Polish classics

[unclemat]

Yes, the restoration is costly, although bit cheaper when done in Poland. Based on these sources is between 100-200k PLN (35-70k USD) per movie. I don't think it's that crazy expensive:

http://film.onet.pl/wiadomosci/cyfro...wiadomosc.html
http://www.nina.gov.pl/o-instytucie/...wych-diamentow

Anyway, it has been largely paid for from public funds:

Koszt renowacji jednego filmu to kwota ok. 200 tys. zł. Pieniądze można zdobyć w różnych instytucjach. Wspomniane filmy Konwic-kiego rekonstruowano ze środków Ministerstwa Kultury, nowe projekty KinoRP będą finansowane przez Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny, pieniądze są też w PISF-ie, KADR wykłada też własne środki.

Sure, it's understandable and desired that additional revenue is brought from the video sales, but given the public funding behind the restoration I take an issue with an exclusive deal that is basically a tax fraud.

And from the get go the project promised releases exclusively on blu-ray: http://kinorp.pl/info/tekst_3.pdf

(...) KinoRP to projekt długofalowy, łączący elitarność z powszechnością, tak by każdy widz, niezależnie od swoich odbiorczych preferencji, miał stały dostęp do wybitnych polskich filmów w najwyższej cyfrowej jakości. Dlatego też specjalna seria arcydzieł polskiego kina ukaże się na płytach blu-ray, a później zostanie pokazana przez kanały telewizji HD. Wyróżnikiem projektu jest wysoka jakość, stąd rezygnujemy z nośników takich jak płyty dvd, które nie mogą jej zapewnić (...)

While I have nothing against releasing them on dvd, especially that blu-ray players are not ubiquitous in Poland yet, I believe, still I am mad the promise of blu-ray releases is not kept (and most of these movies were supposed to be released last year).

[unclemat]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

But if these restorations have largely been paid for by public funds, then surely that creates a much stronger case for the end result to be made available to as many people as possible? Why should Polish taxpayers in general be forced to fund things that will only benefit that tiny minority that owns a Blu-ray system?

I'm still playing devil's advocate, obviously, but I've had to deal with questions like these myself on more occasions than I care to remember!

I think the solution was simple: release as DVDs and Blu-rays at the same time and distribute via normal channels without tax evasion "book" scheme. Simple, customers can choose which version they prefer. And you could buy them via both B&M and online retailers. They should think about export markets as well, since the releases are English friendly and there is clearly interest abroad in these releases.

[cool hand bluke]

Is the restoration the major cost? If the restoration is already done and paid for, doesn't that mean that one of the main obstacles for releasing it on blu-ray has been removed.?
And even if they don't release it now, don't they have a hd master so they can release it at some time in the future when all Poles have blu-ray players?

Anygrounds for hope, MichaelB? I notice on another forum you mentioned rumours that the blu-ray probably won't be happening.

[unclemat]

Originally Posted by cool hand bluke

Is the restoration the major cost? If the restoration is already done and paid for, doesn't that mean that one of the main obstacles for releasing it on blu-ray has been removed.?
And even if they don't release it now, don't they have a hd master so they can release it at some time in the future when all Poles have blu-ray players?

Anygrounds for hope, MichaelB? I notice on another forum you mentioned rumours that the blu-ray probably won't be happening.

Of course the restored masters are available and will stay around. Part of the KinoRP restoration project's goals was to keep the digital copies on hand in digital cinemas and make these movies more available to the general public.

So I hope it's matter of time before blu-rays get released. However when I called Pro-motion (the distributor for the first three blu-ray titles), they said they don't know when they will get the masters for the blu-ray releases, but they did not say they will never get them. Once whatever argument there is (about money, I guess) is over, hopefully will see the blu-rays some day.

Btw, I noticed there is a pre-order up for Ashes and Diamonds blu-ray on Amazon.co.uk. No idea if this is the same transfer as released by Pro-motion:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashes-Diamon...0821452&sr=1-4

[cool hand bluke]

Or maybe they could licence them out. They could get the BFI treatment. Or MoC.
Afterall, the Polish govt in exile was based in Britain during the war. Could the same happen with blu-rays

[schweizergarde]

Originally Posted by cool hand bluke

Or maybe they could licence them out. They could get the BFI treatment. Or MoC.
Afterall, the Polish govt in exile was based in Britain during the war. Could the same happen with blu-rays

Polish Cinema in Exile? Lawl.

[unclemat]

Ok, I reached someone in "the know". Can't disclose any details, but for now indeed the blu-ray releases are postponed. They are however planned. No definite dates.

I also heard the DVDs are of top notch quality, with highest possible bitrates, surpassing Critierion DVDs overall in quality. I guess if someone cannot wait these may not be a bad buy.

[cool hand bluke]

That's great that they could get a release before too long. Thanks for taking the time and trouble Unclemat

[charnier]

Originally Posted by unclemat

Ok, I reached someone in "the know". Can't disclose any details, but for now indeed the blu-ray releases are postponed. They are however planned. No definite dates.

I also heard the DVDs are of top notch quality, with highest possible bitrates, surpassing Critierion DVDs overall in quality. I guess if someone cannot wait these may not be a bad buy.

Did this person "in the know" say whether there were any english subtitles on the DVDs?

[unclemat]

Originally Posted by charnier

Did this person "in the know" say whether there were any english subtitles on the DVDs?

Good question. Trying to find out.

[charnier]

Even though this is not blu, just to confirm that the new Polish DVD of Saragossa Manuscript does not have any English subs.

[unclemat]

That stinks. I never heard back from my "source".

Anyway, I am waiting for blu-rays.

[nils]

When will be released Vabank/Vabank II on blu-ray?

[mulec]

this year, but the didn't (pro-motion) say when exactly

[BoDeX]

POLISH BLU-RAY LIST .... (info site)


http://www.poral.eu/filmy_polskie.php

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by BoDeX

POLISH BLU-RAY LIST .... (info site)


http://www.poral.eu/filmy_polskie.php

thanks for that list - there seems to be a lot of tempting Polish blu-rays. And I like that the majority of them have English subtitles.

[unclemat]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

thanks for that list - there seems to be a lot of tempting Polish blu-rays. And I like that the majority of them have English subtitles.

It's appalling that majority of them are 1080i50. One would think the days of PAL speedup would be long gone. I guess, they just dump HD TV masters to blu-ray.

[jbannow]

Can anyone recommend which movies would be good to start out with? I'd like to place an order for 3-4 titles.

[mulec]

Originally Posted by jbannow

Can anyone recommend which movies would be good to start out with? I'd like to place an order for 3-4 titles.

definitely you should start with :
Dom zly - superb thriller
http://www.poral.eu/dom_zly.php
Katyn - WWII - historical
http://www.poral.eu/katyn_ver_uk.php
Ogniem i Mieczem
http://www.poral.eu/ogniem_i_mieczem.php
Popiol i diament - one of the best polish classic
http://www.poral.eu/popiol_i_diament.php

and:
Vabank
Vabank II
Wielki Szu
Rekopis znaleziony w Saragossie
Matka Joanna od Aniolów
Seksmisja <<<< must have, fantastic comedy
Faraon
Wesele

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by mulec

and:
Seksmisja <<<< must have, fantastic comedy
Faraon

These two still haven't got released on blu-ray in Poland, right?