"A Matter Of Life And Death"

#1

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5/23/04 at 7:27pm

PatH
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I saw a listing of this marvelous David Niven-Kim Hunter for 5/25 and have seen nothing since. Can anyone tell me if this film--once available on VHS and long available on DVD in R2--is actually coming to DVD in R1?

Thanks!

Pat H.

#2

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5/25/04 at 7:42pm

Anthony Neilson
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Wasn't there some talk of a Special Edition of this in R1 ?

I\'ve been going to bed early . . .

#3

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5/26/04 at 3:48am

Will*B
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It would be wonderful to see this as a special edition...

"What ho!"
"Hmmm. Sounds like my sparks!"

"Bye for Now"
- Sir Jimmy Young

#4

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5/27/04 at 5:47am

Barrie Maxwell
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The DVD release has been delayed in order for Martin Scorsese to complete an audio commentary for it. No new release date set at this time.

Barrie

#5

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5/27/04 at 5:50am

John Hodson
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Well that's one hell of a good reason for a delay.

---
So many films, so little time...

So many films, so little time...
Film Journal Blog
Harold Shand: What I'm looking for is someone who can contribute to what England has given to the world: culture, sophistication, genius. A little bit more than an 'ot dog, know what I mean?

#6

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5/28/04 at 3:23am

Ali B
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wow, that's an instant purchase for me then. I was on the fence about whether to replace my Uk Carlton copy (which is pretty good IMHO) but the Scorsese commentary has just sold me!

#7

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5/28/04 at 4:37am

Gordon McMurphy
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A-ha! So that's it. Great news.

Can't argue with that. Hopefully, we will see it on the shelves in a few months' time.

#8

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5/28/04 at 7:17am

Peter M Fitzgerald
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I enthusiastically concur!

My Current Damage at DVD Aficionado

Top 5 most-wanted films on R1 DVD wish list:

SANDS OF THE KALAHARI (1965) / MURDER, HE SAYS (1945) / UNEARTHLY STRANGER (1963) / CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965) / ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (1933)

#9

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5/28/04 at 7:55am

Charles H
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Didn't the British version have a commentary by Jack Cardiff? Is that being retained for the R1 release?

Charles Hoyt

#10

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5/28/04 at 1:28pm

Gordon McMurphy
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Quote:

Didn't the British version have a commentary by Jack Cardiff? Is that being retained for the R1 release?

It isn't actually a commentary - it is a 10-minute interview with Cardiff. I doubt that it will be included on Columbia's DVD.

Common sense to me would say get Cardiff and Scorsese to record. Perhaps that is the case. For me, Cardiff is one of Britain's greatest living artists.

#11

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5/28/04 at 1:38pm

oscar_merkx
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great news indeed that is an instant purchase when it is out

Toastmasters International

Communication is Everything

#12

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5/28/04 at 2:20pm

Geoff_D
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I can't wait for this, as the picture quality on the R2 version is pretty bad. I was quite excited about the 'Jack Cardiff commentary' noted on the packaging, but I was crushed when it turned out to be a short interview! The new edition (with added Scorsese goodness) will be an instant buy for me too.

#13

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7/13/04 at 12:01pm

Fred_C
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Any new news?

Fred

Fred

#14

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7/13/04 at 12:23pm

John Hodson
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I wish...

So many films, so little time...
Film Journal Blog
Harold Shand: What I'm looking for is someone who can contribute to what England has given to the world: culture, sophistication, genius. A little bit more than an 'ot dog, know what I mean?

#15

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11/20/04 at 5:05am

Fred_C
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Is this ever coming out?

Fred

#16

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11/20/04 at 8:01am

Jim_K
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Yeah I'd also like to know. How long does it take to record a friggin' commentary track?

The Movie Library

#17

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11/20/04 at 8:42am

gregstaten
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Well, Scorsese *has* been a bit busy with his new film THE AVIATOR. It is entirely possible he won't have time to do it until after he finishes the junkets -- maybe late Jan/early Feb at the soonest?

-greg

My Home Theater

#18

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11/20/04 at 9:11am

Thomas T
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Somehow I don't think it's as much a priority in Mr. Scorsese's schedule as it is for the posters here. He's doing it as a favor really so he'll get around to it when he gets around to it.

If Columbia released the film without any bells or whistles, I can see the complaints already about Columbia not going the extra mile.

Personally I just want the movie. With all due respect to Mr. Scorsese, I couldn't care less what he thinks about the movie.

#19

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11/21/04 at 4:51am

Fred_C
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Frankly, I agree. I could care less about the commentary. I Just want the movie.

Fred

#20

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11/21/04 at 5:58am

PhilipG
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Me too!

(sorry Martin)

#21

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11/21/04 at 11:33am

Fred_C
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Any chance someone with some clout will read this and get the movie released w/out the Scorcese commentary?
They can always add it to an SE release later.

Fred

#22

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6/11/05 at 6:29am

Fred_C
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again i ask.. is this baby ever coming out?

It just doesn't make sense to me, to do the restoration work and then not release it.

Fred

#23

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6/11/05 at 8:23am

Charles H
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I just want the movie too.

Sony seems pre-occupied with the MGM acquisitions. I'm looking for Capra's THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN and AMERICAN MADNESS that were rumored to be coming out. If Sony and Univeral can't handle their libraries, they should license them to Criterion or Kino, rather than letting great films rot in video Purgatory.

Charles Hoyt

#24

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6/11/05 at 1:37pm

Gordon McMurphy
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Something is holding this release up, definately. I recall that it was mentioned that the effervesant and beautiful Martin Scorsese was going to record an audio commentary which would be a fabulous supplement.

It is a film very close to my heart. A labour of love from true Masters of Cinema, with amazing performances and visual artistry.

#25

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6/12/05 at 7:03am

Peter M Fitzgerald
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Turner Classic Movies (U.S. version) is apparently going to air A MATTER OF LIFE & DEATH/STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN in September, along with several other Powell and Powell/Pressberger films (though not all of them). I wonder how this bodes for Sony finally giving a DVD release for A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, if at all?

My Current Damage at DVD Aficionado

Top 5 most-wanted films on R1 DVD wish list:

SANDS OF THE KALAHARI (1965) / MURDER, HE SAYS (1945) / UNEARTHLY STRANGER (1963) / CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965) / ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (1933)

#26

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6/13/05 at 4:20am

Sergio A
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September is the Michael Powell centenary so one would hope that some items might become available around that time.

#27

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6/13/05 at 4:56am

Fred_C
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I'll be looking out for the movie on TCM in Sept. and hopefully the dvd will be released as well.

Fred

#28

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6/15/05 at 7:26am

Neal K
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If you are R2 capable, Nicheflix rents the nice UK disc of this.

#29

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6/15/05 at 8:01am

John Hodson
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Location: Bolton, Lancashire
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September is the Michael Powell centenary so one would hope that some items might become available around that time.

If you have a multi-region player (or live in R2 land) then there's a treat coming.

So many films, so little time...
Film Journal Blog
Harold Shand: What I'm looking for is someone who can contribute to what England has given to the world: culture, sophistication, genius. A little bit more than an 'ot dog, know what I mean?

#30

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6/17/05 at 8:03am

Fred_C
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Post Count: 31

I don't have a multi-region player so i guess i'll just have to hope that they do the right thing come Sept.

Fred

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