The Max Ophüls Collection (Second Sight/UK) (1 Viewer)

[Brian PB]

On September 18th, 2006 Second Sight Films Ltd in the UK is releasing four of Max Ophüls' films on DVD under the rubric The Max Ophüls Collection. It appears they are only available separately (i.e., no box set), at a retail price of £19.99 each. Links are to the listings at Play.com.

Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)

• Video essay by film historian Tag Gallagher

The Reckless Moment (1949)

• Introduction by film director Todd Haynes
• Commentary by Lutz Bacher, author of `Max Ophuls in The Hollywood Studios'
• Region 0 (PAL)

Le Plaisir (1952)

• Introduction by film director Todd Haynes
• 'Les Chemins du Plaisir': documentary feature
• 'Moments from Le Plaisir': a photographic short story
• 'From script to screen': featurette

Madame de… (The Earrings of Madame de...) (1953)

• Video essay by film historian Tag Gallagher
• 'Working with Max Ophuls': by film director Alain Jessua

Absolutely brilliant news since Ophüls is terribly underrepresented on DVD outside of France (the sole exception in the US is Fox Lorber's crappy non-anamorphic 1998 release of Lola Montès). None of these has been released yet in Region 1, though Criterion holds the rights to Le Plaisir and The Earrings of Madame de... (as well as the 1951 film, La Ronde). Paramount had originally scheduled Letter from an Unknown Woman* for a May 16th release, but it was cancelled and has yet to be rescheduled. AFAIK, Sony should own the rights to The Reckless Moment , which was made for Columbia.

* Wild Side Vidéo in France has released a decent DVD of Letter from an Unknown Woman (R2 PAL) under the title Lettre d'une inconnue

 

[Dave B Ferris]

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll probably order all four, although I'm especially
eager for 'The Reckless Moment', which - unlike 'Letter ...' and 'Madame' -
was never released on LD.

 

[Irina]

Thanks! Fantastic news! Amazon.co.uk does not have it listed yet. Play.com does not ship to the USA. By the way, France also has Caught on DVD:
http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CCZ2RC. The sub-titles are forced which is also true for their Letter from an Unknown Woman edition: http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000CCZ2VS.

 

[Jon Robertson]

Second Sight also released Caught on VHS in the UK (also as part of a "Max Ophuls Collection" - the head of the company is clearly a major fan), so I'm wondering if they're planning to add to these initial four at some point in the future?

 

[Irina]

Let's hope that Second Sight will add more Ophuls titles in the future. The following titles have been released on VHS:
1. La Ronde (US and UK)
2. Liebelei (US and UK)
3. Mayerling to Sarajevo (US)
4. La Signora di Tutti (US)
5. Laughing Heirs (US).

According to the replies to my inquiries, both Link Removed and www.sendit.com should have the four DVD titles listed on thei sites by mid-July. Amazon.co.uk did not dive any dates.

 

[Dave B Ferris]

These titles can now be pre-ordered at amazon.co.uk. However,
I found it necessary to look-up each title individually.

When I tried to use the advanced search engine, whereby I
input the director's last name (Ophuls), only three finds
were returned (including R1 'Lola Montes' and 'The Sorrow
and the Pity', by the younger Ophuls) -- but none of
these new titles were included among the three finds.

 

[Irina]

Yes, I also found the Ophuls titles on amazon.co.uk by accident today by searching on The Reckless Moment. These titles are also listed on sendit.com. Bensonsworld.co.uk still does not have them listed.

 

[Dave B Ferris]

For my order, at least, Amazon.UK dispatched 'The Reckless Moment'
and 'Madame De ...' today (9/22).

'Le Plaisir' (the other DVD I ordered) has apparently been delayed,
or maybe Amazon.UK just had fewer copies available than
they needed to fill their orders.

 

[Irina]

I have already received all 4 DVDs from bensonsworld.co.uk two days ago. Great picture quality and fantastic movies. I just checked amazon.co.uk. According to the site, Le Plaisir is available for dispatch within 5 to 7 days.

 

[Armin Jager]

Irina, could you please tell me if there are English subtitles on LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN and THE RECKLESS MOMENT? Thanks in advance.

 

[Irina]

Armin, there are no English subtitles on either The Reckless Moment, or The Letter From an Unknown Woman. Optional English subtitles are available on Le Plaisir and Madame de via the Subtitles button on the DVD player.