Press Release Criterion Press Release: Cronos (1993) (4k UHD Combo) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

Guillermo del Toro made an auspicious and audacious feature debut with Cronos, a highly unorthodox tale about the seductiveness of the idea of immortality. Kindly antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) happens upon an ancient golden device in the shape of a scarab, and soon finds himself the possessor and victim of its sinister, addictive powers, as well as the target of a mysterious American named Angel (a delightfully crude and deranged Ron Perlman). Featuring marvelous makeup effects and the haunting imagery for which del Toro has become world-renowned, Cronos is a dark, visually rich, and emotionally captivating fantasy.

FILM INFO​

• Mexico
• 1993
• 93 minutes
• Color
• 1.85:1 (4K UHD), 1.78:1 (Blu-ray and DVD)
• Spanish
• Spine #551
  
  GUILLERMO DEL TORO
  

  Cronos​

  Guillermo del Toro made an auspicious and audacious feature debut with Cronos, a highly unorthodox tale about the seductiveness of the idea of immortality. Kindly antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) happens upon an ancient golden device in the shape of a scarab, and soon finds himself the possessor and victim of its sinister, addictive powers, as well as the target of a mysterious American named Angel (a delightfully crude and deranged Ron Perlman). Featuring marvelous makeup effects and the haunting imagery for which del Toro has become world-renowned, Cronos is a dark, visually rich, and emotionally captivating fantasy.
  

  FILM INFO​

  • Mexico
  • 1993
  • 93 minutes
  • Color
  • 1.85:1 (4K UHD), 1.78:1 (Blu-ray and DVD)
  • Spanish
  • Spine #551

  • DIRECTOR-APPROVED 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

    • New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Guillermo del Toro, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
    • One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
    • Optional original Spanish-language voice-over introduction
    • Two audio commentaries, one featuring del Toro, the other producers Arthur H. Gorson and Bertha Navarro and coproducer Alejandro Springall
    • Geometria, an unreleased 1987 short horror film by del Toro, finished in 2010, alongside an interview with the director
    • Welcome to Bleak House, a tour by del Toro of his home office, featuring his personal collections
    • Interviews with del Toro, cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, and actors Ron Perlman and Federico Luppi
    • Stills gallery captioned by del Toro
    • Trailer
    • PLUS: An essay by film critic Maitland McDonagh and excerpts from del Toro’s notes for the film
      
      Cover by Mike Mignola
      
      February 25, 2025

 

[Ronald Epstein]

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Amazon.com

 

[titch]

Oh jolly good timing - I was just about to pull the trigger on the BFI 4K UHD.

 

[jayembee]

Oh jolly good timing - I was just about to pull the trigger on the BFI 4K UHD.

The two releases seem almost identical. The "Bleak House" feature looks to be exclusive to the Criterion, while the BFI has a third audio commentary.

 

[titch]

The two releases seem almost identical. The "Bleak House" feature looks to be exclusive to the Criterion, while the BFI has a third audio commentary.

The BFI Limited Edition 4K UHD does include one of their excellent booklets, however.

I'm still quite tempted - these booklets are always very informative and stimulating. The BFI, Arrow Video and Second Sight put a lot of effort and thought into their production. Criterion usually only includes a leaflet. I'm still toying with double-dipping for the BFI 4K UHD Seven Samurai Limited Edition box, for the same reason. For such an iconic film, I'm keen to have the 80-page (!) book. This double-dipping for me makes far more sense, than forking out for another Punch-Drunk Love!

 

[jayembee]

I'm still of a mind to get the BFI releases of both. If I eventually decide to double-dip, it'll be easier to pick up the Criterions later than the BFIs.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Amazon preorder is live. See second post