November Criterion Newsletter - The Thief of Bagdad is coming!

John Hodson · 11-15-2007, 12:58 PM

There can be no doubt as to what the November Criterion newsletter hints at...

The Thief of Bagdad is going to make glorious Criterion release! Fingers crossed for some stunning extras.

Ken Koc · 11-15-2007, 03:52 PM

I'm not so sure about that. It was an MGM label release and cmae out in the last few years. Also what is the significance of the number 86?

John Hodson · 11-15-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Koc

I'm not so sure about that. It was an MGM label release and cmae out in the last few years. Also what is the significance of the number 86?

The MGM release is OOP; Janus have held the rights to The Thief of Bagdad and several other Korda films for some months now, and Criterion have previously confirmed that it was in the pipeline for an '08 release. 86? Not a clue...just BIIIG sandals.

Lord Dalek · 11-15-2007, 04:59 PM

The Ice Storm, Zentropa, and now Thief of Baghdad. Looking good for Criterion in February.

Now if they'd hurry up and officially announce Mishima.

RandyfromCanada · 11-15-2007, 06:16 PM

First post here...do you think there is any chance that Criterion will one day release the wonderful 1952 British film Outcast of the Islands?

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rich_d · 11-15-2007, 09:02 PM

I was delighted to hear the news about The Red Balloon. Love that film.

Just out of curiosity, how many other people here first saw this film because it was shown at their school?

Mark VH · 11-16-2007, 10:12 AM

Wonderful, wonderful news - I missed the original MGM release and have been scouring the Web to try to find an affordable copy - looking like there's no need now

This also leads me to ask, what's the deal with Powell & Pressburger's A Matter of Life and Death (a.k.a. Stairway to Heaven)? Anyone know if this is something Criterion may or may not be working on? Near as I can tell there's no good R1 release of the title.

David_B_K · 11-16-2007, 11:55 AM

I have the previous Thief of Baghdad, but could be persuaded to double dip if Criterion produces a SE as good as some of their Powell/Pressburger editions.

I, too am puzzled by the absence of A Matter of Life and Death. One would think it would have been released by Criterion years ago. I enjoyed the Criterion releases of A Canterbury Tale and I Know where I'm Going, but would have preferred a release of AMOLAD before those films.

GlennH · 11-16-2007, 12:19 PM

Hmm. My copy of the MGM DVD is still sealed. Never got around to opening it up and watching it yet. I didn't even know it was OOP. Maybe I should just sell it as is and get the Criterion with the proceeds.

By the way, while the modern city in Iraq is spelled "Baghdad" the spelling on this movie is "Bagdad" (without the "h") as properly used by the original poster.