Criterion Press Release: Anatomy of a Murder (Blu-ray)

Gimme!!

Well done to Criterion for realising they couldn't improve over the Saul Bass poster art.

This one caught me off guard big-time!!

I'm staring at the original Duke Ellington LP that has the same artwork (It's hanging over my computer!)

Thx for the inspiration.  Just took mine out and set it up in a prominent well-deserved location.

Hopefully, the issue of the film ratio will finally be addressed with this release.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crawdaddy

The back cover states 1.85 and that is correct - the UK DVD had the correct ratio and was anamorphic, albeit not a great transfer - I can't wait for this Blu - I believe Criterion will also be doing Bonjour Tristesse.

You're welcome! It's fantastic artwork.......plus I picked mine up at a garage sale (so it was very cheap!!) I paid more for the frame than I did for the record!!

Woah, Bonjour Tristesse on Blu-ray, that would be great!

Having said that, I always wanted Criterion to do a Blu-ray of Exodus, but it seems it is on its way anyway e.g. the French version probably means there is a U.S. version on the way.

Heads Up! This is showing up on Amazon for pre-order at $16.99 (!?)

Thanks! I just pre-ordered mine. That's an unbeatable price.....plus I'll sell my old copy off for a few bucks making it even better.

Wow, thanks for that.  Pre-ordered!

By the way, searching (within Movies & TV) for "Anatomy of a Murder" only brought up the existing DVD, etc., for me.  I had to add either "Criterion" or "blu-ray" to get it to bring up the pre-order.

Great release, though a previous rumour had me expect this coming for the past several months.

Seems like it's not available for pre-order anymore off Amazon at that unusual price.

Yeah, it's now a "sign up to be notified".  I wonder what they'll do with the orders they got.  Haven't gotten any followup email here yet.

Criterion doesn't use original poster art that much these days so to have the Saul Bass is a nice surprise.

Criterion cover art really fluctuates in quality from terrible to terrific but this is a very attractive design for this release.

 

It's not a new design, it is the original Saul Bass cover art. Criterion is just smart enough to know that they couldn't improve on it.

And note that this was a Columbia Picture. I am glad that, since the BBS set, Criterion is maintaining a relationship with Sony in order to help get some of its Blu-rays out the door.

I'm probably going to get slammed for this but....

 

COME OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon!

Oh, I'm all over this. I've never picked up the original DVD (but I've played the soundtrack to death). Mine!

It is interesting that Sony appears to be trying a number of things with its titles. I would appear that they are considering, for each film, what the best strategy is to help it find its market.

I am very impressed with these multiple efforts.

I don't know for sure, but it is possible that the Preminger estate owns the film so perhaps Criterion did a deal directly with them.

Nah, I'm pretty sure this came out of the Sony/Image deal.

Aspect ratio controversy brewing: http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/2011/11/185_fascism_str.php

I would like to hear some thoughts on this, as it does play comfortably fullscreen. Of course it still exists at that AR, so I'm not getting too bent out of shape over Criterion's pursuing 1.85.

Anatomy was on a cable channel within the last few years (I believe HDNET Movies). The AR was 177 there as one would expect.

In the same time frame, I saw it theatrically with an archive 35mm print. The AR was about 166 or so. BTW: It looked fantastic in 35mm! The detail and contrast were marvelous. A viewing that rather questioned the idea that video can ever be as good as film since I had just seen it on DirecTV.


I saw it in the original theatrical run. My recollection is that it must have been about 166, but this is largely drawn from my memories of the theatre itself rather than the viewing.

Where, precisely, did they screen the film in 1.33:1 in 1959? My UK DVD is 1.85:1, looks great because that's how it was framed for projection.

I ran Sony/Columbia's 35mm vault print of Anatomy back in 2010 at the Lafayette and the aspect ratio as marked on the lab cans and leaders was 1.85. From what I remember, Columbia converted to shooting for 1.85 in April, 1953 so 1.85 is the intended and correct aspect ratio for this one. Jeff Wells is wrong, as usual, when it comes to aspect ratios (he also had a ludicrous post several months ago wanting to see full-frame transfers of films from the 70s). He may know Hollywood gossip, but film technology and research is not generally his strong suit.
Edited by Peter Apruzzese - 11/17/11 at 2:42pm

I was just thinking about that.  I was there, and not only did the duration of this lengthy but incredible film literally fly by, but the composition and framing seemed natural and comfortable.

Edited by Chas in CT - 11/17/11 at 3:27pm

Just ordered this at Amazon.com...can hardly wait for February 21st for this to arrive!!!