What's It Worth To You?

The recent posts in the thread for the exclusive release of the Egyptian Bd got me thinking,
If Twilight Time can license a title from one of the big studios, and put it out in a limited edition of 3000 units at $40 per,
and turn a profit on it, then there is hope that other films that lack mass appeal can make it out as well.
So as an adjunct to Ron's recent thread asking for your want-lists based on studio- I'm asking what your want lists are based on buy-in cost. I.e. just how badly do you want those movies that you want?

So since Twilight Times release is the model for this, here's the game:
name 5 titles from any studios you would absolutely be willing to purchase for $40 each. These would be limited to 3000 units or less, would all be first class a/v presentations with basic extras limited to an isolated score/ trailer/ or less. And no fudging on that last point- all you can get are basic, near bare bones releases- but with exceptional A/V quality as the source allows. And limited enough in quantity, that you can't afford to fence sit waiting for a bargain which will never come.

And for people, like me, who still remember what it was like to collect Laserdiscs, the buy-in price is an even slightly heftier $50 (which sadly is still a bargain compared to the rate of inflation since that era).

Again, this thread is dedicated to seeing just how bad you want it.

Here's mine

1) Jean de Florette/ Manon Des Sources w/ English subs (I consider it one collection, but I would still likely pay $50 for each film under the circumstances...especially if it were a strictly limited edition)

2) Prophecy - I know this will never get a release, and I can't explain my love for this goofy film- but seeing it in HD on my screen would be a rare joy that would easily be worth the buy-in to me.

3) Love With The Proper Stranger- I've waited so long for even a standard def release of this, a limited edition HD release would be worth the premium to finally be scratch this itch

4) The Wind- This become a very treasured Ld back in the day for me, and the wait for Warner to get this out on sd has been extremely disheartening. They alluded to it years ago and it's still nowhere on the horizon. Assuming the end result could look exceptional with some digital restoration work done if needed, I would pony up the cash for this one.

5) Goldengirl- for one thing, I've seen the film and, yes, I do like it quite a bit. It also has a lot of nostalgic appeal for me, and I like LWTPS it still hasn't seen even a sd release.

Honestly, I could go on all day. $20 may be a sticking point for DVD-Rs for me, but $50 for a pressed Bd release is much less of a problem. I would love to just at least have the chance to buy so many titles that I realize will never, ever see the light of day on this format- unless a new viable business model can come into play. I would happily, fundamentally, alter my buying habits, foregoing cheaper causal purchases, to fund a few less, more expensive but more highly valued ones.

Maybe after The Egyptian, this isn't as far fetched as it seems?
Edited by Paul_Scott - 7/24/11 at 5:50pm

Well, I guess that answers that.

Apart from only a few of us, not many people on this forum (which I've always taken as skewing to an older, more passionate film buff crowd) would seem to value any film high enough to pay a premium for it. I Don't know if I got the concept across as well as possible, but the key distinction I was trying to emphasize is the price is based on exclusivity. A limited number of units.
There is a huge difference between something like an MOD DVD which can be reproduced endlessly, and something that has a fixed and finite supply.

It's not about making a film better or worse- it's about making the ownership of a high grade copy of it a more exclusive proposition.

It's also about finding some kind of business model that can support the release of deeper and more esoteric catalog titles on a format that can barely support the release of heavily discounted, major catalog releases.

It's also not about making every catalog release an expensive, exclusive option.

The exclusivity thing is primarily tied into viability of the business model. It would be the trigger to make someone, who is already inclined to want to own that particular title, purchase immediately- as opposed to biding their time, waiting for the kind of deal that can really only occur with a more mass market release available at a variety of retailers all competing with each other.

But there is also the collector mentality at play. And I don't doubt that a small segment (probably very small) of enthusiasts with more means would be motivated to purchase more exclusives partly because of the fact that very few other people will have them. I see this kind of behavior in other (even more expensive) hobbies, so I have little doubt that mentality would find an in here as well.
Some people are passionate about the whole spectrum of films. Some are passionate about a few favorite films. And some people are passionate about the gear and value the media more for the opportunity it provides to see and hear their gear in action, than as works of art meriting deep analytical musing. It takes all kinds...