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A few words about...™ Three Colors -- in Blu-ray

post #1 of 28
11/7/11 at 6:14pm
Thread Starter 

Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors (Blue, White, Red) is an extraordinary trilogy released in 1993-4.

 

The films are unique in their storytelling, and their value is far greater than the sum of the three parts.

 

I have been waiting patiently for a quality release of Three Colors, and finally Criterion has provided it.

 

As always, I'll not go into story, plot, etc.

 

These are gorgeous Blu-rays, and my suggestion, as the set is one of the most important to be released this year, is to go into them without investigation, without reading reviews.

 

In the end you'll be mesmerized by Kieslowski's work.

 

Great, great films.

 

Perfect Blu-rays that look like cinema.

 

My advice to is just grab this set, and give it full attention and quality time.

 

Very Highly Recommended.

 

RAH

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Three Colors: Blue, White, Red (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]
post #2 of 28
11/8/11 at 5:43am
Thanks for the endorsement, Mr. Harris. I trusted that Criterion would provide a quality release, but it's always nice to get confirmation. With Barnes & Nobles' 50% off Criterion sale, this is definitely an immediate "must buy" for me -- I already had sold my DVD set after the BD was announced.
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post #3 of 28
11/8/11 at 8:35am

Had this blind bought on the pre-order, nice to get confirmation it's quality.

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post #4 of 28
11/8/11 at 11:38pm
Those who like Malick's films for their spiritual underpinnings and are not aware of Kieslowski might find this set a revelation. I prefer Kieslowski to Malick...
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post #5 of 28
11/9/11 at 3:36am
RAH is a master of understatement in his recommendation.

Now that Criterion has rescued the Three Colors Trilogy and The Double Life of Veronique, I would like to see them sort out all the discrepancies in Dekalog. I have two DVD editions, both respected, that are light years apart in how they are mastered and timed. A properly done Blu-ray would be most welcome.
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post #6 of 28
11/9/11 at 4:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard--W View Post

RAH is a master of understatement in his recommendation.
Now that Criterion has rescued the Three Colors Trilogy and The Double Life of Veronique, I would like to see them sort out all the discrepancies in Dekalog. I have two DVD editions, both respected, that are light years apart in how they are mastered and timed. A properly done Blu-ray would be most welcome.


You're quite correct that Dekalog is unacceptable.  I believe my set was transferred from 16mm.  Not a pretty situation for such an important filmmaker.  Mr. Kieslowski passed away in 1996, at the age of 54.  His major works were "but" three, all of which place him in the pantheon of filmmakers.

 

The Decalogue, a Polish television series in 10 episodes (1989)

 

The Double Life of Veronique (1991) - rescued by Criterion in a glorious Blu-ray

 

The The Colors:

     Blue (1993)

     White (1994)

     Red (1994)

 

All of which are about to be released by Criterion as a Trilogy.

 

As I suggested, above, I highly suggest adding Three Colors to your libraries, and for those who are unacquainted with them, go in cold, and relish the experience.

 

RAH

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post #7 of 28
11/9/11 at 7:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post



You're quite correct that Dekalog is unacceptable.  I believe my set was transferred from 16mm.  Not a pretty situation for such an important filmmaker.  Mr. Kieslowski passed away in 1996, at the age of 54.  His major works were "but" three, all of which place him in the pantheon of filmmakers.

The Decalogue, a Polish television series in 10 episodes (1989)

The Double Life of Veronique (1991) - rescued by Criterion in a glorious Blu-ray

The The Colors:
     Blue (1993)
     White (1994)
     Red (1994)

All of which are about to be released by Criterion as a Trilogy.

As I suggested, above, I highly suggest adding Three Colors to your libraries, and for those who are unacquainted with them, go in cold, and relish the experience.

RAH
The Decalogue was shot on 16mm, if I'm not mistaken. The Warner Polish DVD is still the best, but it's not easy to obtain and a Criterion Blu-Ray release would be most welcome.

Glad to hear The Three Colors looks great.
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post #8 of 28
11/9/11 at 7:49am

Don't know why I've never gotten around to seeing Veronique, at least -- but Kieslowski will indeed be new to me.

 

I'm in.

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post #9 of 28
11/9/11 at 10:50am
Thread Starter 

With the 50% sale currently in play at Barnes and Noble, Three Colors and Veronique can be had very reasonably.

 

RAH

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post #10 of 28
11/9/11 at 11:13am

I caught up on 15 Criterions the other day, but have since come to believe that 17 is a much nicer number.

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post #11 of 28
11/9/11 at 12:14pm
You won't be disappointed you spent the money, Charles.
I guarantee it.
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post #12 of 28
11/10/11 at 9:16am
I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. I hesitate to even write this because of the extra clicks it will likely give them. But a long time ago, in the DVD era (feel old yet?) I had three "go-to" sites: HTF, The Bits, and DVD File. Years went by and I stopped going to File, and slowly have been visiting the Bits less and less (just due to lack of personal time) and relied primarily on HTF for my information. Recently I punched up the File website and saw a complete redesign, along with names on the site I didn't recognize (apparently the original creator has long since departed) and I read their review of Three Colors. While the author begrudgingly gave it a good PQ rating, he railed about how boring and overrated the films were.

Suffice it to say, I've now officially removed the File bookmark from my computer. Won't be going back there again. I could understand a teenager finding these deliberately paced films boring (because they have an attention span of about 3.8 seconds) but I expected better from a movie review site.
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post #13 of 28
11/10/11 at 9:29am

Among other things, Carlo, I believe DVD File has also completely eliminated the "forum" part of their site. 

 

I believe it's completely under new management and has only the same name to connect it to its past. 

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post #14 of 28
11/10/11 at 9:42am

I wouldn't be surprised if, due to its European Pal tv roots, Dekalog was shot at 25 FPS like the Fassbinder 16mm productions.

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post #15 of 28
11/10/11 at 10:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carlo Medina View Post

I could understand a teenager finding these deliberately paced films boring (because they have an attention span of about 3.8 seconds)...

So their attention spans are basically the same as most adults then. smile.gif
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post #16 of 28
11/10/11 at 2:53pm
That is a reviewer who is in over his head. People in their thirties and younger seem unable to process foreign language films. They are bored by drama and assume every film should be an action piece. They ought to have the sense to assign the reviewing of foreign language films to someone who appreciates them.
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post #17 of 28
11/11/11 at 12:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard--W View Post

That is a reviewer who is in over his head. People in their thirties and younger seem unable to process foreign language films. They are bored by drama and assume every film should be an action piece.

I'm sorry Richard but that's a sweeping generalisation; I'm sure you meant to type the word 'some' in there somewhere?
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post #18 of 28
11/11/11 at 2:45pm
You don't live in the USA, do ya John?
I was speaking in terms of American audiences.
If you lived in the USA you might come around to my way of thinking and then you'd compliment my understatement.
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post #19 of 28
11/11/11 at 2:56pm
I'll take 'some', I'll take 'many', I might even accept 'most'. But to damn a complete demographic, regardless of country, smacks of hyperbole.
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post #20 of 28
11/11/11 at 3:40pm
I'm glad to hear they look good on Blu. I have the DVD box and these are tremendous films. I will trade these in somewhere for the Blu release.
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post #21 of 28
11/11/11 at 3:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard--W View Post

That is a reviewer who is in over his head. People in their thirties and younger seem unable to process foreign language films. They are bored by drama and assume every film should be an action piece. They ought to have the sense to assign the reviewing of foreign language films to someone who appreciates them.


Actually, my son, who is 28, does not fit into that category.  Neither do many of his friends, who work in the film arena.

 

RAH

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post #22 of 28
11/11/11 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson View Post

I'll take 'some', I'll take 'many', I might even accept 'most'. But to damn a complete demographic, regardless of country, smacks of hyperbole.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post



Actually, my son, who is 28, does not fit into that category.  Neither do many of his friends, who work in the film arena.

RAH

When I was in college, I knew a guy who was 18 or 19 and he loved these movies. No doubt he was the rare exception but it's not a black and white issue. Most 'old' people are just as uninterested in movies with subtitles as most young people. It's much more of a matter of taste and interest in film than owing to a person's age.
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post #23 of 28
11/11/11 at 4:04pm
While I agree with Richard's sentiment about sub-30 year olds (most, obviously, not all), I am constantly reminded that some will pleasantly surprise you if you give them a chance. I work at a major, top 25 US university, and my department employs 70-80 students. The other day about six of them were in the workplace talking while working and discussing Star Wars. Now if you follow the other SW threads you will see there's an undercurrent from some people saying that those of us who grew up with the originals are unfairly judging the prequels, and that kids who grew up with those, well for them that is Star Wars and are more forgiving (and/or are actual fans of it).

These kids were between 8-10 when Episode 1 came out. All six in their discussion (I eavesdropped from my office because their voices carried) came to the conclusion that yeah, as children they liked the Ep1 when they first saw it, but all agreed they were terrible now and that the "old ones" were so much better. And they were identified a lot of what "us older folks" saw as failures in the PT as well. So they all aren't as ignorant as we'd like to think they are.

There is hope for mankind! biggrin.gif
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post #24 of 28
11/11/11 at 4:31pm
I respect and enjoy George Lucas's work.
I would never miss a George Lucas film, but I have zero tolerance for Star Wars trivia, discussions and debates.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post


Actually, my son, who is 28, does not fit into that category.  Neither do many of his friends, who work in the film arena.

RAH

Your son and his friends work in the biz?
People in the biz are usually more sophisticated about foreign language films.

The movie going public which is largely between the age of 16 to 40 reject foreign language films in the USA.
Very few foreign language films get distributed in the USA compared to previous decades.
Those that do are confined to a few major cities, and attendance is not busy.
I talk with distributors about my own film projects, and I ask how things are going, that's how I know.
There are a dozen foreign language films playing in L.A. right now that are not playing in Phoenix or Austin, for example, and they never will.
I hear people making comments like "I don't go to the movies to read."
I read a review of Three Colors: Blue in which the young critic wrote (I'm paraphrasing almost exactly) "For most of its length nothing happens."
What could be further from the truth?

For my part, I'm becoming increasing disinterested in current American films.
I've outgrown the juvenile, the formulaic and the agenda-driven nature of current American films.
I've always gone to foreign films, and lately I find them more satisfying and entertaining than the stuff we're making over here.
Edited by Richard--W - 11/11/11 at 4:47pm
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post #25 of 28
11/11/11 at 4:54pm
I agree with your opinion of current American cinema. It's totally dumded down entertainment, in my opinion. Even "The King's Speech" didn't have much bite to it. "The Social Network" couldn't hold a candle to "All the President's Men" or even "Absence of Malice" and "The Insider." Anyway, 2009 was the big breakthrough year for non-English language films for me. "The White Ribbon, "Red Cliff," and "The Secret in Their Eyes" were all better than any English-language film I saw from that year.
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post #26 of 28
11/11/11 at 5:03pm

Those who speak/write in absolutes run into the reaility of re-learning the lesson that there are always exceptions to any rule.

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post #27 of 28
11/12/11 at 9:37am

I just watched the Blu-ray of "Three Colors: Blue." I received an early review copy, but it is the same commercial edition coming out Tuesday.

 

At about the 88 minute mark, in a medium close-up of Juliette Binoche, a microphone drops down from the top into the frame for a few seconds, then is pulled back up.

 

The aspect ratio listed on the case if 1.85:1, but looks closer to 1.77 (there is a very slight sliver of black on the top and bottom). My question: did Criterion open up the matting too much? The framing looks near perfect throughout, and Kieslowski is as much a perfectionist as they come. I don't recall ever seeing that gaffe before (and it is such a minor gaffe I may have simply missed it).

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post #28 of 28
11/14/11 at 5:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanAx View Post

The aspect ratio listed on the case if 1.85:1, but looks closer to 1.77 (there is a very slight sliver of black on the top and bottom). My question: did Criterion open up the matting too much? The framing looks near perfect throughout, and Kieslowski is as much a perfectionist as they come. I don't recall ever seeing that gaffe before (and it is such a minor gaffe I may have simply missed it).



The Criterion is actually at 1.86:1.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Three Colors: Blue, White, Red (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]