Classic titles for 2010

Criterion has announced 81/2 (1963), due out 1/12, and Lola Montès (1955), due 2/16.

It is rumored that Blue Underground will release Django (1966) on 5/25.

Eureka will release Fritz Lang's M in February.

In the UK, it should be noted. Criterion is likely to release it in the US eventually.

January 25th
- “Privilege” [UK 1967, Peter Watkins] BFI UK "Flipside Collection"
- “That Kind of Girl” [UK 1963, Gerry O'Hara] BFI UK "Flipside Collection”
- “Permissive” [UK 1970, Lindsay Shonteff] BFI UK “Flipside Collection”

February
- "City Girl” [USA 1930, Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau] Masters of Cinema UK

February 15th
- "À bout de souffle” [F 1960, Jean-Luc Godard] Optimum / StudioCanal UK “StudioCanal Collection”
- “Pierrot le fou” [F / I 1965, Jean-Luc Godard] Optimum / StudioCanal UK “StudioCanal Collection”
- “The Ladykillers” [UK 1955, Alexander Mackendrick] Optimum / StudioCanal UK “StudioCanal Collection”
- “The Go-Between” [UK 1970, Joseph Losey] Optimum / StudioCanal UK “StudioCanal Collection”

February 18th
- "À bout de souffle” [F 1960, Jean-Luc Godard] Kinowelt / StudioCanal GER “StudioCanal Collection”
- “Pierrot le fou” [F / I 1965, Jean-Luc Godard] Kinowelt / StudioCanal GER “StudioCanal Collection”
- “The Ladykillers” [UK 1955, Alexander Mackendrick] Kinowelt / StudioCanal GER “StudioCanal Collection”
- “The Go-Between” [UK 1970, Joseph Losey] Kinowelt / StudioCanal GER “StudioCanal Collection”

March 8th
- "Ladri di biciclette / The Bicycle Thieves" [I 1948, Vittorio De Sica] Arrow Films UK

March 22nd
- “The Innocents” [UK 1961, Jack Clayton] BFI UK


Not pre 1970 but close:

March 2010
- “La planète sauvage / Fantastic Planet” [F / CS 1973, René Laloux] Masters of Cinema UK

March 1st
- “The Wicker Man” [UK 1973, Robin Hardy] Optimum UK

Back in February High-def Digest spoke to George Feltenstein:

"...And Warner has plenty of those on tap. In addition to the Astaire-Rogers canon in 2010, Feltenstein said the 1954 'A Star Is Born' with Judy Garland, currently being remastered in 6K resolution, will also see a 2010 release, and 'Citizen Kane' will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a Blu-ray bow in 2011. Other titles in the pipeline include the 1959 'Ben-Hur,' which was already remastered in 1080p, but is being redone because, Feltenstein says, many viewers were displeased with the standard DVD transfer. 'Singin' in the Rain,' previously mastered in 1080i in 2001 is unsuitable for Blu-ray in its present form, so it's gone back to square one for a "profusely expensive" 1080p makeover..."

DVD Review is now saying November 2010 for Ben Hur, and it looks like a big box of, ah, stuff as is becoming the custom: "Painstakingly restored and prepared for high definition, the release will arrive in a wonderful gift set with all the bells and whistles you can hope for. Though no exact details have been announced at this time, we are already excited to see this cinematic landmark one year from now.".

Thanks John.

Awesome news

The UK is really putting North America to shame when it comes to classic releases. Glad I bought that region-free player.

It's swings and roundabouts really. There have been many classic films released in the U.S. which have still not arrived in the U.K. such as The Robe, Patton, The Third Man, Gigi, An American in Paris, Battle of the Bulge, Repulsion, Becket, The Sand Pebbles, A Passage to India, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Diary of Anne Frank, South Pacific, Dr, Strangelove etc. etc. 

This from a new NYP interview with George Feltenstein (I've just posted the complete piece in the SD forum for those interested):

One of the big vintage titles bowing on Blu-ray -- within the next six months, Felteinstein says -- is George Cukor's 1954 version of "A Star is Born" with Judy Garland. "It's an extraordinary presentation, with a lot of exciting extras," he says. Felsteinstein confirmed our earlier report that the extras include a remastered version of William Wellman's classic 1937 version. But not Cukor's "What Price Hollywood," which is considered a precursor. "We considered it, but there wasn't space and it truly isn't a version of the same story."

No. Actually most studios announce titles only less than 3 months in advance.
.

TCM is having a first classic film festival in Hollywood in April 2009. Opening night features " A Star Is Born". There is no mention that they found more footage so I assume they didn't though it says  newly restored.  I also would assume the blu ray will come out shortly thereafter. At $400 for the cheapest pass , the film festival is not cheap. They don't even guarantee you will get into all screenings.

http://www.tcm.com/festival/events.jsp
Edited by Garysb - 11/20/09 at 6:15pm

was wonder if the OP can compose a list of classix =).

February 18th
- "Senso" [I 1954, Luchino Visconti] Kinowelt / StudioCanal Germany "StudioCanal Collection"

I can't believe all of you forgot Dumbo... :(

Technically there hasn't been a press release yet, so until then the February release is tentative.

A French site lists the following for 2010:

The Sound of Music (from a 4k scan, listed under its French title La mélodie du bonheur)
The Magnificent Seven
For a Few Dollars More
Hang 'Em High!

Les numériques

Given the sale of MGM I'm very doubtful we'll see US releases of Mag 7, FAFDM and Hang 'em High in 2010.

I'd of course love to upgrade all 3 to BD.

Of course, it all depends what happens with the sale of MGM. If it's parceled up, I can see Warner going after the film library for obvious reasons, as well as Fox and Sony, but I think we can be reasonably sure that even if the whole company is sold to one owner, its film production days are numbered, unless Lionsgate wins and decides it wants to use the name or Qualia Capital does the same.