Criterion: The Seventh Seal (June 16) + Last Year at Marienbad (June 23)

[bluskiessmingatme]

Criterion has listed two new Blus today:

Last Year at Marienbad: http://www.criterion.com/films/1517

The Seventh Seal: http://www.criterion.com/films/173

[project-blu]

the new art for the Seventh Seal is OUTSTANDING.

i don't think it's a good sign that the dvd lists at 29.95 with the Blu-ray at 39.95, accd'ing to their site, though. one of my favorite things about the criterion releases has been their matching of MSRP's, creating some amazing bargains.

[bluskiessmingatme]

I agree about the pricing. Well, at least, Last Year at Marienbad will be $39.95 for the DVD and the Blu-ray editions.

But didn't Criterion say, when they made the first announcement about going to Blu-ray, that Blu and DVD prices would be the same?

[bruceames]

It looks like they just lowered the DVD price for Seventh Seal, rather than raise the BD MSRP (maybe because they already released it on DVD?) Doesn't Criterion usually charge $39.95 MSRP for 2 disc DVD sets?

[iDarren]

I look forward to seeing a head to head comparison with the UK version, which by all accounts has excellent PQ and a great set of extra features as well.

[Pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by bluskiessmingatme

I agree about the pricing. Well, at least, Last Year at Marienbad will be $39.95 for the DVD and the Blu-ray editions.

But didn't Criterion say, when they made the first announcement about going to Blu-ray, that Blu and DVD prices would be the same?

The initial pricing on the site is was/is a typo. No worries.

Pro-B

[Fisher & Sons]

Ingmar Bergman is one of my top directors. Although this isn't my personal favorite Bergman film, it is of course the most obvious and best choice to release first and still one of the greatest movies ever. I am very very excited.

Excited for Last Year at Marienbad as well.

Cool news.

[bluskiessmingatme]

Originally Posted by iDarren

I look forward to seeing a head to head comparison with the UK version, which by all accounts has excellent PQ and a great set of extra features as well.

I have the UK edition and the extras are different, so I am not sure about selling it yet...but I will have to do so soon. The UK edition has on-set footage (with commentary by Ian Christie) of the making of Seventh Seal (15 min.) and a 1984 Bergman short called "Karin's Face." There is also a trailer.

The Criterion sounds like it will be better:

New, restored high-definition digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)

Introduction by Ingmar Bergman, recorded in 2003

Audio commentary by Bergman expert Peter Cowie

A new afterword to the commentary by Cowie

Bergman Island (2006), an 83-minute documentary on Bergman by Marie Nyreröd, featuring in-depth and revealing interviews with the director

Archival audio interview with Max von Sydow

A 1998 tribute to Bergman by filmmaker Woody Allen

Theatrical trailer

Bergman 101, a selected video filmography tracing Bergman’s career, narrated by Cowie

Optional English-dubbed soundtrack

New and improved English subtitle translation

PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Gary Giddins

I just wonder if the extras will be in HD?

[Arkadin]

more great news although I already own the UK "seventh seal"
it is deleted now so good news for others wanting to see this seminal film on bd.
the uk version is now only available from sellers who, of course, have jacked up the price to absurd levels.
btw: home theater magazine has a big article on Criterion in the current issue.
Criterion says they plan to start offering 2 bds a month.

[BambooLounge]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

more great news although I already own the UK "seventh seal"
it is deleted now so good news for others wanting to see this seminal film on bd.
the uk version is now only available from sellers who, of course, have jacked up the price to absurd levels.
btw: home theater magazine has a big article on Criterion in the current issue.
Criterion says they plan to start offering 2 bds a month.

Yay! Maybe I can use it to fund my purchase of the Criterion and another Criterion as well.

[Arkadin]

I hear ya, but there is no way I would sell my copy.
I will though be interested to see how the two compare pqwise.

[project-blu]

arkadin, i'm a criterion whore, so i'll sell mine. i just looked up the price on amazon.co.uk. 40 freaking pounds.

i have to wonder if the first pressing has any more value.

[Arkadin]

there is no other release of "seventh seal" except for the Tartan so of course it commands a lot now.
I mean you're talking about a seminal world classic.
plus the Criterion will be locked to region A so I would not sell the UK version.
It will just get more desirable as people from region B discover it's the only bd of it.
btw: I've seen it as high as 70 pounds.
of course there eventually will be a region B release again, but still it's a very nice piece.
I even have the one with the dvd included.

[project-blu]

me too, Arkadin. the first pressing, with the colored cover, rather than the greyish one.

region B don't effect me, sure the value may go up, but really, i'm not out to "maximize profits" or some crap like that.

[Arkadin]

maybe I can trade mine for a first press "Akira"
I just can't find one for a price I'm willing to pay.
I let my friend get the BB copy, and obviously that was a big mistake.
the amazon copy I just got doesn't have the sleeve.
I'm so bummed.
I just cannot believe how limited that title is/was.
I really think it is the most limited bd ever released as far as a "first press" that has something special added to it.