A Few Words About A few words about...™ A Matter of Life and Death (1 Viewer)

[Ken_McAlinden]

Since I would gladly pay the list price of this twofer for "A Matter of Life and Death" on its own, I remain profoundly unmoved by anyone suggesting that Columbia mis-stepped by packaging both films together on a single release. From my perspective, it is value-added at no cost. Even if I hated "Age of Consent", it would be non-value added at no cost, which does not bother me either.

I also do not complain when Warner bundles a classic Warner or MGM title with a cartoon or vintage short that I do not like and would not consider refusing to buy such a title to discourage the practice.

Regards,

 

[rich_d]

To compare this two-fer to what Warner did when they put a cartoon and a film short on the disc (to make it like a 1940's night out at the movies) is apples and oranges. And even those add-ons often have a common theme related to the feature film's subject matter. The only connections between these films is the filmmakers and the studio that currently owns the rights.

Now, if someone were to say, 'this is like a mini-boxset and I want both titles and at $11.25 per film, I'm a happy camper' ... I have no problems with it, as long as the films are released individually as well.

The facts are that attaching Age of Consent DOES comes at a cost. This is not like a catalog release streeting at an attractive price point. This is not like the release of Casino Royale (1967) with the TV version of Casino Royale as a special featurette and streeting at $14.99. This release is currently $22.49 at Amazon.

My guess is that this will be a dog of a release at its current price point. One could even make a case that $ony could have generated MORE money for themselves by releasing these films separately. Based on the cover poster that was posted earlier, one could guess that if they slapped that on the DVD cover for Age of Consent, it would have done more 'blind' (and I use that term loosely) sales of that DVD than the total of all those purchasing "A Matter of Life and Death."

 

[Ken_McAlinden]

If Criterion had released "A Matter of Life and Death" for an MSRP of $25 with no better presentation than appears on this release without "Age of Consent", and with no more extras, would you have bought it? Would you have been happy with it?

Regards,

 

[rich_d]

Unless it's a real favorite film of mine, I Netflix all Criterion releases that interest me before considering whether to purchase them. So it depends solely on that criteria and a guess as to how often I will want to see and/or refer to the film as to whether I purchase it. And even then I wait for a sale.

As I don't know this release, obviously I really can't say how happy I would be with it. I do know that if Sony had done a two-fer like Criterion did with The Red Balloon/White Mane, where both releases are also available separately ... we would not be having this discussion.

 

[danielmartin]

It's likely this was the only way to get Age of Consent a true-to-its orginal-form release, under the helpful arm of the Film Foundation. And while the price may be tweaked a little on a single-film only release, this can be considered a bargain. aMoLaD deservedly received a first-rank presentation, and if it means you have to accept one of Powell's minor works (and I won't deny those who say he had none), you're grumbling to the wrong crowd.
I think you'd find a supportive audience at the Walmart dvd section, tho...

 

[RPMay]

What is the difference in content between this "uncut" version and the previously released U.S. versions?
Is it the naked shepherd sitting on the hill, that I understand got a lot of censorship types uptight back in 1946?

DM

 

[rich_d]

Nope, it's you that are confused. This is an Internet DVD forum and grumbling or cheerleading releases is a regular occurrence here. And complaining about the complainers is ripe. Maybe, say after your 10th post here, you might have a better perspective of things.

Also, speak for yourself, I don't know what "crowd" you think you speak for but I'm here to tell you ... you don't. You only speak for yourself just like everyone else.

Now, what is this "Wal-mart DVD section" audience and how is that pertinent to the discussion?

 

[Bill Huelbig]

Inside the case, behind the DVD itself, the movie is billed as "Stairway to Heaven" (Columbia Pictures presents David Niven in "Stairway to Heaven"), but that's OK with me - that's the title I grew up with.

I'm not sure, but I think the camera obscura scene may have been edited out of the American release. I don't remember that scene from those 40-year-old TV airings in New York City. Then again, maybe I don't remember it because it was 40 years ago.

"Age of Consent" can be annoying at times, like whenever Jack MacGowran and that crazy grandmother are on screen, but James Mason and Helen Mirren are both very good. And the special features, especially a short reminiscence by Helen, are well worth seeing even if you don't like the movie.

 

[Mark-W]

I just ordered this title. It had slipped "under my radar" due to the packaging
and my focus on Blu-ray. I am more than happy to have another Powell film as part of the deal.

Thanks for the review!

 

[borisfw]

I'm a big fan of Michael Powell. Age of Concent wasn't my main reason to buy this set,but i wasn't unhappy about it being included either. Not a bad film. I can watch James Mason in most anything. And to top it off you get a young Helen Mirren running around in the buff. I was very pleased i bought this set.

 

[sestamuch]

Thanks for the review, looks like it's worth taking a look.