A few words about...™ The Seventh Seal -- in Blu-ray - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Christou 

It would be a different story of course if "The" was missing from say the on screen title of, The Magnificent Seven, that would detract from my enjoyment of the film, in fact I'll be pretty pissed off and demand my money back. But since it happened to a foreign film, who cares? 

It's not the fact that it's a foreign film. Rather, it's the fact that it's clearly on the print (without the "Det") that was provided by Svensk Filmindustri to Criterion. So there are clearly versions out there where the title is "Seventh Seal" rather than "The Seventh Seal". Film titles weren't always as set in stone 50+ years ago like they are today, and could vary print to print more than one being authorized.

Look what happened when they dropped the "The" off The Last Year At Marienbad. Now there are people who swear the whole movie doesn't make sense to them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24fpssean 

 

Or perhaps it was just because I'd forgotten about this thread for six months because I was working.

That seems unlikely, since during four of those six months, you were actively posting here in other threads. (Knowing what a stickler for precision you are, I thought I would check.  )

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Reuben 

 

That seems unlikely, since during four of those six months, you were actively posting here in other threads. (Knowing what a stickler for precision you are, I thought I would check.  )

Zing!

If someone pulls out the "I let the thread go because I was busy with real life and not stuck on the Internet like you mouth-breathing nerds" card, they shouldn't leave evidence of their own mouth-breathing nerd-dom!

BOOM!  Roasted.

Wow this has turned into a big CJ. What did I miss? People get so flustered when Criterion's infallibility is called into question and then praise the company to high heaven when they release a BD that actually looks the way a BD should look. An impersonal website triumph for you all! Congrats!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24fpssean 

Wow this has turned into a big CJ. What did I miss? People get so flustered when Criterion's infallibility is called into question and then praise the company to high heaven when they release a BD that actually looks the way a BD should look. An impersonal website triumph for you all! Congrats!

Again, it's not a matter of being flustered or hypocritical or whatever else you may like to shape it as, but a matter of understanding that minor differences in film prints do occur, and then choosing whether or not it's big enough to become concerned about. Everyone will have their own barometer for where they stand on the scope of the difference, but I think it's safe to say this particular instance registers with most people as extremely minor and nearly irrelevant. You are, of course, free to disagree, but you're simply gonna be in the minority.

Have you tried asking Criterion why the word is missing on their Facebook page? I suspect they'll confirm my supposition that it's how the print they sourced their transfer from appears, but maybe they'll surprise us all.

From DVDBeaver:

"Probably from the same Svensk Filmindustri source all three editions show only the "Seventh Seal" portion of the title as if someone blacked out the "The" (or "Det"). There is even a space there."

Not that it matters. The outcome is the same. They all die in the end. Except for the Actor and his wife and kid.

DVD Beaver is only guessing. Again, have you asked Criterion?

Hell, I'll ask them.

I have asked them, I've asked Jon Mulvaney himself. No response whatsoever. I asked them before I even started this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24fpssean 

I have asked them, I've asked Jon Mulvaney himself. No response whatsoever. I asked them before I even started this thread.

Well, I just asked on Facebook, so we'll see what happens.

For some reason, clearly, prints are available with the truncated title. All I was asking for was an explanation, from either Criterion or someone else who might know. Criterion - Jon Mulvaney ignored me though we have had many email exchanges about other titles. Was this a creative decision by Bergman at some point? And why would the title not be re-centered if so?

Um.... no, you didn't just "ask a question."  If you'll recall, you called Criterion's QC person (whomever he/she might be) an idiot.  That's hardly civil, and in all honesty, I'd probably ignore you too at that point.

Thank, Craig. Since you clearly know everything about my communication with Criterion, perhaps you could be my liaison with Jon Mulvaney. I would never call anyone an idiot unless I had reason to. I had reason with Criterion because I had inquired about the truncated title and received no answer. Since you apparently cast no stones yourself and are as pure and virginal as the driven snow, I suppose you have no experience or reason to call anyone an idiot. Your halo is almost visible to the naked eye, even in your HTF avatar.  I will not apologize for my opinion. There, another stone for you to throw.

Criterion on FB: "Checking into this one..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24fpssean 

Thank, Craig. Since you clearly know everything about my communication with Criterion, perhaps you could be my liaison with Jon Mulvaney. I would never call anyone an idiot unless I had reason to. I had reason with Criterion because I had inquired about the truncated title and received no answer. Since you apparently cast no stones yourself and are as pure and virginal as the driven snow, I suppose you have no experience or reason to call anyone an idiot. Your halo is almost visible to the naked eye, even in your HTF avatar.  I will not apologize for my opinion. There, another stone for you to throw.

No, Sean, I have no insight as to the content of your email to John Mulvaney.  I do know that you called Criterion's QC person an idiot, right here in this thread, with virtually no indication that there was a QC problem or an actual mistake made.  It was unjustified then, and it's ridiculous that you continue to defend that kind of blind rudeness.  Grow up.  Nobody's impressed.

And I think this discussion has run its course.

Everyone here consider yourself warned.  If you don't have something constructive to offer on Criterion's Blu-ray release of The Seventh Seal, please don't bother to post in this thread any more. 

I have allowed a great deal of latitude with this thread as it has progressed to this point.

I will allow a last word to Brandon on the "det" controversy to report back on what, if anything, Criterion reports on Facebook. 

But enough with the attacks on Criterion and on each other.  They are unpleasant, untoward and unproductive.

If anyone here feels a need to take things further, PM me.