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Criterion in September - Page 3

post #61 of 139
6/16/06 at 4:28pm

Re: Criterion in September

Criterion has already said Yojimbo and Sanjuro are being remastered.

Thank the movie gods!

September redeemed!!!

After the sham that is Sept. 12's non-anamorphic Star Wars Trilogy release I can now once again be excited about September!

Criterion's bringing the heat!!

Abso-friggin'-lutely! I remember reading in a Q&A a short while back that they had no plans to remaster 'Brazil.' Deep down, I hope they read the press release from Lucasfilm and decided to show 'em how it's done. Whatever the reason, this whole slate is just great news.

Plus, Japanese cinema fans have the added treat of the original version of 'Gojira' (AKA 'Godzilla') is getting its first-ever American release just one week later. September is definitely worthwhile.
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post #62 of 139
6/16/06 at 5:37pm

Re: Criterion in September

Although part of what Criterion spoke there in that Q&A was in fact the truth, from a certain POV -- the 16:9 Brazil remaster had been produced by Universal some time back, and was simply sitting in their vaults awaiting a future R1 release.

It sounds like they're using this as the basis for their new disc, but to what extent (if any) they've tweaked it with Gilliam's input remains to be seen...it's still right up near the top of my September buy-list, though, regardless.
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post #63 of 139
6/16/06 at 5:55pm

Re: Criterion in September

is only the first disc of Brazil redone or are we getting anamorphic all around on the rerelease of the 3 disc set?
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post #64 of 139
6/16/06 at 6:01pm

Re: Criterion in September

My memory is that the surviving "Love Conquers All" version was a P&S or open-matte print that was done for TV. Only the Director's Cut was presented in widescreen, so it's the one that's now being upgraded.
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post #65 of 139
6/16/06 at 6:44pm

Re: Criterion in September

The Love Conquers All version cannot be remastered in 16x9 because a lot of the modification was done on video such as reframing and video-based zooms. Given Universal's history of throwing out footage in the 1980s, I'm willing to bet that all the alternate footage that appears in the LCA cut is long-gone.

Of course, Universal might have been able to re-create it like the Dune Extended Version. Why, though? I think presenting it in pan & scan is one more way to show how far away it really is from Gilliam's vision.
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post #66 of 139
6/16/06 at 6:58pm

Re: *Ignorant Question Alert*

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Gripp
How come Seven Samurai isn't anamorphic? Does anamorphic only apply to films that aren't 1.37 (1.33) Academy Flat? Some technical explanation would be good, because I would really like to understand how this works for that aspect ratio.
The best explanation is probably this one: World's Easiest Explanation of Anamorphic 16:9 Widescreen Enhancement in DVDs

The way I understand it, the film image (no matter the aspect ratio of the film) is stored in the DVD image standard of 4:3 (also known as 1.33:1). With widescreen films, resolution is lost due to the presence of the black bars at the top and bottom. In an anamorphic (16:9) transfer, the widescreen image is stretched vertically by 33% within the 4:3 frame. If it were played back that way the image would appear vertically stretched. Instead, at playback on a 16:9 setup, the DVD player stretches the image 33% horizontally, and the image is returned to its normal dimensions (aspect ratio). Because the anamorphically encoded film image takes up more of the DVD encoding area (compared to a non-anamorphic letterboxed image), more pixels are used to encode the image instead of black bars, and more pixels equates to increased resolution (33% better resolution for a film with a 1.78:1 (or 16:9) aspect ratio).

With a 1.37:1 Academy ratio film, when it is encoded into the 4:3 DVD standard, it uses up all of the available pixels for picture information (no pixels are encoding black bars), so there is no resolution to be gained by stretching the image (besides, stretching the image horizontally by 33% would cause a loss of picture information).

As I say, this is how I understand it. If I'm misinformed, I'm sure more tech-savvy members will correct my errors.
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post #67 of 139
6/17/06 at 12:29am

Re: Criterion in September

Thanks Brian PB, I knew it was something along those lines, but I wasn't sure exactly how it worked. The only other question I have is how exactly does an anamorphic widescreen image in a 4X3 frame look correct on a 4X3 television without the extra room to stretch it out?

And so I am not hijacking this thread with my ignorance, I really don't mind being double-dipped on DVDs at all. I've triple-dipped with Terminator 2: Judgment Day! When they bring out such awesome deluxe editions of movies I love, then I can't help myself. I can't think of any movie more deserving of double-dipping than Seven Samurai. A masterpiece that is getting the ultimate treatment on DVD. The only thing that even makes me hesitate an instant is HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc on the horizon.

Any transfer experts out there? I watched Citizen Kane and Seven Samurai back to back the other day, and I couldn't get over the difference in contrast between the two films. The last battle in Seven Samurai seems to be lacking a lot of dark blacks and bright whites. Everything is very grey. Is this because of the transfer on the original DVD, or did it look like that always?
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post #68 of 139
6/17/06 at 4:04pm

Re: Criterion in September

I was wondering too whether the longer cut of Playtime would be presented. Apparently not. While we're discussing Tati, when are we going to see Jour de fête or Trafic?

Two other titles that stick out in my mind from the collection as needing new 16x9 transfers are Walkabout and Picnic at Hanging Rock.
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post #69 of 139
6/17/06 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Criterion in September

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Ulmer
Two other titles that stick out in my mind from the collection as needing new 16x9 transfers are Walkabout and Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Picnic is likely for next year. There is a feature length documentary that was featured in other regions. Peter Weir has stated in an audio interview that he believes Criterion is working on a re-release that would include this.
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post #70 of 139
6/17/06 at 6:20pm

Re: Criterion in September

If Yojimbo and Sanjuro are being redone as well, what are the chances of Criterion offering a packaged set of all 3 films like they eventually resorted to with the now OOP slipcovered set of the Samurai Trilogy?

Not that I'd actually hold out for a box... but I wonder?
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post #71 of 139
6/17/06 at 6:45pm

Re: Criterion in September

This is great news about Seven Samurai and Brazil. I haven't bought SS because I've been hearing for a while that it would be re-released. I was pretty close to breaking down and buying Brazil, but suddenly we get this news! It's also nice that those that already own Brazil can just replace the first disc if they choose.
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post #72 of 139
6/17/06 at 7:50pm

Re: Criterion in September

Quote:
It's also nice that those that already own Brazil can just replace the first disc if they choose

Yeah it shows that Criterion actually cares about the consumers who buy their products. As someone that purchased the original 3-disc Brazil set, this is great news.....I will definitely pick up the 1 disc version. Also planning on picking up Seven Samurai....I've never had the chance to see that film but have always wanted to. Now's my chance
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post #73 of 139
6/17/06 at 11:40pm

Re: Playtime

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan-S
I was hoping that Criterion would release the original 155 minute cut (reported to exist in a Moscow film archive, the last I heard some years ago) but, according to their website, the new edition is only 124 minutes.

There is a great extra, though, in the BBC documentary "Monsieur Hulot's Work". I've had this on VHS since Tati's death and it's basically a wonderful one-hour interview with Tati, presented by the excellent critic and film-maker Gavin Millar.

Around 124 minutes seems to equate with the restoration carried out a few years ago and is the same as the restored R2 version issued by the British Film Institute (which also has the Philip Kemp audio commentary) and which is in stereo - I would hope the Criterion is stereo and not mono as stated on the specs. See: http://www.in70mm.com/news/2003/play...estoration.htm
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post #74 of 139
6/18/06 at 9:26am

Re: Playtime

Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas R
I would hope the Criterion is stereo and not mono as stated on the specs.
Note that the original specs for the Playtime SE were in error, but the official specs from Criterion's website say
Quote:
The soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the original stereo audio stems
and the audio is described as "Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0"
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post #75 of 139
6/18/06 at 10:21am

Re: Playtime

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian PB
Note that the original specs for the Playtime SE were in error, but the official specs from Criterion's website say and the audio is described as "Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0"

I notice that too. If I remember correctly when the film was re-released last year the film was listed as 4.0 so it's not apparent to me why the DVD release is not the same.

Otherwise, great and waaaay delayed news.
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post #76 of 139
6/18/06 at 11:41am

Re: Criterion in September

I'm going to have to pass on the Seven Samrai disc for two reasons. One, the disc will be windowboxed ("The picture has been slightly window-boxed to ensure that the maximum image is visible on all monitors" is right there on the website). I'm not watching this most majestic of films with a black frame all the way round.

Two, the "new and improved English subtitle translation" seems to indicate Linda Hoaglund's, to put it mildly, eccentric and somewhat patronising translation where everyone is transformed into Americanised stock cartoon characters. Her included examples from the above link:

Quote:
"But what samurai will fight for peasants just to eat? They're awful proud."
Quote:
"I was once your age, you know. Perfect your swordplay, then go to war and accomplish great feats. Then become lord of your own castle and domain. But even as you dream such dreams, look, before you know it, your hair goes white, like this. And by that time, you've lost your parents and you're all alone. Tomorrow, you'll go home. You must've learned a lot in these brief days. Fine stories to tell."
Quote:
"Cut the racket, you little brats. There's no rice. Quit yapping. All right, listen here, you little piss-pants. This is all the rice there is. If we give you any more, we'll get all... (mimics fainting) That's how it is. Say, any of you got a pretty sister?"

Sorry, but I'm not owning a copy of the film in that incarnation. It's a pity, because they seem to have done such a bang-up job with it otherwise.
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post #77 of 139
6/18/06 at 12:46pm

Re: Criterion in September

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Robertson
I'm going to have to pass on the Seven Samrai disc for two reasons. One, the disc will be windowboxed ("The picture has been slightly window-boxed to ensure that the maximum image is visible on all monitors" is right there on the website). I'm not watching this most majestic of films with a black frame all the way round.

Two, the "new and improved English subtitle translation" seems to indicate Linda Hoaglund's, to put it mildly, eccentric and somewhat patronising translation where everyone is transformed into Americanised stock cartoon characters. ....

Sorry, but I'm not owning a copy of the film in that incarnation. It's a pity, because they seem to have done such a bang-up job with it otherwise.
With respect to the Hoaglund translation, a poster at the Criterion Forum has offered the following:
Quote:
I have it on good authority that the Linda Hoaglund translation has been extensively revised and shorn of many of its excesses. This release is too important to let it get hijacked by one person's eccentricities.
As for the windowboxing: I expect Criterion's remastered Seven Samurai to blow away the original release, and to equal or better any existing DVD release of the film worldwide. If Criterion can maintain its high standards for video quality (while reducing overscan), why does the windowboxing really matter?

If you own a 16:9 video display, black bars are inevitable when viewing a 4:3 film, unless you distort the aspect ratio by forcing it into the full 16:9 display area (a lazy practice I've never understood). If you own a 4:3 display, black bars are a guarantee when watching widescreen films (unless you choose the pan & scan version). If the picture quality is maintained, why are some black bars acceptable, while others are intolerable?

Examining the DVD Beaver comparisons, I have yet to see one of Criterion's windowboxed transfers that didn't look as good or better than an un-windowboxed transfer from another region. It looks like a win-win situation to me: all owners get Criterion's excellent picture quality, and the 4:3 owners (and potentially 16:9 owners who have not had their equipment properly calibrated) additionally avoid overscan.

I can't imagine that someone who loves this film would boycott this incredible release (at least on paper) due to the presence of some "slight" black bars.
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post #78 of 139
6/18/06 at 1:03pm

Re: Criterion in September

I won't rake up the windowboxing issue in detail here, especially as it was discussed by myself and many others (EDIT: including yourself!) in this thread, but on my current monitor I find it ugly as hell and very distracting.
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post #79 of 139
6/18/06 at 6:52pm

Re: Criterion in September

Yikes!

I really hope the subtitle examples cited above are not anywhere near an indication of what we'll be seeing on this new set.

What was wrong with the translated subs on the previous edition? Were those considered dubtitles or something?
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post #80 of 139
6/18/06 at 7:57pm

Re: Criterion in September

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Robertson
I won't rake up the windowboxing issue in detail here, especially as it was discussed by myself and many others (EDIT: including yourself!) in this thread, but on my current monitor I find it ugly as hell and very distracting.
I know we've had this discussion in the other thread, Jon, but I responded to your post because Seven Samurai has a large, diverse fan base (it is one of the few 4:3 films that has a large following among viewers under 30). I doubt many of those fans had much interest in that prior thread (or felt it had any relevance to them since they may have had little interest in the films affected). I just wanted those folks to see both sides of the argument.
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post #81 of 139
6/19/06 at 11:15am

Re: Criterion in September

Now I'm worried.

I am a fan of the english subtitles used in Criterion's previous release of Seven Samurai.

Last summer however, I attended a samurai movies film festival at NYC's Film Forum.

http://www.filmforum.org/films/samurai.html

The subtitles for this version were provided by Linda Hoaglund and no offense to her but I was gravely disappointed.

The dialogue seemed "too modern" and slang-like for my taste. There was excessive cursing. The whole feel of watching a "classic" movie was stripped. Some of my favorite passages in the movie seemed to take on new meaning. And I'm not an "old fart." I'm 27.

I distinctly remember walking out of the theater and the first comment I made to my friend expressed my disappointment with the translation. Seven Samurai is arguably my favorite movie of all time. And watching it on the big screen was supposed to be a treat for me. Instead I can honestly say that the movie felt diminished based on the english subtitle translation used.

I am hoping with all my heart that the version we get come September is not the translation I saw last summer.
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post #82 of 139
6/19/06 at 11:36am

Re: Criterion in September

I made the "old fart" comment not to offend anyone.

It was just to show in a joking manner that I'm not some old stubborn cat adverse to change.

My point was to say that even someone in their 20s had an adverse reaction to this "modernizing" of the english subtitle translation for this "classic" movie.

I know there are numerous english subtitle translations for this movie. And I'm sure Ms. Hoaglund probably has a few herself. I just hope to goodness that what we get in September's release is not the version I saw last summer. That's all.
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post #83 of 139
6/19/06 at 2:48pm

Re: Criterion in September

As far as windowboxing, when watching on a 16:9 monitor, won't you have the image pillarboxed anyway? I don't see this as a big deal, as the side windowboxing will dissolve into the player-generated side bars. I like watching things with the black bars - it gives the material a more cinematic appearance, in my opinion. I just recently got a widescreen monitor and watching 4:3 material in a 16:9 frame is much more pleasant with the pillarboxing, than on a 4:3 with the image filling the screen. Maybe I'm just crazy, though - that's also possible...
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post #84 of 139
6/19/06 at 3:49pm

Re: Criterion in September

From what I have heard, Linda Hoaglund's eccentric translation style has been toned down for this release.
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post #85 of 139
6/20/06 at 10:08am

Re: Criterion in September

I'm worried about what is meant by "toned down".

I was very happy with the previous subtitles. I just don't like the sound of thsi at all, toned down or not.

Why not offer the option, since the previous subs are readily available, to please everyone?
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post #86 of 139
6/20/06 at 5:07pm

Re: Criterion in September

Quote:
I'm worried about what is meant by "toned down".

I was very happy with the previous subtitles. I just don't like the sound of thsi at all, toned down or not.

Why not offer the option, since the previous subs are readily available, to please everyone?

I'm telling you the english subs to the version I saw last summer (done by Ms. Hoaglund) created a different movie from the one I love on Criterion's previous release of Seven Samurai. I'm not over-exaggerating. The difference was VERY clear. See my post #82 for more info.

Believe me when I say I have nothing against Ms. Hoaglund. I checked out her website and she seems very accomplished at what she does.

But in this instance regarding this DVD release I really hope "toned down" means extensively revised or completely different from the version I saw on the big screen last summer.

Nothing's going to keep me from buying this set. I can't wait because it looks absolutely knock your socks off awesome. But I do reserve some apprehensions on the english subs before I see it come September.

Here's hoping for the best.
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post #87 of 139
6/20/06 at 11:18pm

Re: Criterion in September

Yikes. Seriously... how much storage does it take up to provide alternate subtitles? Can they use Linda Hoaglund's AND the previous translation?

The sample translation provided was an atrocity. My enthusiasm for this DVD -- which was a few moments ago through the roof -- is now in grave danger.

Fingers crossed.
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post #88 of 139
6/21/06 at 6:49am

Re: Criterion in September

Who knows what their plans are for this release, but Criterion did provide two different English subtitle tracks for their Throne of Blood DVD.
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post #89 of 139
6/21/06 at 7:41am

Re: Criterion in September

Maybe we should fire off a couple of emails and perhaps link them to this thread to let them know our sentiments?

It shouldn't be a big deal to include the previous subs...
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post #90 of 139
6/22/06 at 11:34am

Re: Criterion in September

A bit late to the party, but just wanted to join in the ecstatic celebrations regarding Brazil finally coming out in anamorphic. This is one of the few remaining movies that I've (painfully) refused to buy because of a non-anamorphic transfer (Young Frankenstein, anybody?). Great news, and good to see that Criterion do listen to their fans. Non-anamorphic Brazil is one of the very few blemishes on Criterion's stellar track record, and now they're making it right. Great stuff!
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