Criterion Newsletter (Part 2)

[ianungstad]

How prominently does Monument Valley feature into Koyaanisqatsi? Is it more than just a few shots? As for the Horse, the fact that they went out of the way to include reins and a saddle on the horse leads me to think that was rather deliberate and not an afterthought. If it was just a horse by itself...maybe I would believe that. I think the saddle/reins are suppose to be a visual clue that the title in question is a Western.

[movielocke]

has any other trivia clue ever stumped this forum?

[ianungstad]

I think it took a few days for the Trafic clue to be solved. "Bumper-Gril BBQ."

[cdnchris]

How prominently does Monument Valley feature into Koyaanisqatsi? Is it more than just a few shots? As for the Horse, the fact that they went out of the way to include reins and a saddle on the horse leads me to think that was rather deliberate and not an afterthought. If it was just a horse by itself...maybe I would believe that. I think the saddle/reins are suppose to be a visual clue that the title in question is a Western.

Well they're not the whole movie if that's what you're asking. There's a few shots in the opening which looks at various sites in the west such as Monument Valley, Death Valley and so on. Monument Valley doesn't get any real special attention I guess. But a Ford western (especially Stagecoach or anything with Wayne in it) just, to me, seems too good to be true. I'm probably just preparing myself so I won't be disappointed when they announce their Decemeber titles and it's not Stagecoach (if they actually announce whatever this title is in December.) 3 Godfathers would be an okay release but as others have mentioned it is a lesser Ford though I've always liked it.

[Panda]

I believe that that it will be Ford's "Stagecoach." And with a December release. The key clue word is "dry." Doc Boone dries out (sobers up) to do his job as well as deliver the memorable closing line.

Panda

[Tribe]

Here are some other Castle Hill titles that I think Criterion should look into:

Breaker Morant (1980, Bruce Beresford) - previously released on LD by CC
David and Lisa (1962, Frank Perry)

Breaker Morant was released by Image back in early 2008 (I haven't seen it, so I can't say how it looks). David and Lisa was also released by Image, though its Home Vision Entertainment imprint, in a good transfer in 2007, I think.

[colinr0380]

Though, as it's been pointed out, Searchers 2.0 by Alex Cox is a reasonable guess, as it's about two child actors returning to Monument Valley for a screening of a film in which they acted in, with plans to assault it's screenwriter. While a comedy, it's supposedly a tribute to the Westerns of Ford and Sergio Leone and a parody of Hollywood. The film is notable for capturing a rare occasion when Monument Valley was covered in snow...which doesn't really fit the "dry" part of the clue. I hope it's not Searchers 2.0, the few reviews I've read have mostly ranged from slightly dissapointing to awful. A few clips I've come across of the film through google also make it look like a bit of a turkey. IMO.

While it would have been hard to believe it was referring to Searchers 2.0 even before the e-mail ianungstad received, Cox's film isn't awful but perhaps not up there with his previous works. In his introduction Cox described it as being his Wagonmaster, a film with no big stars but a lot of character actors from his previous films being given the spotlight.

And if you've ever wanted to see Roger Corman (who produced the film) taking a flashback cameo as a parody of a vicious producer laughing while children are whipped (by the screenwriter!) to create the right degree of terror for a scene, then this is the film for you!

[justeleblanc]

So Criterion would rather a) outbid a major studio for the rights to an already widely available film that has seen a terrific two disc special edition on DVD within the last three years, then b) spend their resources on a film that has yet to be made available.

I know this is a broken record, but if the clue really is Stagecoach, then why do we still name this forum after the company? Watch next month's clue feature a shark saying "A minor second hits shores next summer!"

[denti alligator]

So Criterion would rather a) outbid a major studio for the rights to an already widely available film that has seen a terrific two disc special edition on DVD within the last three years, then b) spend their resources on a film that has yet to be made available.

New resto alone justifies it. Otherwise I'd agree with you.

For the record, I like 3 Godfathers almost as much as Stagecoach.

[justeleblanc]

New resto alone justifies it. Otherwise I'd agree with you.

I disagree. We're quibbling about small differences of restorations on standard when Warner would have easily released a terrific Blu of it, like they did The Searchers.

I can't see this news as being anything other than a complete waste of time for Ford fans, cinephiles, and Criterion. And I really can't see how others are truly excited about this? It feels more like another Star Wars box set to me.

But at least they aren't releasing Monsoon Wedding this fall. That would really be the last straw.

[Flike]

We're quibbling about small differences of restorations on standard when Warner would have easily released a terrific Blu of it, like they did The Searchers.

I agree with your other points, but... #-o

[Tommaso]

New resto alone justifies it. Otherwise I'd agree with you.

I disagree. We're quibbling about small differences of restorations on standard when Warner would have easily released a terrific Blu of it, like they did The Searchers.

I guess that's the main reason why CC would think "Stagecoach" to be attractive, i.e. releasing it on Blu. Otherwise I also see absolutely no need to ditch the WB release, even if the CC has a slightly better transfer and newer resto.

However, I think that clue is indeed far too vague to be definitely "Stagecoach", and for sure, "Wagon Master" would make me jump much more. But if they want to release more Ford (always welcome, of course), can't they simply acknowledge that Fordians are dying to get a watchable version of "The Quiet Man"?! Not to speak of "The sun shines bright".

[Jeff]

So Criterion would rather a) outbid a major studio for the rights to an already widely available film that has seen a terrific two disc special edition on DVD within the last three years, then b) spend their resources on a film that has yet to be made available.

I know this is a broken record, but if the clue really is Stagecoach, then why do we still name this forum after the company? Watch next month's clue feature a shark saying "A minor second hits shores next summer!"

I always want previously neglected films too, but I really think that getting Stagecoach would be a major coup for Criterion. It does indeed have a two-disc version available, but it looks like that version may not exist for much longer. The Scott Eyman commentary on that disc is great, but some of the other supplements are pretty fluffy. The best one is the American Masters doc, which Criterion may have access to. I would love to see them include some good academic supplements. The transfer on the previous release is not very good at all, and Criterion could do it properly -- maybe a Blu-ray even. Stagecoach isn't exactly Jaws. It is a major film from John Ford, not Steven Spielberg -- I think that's an appreciable difference. And ultimately it's an independent film, that just happens to have found a home at Warner for the past decade. Of course, half the fun in confirming that this is a Criterion release of Stagecoach would be the possibility that they might have also acquired other films from the same library -- films that haven't been given the treatment they deserve, or haven't been released at all.

I know that there is frustration when the company releases mainstream films, but I assure you that Monsoon Wedding and Benjamin Button are nothing compared to the massive flurry of atrocious studio crap that Criterion released in the mid-to-late 90s. They were ostensibly the laserdisc distributor for much of the Miramax catalog. Economic times are tight right now, and anyone who thinks that hasn't affected Criterion is kidding themselves. The company that creates multi-disc sets for Jean Painleve and The Human Condition simply does not exist without the company that releases the occasional Stagecoach, or even Benjamin Button.

Criterion recently rescued two American films from obscurity. The Friends of Eddie Coyle and White Dog had never been released on home video, and had been nearly impossible to see for decades. Despite the fact that these were very accessible, English-language films (seemingly sure bets for Criterion), many people were disappointed when they finally saw them, and I imagine that they are not selling very well. Criterion can't afford to take those chances all the time.

Even though there was a pretty good set available before, I think that Stagecoach is a perfect choice for Criterion. It belongs to the core of what Criterion does: major films from the major directors who comprise the canon of world cinema. This has always been the heart of what they do. The Seventh Seal, Amarcord, Rashomon, Grand Illusion: these major films have always been the core of Criterion's business, and I think that Stagecoach fits comfortably in that group.

Criterion had a few years recently where they were able to be very brave in what they released, and I'm sure many people became accustomed to that, but it simply can't work that way all the time. They still treat us very well. I don't imagine that there were many companies clamoring to release Jeanne Dielman. Criterion has created a new transfer of it and is releasing a two-disc set next month. They'll probably take a small loss on it. That is why this forum is named after them. Besides, I'm sure they'll get to some Rivette eventually.

[Tommaso]

The transfer on the previous release is not very good at all, and Criterion could do it properly -- maybe a Blu-ray even. Stagecoach isn't exactly Jaws. It is a major film from John Ford, not Steven Spielberg -- I think that's an appreciable difference.

Of course you're right, Jeff. "Stagecoach" surely fits the mission statement like a glove. I just wonder - given that the times are indeed difficult economically - how many people would re-buy a new CC edition of "Stagecoach" when it's not so damn pressing to get a good transfer as with "The Quiet Man" or other films treated atrociously by other companies before (and there are some Fords that are not available at all, too). I may not be representative, but although CC released quite a few films this year that I actually like very much, I bought none of them again because the already existing versions seemed good enough to me for the moment ("Generale della Rovere", "Empire of Passion", and so on). Or do you think that a more 'mainstream' audience would only be enticed to buy "Stagecoach" for the first time because the wacky C is on it? I always thought that it was one of the best known Fords, but I may be wrong there.

Criterion had a few years recently where they were able to be very brave in what they released, and I'm sure many people became accustomed to that, but it simply can't work that way all the time.

Perhaps it's just the difference between the US and Europe (different people buying different films, with greater acceptance of 'arthouse' cinema over here etc. ), but I really wonder how MoC survive, then. Even if I'm not happy with 'remakes' like the forthcoming and probably well-selling Fritz Lang-box, that Lang set would appear almost adventurous for CC today. Not to speak of Pialat or Franju, let alone Epstein...

[Finch]

I wouldn't mind Stagecoach (my favourite Ford after Liberty Valance) coming from Criterion even though I have Warner's SE, and I'd agree that a new resto would justify a reissue. Now I just have to wait till September to find out if I can sell the Warner or better hang on to it.

[Jeff]

I just wonder - given that the times are indeed difficult economically - how many people would re-buy a new CC edition of "Stagecoach" when it's not so damn pressing to get a good transfer as with "The Quiet Man" or other films treated atrociously by other companies...Or do you think that a more 'mainstream' audience would only be enticed to buy "Stagecoach" for the first time because the wacky C is on it? I always thought that it was one of the best known Fords, but I may be wrong there.

I don't know how many people would re-buy Stagecoach. I know that if the supplements were even halfway decent, I would re-buy it -- especially if they released it on Blu-ray. A new transfer and supplements are reason enough for me, but I understand that's not the case for everybody. If the Warner version is staying in print, then I agree there is not a big need for Criterion to do it, but if Warner is losing the rights, keeping the film on the market seems like reason enough. Stagecoach is definitely one of the best known Fords, but I do think there is probably a contingent that would buy it for the first time just for the Wacky C. For the record, I would rather see The Quiet Man get some much needed attention too, but since it is licensed to Lionsgate and is supposedly in need of major photochemical restoration, that doesn't seem like a possibility.

Perhaps it's just the difference between the US and Europe (different people buying different films, with greater acceptance of 'arthouse' cinema over here etc. ), but I really wonder how MoC survive, then.

MOC is just the "prestige label" for Eureka though. They brand the arty stuff with the MOC logo, but Eureka also releases a wide range of other product from classic films to TV shows and exercise videos. Your Pialat discs were funded by this:

[Cold Bishop]

Pilates for Pialats

[Harold Gervais]

Is Monument Valley featured in Little Big Man?

[ianungstad]

Is Monument Valley featured in Little Big Man?

If you need to look up where a film was shot, the information is on IMDB under the "additional details" subheader. IMDB shows Little Big Man as being filmed around Calgary, Alberta with additional location work done in northern Montanna.

As for Stagecoach, I noticed that the John Wayne: Signature Collection is out of print as well. There's definitly been some kind of rights shake-up on these two Ford titles, if Warners have had to discontinue two boxsets so far. Stagecoach has not shown up on the OOP dvd list at DVDTALK yet....

[Oggilby]

FYI, The Quiet Man was restored by UCLA years ago. They even had access to the 3-strip camera negative, sound negative, and even the separate film elements for the titles. Plus original dye-transfer prints for reference. From the inventory on the film they have, there's even 35mm elements like interpositives and internegatives suitable for digital transfer. They have the option of going with 3-strip elements or the recombined elements.

The Artisan/Lionsgate DVD is from a pre-restoration transfer since there has never been a new one outside of an internal transfer at UCLA. They simply inverse telecine processed the lousy 1980s transfer and oversharpened it for DVD. High Noon is also kept at UCLA and you can see the outcome of THAT restoration on the beautiful 2-disc SE released a few years ago.


I'd like to hope Criterion would get a neglected or unreleased film considering Stagecoach, despite its mediocre transfer, is quite watchable on a large TV. The Quiet Man cannot be viewed on anything larger than a 20" CRT without it being painful for the eyes.

[Jeff]

FYI, The Quiet Man was restored by UCLA years ago. They even had access to the 3-strip camera negative, sound negative, and even the separate film elements for the titles. Plus original dye-transfer prints for reference. From the inventory on the film they have, there's even 35mm elements like interpositives and internegatives suitable for digital transfer. They have the option of going with 3-strip elements or the recombined elements.

Well that's certainly good news that I wasn't aware of. I can't imagine what is keeping Lionsgate from exploiting the Republic catalog.

I'm beginning to doubt my initial guess about Warner losing the rights to the Castle Hill library, since I would think there would be an article somewhere about that happening. I wonder if they are simply pulling the Castle Hill films from the boxes in order to avoid paying royalties on those.

[justeleblanc]

I'm guessing that like THE QUIET MAN, RIO GRANDE is also not in the running... unless Criterion licensed both titled from Lionsgate/Republic.

[Oggilby]

"Kicking and Screaming" was licensed from Lionsgate. Criterion has released films thanks to third-party licensors anyways. Consider all the films licensed from Anchor Bay and Wellspring.

As for Stagecoach, I guess it's possible a somewhat well-treated film can be handled. The Man Who Fell to Earth, Two-Lane Blacktop, Ran, and Dazed and Confused had "special editions" with considerable extras. Or even internally, I never expected The Third Man to get a re-issue that wasn't day-and-date with a BluRay.

[Person]

Once Upon a Time in the West?

[Napier]

I have sent Criterion hundred's of e-mails over the last year, begging, pleading, for them to release The Quiet Man.It is the only time over the last ten years I have never even received a reply. Still crossing my fingers. =D> I even promised to buy 20 copies to give as Christmas gifts. Which I still am willing to do.