Robert Altman's Images ..... could it be? (1 Viewer)

[Thomas T]

DVD file announced that MGM home video will release Images in September. That's all the info they gave, just a title. Is there some other film called Images that I am unaware of or could it be that Altman's little seen masterpiece will see the light of day in September? Anyone know for sure? I'm not getting my hopes up but still.

 

[Rain]

It would be nice to see Altman's film released on DVD.

Of course, we are talking about MGM and a catalogue title, so I wouldn't expect a very good DVD.

 

[MichaelBryant]

I don't think it's the same movie. From what I've read Columbia Pictures owns Altman's Images not MGM. I could be wrong though. Try emailing DVDFile, maybe they can be more specific. I'd be next in line (after you) to buy this DVD if it is the Altman film.

I just pulled out my VHS copy of Images and it is Columbia that released this movie. Unless they leased or sold the rights to MGM I can't imagine this being the same film. Sorry!:frowning:

 

[streeter]

I didn't find any other films called "Images" on the imdb.

 

[Tim Fleming]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the original print of Images was in such bad repair that it would never see the light of day on DVD... it would be wonderful if whoever said that could be proven wrong!!

 

[Kenneth_C]

I remember reading an interview with Altman several years ago where he stated that Columbia had apparently destroyed the negative of Images, but that he hoped a collector somewhere would someday show up with one.

 

[Jon Martin]

Of course, we are talking about MGM and a catalogue title, so I wouldn't expect a very good DVD.

Why do you say that? MGM has been doing a fairly good job with catalogue titles. And this was anounced as anamorphic widescreen. Who cares about extras you may watch once, it is the film that is important.

As for the distribution company for IMAGES, this was produced by Hemdale (BLOW UP star David Hemming's company). They also did MIRACLE MILE which MGM is releasing. Both of those films were released theatrically by Columbia. So, I would say they are the same film.

Can't wait for it. I have an old video copy that I would like to replace.

 

[Gordon McMurphy]

I believe I read somewhere that Columbia "lost" the camera negative a few years ago. :frowning:

But wasn't the film shown as part of an Altman retrospective in some American city recently?


Gordy

 

[PatrickL]

"Images" was thought to be lost, according to quotes from Altman over the past few years. But, lo and behold, it was found at some point because he introduced a new print of it late last year at New York's Film Forum.

I don't think the movie was ever released on VHS in the US, although there was a poor p&s tape issued in the UK years ago. It's possible that MGM has the video rights at this point, because of the Hemdale connection.

 

[MichaelBryant]

I don't think the movie was ever released on VHS in the US, although there was a poor p&s tape issued in the UK years ago. It's possible that MGM has the video rights at this point, because of the Hemdale connection.

You aren't kidding. The P&S transfer on the UK VHS is the worst I have ever seen. There isn't even any panning. Its just a zoom! There are actually scenes where two people are having a confersation and all you see is the space between them. Other scenes are almost completely hidden behind a very faded film print. It's so bad I honestly feel I have never really seen this movie.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this new DVD is infact Altman's Images. From what you and others have posted it looks to be the case! Who would have thought a film even the director said was lost would appear in anamorphic OAR on DVD! I wonder if hell has frozen over yet?

If 3 Women and Images arrive in the same year on DVD I will be in movie heaven!

 

[PatrickL]

If 3 Women and Images arrive in the same year on DVD I will be in movie heaven!

That would be something, especially since neither were ever released stateside on homevideo before. Now if only we could get dvds of the other two Altman "women" pictures to complete the subset - I wonder if there's any hope for That Cold Day In The Park (Artisan?) and Come Back To The Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean (Paramount?)

Not to mention other Altman gems like California Split, Thieves Like Us, Streamers.....

And while I'm at it, it's too bad that R1 hasn't seen releases of Short Cuts or Vincent & Theo while they've been out elsewhere for over a year.

 

[MichaelBryant]

I searched DVD price search and found several online DVD stores that have listings for the MGM Images DVD. They all list it as a 1972 film so it is definitely the Altman movie.
It is also listed as letterbox/16x9 enhanced and has a low suggested price of 19.99. This is great news but I'm a little upset Fox hasn't announced who or when 3 Women is being released. It's been six months since the chat and I'm starting to feel it might have fallen into DVD limbo hell.

 

[Gordon McMurphy]

http://www.dvdimport.com/product.asp?productid=13395

Interview with Altman! Commentary by Altman!

Great stuff!


Gordy

 

[oscar_merkx]

Gordy

make that a selected scenes commentary

 

[Claude North]

This is great news but I'm a little upset Fox hasn't announced who or when 3 Women is being released. It's been six months since the chat and I'm starting to feel it might have fallen into DVD limbo hell.

I've been wondering about that myself. I assumed that 3 WOMEN would be a Criterion release but they've announced their schedule through August and there is no mention of it. The same goes for BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.

Still, it's great to see IMAGES getting a widescreen DVD release. Little by little, the Altman films are arriving. Sadly, Warners announced that a DVD release of BREWSTER MCCLOUD is unlikely, due to poor laserdisc sales.

 

[Jay Gregory]

Has anyone seen this disk yet?

I've never seen this movie, and I'm really looking forward to the DVD.

 

[Gordon McMurphy]

It is unavailable at many top e-tailers for some reason. All the other MGM 16th September releases are, though.

One of the most beautiful films ever shot, Images is a must-have for me.


Gordy

 

[John Hodson]

Got a message from dvdimport that Images would not be getting a Canadian release, and therefore they could not supply it...

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So many films, so little time...

 

[MichaelBryant]

Deep Discount DVD shipped mine last Wednesday but I haven't received it yet. Hopefully I'll get it in a day or two. It's weird that no DVD site has reviewed it.

 

[Marc Colella]

Here's the first review I've seen of this DVD:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=7633