Criterion to re-do Beauty and the Beast DVD (1 Viewer)

[Mark-W]

Clay-

Thanks! :b

I appreciate the kind words both here and those you
left over at eBay.

With admiration,

Mark

 

[Craig Beam]

I sold my copy on eBay a couple of months ago for $65.00... but truth be told, I miss it immensely. I've already checked it out from my local library once since then, and I forsee doing it another time or two before the new edition comes out... God, what a wonderful film.

 

[DeeF]

I have Beauty and the Beast, M. Hulot's Holiday, and Mon Oncle. I also have Disney's Little Mermaid.

I've never done anything with Ebay. I'm a little frightened of it.

I'm just wondering what I ought to do. I don't buy these things to collect them and make money, but perhaps I ought to think about this a little.

 

[T r o y]

Urggghh!! I just bought the latest Beauty and the Beast DVD a few weeks ago!! And now they are re-releasing
by Criterion. Anyone know why ? Isn't this a stellar release already? Why go and reissue it again?
thanks for any info.
Troy

 

[Lew Crippen]

I infer from your post that you purchased the Disney B&B, not the one by Cocteau, which was filmed in France in 1946 and titled (en François) La belle et la bête, which is the film under discussion here.

If you are referring to the 1946 film, this film has recently undergone extensive restoration and is being shown (mostly on the art house circuit) right now. Criterion withdrew their previous edition several months ago. They are due to release the same film, using the restored film as a base for their transfer.

We all expect it to be stellar.

And if you are only familiar with the Disney version, the one by Cocteau is magical. I think very suited for children of all ages (including mine).

 

[DaViD Boulet]

Of course, *were* Criterion to actually re-release Disney's animated B&TB, we might have hope for a DVD mastering free from the horrid Mosquito noise that plauges the current disc on large-screen setups!

 

[Enrique B Chamorro]

Lew,

What did you think of the 35mm print?
I saw it in Chicago and;
1) was glad to see the original opening credits
2) it looked like it had the same film element
damage that is used as an example of the restoration
on the current DVD?

I watched the DVD before going
to the showing and watched the DVD restoration.
I understand that a lot can be done on the digital level
to clean up scratches, etc, but I was expecting a
GREAT film presentation. The presentation was just
fair. The advertising makes it sound like it will
look spectacular.
I also went to the presentation of the restored
Metropolis and was blown away!

I hope Criterion can get a better original source
and make a NEW digital restoration that can blow
away the current Criterion DVD.

 

[Lew Crippen]

It just showed up in Dallas, Enrique, so I can’t comment yet. May have a comment later in the week.

I too was blown away by Metropolis. Interesting that there was quite a bit of controversy on the film speed.

One criticism that I had of the ‘old’ Criterion BYB disk, was that the restoration demo seemed to me to be better (in some places) than what was in the feature itself.

 

[Rain]

Ladies and Gentlemen, it looks like the specs and cover art are up for new disc at Criterion's website.
Click here for the details.
And for those who care about this sort of thing, you'll be happy to know it looks like they are sticking with the same spine number (#6).

 

[Mark-W]

Rain-
Thanks for the DVD cover art. I have to say, while
I like it, I am feeling a bit mixed about it: I find
that I either prefer something close to the original
theatrical posters, or for black and white films, black
and white photographs.
But, hey, its only cover art.
Mark

 

[Lew Crippen]

And for those who care about this sort of thing, you'll be happy to know it looks like they are sticking with the same spine number (#6).

Methinks that this will depress the prices on the second-hand market for the first release.