The CRITERION DVD and Blu-ray Thread
 

It seems to me like the Criterion DVD releases of older movies are much superior to other R1 and R2 releases of the same movies. I was reading in the week on DVD Times some of a review of Carnival of Souls (1962). The Criterion release is the best version to get. It has loads of extras.

I would like to get this version on DVD, but looking at the prices on eBay I think they're too high.

I'd like to get as well the Criterion version of Rebecca (1941), but as that is a rare title now it's getting ridiculous prices on eBay.

Criterion releases always sell for a premium, you're looking at between £13-25 for each release depending on how many discs there are. I have one Criterion in my collection (Videodrome) and it's fantastic with the booklet, extras and the cut scenes not found in the Universal barebones release. It just depends on how much you like the film and how much of an upgrade you think it's worth, it's also worth noting that they're a bit more expensive now with the GBP being so weak.

That's the problem Cloud. With the weak pound at the moment buying TV DVD boxsets and film DVDs from the US is way more expensive than it was 6+ months ago.

There were loads of copies of the Carnival of Souls Criterion DVD on eBay. It's the Rebecca Criterion DVD which is rare. It's a pity Criterion can't re-release it.

I'm sure they will Wavey, everything gets re-issued sooner or later. The weak GBP most certainly is a problem now, my importing is minimal and with so many US companies going under I'm helpless to buy their product before it's gone for good.

Criterion are starting to concentrate on Blu-ray releases now. I've just got their version of The Third Man... and it's a stunning release.

Wait for the Blu-ray version is my advice.

I've found that some Criterion releases are now dropping in price, even the chancers at ebay are dropping their prices... Although you do get the odd one trying to sell Robocop for £40+

I used to collect them,but as mentioned they were getting a bit pricey....
Titles I've got rid of include....
STRAW DOGS (Regrettably)
PEEPING TOM
BLOOD FOR DRACULA
THE NIGHT PORTER
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
THE ROCK
ARMAGEDDON
TRAFFIC
DEAD RINGERS

Only one's I've got left are;
VIDEODROME
FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN

I too was going to start collecting Criterion's at some stage, but the prices put me off as well... I came to purchase some and thought for the price of a Criterion I could buy three or so other DVD's that I wanted.

The only ones I have managed to get (so far) are:

- Blood for Dracula
- Brazil (3 Disc Version)
- La Commare secca
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- Flesh for Frankenstein
- Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages
- The Silence of the Lambs
- Videodrome

I will probably get more, but price will be a big factor in whether that will happen.

I'd like to get a 70's movie called The Friends of Eddie Coyle, but it appears Criterion only ship to the US and Canada.

Try Amazon marketplace mate. That's where I bought all my Criterion titles from: The Friends of Eddie Coyle

bizarre_eye - Thanks for posting that link. There was only one new copy left from an Amazon Marketplace seller. I can buy off Amazon again so it was great to be able to get this film via Amazon. And the price was good as well, bearing in mind the higher prices for new (or used) copies of Criterion releases.

I bought as well Carnival of Souls (for anyone who is interested in getting this film and have been pondering over whether to get the Network DVD version, don't get that version. Instead purchase the Criterion version) and the original Insomnia.

No probs Wave. :)

I have the Elstree Hill release of Carnival of Souls and it is terrible, so was thinking of investing in a gleaming Criterion version... :D

Fancy trading that SOTL B.E?

Ooooohhhh... I dunno reaps, it would have to be something special for me to trade it, as it took me a while to find it at a sensible price... ;) plus I dunno if I could part with it! :o:D

No worries they're selling on Amazon for 8 quid....could have had yourself a nice rare dvd there....;)

:headbang::jest: Never mind mate, it's got some nice extras if you do get it. I'm surprised it's so cheap on Amazon though.

Tested out the Criterion discs for Carnival of Souls and Insomnia a couple of weeks ago and I can say that they very much worth getting. They certainly put a lot of effort into their DVD releases Criterion.

Lots of (cheapish) Criterion DVD's over in my For Sale thread.

Scott

I'll be picking up their REPULSION disc.:)

Bought Criterion's The Friends of Eddie Coyle recently off Amazon Marketplace (via Amazon UK). Bought it from Supermart_usa. When it arrived in the post I found it had several scratches on the back of the disc. Was given a refund and I ordered it from a different Amazon Marketplace seller, all your music, which I've found to be very reliable. Received it in the post and the disc had no scratches on it. Tested it out and the disc played fine. I didn't think the remastered picture was good as it had been made out to be in the DVD Times review.

Just found out yesterday that the Italian crime/drama film, Gomorrah, is slated to be released on The Criterion Collection on November 24th here in the states. It pretty much has the same features included on the UK 2-disc release, but it will have an added essay booklet.

A late 60's film which Robert Redford and Gene Hackman starred in, Downhill Racer, is getting a Criterion release in November.

Anyone pick up their REPULSION release yet?

I was tempted, but have the ABUK release so I may wait a while... Criterion's are such expensive little discs! :pout:

Yeah,they are a bit.Definetly for the collector.

I've never really understood the high pricing of Criterion DVDs - their early releases were marked up at just under £30 - and you got a non-anamorphic port from a Laser Disc for that. Madness. They're still a great label though, but I haven't many of their titles due to their pricing.

If you've got half a mil in the bank,then EVERY numbered spine on a shelf would look cool.:happy:
But then again,you can have 20 yellow box spines for far less cash!:clap:

I'd rather go for the yellow boxes. Too much arty stuff in that Criterion collection for my liking - give me some good old exploitation goodness any day! :)

Hear hear!:rockon:

The CRITERION DVD and Blu-ray Thread
 

I don't think Criterion have the rights to Straw Dogs anymore, so you'll have to settle for the stellar UK blu-ray. Oh wait, I meant to put the words less than, before stellar. :D

Think you are right. And the US BD from MGM looks really good.

Criterion should release Suspiria. I think they would handle all the colours perfectly.

Quadrophenia cover a bit pants.
Rosemary baby just don't get all the fuss over this didn't rate it at all.

It's a classic film, but each to their own I suppose.

Oh yeah, forgot about the MGM blu-ray.

:mad::p

I have about 20/25 Criterion blu's and I cherish each one. I can't wait for On The Waterfront.

Would love to see them release any Peckinpah, good suggestions there Reaper! I also want to see more Kurosawa & other Japanese chanbara. Also any classic horror really. Criterion's packages and film presentations are top notch... They're the US version of Eureka really

Well I have the following Criterion BDs.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-pr...jpg?1328128344http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-pr...jpg?1342461588http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-pr...jpg?1328128339http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-pr...jpg?1328128344
I love them all! I was hoping they will re-release there Flesh for Frankenstein on BD sometime...