The Criterion Collection

[happyfilmluvguy]

The Criterion Collection was founded in 1984 with the intention of collecting and distributing important classic and contemporary films, uncut, and in their original print. DVD's are priced at around $30, which may sound outrageous for one film, but what you are getting is much more than a film. You are getting non-existent features within the film as well as the other contents that you won't find on any other edition. Criterion films are collectables in their own right.

You may have some of the titles in which are distributed by the Criterion Collection. Classic films such as Afred Hitchcock's "Notorious", Orson Welles' "Touch Of Evil", and Fritz Lang's "M" are apart of the collection. If you don't own at least one film in the Criterion Collection, purchase one as soon as you can.

Criterion will probably continue to collect past, present and future films to come, ones that innovate the world and the mind, to sought out human kind's existence.

So for those who have seen, heard of, or own a film in the Criterion Collection, what do you think is the significance of the film being added to this collection? What makes the film important? What kind of features can be found on a Criterion DVD? Have you seen a different version of a particular film and Criterion's version? What is the difference between the two?

Their official website: "criterion.com" - Browse the collection, at the top left.

 

[Smyat]

So for those who have seen, heard of, or own a film in the Criterion Collection, what do you think is the significance of the film being added to this collection? What makes the film important? What kind of features can be found on a Criterion DVD?

You've already answered some of your own questions. Criterion not only selects films that are worth the very best care in transfer to DVD, but films that are often neglected or otherwise unavailable in a good print, if at all. They find the best print available, sometimes even going back to master negatives and positives when they can, archivally prepare the film, transfer it with the kind or shot-by-shot care that is needed to get maximum quality without artifacts or image problems, then package it with all the extras that make it worth a premium price.

The headline Criterion set for me is Terry Gilliam's Brazil, which includes a masterful transfer of Gilliam's original cut, the theatrically released "love conquers all" cut, the documentary "The Battle for Brazil" and I forget what else. Any fan of the film really has to watch the studio cut at least once, and seeing how two utterly different films were made from the same footage is an education in itself about the role (and misuse) of the editing process.

No question, I will buy a Criterion set of any film over any other disc, release or set.

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

That's interesting to know how far they go to get the best transfer available for a film. In "The Third Man" DVD, there is a special feature where they show you how they digitally fixed the negative print. Some of the shots were scratchy and distorted, and they actually were able to erase most of them. It's amazing, I believe. I believe The Third Man, and many other Orson Welles films deserve a place in the Criterion Collection because most of them were ahead of their time, dealing with subjects that were otherwise ignored, and also causing a lot of controversy. It has interesting characters, and the score was different. I think The Third Man had a different feel than other films like it.

My question steered more towards a particular film, for instance Brazil's significance as being an important film and for what reasons was it selected by the Criterion Collection.

 

[Jack Scorpion]

I don't give much credit to a film if they are chosen. It seems the selecting process can be quite random at times. Armageddon? Otherwise, I do appreciate Criterion a lot. I especially like the DVD covers.

 

[Smyat]

My question steered more towards a particular film, for instance Brazil's significance as being an important film and for what reasons was it selected by the Criterion Collection.

Probably a combination of collector/film aficionado interest, rarity or lack of availability of a good or recent transfer, and availability. I suppose some older films are "available" for the asking, while others might have to be teased out of rights-holders' hands, prior legal arrangements, etc.

The film I want to see in a Criterion release is "Convention City."

 

[Hondo]

"Sullivan's Travels" with Joel McCrea & Veronica Lake

My first Criterion, I love it mostly for Veronica Lake, but Joel McCrea and Veronica are fun couple, it was a great Criterion Transfer of a Classic, movie about a movie, plus my gal Veronica at her best, what a beautilful women, fun romp

 

[John in Covina]

I believe I have "The Bank Dick" a delightful W.C. Fields romp from their collection.

 

[Doh!]

I like how they retained the violence in RoboCop in all of its cartoon glory. I remember when it first aired on pay TV back in the '80s, and it was censored.

I don't like censored.

 

[Smyat]

I like how they retained the violence in RoboCop in all of its cartoon glory. I remember when it first aired on pay TV back in the '80s, and it was censored.

I don't like censored.

I have to admit that a closeup shot of someone's hand being blown off with a shotgun goes past my sense of appropriateness for a general audience.

 

[Midnight Palace]

I appreciate the fact that Criterion goes to great lengths to release a film with a lot of bonus features. Actually it's a shame that it isn't the standard for how all companies should release DVDs. The only Criterion disc I own to date is Carnival of Souls...and I might add, I was able to get it autographed by Candace Hilligoss when I met her a few years back

 

[Doh!]

I have to admit that a closeup shot of someone's hand being blown off with a shotgun goes past my sense of appropriateness for a general audience.

Oh, I agree. Hence the "R" rating.

 

[Quigley Brown]

I like how they retained the violence in RoboCop in all of its cartoon glory. I remember when it first aired on pay TV back in the '80s, and it was censored.

I don't like censored.

I've heard that the scene of the ED-209 being demonstrated for the first time by shooting one guy in the office was shortened. The robot's guns kept pumping bullets into that poor guy for about a minute straight. Had it not been edited down the film would have been given a NC-17 rating. Does the the Criterion edition have the full shooting scene?

 

[Smyat]

I've heard that the scene of the ED-209 being demonstrated for the first time by shooting one guy in the office was shortened. The robot's guns kept pumping bullets into that poor guy for about a minute straight. Had it not been edited down the film would have been given a NC-17 rating. Does the the Criterion edition have the full shooting scene?

NC-17 didn't exist at the time. It would have been an X rating or an unrated film, which few theaters would/will show on any terms.

The Criterion set has the extended footage of Weller's character being killed. There is also the extended footage of the board room scene, although it's more complicated than just riddling the one guy and isn't anything like a full minute longer.

I'm not squeamish and have no objection to violence, even graphic gory violence, in its place on the screen. But I don't watch gore-fests like Saw and few movies stand out as insanely over-violent and gory, to no real point, as RoboCop. Don't forget this was one of the '80s flicks pitched at kids even though it's in no way suitable for them. The later movies toned it down quite a bit.

By the way, the answer to any film question begins with "IMDb says..."

 

[Quigley Brown]

By the way, the answer to any film question begins with "IMDb says..."

Actually, I first checked the film's 'trivia' section from the IMDb site and it didn't mention anything about the boardroom scene.

 

[Doh!]

To each their own, of course, but I just don't see the comparison of RoboCop to Saw. I've seen Saw and thought it was terrible. Who's the hero of the piece? Were we meant to root for the serial killer?

Robo was clearly a satire and in order to satirize violence you have to be... well, violent. I really thought it was so wildly over the top -- and cartoony -- that it wasn't meant to be taken seriously. A guy literally dissolved from exposure to toxic waste. You don't get much more outrageous than that.

Anyway, I'm not a big fan of the current crop of "gorenography" either. I have no desire to see Hostel or any of the Saw sequels. I just don't think RoboCop should be painted with the same brush.

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

So what are some other films you have seen or own from the collection?

I just watched "The Royal Tenenbaums, and read later that Wes Anderson's first film, "Bottle Rocket" is being considered by the Criterion Collection. I also realized after seeing him in the movie theater for an American Express commercial, who he was. I had no clue.

 

[Lady Day]

I own one in the series, an obscure French film called Fat Girl

Ive found that the collection is valid mainly for its collection of behind the scenes content, more so than its treatment of the film. In my opinion anyway. Also I find the collection is a nice tool to find acclaimed films in many different categories (from script to FXs to acting to classics etc) and not just box office smashes.

LD

 

[Doh!]

I just scrolled through their list and don't have any others. That just tells me I must now pick up Brazil and Seven Samurai! I don't have them on DVD so this is a good reason to revisit these classics.

Thanks for the link, by the way.

 

[Smyat]

I just scrolled through their list and don't have any others. That just tells me I must now pick up Brazil and Seven Samurai! I don't have them on DVD so this is a good reason to revisit these classics.

The packaging on Brazil is nice, if they haven't changed it.

I'd suggest booking three evenings in close proximity to watch the full cut, the documentary "The Battle for Brazil," and then the "love conquers all" cut. It makes for an interesting mini-course in film politics and editing.

 

[Quigley Brown]

So what are some other films you have seen or own from the collection?

French film 'Diary of a Country Priest' is excellent.:eusa_clap