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I think all 4K UHD releases at this stage (when its future is uncertain) should include a Blu Ray version. This is essential, because if the 4K UHD does not take off, those who invested in it should not be left with nothing.
Arrow was (as far as I know) the first company to violate this principle, when they issued "Crash" on 4K UHD without an accompanying Blu Ray. In my opinion that is a bad precedent. Of course, if 4K UHD were to attain certain mass in future, standalone releases could be justified. But not now.

About 6 months before Arrow released Crash, Paramount released Days of Thunder on UHD without a combo Blu-ray. That's the first non-combo release I'm aware of.
I know Arrow also released Flash Gordon and Pitch Black on UHD, without combo Blu-rays, prior to Crash.

The remaining 4K October release is...

The Silence of the Lambs.

dwk wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 4:32 pm Highly doubt that would be possible. As I recall, Kino said the deals with MGM include UHD, so those rights would be with Criterion until their license expires.

Well I have egg on my face. (although I swear Kino mentioned that MGM licenses were for all optical media, and, even though they were not releasing UHDs at the time, I can't imagine that Criterion wouldn't have wanted to lock those rights up when they re-acquired the title. (Unless MGM held those rights back, thinking that they were going to release the film themselves.)

I expect Criterion's exclusive license was for three years. The title gets to remain in print but MGM is now free to license it out elsewhere in addition...

KL Insider is saying that they have some films from the 50s that will be released on UHD. They have also stated that the rights to 'Double Indemnity' are with another label.

EDIT: They have also confirmed that they have the UHD rights to a couple of other Criterion titles.

I guess these releases will not be dual format? They will strictly be UHD releases?

Silence of the Lambs is dual format.

so, the Criterion edition is going to go OOP?

FrauBlucher wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 9:41 pm so, the Criterion edition is going to go OOP?

Not necessarily — Criterion may still have the rights to a standalone Blu-Ray but not a dual-format release. I’m not sure this is how a typical licensing agreement works, but then we’re not privy to the terms. I doubt Kino could outbid Criterion on the title as a whole, if that’s what it came down to.

It didn't come out that long ago, I would be surprised if it did go OOP. My guess is Criterion and KL worked out some kind of agreement, as I can't imagine MGM licensed it to Criterion with non-exclusive rights

It'll be interesting to see if Criterion is credited on the packaging. Especially if they are using Criterion's bluray mix

The master was created by MGM, so there is no need to credit Criterion. (I wonder if any of the other MGM titles that Kino has that are available from Criterion are ones where the 4K master was done by Criterion?)

All the same, I'd pick up Criterion's now rather than later, especially with B&N's sale going on. I remember when the old DVD was OOP and became highly sought after due to the extras. (The commentary track alone is pretty great.) Even with a standard DVD in-print with a better, anamorphic transfer, it did little to bring down the price on Criterion's letterboxed DVD.

In terms of Criterion MGM titles, I think you can safely cross off Thief, as Kino said they will not work with Mann (which also means no Manhunter from Kino) and Blue Velvet as I don't think Lynch would be keen on working with Kino after the whole Lost Highway dust up.

dwk wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:34 pm In terms of Criterion MGM titles, I think you can safely cross off Thief, as Kino said they will not work with Mann (which also means no Manhunter from Kino) and Blue Velvet as I don't think Lynch would be keen on working with Kino after the whole Lost Highway dust up.

maybe Lynch would work with KL on BV if they agree to relinquish LH's rights early so there can be a Criterion that is supervised by him.

Rumor is Universal's Lost Highway rights are expiring soon.

well that was mighty fast

I doubt the rights would expire that quickly - surely Kino would license films for more than two years?

I think Kino had Lost Highway licensed for a year or two before they released it, but I was talking about Universal's rights. The film came out in 1997, so next year will be 25 years.

Lynch's comments following the Lost Highway release made it sound like it was a matter of time before he gets the version out he wants. So I wouldn't be surprised if he is getting the film back sooner than later.

I wonder if the two films from the 50s might also be Criterion releases? 12 Angry Men and Some Like It Hot she more likely than just about any 50s film I can think of to get a 4K Blu-ray release from Kino.

Paths of Glory seems to me the single film that seems like has to be certain of the 50s MGM library titles; whereas I can see Kino hemming and hawwing over those two because they aren’t genre or don’t have enough visual appeal to be worth doing (if they passed on To kill a Mockingbird why do 12 Angry Men?) The Killing would then naturally follow as the next most likely. I don’t expect the entire 12 (+1 extra title from the previous deal) titles comes from “the Criterion library” and expect that titles like Manchurian Candidate or the Graduate will not be included (at least at this point) in favor of stuff like Rain Man or former Arrow titles like Fish Called Wanda. (I would imagine Great Escape and Moonstruck amongst any others are still covered by some form of exclusivity until several years pass.)

Kino's Silence of the Lambs UHD

Special Features and Technical Specs:

DISC ONE - 4K BLU-RAY
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
NEW Audio Commentary by critic Tim Lucas
5.1 Surround & 2.0 Lossless Stereo
Optional English Subtitles
DISC TWO - BLU-RAY
NEW Audio Commentary by critic Tim Lucas
Inside the Labyrinth: Documentary (66:28)
Page to Screen: Documentary (41:17)
Understanding the Madness: Featurette (19:35)
Scoring the Silence: Featurette (16:00)
Original 1991 Making-of Featurette (8:07)
Jonathan Demme and Jodie Foster Interviews (52:30)
Deleted Scenes (38:00)
Outtakes (2:00)
Anthony Hopkins Phone Message (:30)
TV Spots
Theatrical Teaser
Hannibal Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
5.1 Surround & 2.0 Lossless Stereo
Optional English Subtitles