Fritz Lang on Blu-ray

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Drake2222

I've also starting watching The Gambler on blu-ray, and wow the soundtrack which for some bizarre reason features a prominent xylophone is pretty brutal to listen to. Xylophone of all things! This isn't a freaking Bugs Bunny cartoon!

"And now I shall play 'Those Endearing Young Charms'..."

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by Drake2222

I've also starting watching The Gambler on blu-ray, and wow the soundtrack which for some bizarre reason features a prominent xylophone is pretty brutal to listen to. Xylophone of all things! This isn't a freaking Bugs Bunny cartoon!

I'm guessing you don't care for Frank Zappa, then?

Metropolis has a good bit of xylophone as part of Death's theme, such as the part with Freder's hallucination. Really spooky.

[Drake2222]

Originally Posted by jayembee

"And now I shall play 'Those Endearing Young Charms'..."

This makes me think now, that this may be the right time for a Warner Bros version of M starring Bugs in the Peter Lorre role and Daffy as the inspector

[Drake2222]

Wow, i just read on a review site that the Last Man on Earth (starring Vincent Price), the writer of the original novel (well known horror writer Richard Mathisen) wanted the film to be directed by Fritz Lang. Mind currently melting...

[MifuneFan]

I have a double dose of Fritz Lang news today thanks to UK labels.

First, Powerhouse Films will be releasing The Big Heat under their Indicator line. Release date is set for March 20th. If past releases are an indication, this will be a region free release.

Release date: 20 March 2017
Limited Dual Format Edition (UK Blu-ray premiere)

A HARD COP AND A SOFT DAME… IN A BRASS-KNUCKLE THRILLER!

Fritz Lang’s iconic film noir masterpiece is an uncompromising exploration of corruption and violence at the dark heart of small-town America. Glenn Ford is the good cop in a bad town, who single-handedly takes on local mobsters headed by Alexander Scourby and his psychotic right-hand man Lee Marvin.

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Audio commentary by film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
• New filmed appreciation by film historian Tony Rayns
• Martin Scorsese on The Big Heat
• Michael Mann on The Big Heat
• Isolated score • Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by critic Glenn Kenny
• Limited Dual Format Edition of 3,000 copies
• UK Blu-ray premiere

Pre-order The Big Heat at Amazon UK

(credit to NoirFan)

Second, Eureka has officially announced their UK release of Destiny (aka Der müde Tod). Release date is set for July 17th, 2017.

The Special Features will be as follows:

• High definition presentation from the superb 2K restoration
• Original German intertitles with optional English subtitles
• Score by Cornelius Schwehr, performed by the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Frank Strobel
• Feature length audio commentary by film critic Tim Lucas
• A new video essay by David Cairns
• A booklet featuring a new essay by Philip Kemp and more!

Pre-order Destiny at Amazon UK

[Darth Marcus]

Dat The Big Heat artwork though. Makes me want to sell my Twilight Time Encore Edition and order this one instead.

[MifuneFan]

The label ClassicFlix have announced plans to release Fritz Lang's proto-noir You Only Live Once (1937)

Press Release

credit to Akijama

[jeancarmelite]

Thanks for this thread. In the last few months I have seen my first 3 Fritz Lang films - M, The Big Heat and Hangmen Also Die. Loved all three (especially M) and promptly ordered Metropolis, Scarlet Street, Ministry of Fear, Man Hunt and Cloak and Dagger. Hope to see more!

[MifuneFan]

For some reason, I didn't realize The Woman in the Window (1944) has been available on BD in Spain. Added to the list.



credit to Se.Vero in the film noir thread for bringing it to my attention. (Edit: I also missed Leterface's post in this thread about that , so thanks to him too)

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

For some reason, I didn't realize The Woman in the Window (1944) has been available on BD in Spain. Added to the list.



credit to Se.Vero in the film noir thread for bringing it to my attention. (Edit: I also missed Leterface's post in this thread about that , so thanks to him too)

It's a BD-R from a bootleg company, and the reviews on the Amazon page indicate that it is DVD-upscale quality...

[MifuneFan]

Kino has announced plans for a huge box set with 10 films, including some not yet on Blu-ray!

Originally Posted by MisterLime

Coming November 21 on Blu-ray!
Fritz Lang: The Silent Films Collection (10 Films) (12-Disc Set)

HARA KIRI (1919)
THE SPIDERS (1919/1920)
THE WANDERING SHADOW (1920)
FOUR AROUND THE WOMAN (1921)
DESTINY (1921)
DR. MABUSE THE GAMBLER (1922)
DIE NIBELUNGEN (1924)
METROPOLIS (1927)
SPIES (1928)
WOMAN IN THE MOON (1929)

Attachment 175532

Additionally, Eureka (UK) have announced a 90th Anniversary edition for Metropolis. It's exclusive to their Online Shop, and limited to 2,000 copies.

Limited to 2000 units

To celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the film’s release, Eureka Entertainment is proud to present the definitive version of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis in a Special Edition Boxed Set, containing the 150-minute reconstructed and restored version; Giorgio Moroder presents Metropolis – the 1984 re-imagining featuring a soundtrack by Moroder himself; and the original 2001 restoration that was considered the definitive version of the film before the discovery of additional footage which brought the film significantly closer to Lang’s original vision.

Drawing on – and defining – classic sci-fi themes, Metropolis depicts a dystopian future in which society is thoroughly divided in two: while anonymous workers conduct their endless drudgery below ground their rulers enjoy a decadent life of leisure and luxury. When Freder (Gustav Fröhlich) ventures into the depths in search of the beautiful Maria (Brigitte Helm in her debut role), plans of rebellion are revealed and a Maria-replica robot is programmed by mad inventor Rotwang (Rudolf Klein-Rogge) and master of Metropolis Joh Fredersen (Alfred Abel) to incite the workers into a self-destructive riot.

With its dizzying depiction of a futuristic cityscape and alluring female robot, Metropolis is among the most famous of all German films and the mother of sci-fi cinema (an influence on Blade Runner and Star Wars, among countless other films). Directed by the legendary Fritz Lang (M, Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse, The Big Heat, etc.), its jaw-dropping production values, iconic imagery, and modernist grandeur – it was described by Luis Buñuel as "a captivating symphony of movement" – remain as powerful as ever.

• A Limited Edition Set (2000 units), Hard Bound slipcase containing an amaray and 100 page book, illustrated with newly commissioned artwork specially for this release
• 150 minute reconstructed and restored 2010 version (including 25 minutes of footage previously thought lost to the world) on Blu-ray
• Metropolis Refound – a 2010 documentary by Evangelina Loguerico exploring the rediscovery of the most complete print of the Fritz Lang masterpiece in an Argentinean film museum
• Giorgio Moroder presents: Metropolis – the 1984 re-imagining of Metropolis featuring a soundtrack by Moroder himself and artists such as Adam Ant, Pat Benatar, Freddie Mercury and many more
• The Fading Image – Documentary which goes behind the scenes of Giorgio Moroder’s restoration and scoring
• Pristine HD transfers (1080p on the Blu-ray discs)
• The 2001 restoration that was considered the definitive version of the film before the discovery of the Argentina footage (DVD)
• 2010 symphony orchestra studio recording of the original 1927 Gottfried Huppertz score in 5.1 (2010 version)
• Berndt Heller’s arrangement of the Gottfried Huppertz score (2001 version)
• Optional English subtitles as well as the original German intertitles
• Full length audio commentary by David Kalat and Jonathan Rosenbaum (2010 version)
• Full length audio commentary by film historian Enno Patalas (2001 version)
• Die Reise nach Metropolis (2010, 53 minutes), a documentary about the film
• 2010 re-release trailer
• A 100-page book featuring extensive writings on the film; interviews with Fritz Lang and a stunning array of rare archival imagery

Purchase here: https://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/me...th-anniversary

[jayembee]

Any idea if the Eureka release will be region free?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by jayembee

Any idea if the Eureka release will be region free?

It'll very likely be Region B locked. This is like the third time they've pur out an edition of Metropolis, and they've all been locked to date

[Drake2222]

[QUOTE=MifuneFan;13877693]Kino has announced plans for a huge box set with 10 films, including some not yet on Blu-ray!


Additionally, Eureka (UK) have announced a 90th Anniversary edition for Metropolis. It's exclusive to their Online Shop, and limited to 2,000 copies.


----------
It's a shame that a blu ray version of the 2001 version of Metropolis isn't included. Not that into newer version with all the ultra-damaged footage, not too watchable. The othe release sounds interesting though, never see HARA KIRI (1919), THE WANDERING SHADOW (1920), or FOUR AROUND THE WOMAN (1921)

[Martin_31]

Didn't the Kino releases have incorrect aspect ratio?

[Akibiyori]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

Didn't the Kino releases have incorrect aspect ratio?

Not really "incorrect" but they were slightly squished and I believe it was only a couple - Spies and Woman on the Moon. It's something you'd only really notice by direct comparison.

I might get this set as I only have Die Nibelungen.

[Drake2222]

Originally Posted by Martin_31

Didn't the Kino releases have incorrect aspect ratio?

I have heard that about the Kino Spies and Woman in the Moon. I have the Eureka versions of those just to be safe. I also have the Eureka dvd of Metropolis which was the cut before the more recent extended cut with the damaged scenes. I believe Kino had that cut as well but I think I read that Kino dvd had ghosting (though I didn't notice it at the time). The prior Kino complete Metropolis blu ray has a cool hologram slipcase

[Martin_31]

Then I wonder if they'll like fix those two for the boxset.

[MifuneFan]

Cover art, and details for Kino's big Fritz Lang Silent Film set. You can see a note from Kino stating they've acknowledged and fixed Spies and The Woman in the Moon's aspect ratio issues.

Coming November 21st! Only on Blu-ray!
FRITZ LANG: THE SILENT FILMS
Includes 32 Page Booklet with essay by Tom Gunning
12 discs - Region A

Disc 1:
THE SPIDERS (Die Spinnen)
1919-1920 Germany 173 Min. Color Tinted
Part One: THE GOLDEN SEA 69 Min.
Part Two: THE DIAMOND SHIP 104 Min.
Music composed and performed by Ben Model

Disc 2:
HARAKIRI
1919 Germany 87 Min. Color Tinted
Music by Aljoscha Zimmermann

THE WANDERING SHADOW (Das Wandernde Bild)
1920 Germany 67 Min. Color Tinted
Music by Aljoscha Zimmermann

Note: Both films on Disc 2 are standard definition masters that have been up-converted for Blu-ray release.

Disc 3:
FOUR AROUND THE WOMAN(Kämpfende Herzen / Hearts in Struggle / Vier um die Frau)
1921 Germany 84 Min. Color Tinted
Music by Aljoscha Zimmermann

Disc 4:
DESTINY (Der müde Tod)
1921 Germany 98 Min. Color Tinted
Music composed by Cornelius Schwehr, performed by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB)

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas
• Restoration demonstration footage
• 2016 Re-release trailer

Discs 5-6
DR. MABUSE, THE GAMBLER (Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler)
1922 Germany 270 Min. B&W
Music (2001) by Aljoscha Zimmermann

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• “The Story Behind Dr. Mabuse,” (52 Min.), a three-part documentary exploring the musical score by Aljoscha Zimmermann, the career of novelist Norbert Jacques, and an analysis of the film

Discs 7-8:
DIE NIBELUNGEN
1924-1925 Germany Color Tinted
Disc 7: SIEGFRIED 149 Min.
Disc 8: KRIEMHILD’S REVENGE 131 Min.
Original score by Gottfried Huppertz
Performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• “The Legacy of the Nibelungen,” a 68-minute documentary on the making and restoration of the film, by Guido Altendorf and Anke Wilkening
• Newsreel footage taken on the set

Disc 9:
METROPOLIS
UFA 1927 Germany 148 Min. B&W
Original Score: Gottfried Huppertz
Performed by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB)

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• “Voyage to Metropolis,” a 50-minute documentary on the making and restoration of the film
• Interview with Paula Felix-Didier, curator of the Museo del Cine, Buenos Aires, where previously missing footage was discovered

Disc 10:
SPIES (Spione)
1928 Germany 150 Min. B&W
Piano score (2005) by Neil Brand

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• “Spies: A Small Film With Lots of Action” (2006, 72 Min.) a documentary by Guido Altendorf and Anke Wilkening
• Original German theatrical trailer (5 min.) courtesy of the Austrian Film Museum, Vienna

Disc 11:
WOMAN IN THE MOON (Frau im Mond)
1929 Germany 169 Min. B&W
Piano score (2005) by Javier Pérez de Azpeitia.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• “Woman in the Moon: The First Scientific Science Fiction Film,” a documentary on the making of the film (14 Min.)

Disc 12 (Bonus Disc):
THE PLAGUE OF FLORENCE (Pest in Florenz)
1919 Germany 102 Min. B&W
Directed by Otto Rippert - Screenplay by Fritz Lang
Based on “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe
Music (2014): Uwe Dierksen.

Note: SPIES and WOMAN IN THE MOON have been re-authored to correct an error in the aspect ratio that appeared in the first pressing of the single-disc Blu-ray releases.

[Edward J Grug III]

I only own Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler - so this is an exciting set for me!

(Also, this is the first time they actually admitted the printing errors, right?)