BFI (British Film Institute)

[Narshty]

I presume all the previous MGM discs will now be re-released? That includes Pasolini's "Trilogy of Life" and the kitchen sink triple bill of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner and A Taste of Honey.

[peerpee]

Just got a press release for the first BFI GPO set. Been waiting for this for years... cannot wait for restored Len Lye especially!

http://www.bfi.org.uk/gpo.html

The BFI are hot, hot, hot at the moment. There's no let-up.

[MichaelB]

I'm watching the first GPO set right now, and it's an untrammelled joy.

I'd seen half the films already when working on this, but it was wonderful seeing the minor entries that simply wouldn't be released commercially outside comprehensive surveys like this. It's not truly completist - I'm guessing films like 1934's Making a Sand Mould and Casting Aluminium Alloy are less than essential - but volume 1 certainly seems to feature all the obvious titles from 1933-35, and plenty of rarities too. And it's amazing how riveting a film about the onsite repair of cross-channel underwater telephone cables using early 1930s technology can be - and I'm not being sarcastic!

Also, the booklet gives MoC's efforts a run for their money - nearly 80 pages, if I remember rightly, and that's just volume one.

[Cabiria21]

that cover just reminds me how much I hate the 'new' BFI logo.

[Tommaso]

that cover just reminds me how much I hate the 'new' BFI logo.

Yes; I thought I would get used to it like to the wacky C, but I simply don't manage. Otherwise, that Antonioni cover looks great.

[The Digital McGuffin]

UPS I almost forgot

British Transport Films

Judging by the price, I assume this will be all eight previously released volumes?

Indeed - plus a bonus disc.

Does the release of this set mean there are no plans for further BTF discs?

I picked up the first release as a blind buy, without any particular interest in trains or knowledge of the British Transport Film group but found it utterly captivating. I've always meant to explore them more and this boxset will be on my to-buy list for sure.

[colinr0380]

DVD Outsider on the new BFI disc of Love Is The Devil.

[What A Disgrace]

Apparently, Optimum is going to be releasing A Taste of Honey, which BFI released earlier, before it went OOP.

[kaujot]

that cover just reminds me how much I hate the 'new' BFI logo.

Yes; I thought I would get used to it like to the wacky C, but I simply don't manage. Otherwise, that Antonioni cover looks great.

Say all you want about the wacky-c getting in the way of design, but at least Criterion didn't add a lens flare. Yikes.

[Tommaso]

at least Criterion didn't add a lens flare.

Oh, THAT's what it's supposed to be! I actually thought they'd tried to emulate some of the lesser effect shots from Kubrick's "2001"....

[What A Disgrace]

And the big BFI sale has begun on MovieMail.

I decided not to wait, used a 2.50 coupon and snagged R.w. Paul.

[jules]

How do you get the code for Moviemail promotion? I've recived the e-mail but after To use, simply provide the following Gift Certificate code at the checkout: there is just blank space.

[bigP]

I'm absolutely thrilled that the BFI picked these films up and gave them the attention they deserve - very few directors are working at Jia's level, and this release is utterly essential.

Thanks for the uploads Foggy Eyes. I haven't got around to watching the film yet - i'm planning to re-watch all his previous work first as it's been a while since i last saw them, but from the look of the screengrabs, i'm pretty darn happy.

Jia Zhang-Ke is one of my favourite directors, and it's great to see both attention and care put into his dvd releases (particularly the care given to Dong which some companies may have treated like a mere supplement and cared less about in its presentation). Let's hope Platform can be brought out in the near future as an upgrade on the stomach turning Artificial Eye release (which I have still not forgiven them for).

[What A Disgrace]

I bought straight from the BFI's website...seems to be pretty good pricing; only a few bucks more than if I had bought from Amazon UK, and I'll be darned if I wait any longer! Does any one have idea how long orders take to process, and how long it takes for them to arrive in the United States?

I purchased Dreams That Money Can Buy, Celine and Julie, and double dipped on Night and the City.

[Dr Amicus]

Just received the MovieMail set - haven't had a chance to watch anything yet (the RW Paul disc might well be the first in as I love The ? Motorist), but a couple of words on packaging (which might apply to the Amazon and Play sets as well).

The box is ok - not the strongest of creations, but not too bad. All the discs come in slim cases, which is great for storage BUT...

This means NO BOOKLETS. At the price, I can't complain too much, but I'm disappointed at not getting the Paul and Dickens booklets. Might make a difference to some.

I'm awaiting the Amaxon set as well. Unless anyone beats me to it (it's on saver delivery, not 1st class) I'll confirm if the same is true of that set.

[jules]

I've ordered Amazon BFI set month ago, but they didn't shiped it yet.
P.S. Dr Amicus, Dickens is two-disc set right? And did they use same artwork for slimcases that is on individual releases?

[Dr Amicus]

Oh yes - Dickens is a 2 disc set. As is the Transport Films (I think).

Can't remember cover art - to be honest I was paying more attention to the info on the back!

And my Amazon set hasn't been sent either!

[Jonathan S]

All the discs come in slim cases, which is great for storage BUT...

This means NO BOOKLETS. At the price, I can't complain too much, but I'm disappointed at not getting the Paul and Dickens booklets. Might make a difference to some.

I'd certainly be disappointed too if I'd ordered this and found no booklets. Those for the RW Paul and Dickens sets, at least, are Criterion/MoC standard.

When you consider that ten (or whatever) titles of your own choice can currently be bought separately (presumably with the booklets) from play.com or HMV for £7.99 each, the exclusive sets don't seem to me that much of a bargain. The current price on the Moviemail set, for example, works out at £6.50 per release... and no booklets.

[Perkins Cobb]

Hmmm, so what's the deal with Amazon UK not dropping the price to 9.99 on the selected 75 DVDs yet? Are there any UK vendors that will ship outside Europe who are honoring the discount yet, other than the BFI itself?

[What A Disgrace]

Hmmm, so what's the deal with Amazon UK not dropping the price to 9.99 on the selected 75 DVDs yet? Are there any UK vendors that will ship outside Europe who are honoring the discount yet, other than the BFI itself?

Celine and Julie is actually down to below 9.99 right now, and a few other BFIs are going cheap. I haven't made any note of it; I bought all that I wanted.

MovieMail ships outside Europe and they have the sale; RW Paul shipped to me just this morning.

[Imagine]

I'd certainly be disappointed too if I'd ordered this and found no booklets. Those for the RW Paul and Dickens sets, at least, are Criterion/MoC standard.

When you consider that ten (or whatever) titles of your own choice can currently be bought separately (presumably with the booklets) from play.com or HMV for £7.99 each, the exclusive sets don't seem to me that much of a bargain. The current price on the Moviemail set, for example, works out at £6.50 per release... and no booklets.

I've received my Movie Mail and Play.com sets and I'm certainly disappointed. Not only are there no booklets or inserts there are no sleevenotes either. So with 'The Early Films Of Peter Greenaway 1', for example, you lose the sleevenotes written by the director.

The content of some of the BFI inserts I can live without (many of those that I've seen being just a few stills/credits and list of scene selections) but I'm not impressed with the loss of the more substantial booklets or the sleevenotes. The sleevenotes from the 'full' releases could have easily been retained. Ironically, the bottom of each box set states: "BFI video titles are mastered from the finest quality materials available. Extensive film notes and full credits are carried on the packaging and/or disc" (my emphasis).

[Tommaso]

Hmmm, so what's the deal with Amazon UK not dropping the price to 9.99 on the selected 75 DVDs yet? Are there any UK vendors that will ship outside Europe who are honoring the discount yet, other than the BFI itself?

HMV does, and play.com also does (though they only ship to Europe AFAIK). But I'm missing the RW Paul set in the play.com-list, for example. Also, you have to shop in Euros with them if you're outside the UK, and their current exchange rate doesn't reflect the real exchange rate at all. Also waiting for amazon, then.

[Finch]

I ordered The Leopard and People on Sunday from play for £7.99 each. Was originally going to get the CC of The Leopard as it's marginally sharper (going by the Beaver's screen caps) but especially at this discount I just couldn't say no to the BFI edition. I'll be seeing both films for the first time and can't wait for my discs to arrive (at the moment they're out of stock).

[Cash Flagg]

Also waiting for amazon, then.

We have checked our records with the information you have provided. I'm sorry we have not planned in participating in the BFI 75th Anniversary sale.

[Ovader]

I have ordered three BFI DVDs from Amazon.co.uk (Le Cercle Rouge, Celine And Julie Go Boating and The Innocents) at £8.48 or £7.22 minus VAT.