Criterion and MGM

[John Hodson]

Heaven's Gate?! (I'd ask, but I don't think I could take the rejection)

Now THAT is a great idea that I hadn't thought of. I'm not in the "misunderstood masterpiece" camp, but there are some absolutely stunning, remarkable sequences, especially in the first half. No one could argue that, for good or bad, the film isn't incredibly important to cinema history. Include the original 225-minute premiere version, this doc, and lots of contextual supplements, and Criterion could instigate a reevaluation of the film and its place in the cannon. I'm not sure that Cimino would participate though.

As I understand it, it was fully restored 3-4 years back by John Kirk and his team over at MGM, prior to a limited theatrical run and a new SE DVD release. In came a new regime and slapped a block on it. If Criterion could take up the reins, they've got something to build on.

[perkizitore]

I think I'd take anything from David Lynch on Blu-ray. Got to order the Studio Canal Collection's "The Elephant Man"... :-k

I mentioned these titles because they are the Lynch movies owned by the studio.

[Jeff]

As I understand it, it was fully restored 3-4 years back by John Kirk and his team over at MGM, prior to a limited theatrical run and a new SE DVD release. In came a new regime and slapped a block on it. If Criterion could take up the reins, they've got something to build on.

I remember reading (here, I think) at some point that about a dozen titles at MGM had suffered that same fate -- restored and prepped for special edition DVDs and then squelched by the new management. I wonder if that might not be the bulk of what Criterion picked up. I'm guessing that The Night of the Hunter may have been one of those, since an MGM special edition was semi-announced over a year ago, with no follow up. I could easily see some of the other titles we're feeling fairly certain on falling into that same camp.

[beamish13]

MGM still owns Sidney Lumet's "The Offence", which would be a great title to acquire.

[Jeff]

MGM still owns Sidney Lumet's "The Offence", which would be a great title to acquire.

It's believed that Criterion picked up Lumet's The Fugitive Kind from MGM, but I would have preferred The Offence. We know that they're already well in production on something of his since he was in the office a few weeks ago. I expect we'll have a Lumet announced for February or March.

[ianungstad]

Someone asked about The Offence on Facebook and they said No.

I also remember someone asking about Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia and more Peckinpah. Criterion said no Peckinpah on the slate, so that would rule out all his MGM films.

[Arn777]

The Offence was licensed to Wild Side in France and came out a couple of month ago, so it looks MGM are happy to license it to other companies.

[tenia]

The Offence was licensed to Wild Side in France and came out a couple of month ago, so it looks MGM are happy to license it to other companies.

Electra Glide In Blue was also released in France during the summer by Wild Side (with a nice tiny MGM logo on the side of the cover).

[captveg]

What about some Yimou? MGM has US rights for Raise the Red Lantern and To Live.

Or perhaps more Ang Lee: Eat Drink Man Woman and The Wedding Banquet.

More Lumet (outrside of The Fugitive Kind): 12 Angry Men. I know they ruled out Equus.

[Jeff]

MGM recently did their own special edition of 12 Angry Men, so I'd say it's out. The Zhangs and the Lees seem very plausible though.

[What A Disgrace]

I wonder if Criterion would aim for more Mann. The MGM disc is perfectly good, and recent, but I wouldn't say no to a more supplement laden Man of the West. Especially if they tried for the Blu treatment.

[Props55]

As with the Paramounts (SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, DAYS OF HEAVEN) Criterion seems to be hell bent on releasing titles that have respectable or even superlative editions with their home studio/rights-holder. As I write there are thousands of copies of THE FUGITIVE KIND being blown out the wazoo at BIG LOTS all over the country for $3.00 a pop. The market for this film seems to have been more than saturated by their initial run. I picked up one last year and it holds up very well even projected as large as 8 x 13 (that's feet folks!) Yet they pass on THE OFFENSE, a key film in the Connery/Lumet canon and a title that has been given short shrift on every form of home video/cable/syndication since it was dumped like a day old slops bucket by UA upon original release. What are these people thinking?

[Brian C]

As with the Paramounts (SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, DAYS OF HEAVEN) Criterion seems to be hell bent on releasing titles that have respectable or even superlative editions with their home studio/rights-holder. As I write there are thousands of copies of THE FUGITIVE KIND being blown out the wazoo at BIG LOTS all over the country for $3.00 a pop. The market for this film seems to have been more than saturated by their initial run. I picked up one last year and it holds up very well even projected as large as 8 x 13 (that's feet folks!) Yet they pass on THE OFFENSE, a key film in the Connery/Lumet canon and a title that has been given short shrift on every form of home video/cable/syndication since it was dumped like a day old slops bucket by UA upon original release. What are these people thinking?

I know. Why won't they release only what you want?

[Frankinho007]

Would love to see a B-Noir Eclipse Set with some MGM/UA titles but I don't think it's going to happen.

[ianungstad]

Considering that it's likely that the MGM deal has been signed and they know what titles they're getting or not, their reply to my inquiry of the possibility of Howard Hawk's Red River seems odd:

Q: Criterion do you have any plans to do a dvd for the classic Howard Hawks western Red River?

A: "Could be. I wouldn't count on it."

I notice they don't like saying yes but prefer to use some variant form of "maybe" when talking about forthcoming titles. Perhaps that's all their response is?

[swo17]

I wouldn't count on it.

[CSM126]

As with the Paramounts (SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, DAYS OF HEAVEN) Criterion seems to be hell bent on releasing titles that have respectable or even superlative editions with their home studio/rights-holder. As I write there are thousands of copies of THE FUGITIVE KIND being blown out the wazoo at BIG LOTS all over the country for $3.00 a pop. The market for this film seems to have been more than saturated by their initial run. I picked up one last year and it holds up very well even projected as large as 8 x 13 (that's feet folks!) Yet they pass on THE OFFENSE, a key film in the Connery/Lumet canon and a title that has been given short shrift on every form of home video/cable/syndication since it was dumped like a day old slops bucket by UA upon original release. What are these people thinking?

You have to realize that sometimes, Criterion acquires movies for no other reason than someone around the office likes them. Doesn't matter what the prior releases (if any exist) were like. So long as the thing's available, they'll snag it. Did you think that, say, Equinox or Dazed and Confused were there because of artistic value?

[Jeff]

Considering that it's likely that the MGM deal has been signed and they know what titles they're getting or not, their reply to my inquiry of the possibility of Howard Hawk's Red River seems odd]

It's a famous line from Red River -- notice the quotes around their reply. I'd call it a "no."

Cherry Valance: You're fast with that gun, Matt. Awful fast. But your heart's soft. Too soft. Might get you hurt some day.

Matt Garth: Could be. I wouldn't count on it.

[Cinephrenic]

I asked specifically about Hawks on Facebook a while back, and Criterion didn't bother to answer. Might be a good sign.

[Jeff]

I asked specifically about Hawks on Facebook a while back, and Criterion didn't bother to answer. Might be a good sign.

Yeah, it's kinda nuts that there's 500+ films in the collection, and not a single one directed by Howard Hawks.

[Matt]

I'm a huge fan of Ball of Fire, and yet I don't know that I'd be very tempted to buy a Criterion edition of it (barring a pristine transfer on Blu-ray). It may be heretical to say here, but I don't think the film needs any extras. It's a perfect jewel of a film, and unless you had a commentary comprised of archival interviews with Hawks, Brackett, Wilder, Stanwyck, Cooper, and maybe Gregg Toland, Gene Krupa, or Dan Duryea, I don't want to hear it.

Red River, on the other hand, is a film that would be well served by a deluxe package of extras. There's a lot going on in that film, and it would be a great excuse to have some material on Monty Clift, it being his real first film (I assume anything Wayne-related will go on Stagecoach).

[Jeff]

I guess I agree with that, Matt. I adore Ball of Fire, and would love to see it get the kind of attention that Criterion brings, but I suppose it doesn't really lend itself to Criterionesque supplements.

I'd like to think that Criterion at least tried to get Red River. It's amazing that the same featureless disc I bought 12 years ago hasn't been improved upon. For a major Hawks film, it sure doesn't get much love. If Criterion was only going to get a crack at one Hawks film, you'd think it would be in their top five choices. I wouldn't be surprised if MGM wasn't protective of their few Wayne features though. He's a catalog cash cow.

[ianungstad]

MGM's disc of Coffy is out of print. It's a blaxploitation classic and would make a fun release. I think this is the one where Pam Grier hides razor blades in her hair ?!

It seems unlikely, since Criterion rarely does cult films anymore.

[Cinephrenic]

My favorite blaxploitation, but I doubt Criterion will do this... never know. They did Equinox in a 2-disc.

[knives]

Did you think that, say, Equinox or Dazed and Confused were there because of artistic value?

Are you suggesting they don't (at least have some major historical importance)?