Criterion Cassavetes Boxset - Fall 2004 (1 Viewer)

[James Roberts]

From Criterion's news column today:

John Cassavetes Box Set Slated for Fall 2004

Criterion is preparing a boxed set of five films by legendary American independent John Cassavetes. In addition to new high-definition transfers of Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie and Opening Night, the set will include Charles Kiselyak’s award-winning 200 minute documentary, A Constant Forge, along with exclusive new interviews with Cassavetes collaborators Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara, Seymour Cassel, Lelia Goldoni, and others. The set is slated for fall release. Watch this space for more details.

source: http://www.criterionco.com

 

[John Hodson]

Mine!

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So many films, so little time...

 

[oscar_merkx]

sounds like a winner to me

 

[Kevin*Kerouac]

Too bad it won't have "Love Streams" in it. The box will still be a treat without it though.

 

[Drew Reiber]

Finally!!! A Criterion release announcement that I'm excited about...

Hey, does anyone know if Ray Carney is participating and/or providing his copy of the newly found original version of Shadows? Thanks in advance!

 

[Charles Ms]

That is really great news, but why is it not possible to include his film "Husbands", which is a personal favourite of mine ?

There is also a great part of the french tv-interview-series "Cinéastes de notre temps" on Cassavetes, hopefully they get a hand on this also.

...wishes, wishes, wishes... do they never stop ?

[Nevertheless thank you Criterion for NEW Hi-Def Transfers of Cassavetes' movies - who would have thought this happening a year ago ?]

 

[Drew Reiber]

Give them time... I'm sure they'll do more eventually.

Btw, I totally stole your Cohen quote for my AOL instant messenger. :p)

 

[ChristianLiemke]

No! Gena Rowlands doesn't allow the relase of the 1957 version of "Shadows", she even states, that this version does not exist!!!

Read more in Lost and Found Department - Chasing Shadows by Ray Carney.

The only way to see this version is to attend one of Carney's classroom screenings at Boston University.

 

[Jay E]

Columbia owns Husbands which is why it is not part of the set.

I will happily double-dip and pick up this set when it is released.

 

[Drew Reiber]

That article is truly depressing. It's Allen Klein with El Topo all over again. How can people want to destroy a film? What is wrong with them? Ugh... yet another person on my "waiting for them to die" list.

 

[Brook K]

Absolutely can't wait for this. I never dreamed Criterion would do all 5 at once. This will be the DVD release of the year.

 

[Charles Ms]

Thank you Jay for the information regarding the rights of "Husbands". BTW do you know anything more on any plans of a future DVD release of it ?

It is a shame that Gena Rowlands is so strict about the recently found 57 version of "Shadows". Hopefuly she will think it over to help in shedding more light on Cassavetes the filmmaker in progress. I truly admire her as an actress and will always be her fan but i really don't understand her harsh reaction (is there any official statement from her on this matter available ?). Her performances in "Opening Nights", "Faces", "A woman under the influence", ... will never be forgotten.

 

[Jay E]

Columbia released it on VHS, but not on Laser and I have heard nothing about a DVD release.

MGM announced that Love Streams was coming out on DVD a couple of years ago but it never materialized.

 

[ShaunS]

I'm a Cassavetes virgin. Does this rate a blind buy? I just got the Doniel boxset blind and I feel frisky.

ShaunS

 

[Drew Reiber]

Only seen "Shadows", which blew me away. Martin Scorsese owes him a lot... heck, "Who's That Knocking at My Door" is pretty much an inferior knockoff/homage (your choice) of the film. However, the film books I've bought pretty much say every other movie here is a must. Interestingly enough, one of my favorite books doesn't mention any other of Cassevetes films outside the ones in the set.

 

[Lino Reno]

Love Streams is coming out in France next month.

It will have some extras and I'm guessing it's from a new print.

 

[James Roberts]

Ray Carney definitely worked with Criterion on the boxset. There is a recent update on Carney's "Chasing Shadows" essay/news page -specifically, the "P.P.S. (Early Summer 2004)" section at the very bottom of the page (be sure to follow the link to Mr. Becker's e-mail message referred to in this new addition):

Ray Carney - Lost & Found Department - Chasing Shadows

This is unfortunate news but, we are still getting remastered prints of key Cassavetes films, and exclusive input from several Cassavetes collaborators.

 

[Charles Ms]

Here is the mail from Criterion mentioned in James Robert's post:

Criterion 2 Carney


From: Peter Becker
President of Criterion Video
The Criterion Collection
Subject: Bad news

Dear Ray,

I'm sorry to have to tell you that we won't be including your commentary or
essay in the Cassavetes box. Gena Rowlands feels that you have violated her
rights and failed to respect John Cassavetes' wishes, and she has informed
us that under the circumstances, she will not participate in or approve the
release with you as a part of it. Cassavetes entrusted his legacy to Gena,
so for us, her word is final. I wish it hadn't come to this.

Sincerely,
Peter

 

[Charles Ms]

So it seems we will "only" get interviews from the usual Cassavetes' collaborators but no commentaries. :-(

 

[Drew Reiber]

I'm very disappointed in the way this whole thing has been handled, but I would rather have the Cassavettes films cleaned up and on my shelf than hold out the ridiculous hope there will ever be a definitive, expanded set including all of the angles. Oh well.