David Lynch/Criterion/The Elephant Man (1 Viewer)

Could Criterion release this? It seems like a perfect fit.The have a thing for David Lynch these days...

The more David Lynch, the better. I'd rebuy Blue Velvet or even Dune if they came out via Criterion.

There was a rumor that they were going to release Mulholland Drive but it's been years now so I don't know if it was true.

Dune is very high on my wish list. I love the film. Same thing with The Elephant Man. I was a young boy when I first saw it and in many ways it made me think about life.And yes, I've seen too many Euro-releases of these films. It's time to bring these to the U.S. and to Criterion.

Universal has a great ongoing relationship with Criterion, and if Lynch wanted to do a special edition of this or that particular film, I'm sure the studio would be willing to license it (especially Lost Highway, Elephant Man, and Mulholland).

Hell, if Lynch were to ever change his mind about doing that director's cut of Dune (as ALMOST actually happened back in 2005-06), I'd bet Universal would at least be open to a conversation about it with Criterion.

I'd buy a nice special edition of Dune!

With Dune, I'd be just happy to get both versions (theatrical and tv) remastered, all the old extras and a new interview (or documentary) with Lynch involved. It would be interesting to hear how he sees the film today.

joshEH said:

...I'm sure the studio would be willing to license it (especially Lost Highway, Elephant Man, and Mulholland).

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Since Universal licenses titles to Shout/Scream Factory, I've been hoping that they would get Lost Highway*. It's not a straight horror movie but it's close enough that it would fit with the rest of Scream's line.

* As a teen in the mid to late 1990's, it's the one movie where everyone I knew owned or had heard the soundtrack but had never seen the movie (other than me and a buddy who saw it in a nearly empty theater where half of the small crowd left).

The Elephant Man is a Paramount title in the US, not Universal. Fortunately, Paramount also has a working relationship with Criterion.

The import region free version is pretty doggone sweet. Plus it has some of the best interviews with Lynch as supplements that I've ever seen.

I bought the U.K. version two years ago on Amazon U.K. for only 12 pounds. It is up to 20 pounds now, but is a great version, if you do not want to wait for the U.S. release.

Its been close to a year about Mulholland Drive rumors.. I think its still possible.

TravisR said:

The more David Lynch, the better. I'd rebuy Blue Velvet or even Dune if they came out via Criterion.

There was a rumor that they were going to release Mulholland Drive but it's been years now so I don't know if it was true.

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The more Lynch the better, indeed.

Thrilled that Eraserhead is on its way from Criterion.

While I already have the existing Blu of Blue Velvet, I would definitely be in for Mulholland Drive and The Elephant Man.

Is the import of The Elephant Man playable in Region A?

Mike Frezon said:

Is the import of The Elephant Man playable in Region A?

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Yes, it's coded for Regions A and B.

Thanks, Josh!

HTF Member Derrick King JUST posted THIS LINK over in the Criterion Blu thread.

So, there's your "update" on Mulholland Drive, Travis!

I'd love a blu of the Elephant Man from Criterion as well. Being a Paramount catalogue title, it would fall under Warner's now right? So best hope is an Archives release, or can Paramount license whatever film to whoever regardless of the Warner's deal?

Russell G said:

I'd love a blu of the Elephant Man from Criterion as well. Being a Paramount catalogue title, it would fall under Warner's now right? So best hope is an Archives release, or can Paramount license whatever film to whoever regardless of the Warner's deal?

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Paramount still owns all of the movies in its catalog. They've licensed a big chunk of them out to Warner Bros. for Blu-ray distribution, but not all. Some titles are still going to other labels like Olive Films (Operation Petticoat just recently). I'm not sure where The Elephant Man falls.

If this is part of the Warner deal, I don't know if Warner could release it as part of the Warner Archive. I suspect that the Archive is intended for titles that Warner owns itself. Legally, the Warner Archive may also be considered a separate distributor from Warner Home Video, so it may not even be possible for Warner to sub-license a movie like this to the Archive. This is all just speculation, of course.

JoshZ said:

Paramount still owns all of the movies in its catalog. They've licensed a big chunk of them out to Warner Bros. for Blu-ray distribution, but not all. Some titles are still going to other labels like Olive Films (Operation Petticoat just recently). I'm not sure where The Elephant Man falls.If this is part of the Warner deal, I don't know if Warner could release it as part of the Warner Archive. I suspect that the Archive is intended for titles that Warner owns itself. Legally, the Warner Archive may also be considered a separate distributor from Warner Home Video, so it may not even be possible for Warner to sub-license a movie like this to the Archive. This is all just speculation, of course.

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Warner Archives has released many Paramount titles. They have been re-releases of OOP titles and non have been BD. Paramount does have an agreement in place with Criterion too along with Warner and Olive. The Olive agreement seems now to just include the Republic library.

ahollis said:

Warner Archives has released many Paramount titles. They have been re-releases of OOP titles and non have been BD. Paramount does have an agreement in place with Criterion too along with Warner and Olive. The Olive agreement seems now to just include the Republic library.

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Fair enough. When the distribution deal was first publicized, it was announced as "more than 600 Paramount catalog titles" would go to Warner. It was not "all Paramount catalog titles."

Whether The Elephant Man falls in that 600 or not is anyone's guess.

From the recent Twin Peaks event (via DigitalBits):"On a related note, Burnett was Johnny-on-the-Spot enough to ask Lynch if there’s any chance of a Dune: Director’s Cut. Lynch simply laughed, shook his head and said “No.” as he departed."