New Kubrick SE's

The other three films are The Shining, A Clockwork Orange and Eyes Wide Shut. They're being released on September 5th.





Crawdaddy

Not this year, but they definitely have plans for the rest of the Kubricks in their library.

So will A Clockwork Orange finally be anamorphic 1.66:1?

Yes. I asked about that at the Warner chat.

I'm not trying to be a smartass, but based on several questions I have seen posted a week since the chat, do people actually read the chat transcript? Anyhow, Warner stated that their company policy has changed and they will not release anymore non-anamorphic 1.66:1 ratio dvds.





Crawdaddy

I'm excited about "Eyes Wide Shut". I love that movie, but held off on buying the DVD due to the aspect ratio, even though it WAS Kubrick's preference. I opted for the theatrical version, and I'm ecstatic that we'll finally be getting it. I can't wait.

Kubrick didn't approve anything on Eyes Wide Shut's video transfer(s) since he was unavailable to do so. So, even if he approved unmatted for The Shining and Full Metal Jacket in 1991, he didn't have the opportunity for EWS due to his death.

So, Full Metal Jacket will also get a re-issue, just not this year?

Bruce

The one thing I definitely want to see included on the Shining SE is the epilogue that was deleted after the film had already been released.

Of course, I doubt we'll see it. I recall Jan Harlan saying something along the lines of "Stanley didn't want any of that footage seen" in response to questions about the pie fight sequence in Doctor Strangelove.

Frankly, I really don't buy this whole argument about honoring the wishes of someone who's dead. After all, Franz Kafka wanted to have all his unpublished manuscripts destroyed after his death. All I can say is THANK GOD his wishes weren't respected. Sadly, the wishes of Eugene O'Neill were respected, and all but one of his unfinished plays were destroyed, and Western culture is all the poorer as a result.

My mistake. I just remembered reading somewhere that Kubrick preferred the 'height' of this particular film as opposed to the 'width', thus explaining why the theatrical ratio wasn't used in the initial DVD release. I guess I just came to my own assumption.

You know, I do have to agree that deleted scenes can harm the mystique of a film. When I saw the outtakes from The Gold Rush in Unknown Chaplin, I really thought Chaplin could have made a better film if he didn't scrap so much (like the location footage).

Then, with Star Wars, I realized how close the film came to being mediocre. Saved by editing, literally. I have a better appreciation for the film by seeing how it was saved.


On the other hand, as a film student, I'm facinated by the evolution from raw footage to the final film.

Sorry to start up this whole debate again, but it's very possible that Kubrick approved a 4:3 ratio for EWS before he died. Even in 1998-99, decisions regarding video (although not necessarily DVD) releases were often at least discussed long before the film came out.

That said, I'm happy this release will be in widescreen.

I'm not sure if I have the exact quote, but I believe it was:

"Stanley hated 1.85. He liked height."

It was a general comment but not related directly to EWS.

Absolutely, and Vincent-P's question was taken right offa my keyboard

re Jan Harlan's comments about SK's wishes...I remember him making a lengthy, convoluted explanation about why they decided to keep 1.66:1 letterboxed on the last go-around (as well as the decisions to go 4:3 AR on some titles - hello, now The Shining is 1.78:1!?), so I think there's some flexibility and room for surprise as to what might turn up on these releases...

Yes, wait until the DVDs come out and THEN start bitching. But until then, please refrain.

He at least tolerated 1.66:1/1.85:1 since he used flat AR's on all of his films after Killer's Kiss (except for 2.20:1 on his two large format films).

September 5th! That's the first time I've heard of the actual release date for these discs; can't wait. As a huge Kubrick follower / fan, any new presentations of his work are always greatly appreciated.

In regards to the way in which he shot and presented his work, I always feel that it's best to consider the perspective of the artist. That is to say that those decisions were made to satisfy his particular artistic vision at the time, and we see that it obviously differs dramatically from film to film. It is generally true that he preferred a presentation that allowed for height as opposed to great width. Basically, if he could have his own way with his later three films, which were theatrically presented as 1.85:1, he would have shown them without the mattes. However, the realist in him knew that he had to deal with 1.85:1, and that was that. When it came around to presenting the films on television / home video, he had the opportunity to remove the mattes and present the work in a manner that he enjoyed more personally. Aside from a few shots, such as the opening shot in The Shining that shows the shadow of the helicopter, he always kept the full frame in line with the eventual 1.85:1 compositions, meaning that things like boom mikes and such would not be revealed when he dropped the mattes. It may seem odd to us, as it changes our viewing experience relative to the original theatrical presentations, but that is simply the way he liked to see it himself; once he had the opportunity, he made it happen.

Clockwork is a bit different, in that it was shot and theatrically shown in 1.66:1. Again, that was simply his artistic decision, and he did not have a problem getting it shown theatrically in 1.66:1 at the time. Logic would lead me to believe that if he had filmed Clockwork in the 80's or later, he would have shot it full frame for a theatrical 1.85:1 presentation, just like his last three films.

In any case, it's great that we will now have the opportunity to see the films both as he would have liked to show them with the current discs and as they were originally shown theatrically (at least it will be pretty close ;-) ) with the SE discs on the way. Personally, I enjoy comparing the two differing versions just to see the subtle differences in composition; what is added, what is taken away, and so on. Anything that sparks further analysis of the work is a good thing in my opinion. I think that fundamentally, Kubrick considered the films as different animals in different mediums: a film shown on a conventional TV set is one experience, and a film shown on a full size theater screen is another experience, and he chose to present the work in a way that best satisfied him within the constraints of those mediums.

CLD

The post above explains Mr. Kubrick's approach accurately. As stated about Mr. Kubrick, he used the "shoot-to-protect" method in making his films (as a result of being badly put off by the 1977 NBC-TV airing of his masterpiece). However, these new DVD editions will give devotees of the man's work a chance to see the (later) films presented as they were in commercial theaters.

Like many of Mr. Kubrick's fans, I am elated by the news.

But I do hope we get an edition of Eyes Wide Shut without the digital "censorship" of activities in the mansion.

Jack,

I believe that the Warner chat transcript answers yes on your EWS question; good news!

CLD

Finally bought THE SHINING about one day before the chat with Warner. UGH. I'll probably double dip depending on the content of the Special Edition release.

I'm holding on to the 2001 remaster of The Shining in 4:3. I just love the way it looks in a square-ish frame. And yet...I also cannot wait to see it in hi-def, in its new 1.78:1 framing, hopefully soon. The new DVD SE and future HD-DVD better retain Vivan's great documentary and audio commentary (she sounds like someone I'd like to hang with!), along with the remastering of Wendy Carlos' music during the docu's closing moments.

P.S. fans of The Shining (and Clockwork Orange) would probably want to check these discs out...

Rediscovering Lost Scores, Vol. 1;
Rediscovering Lost Scores, Vol. 2.

...they contain the bulk of Carlos' unused score for The Shining, and one can hear all the bits and pieces that were used in the final soundtrack, as designed and edited by the great Gordon Stainforth.

Cheers,

for those with hdtv's and skin err cinemax, full metal jacket airs this sat at 8pm et.

Re: New Kubrick SE's

Are there any new developments regarding these sets? September 5 is fast approaching. Have they been delayed?

On a side note, the Bay Theatre in Seal Beach, CA, is showing 2001 this week (yesterday, tonight, and Wednesday, I believe). It's probably a 35mm print, rather than 70mm, but still, it's 2001 on the big screen. Here's the Bay Theatre's website if anyone's interested: http://www.baytheatre.com.

Re: New Kubrick SE's

DavidDVD says a few Kubrick SEs may hit the UK on November 6th. I suspect we'll be getting something around that time...

http://www.davisdvd.com/news/spy.html

Re: New Kubrick SE's

Jack, I suspect you know this already, but there is an uncensored, official WB release of "EWS" from Hong Kong (or Korea?). At any rate, it's R3-coded, NTSC, Academy ratio, and with all the digital "blockers" removed.

Re: New Kubrick SE's

But I bet the music is still censored; I don't think Warner has released the original theatrical version of that anywhere in the world.

Re: New Kubrick SE's

If I'm not mistaken, there was also a reflection of a cameraperson in a bathroom mirror that was removed for home video. I guess a lot of people want (or should want) to see that reinstated.

EDIT: Sorry, just glanced at IMDB. According to them, it was a boom operator reflected in a shower stall post that was removed.

Re: New Kubrick SE's

It's funny you mention that as I nearly addressed it in my last post. Dvdcompare.net has the following to say about the R3 release I referred to above (it is Korean, not HK): "UNCONFIRMED: This release is rumoured to contain the reciting of the Bhagavad Gita during the orgy sequence, and is supposed to be Kubrick's ultimate cut of the film."

I didn't realize that when I first purchased/watched it, and cannot here confirm. Since buying the R3, I've sold off my Kubrick Collection with the US R1 "EWS" release, and so can't do a direct A:B. If anyone can tell me what to listen for, I'd be glad to check it out to confirm this rumor or put it to rest.