Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › DVD › a good sign towards a DVD of THE PASSENGER
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

a good sign towards a DVD of THE PASSENGER

post #1 of 14
5/19/05 at 11:09pm
Thread Starter 
It would appear that Jack Nicholson has finally made a satisfying deal for the rights to Antonioni's THE PASSENGER. This October, it will be rereleased in selected art theatres, with new prints. I have heard conflicting stories of who is doing the reissue, it is either Sony Pictures Classics or United Artists. (Of course, with the Sony-led consortium controlling MGM, they could be the same company now.) In any case, a DVD release should follow in 2006.
Reply
post #2 of 14
5/20/05 at 12:00am
Absolutely brilliant news, Mark. Thank you very much for informing me on this. It's an amazing film; one of my most-favourite films.
Reply
post #3 of 14
5/20/05 at 5:05am
Thanks for the news, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Reply
post #4 of 14
5/20/05 at 5:30am
Does anyone know what format the film was shot in? IMDB says the aspect ratio is 2.00:1, but that doesn't make much sense for a film made in 1975.
Reply
post #5 of 14
5/20/05 at 10:14am
I assume it was 2:35?
Reply
post #6 of 14
5/20/05 at 10:28am
The Japanese DVD is 1.85:1 and doesn't appear cropped. The full-frame VHS in the U.S. looks cramped, but not as badly cropped as a 2.35:1 film would be, and the opening the closing credits are 1.85:1, so I'm going to assume this was a 1.85:1 hard-matted film.

I wonder what version this will be. The U.S. release was several minutes shorter than the overseas one, and overseas it also has a different title (the Japanese DVD is the longer cut and is titled PROFESSION: REPORTER).

Vincent
Reply
post #7 of 14
5/20/05 at 6:26pm
The excerpts shown during IFC's Z Channel documentary this past weekend looked exceptionally grim (and were not letterboxed,) in stark contrast to many of the other films that were represented.
Reply
post #8 of 14
5/20/05 at 8:06pm
That's probably due to the fact that it hasn't been remastered. The only available video master is probably the one used for the old full-screen VHS release, and that's DECADES old. It wouldn't reflect the condition of the original pre-print film elements.

Vincent
Reply
post #9 of 14
8/13/05 at 8:44am
Thought I'd mention, THE PASSENGER theatrical rerelease is listed in the fall preview issue of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, so it is really in the works.

That would probably mean a DVD next year.
Reply
post #10 of 14
8/13/05 at 9:16am
It is listed on Sony Pictures Classics website.

I've heard this will be the cut US release version but don't have any official confirmation.
Reply
post #11 of 14
8/13/05 at 4:35pm
A very reliable source at the Criterion Forum (you have to be registered to read posts) states that it will be the full 125-minute cut.
Reply
post #12 of 14
8/13/05 at 5:00pm
It's a Sony Pictures Classics re-release. They're screening it now, but their PR says it's the 119m US version. But they could be mistaken; I'll try to see it and report back.
Reply
post #13 of 14
1/2/06 at 6:06am
Sony has announced a March 14 release date for this on DVD.
Reply
post #14 of 14
1/2/06 at 7:07pm
The re-release version did indeed run 126m.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: DVD
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Blu-ray, DVD, Streaming Video and Digital Downloads › DVD › a good sign towards a DVD of THE PASSENGER