Trailers
• 5.1 Surround & Lossless Restored 2.0 Mono Audio
• Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
• Optional English Subtitles

BLU-RAY Also Sold Separately!

Color 99 Minutes 2.35:1 Rated G
Join the effortlessly cool Michael Caine (The Ipcress File, Gambit) for the ultimate British caper movie packed with fast cars, beautiful girls and swinging ’60s action. Forget about the straight and narrow. Clever con Charlie Croker (Caine) intends to go straight to the bank. Fresh from the slammer, he begins work on a heist that will either set him up for life—or send him up forever. Croker and his unruly lot of thieves take on the mob, the police and the gridlocked traffic of Turin to rob a heavily armed shipment of gold bullion in The Italian Job. Entertainment legend Noël Coward co-stars in this open-throttle corker as criminal mastermind Bridger. And Benny Hill, Raf Vallone, Tony Beckley, Rossano Brazzi and Maggie Blye add to the story’s fun and suspense as it zips from plan to robbery to escape to an ending that’s a cliffhanger in every sense of the word. Hold on tight for this crime-comedy classic written by Troy Kennedy Martin (Kelly’s Heroes), directed by Peter Collinson (The Earthling), lensed by Douglas Slocombe (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and scored by Quincy Jones (In the Heat of the Night).

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...ostcount=78005