Seen The 1959 Hercule's Threads - But does anyone really know who has the US rights to the film? (1 Viewer)

[RobertMG]

Still, wether digital or actual packaging, both require time, effort and expence...for a dead project...still makes no sense!

Check this out fiction might be proven to be history? https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-691828

 

[Capt D McMars]

Check this out fiction might be proven to be history? https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-691828

The Archaeologists seem to have better luck finding Hercules than we have, LOL!!!

 

[Garysb]

Mark Forest, one of the many who played Hercules, Machiste etc after Steve Reeves has died. He become an opera singer/teacher after his brief film career.

Big-screen Hercules Mark Forest dies at 89 - Lifestyle

Mark Forest, the iconic Italian-American actor who played Hercules and Maciste in Hollywood and Italian sword and sandal epics in the 1950s and 60s, has died aged 89, his family said Monday. Born in Brooklyn in 1933, Forest's real name was Lou Degni. © ANSA

www.ansa.it

 

[Artanis]

Mark Forest, one of the many who played Hercules, Machiste etc after Steve Reeves has died. He become an opera singer/teacher after his brief film career.

Big-screen Hercules Mark Forest dies at 89 - Lifestyle

Mark Forest, the iconic Italian-American actor who played Hercules and Maciste in Hollywood and Italian sword and sandal epics in the 1950s and 60s, has died aged 89, his family said Monday. Born in Brooklyn in 1933, Forest's real name was Lou Degni. © ANSA

www.ansa.it

He did teach opera vocal technique out of his home in SoCal. I chatted with a former student of his some years back, in hopes of getting in touch with him. At that time, even she lost all contact with him. It seems he never really embraced his legacy and outstanding contribution to the Hercules films. The RetroMedia / Infinity DVD release of Goliath and The Sins of Babylon (presented in Technicolor Techniscope), is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, enhanced for 16x9. For a DVD, it's dog-gone impressive. Really good. I don't know if they remastered, but even on a 12' projected screen, it's quite grand.

 

[RobertMG]

This thread is a very frustrating read: there's so much speculation, much of it completely misinformed. Hopefully this will end it.

I'm not going to quote individual posts but reply to various points raised since the beginning of this thread.

Once again: as of today, 1st January, essentially, no post-1926-released, non-US works are public domain in the US – or anywhere else for that matter. I'm honesty baffled as to why so many fail to grasp this basic concept.

To reiterate: Neither Hercules film has ever been public domain in the US or anywhere else.

What's more, the number of US films that are truly public domain is far fewer than widely believed.

No British film has ever entered the public domain domestically for at least 50 years following the death of its co-creator.

The rambling, contradictory copyright statement on Festival Films' website is a deliberately convoluted lie with only peripheral relation to the facts. It's concocted to justify their inveterate piracy and many bootleggers post similar worthless notices alongside their listings, in an attempt to ward off inquisitive visitors. This links to several layman's guides to US and international copyright law, all fully referenced with official sources.

Here's a straightforward guide to differentiating bootlegs from licensed releases.

Like every single so-called "public domain" company I've ever come across, a significant proportion of Festival Films' inventory is actually copyrighted; ie they have no business selling it and are committing theft. The same also applies, albeit to a much lesser degree, to Film Chest and Retromedia.

The German Intergroove label are/were 100% bootleggers, part of a large stable of front companies collectively pirating thousands of titles. If Intergroove's 2014 DVD of Hercules Unchained happens to have decent A/V, it's only because it was stolen from...

Legit German KNM/Concorde Home Entertainment's 2004 2-DVD set of both films is for most the best option currently available. Hercules has a slightly cropped 1.78:1, non-anamorphic transfer, while Hercules Unchained's transfer is 2.35:1 anamorphic. Both films have English and German dubs, no subtitles, and no extras.

Both films have also had the exact same DVD issued by DVDY and Opening in France. The latter have issued each film four times with different sleeve designs. Both discs have 2.35:1 anamorphic transfers; English, French and Italian dubs; and forced French subtitles. Their only extra is a French-language peplum featurette (5:35, no subtitles) on the Hercules disc.

As far as can be ascertained, these appear to be the only legit releases, with all others being bootlegs.

Via a series of buyouts, takeovers and acquisitions, according to Concorde both Hercules films are now owned by AMC Networks, licensors for all the DVDs above. Current ownership by a US company has nothing to do with the films' original US theatrical distribution.

Just because films are freely and openly distributed on various media, it does not make them public domain, nor does it necessarily mean the copyright holders don't know or care about it. For more information, see the bootleg guide.

Just heard from AMC they do not own Hercules they gave me list of every distributor since it initial release!

 

[RobertMG]

This thread is a very frustrating read: there's so much speculation, much of it completely misinformed. Hopefully this will end it.

I'm not going to quote individual posts but reply to various points raised since the beginning of this thread.

Once again: as of today, 1st January, essentially, no post-1926-released, non-US works are public domain in the US – or anywhere else for that matter. I'm honesty baffled as to why so many fail to grasp this basic concept.

To reiterate: Neither Hercules film has ever been public domain in the US or anywhere else.

What's more, the number of US films that are truly public domain is far fewer than widely believed.

No British film has ever entered the public domain domestically for at least 50 years following the death of its co-creator.

The rambling, contradictory copyright statement on Festival Films' website is a deliberately convoluted lie with only peripheral relation to the facts. It's concocted to justify their inveterate piracy and many bootleggers post similar worthless notices alongside their listings, in an attempt to ward off inquisitive visitors. This links to several layman's guides to US and international copyright law, all fully referenced with official sources.

Here's a straightforward guide to differentiating bootlegs from licensed releases.

Like every single so-called "public domain" company I've ever come across, a significant proportion of Festival Films' inventory is actually copyrighted; ie they have no business selling it and are committing theft. The same also applies, albeit to a much lesser degree, to Film Chest and Retromedia.

The German Intergroove label are/were 100% bootleggers, part of a large stable of front companies collectively pirating thousands of titles. If Intergroove's 2014 DVD of Hercules Unchained happens to have decent A/V, it's only because it was stolen from...

Legit German KNM/Concorde Home Entertainment's 2004 2-DVD set of both films is for most the best option currently available. Hercules has a slightly cropped 1.78:1, non-anamorphic transfer, while Hercules Unchained's transfer is 2.35:1 anamorphic. Both films have English and German dubs, no subtitles, and no extras.

Both films have also had the exact same DVD issued by DVDY and Opening in France. The latter have issued each film four times with different sleeve designs. Both discs have 2.35:1 anamorphic transfers; English, French and Italian dubs; and forced French subtitles. Their only extra is a French-language peplum featurette (5:35, no subtitles) on the Hercules disc.

As far as can be ascertained, these appear to be the only legit releases, with all others being bootlegs.

Via a series of buyouts, takeovers and acquisitions, according to Concorde both Hercules films are now owned by AMC Networks, licensors for all the DVDs above. Current ownership by a US company has nothing to do with the films' original US theatrical distribution.

Just because films are freely and openly distributed on various media, it does not make them public domain, nor does it necessarily mean the copyright holders don't know or care about it. For more information, see the bootleg guide.

AMC contacted me they do not own Hercules or Unchained

 

[AlanP]

AMC contacted me they do not own Hercules or Unchained

So who owns it ??

 

[ahollis]

 

[RobertMG]

So who owns it ??

They linked me to a list of every distributor who has had anything to do with it since 1958! And the sequel too

 

[AlanP]

They linked me to a list of every distributor who has had anything to do with it since 1958! And the sequel too

And it is owned currently by ???

 

[Capt D McMars]

And it is owned currently by ???

But isn’t that the million dollar question? You’re looking at a treasure map saying well where is the X?

 

[RobertMG]

And it is owned currently by ???

No one knows!

 

[Ed Lachmann]

Anyone read and speak fluent Japanese? The latest company releasing the two Hercules pictures, and in blu-ray, is the one that did singles of the two and a double feature BD set you can find at Amazon.jp. Maybe an answer can be found there, that is if you can communicate with them.

 

[Joseph Goodman]

The Japanese releases credited Cristaldifilm as the licensor.

 

[Capt D McMars]

The Japanese releases credited Cristaldifilm as the licensor.

here's the first one - https://www.cristaldifilm.com/film/82/le_fatiche_di_ercole.php
and number 2 - https://www.cristaldifilm.com/film/75/ercole_e_la_regina_di_lidia.php
so at this point I think we found the source!!

 

[aPhil]

here's the first one - https://www.cristaldifilm.com/film/82/le_fatiche_di_ercole.php
and number 2 - https://www.cristaldifilm.com/film/75/ercole_e_la_regina_di_lidia.php
so at this point I think we found the source!!

Does anyone know about the quality of this release?

 

[Ed Lachmann]

Some buyers whose reports I recall reading a while back said that the image is very, very dark but had a nice sharpness nonetheless. I didn't pick these up as there is only Italian and Japanese language options. Wonder if our friends at Explosive Media-Germany could make it happen. Both versions of their Sodom and Gomorrah came from Italian Titanus but somehow included the English option. That's also the case with their Romulus and Remus. A deal with Cristaldi perhaps?

 

[RobertMG]

here's the first one - https://www.cristaldifilm.com/film/82/le_fatiche_di_ercole.php
and number 2 - https://www.cristaldifilm.com/film/75/ercole_e_la_regina_di_lidia.php
so at this point I think we found the source!!

Thanks but been there! Here is their response
-----Original Message-----
From: Info <[email protected]>
To: 'aremgee@>
Sent: Wed, Nov 24, 2021 5:06 am
Subject: R: Hercules Steve Reeves

Dear Mr G
sorry is to inform you that the rights for USA are not available.
Best regards,

CRISTALDIFILM
Piazza Ungheria, 6
00198 Roma

ph. n. +39.06. 85355509 – 85357116 fax n. +39.06.8841006
e-mail : [email protected]
visit us at: www.cristaldifilm.com

 

[dana martin]

Okay kind of call me stupid on this one, but since we're only talking those two specific films which spawned an entire generation of other films. Has anyone thought to contact Criterion.

I mean they were willing to do both the Lady Snowblood films, they did a Bruce Lee box set, so they are willing to do some pop cultural reference with historical significance. And they're pretty good at cleaning up rights issues too, or if it's in the public domain who knows.

 

[RobertMG]

Okay kind of call me stupid on this one, but since we're only talking those two specific films which spawned an entire generation of other films. Has anyone thought to contact Criterion.

I mean they were willing to do both the Lady Snowblood films, they did a Bruce Lee box set, so they are willing to do some pop cultural reference with historical significance. And they're pretty good at cleaning up rights issues to, or if it's in the public domain who knows.

Many years ago I suggested it to them NOTHING sadly - I know of a vid company is trying but no one knows anything AMC sent me this list! Look at the companies involved and no one knows!


Hercules Unchained (1959)
Company Credits
Showing all 60 company credits
Jump to: Production Companies (4) | Distributors (52) | Other Companies (4)
Production Companies
· Galatea Film
· Lux Film
· Lux Compagnie Cinématographique de France
· Urania Film
Distributors
· Lux Film (1959) (Italy) (theatrical)
· Daiei (1959) (Japan) (theatrical) (subtitled)
· Warner Bros. (1960) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
· Warner-Pathé Distributors (1960) (UK) (theatrical) (dubbed)
· Warner Bros. (1960) (New Zealand) (theatrical) (dubbed)
· Constantin Film (1960) (West Germany) (theatrical)
· Union Film (1960) (Austria) (theatrical)
· Nyman Film (1961) (Sweden) (theatrical)
· Triangelfilm (1961) (Norway) (theatrical)
· AVCO Embassy Television (1969) (USA) (TV) (dubbed)
· AVCO Embassy Pictures (1973) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release) (dubbed)
· National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1976) (USA) (TV) (network premiere)
· New Gold Entertainment (1976) (Italy) (TV)
· Parade Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
· VCI Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
· Navarre Corporation (1998) (USA) (VHS) (dubbed)
· Something Weird Video (SWV) (USA) (VHS)
· Timeless Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
· United American Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
· GoodTimes Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
· United American Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
· Alpha Video Distributors (2002) (USA) (VHS)
· TGG Direct (2003) (USA) (DVD)
· Alpha Video Distributors (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· Digiview Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· Miracle Pictures (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· RsR Multimedia (2004) (Spain) (DVD)
· Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
· VCI Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· Westlake Entertainment Group (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· World Film Magic Distribution (2004) (USA) (DVD)
· EastWest Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
· Reel Media International (2005) (USA) (VHS)
· Rhino Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
· Catcom Home Entertainment (2006) (USA) (DVD)
· Mill Creek Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
· Reel Media International (2007) (World-wide) (all media)
· Synergy Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
· PC Treasures (2008) (USA) (DVD)
· Shout! Factory (2010) (USA) (video) (MST3K version)
· Desert Island Films (2011) (USA) (DVD)
· Cobb Films (2014) (USA) (DVD)
· Voulez Vous Film (2014) (Germany) (DVD)
· Rai Movie (2016) (Italy) (TV)
· Delta Films S.A. (1960) (Spain) (theatrical)
· Lux Compagnie Cinématographique de France (1959) (France) (theatrical)
· 3GTG (2020) (World-wide) (all media)
· ClassicLine (Brazil) (DVD)
· Image Entertainment (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
· Nelson Entertainment (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
· Sultan Video (USA) (VHS)
· VidAmerica (USA) (VHS)
Other Companies
· Casa d'Arte di Firenze (costumes furnishing)
· Editrice Musicali Nord Sud (soundtrack)
· Florence and Frederick (ballet)
· Titra Sound Corporation (dubbing: US version) (uncredited)