Press Release Criterion Press Release: In the Heat of the Night (1967) (4k UHD Combo) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[TheMovieDude]

There are presumably enough Criterion completists, along with libraries and educational institutions to make these releases viable.

Yes. Criterion is like a cult. They have a much larger and loyal fanbase than Kino who will buy anything they put out. The monthly anticipation they have created waiting for their new releases is marketing genius. And they have 1.3 million IG followers vs Kino's 50k or they are 25X more popular than Kino.

 

[battlebeast]

I think most of us already know that.

no one mentioned it so…

 

[Robert Crawford]

no one mentioned it so…

We've been talking about it from almost the beginning of this thread and in other similar threads in which the actual movie titles were named. It all comes down to the fact that Criterion was slow to adopt 4K/UHD format while Kino wasn't as slow in that regard.

 

[titch]

Kino Lorber were pretty smart. When Criterion were just faffing around, wondering whether or not to jump om this new-fangled 4K fad for eight years, Kino Lorber just snapped up a few of Criterion's prize catalogue releases and released them as 4K UHD titles - very successfully. Now Criterion is playing catch-up and half their recent 4K UHD titles have already had 4K UHD releases by StudioCanal, Arrow Video, Kino Lorber, Curzon and others. Kino Lorber made good money, whereas Criterion probably will make much less money now, than if they had been quicker on the ball.

Of course, far easier in hindsight to see their mistake. 4K on physical media is a small segment. However, it is obviously lucrative, as the small segment who purchase 4K, are willing to pay premium prices. But Criterion wouldn't have known that in 2016. They've just been watching the market. It was only very recently, that they made the decision that almost all their new releases would be on 4K UHD.

Warner Archive is no different. They've been sitting on the fence all this time, saying that the increased cost of 4K UHD would not be profitable for catalogue releases. Then they dipped their toes in the water with The Searchers and were completely floored with the sales they had!

 

[Robert Harris]

Kino Lorber were pretty smart. When Criterion were just faffing around, wondering whether or not to jump om this new-fangled 4K fad for eight years, Kino Lorber just snapped up a few of Criterion's prize catalogue releases and released them as 4K UHD titles - very successfully. Now Criterion is playing catch-up and half their recent 4K UHD titles have already had 4K UHD releases by StudioCanal, Arrow Video, Kino Lorber, Curzon and others. Kino Lorber made good money, whereas Criterion probably will make much less money now, than if they had been quicker on the ball.

Of course, far easier in hindsight to see their mistake. 4K on physical media is a small segment. However, it is obviously lucrative, as the small segment who purchase 4K, are willing to pay premium prices. But Criterion wouldn't have known that in 2016. They've just been watching the market. It was only very recently, that they made the decision that almost all their new releases would be on 4K UHD.

Warner Archive is no different. They've been sitting on the fence all this time, saying that the increased cost of 4K UHD would not be profitable for catalogue releases. Then they dipped their toes in the water with The Searchers and were completely floored with the sales they had!

I would not make your presumption about Warner Archive.

 

[titch]

I would not make your presumption about Warner Archive.

Well, Mr. Feltenstein said in an interview on a podcast, on this very forum in 2022, that he really wanted to start producing 4K UHD, but the costs made it really hard to do it.

Home Theater United Episode 39 - What's Cooking at Warner Archive Collection with Mr. George Feltenstein

episode-39-what-s-cooking-at-warner-archive-collection-with-mr-george-feltenstein Home Theater United Episode 39 September 19, 2022 6:30 PM EST What’s cooking at Warner Archive (Target time about 1h): Intro by sam: Who is Mr. George Feltenstein? What’s his history with Warner? He’s been...

www.hometheaterforum.com

 

[Robert Crawford]

WA is in a different type of category because they’re part of a large international conglomerate. Because of that I would give them a pass due to restrictions beyond WA’s control.

 

[Nick*Z]

I know the hang up here is for 4K vs. Blu. But honestly, with such vast holdings of deep catalog still MIA in any format other than DVD, or in some cases LD and VHS, I would sincerely wish for just more quality releases in Blu of stuff that hasn't yet seen the light of day.

Creating a Blu, then a 4K, then another Blu/4K combo, then another Blu/4K combo with one or two added extras, is just a waste of real estate, time and money that could be better spent on getting more high-quality masters done on other archival materials to expand the catalog release base, rather than just swirl around the same catalog releases over and over again, hoping for more profits to be derived.

At some point, even with no new effort applied, the returns on such releases have to diminish. I mean, how many more incarnations of In The Heat of the Night do we really need - especially when all the previous ones are still readily in print?

 

[Allansfirebird]

Criterion's thought process with these re-releases is a bit of a head-scratcher these days.

Not to go too far afield of In the Heat of the Night, but I've never understood why Criterion has never done a blu-ray release for Spartacus to include the essential-listening commentary tracks. The 2-disc DVD set is still in-print, so I just don't get it.

 

[Lord Dalek]

Presumably Universal didn't license the blu-ray rights for Spartacus to Criterion. Nothing really exciting.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

Amazon.com

 

[Stephen_J_H]

I would not make your presumption about Warner Archive.

Well, Mr. Feltenstein said in an interview on a podcast, on this very forum in 2022, that he really wanted to start producing 4K UHD, but the costs made it really hard to do it.

Home Theater United Episode 39 - What's Cooking at Warner Archive Collection with Mr. George Feltenstein

episode-39-what-s-cooking-at-warner-archive-collection-with-mr-george-feltenstein Home Theater United Episode 39 September 19, 2022 6:30 PM EST What’s cooking at Warner Archive (Target time about 1h): Intro by sam: Who is Mr. George Feltenstein? What’s his history with Warner? He’s been...

www.hometheaterforum.com

WA is in a different type of category because they’re part of a large international conglomerate. Because of that I would give them a pass due to restrictions beyond WA’s control.

And being part of a large multinational conglomerate, WAC has a finite budget given to them by the powers that be, which is a significant contrast from companies who licence titles for release, like Criterion, KLSC, Shout, Vinegar Syndrome and far too many others to name. Those companies actively seek out titles to release and make their decisions based on what's available to them, whereas WAC has to prioritise based on budget.

 

[Luke Pacholski]

I see no reason to double dip after Kino’s 2022 4K/UHD release.

Not everyone already has that. And the Kino doesn’t have the film on BD, just UHD.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Not everyone already has that. And the Kino doesn’t have the film on BD, just UHD.

That’s why I clearly stated double dip which means you already own it from Kino. If you don’t own the Kino release then it’s not a double dip and if you want it then purchasing the Criterion release is a good option.

 

[Hoytereden]

I know the hang up here is for 4K vs. Blu. But honestly, with such vast holdings of deep catalog still MIA in any format other than DVD, or in some cases LD and VHS, I would sincerely wish for just more quality releases in Blu of stuff that hasn't yet seen the light of day.

Creating a Blu, then a 4K, then another Blu/4K combo, then another Blu/4K combo with one or two added extras, is just a waste of real estate, time and money that could be better spent on getting more high-quality masters done on other archival materials to expand the catalog release base, rather than just swirl around the same catalog releases over and over again, hoping for more profits to be derived.

At some point, even with no new effort applied, the returns on such releases have to diminish. I mean, how many more incarnations of In The Heat of the Night do we really need - especially when all the previous ones are still readily in print?

Criterion seems to have largely abandoned upgrading their DVD only library. With rare exceptions, their monthly upgrade releases are from BD to 4K. So many great titles like the David Lean/Charles Dickens duo or the Antoine Doinel Collection seemingly stuck in DVD purgatory.

 

[battlebeast]

Criterion seems to have largely abandoned upgrading their DVD only library. With rare exceptions, their monthly upgrade releases are from BD to 4K. So many great titles like the David Lean/Charles Dickens duo or the Antoine Doinel Collection seemingly stuck in DVD purgatory.

Hand let’s not forget the Best Picture HAMLET.

 

[HDVizion]

May has 2 DVD upgrades.

 

[Sam Favate]

I’d like to see Life of Brian updated through Criterion, but is it possible they’ve lost the license for it?

 

[cda1143]

Criterion seems to have largely abandoned upgrading their DVD only library. With rare exceptions, their monthly upgrade releases are from BD to 4K. So many great titles like the David Lean/Charles Dickens duo or the Antoine Doinel Collection seemingly stuck in DVD purgatory.

True. For those interested in better transfers, there is a region free UK blu of Great Expectations, and an iTunes HD of Oliver Twist.

 

[cda1143]

I’d like to see Life of Brian updated through Criterion, but is it possible they’ve lost the license for it?

Quite likely. There is an iTunes HD.