782-785 The Apu Trilogy

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Tommaso
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 10:09 am

Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#51 Post by Tommaso » Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:09 pm

Yes, sure, it's goddamn expensive (and even more so if you live in a bloody Euro country these days), but really: this is the release I've been waiting for much more than even something like the Arrow Rivette set, and I'll even buy it from somewhere else than B&N, because I actually want to get it without any annoying delays or other things going wrong. Man, this and the Duvivier single-handedly saved Criterion's reputation this year.

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Randall Maysin
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#52 Post by Randall Maysin » Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:36 pm

Boy, does Ravi Shankar ever look like Bill Cosby :shock:

criterion10

Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#53 Post by criterion10 » Mon Aug 17, 2015 6:49 pm

I can only imagine what this must have cost to restore, so I have no qualms with the pricing. Looks to be a great set, so let's all rejoice for that.

Jack Phillips
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:33 am

Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#54 Post by Jack Phillips » Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:38 pm

Tommaso wrote:I'll even buy it from somewhere else than B&N, because I actually want to get it without any annoying delays or other things going wrong.
Uh . . . the set is coming out in November and the next B&N sale is in . . . November. Am I missing something here?

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domino harvey
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#55 Post by domino harvey » Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:46 pm

Overseas customers have far worse luck than Americans at receiving their packages from BN.com

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ryannichols7
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#56 Post by ryannichols7 » Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:57 pm

I have no problem paying a higher price for these great films, and would've even taken them in a barebones set, but is anyone else kinda surprised the extras here aren't like, overwhelming?

I even think Dont Look Back has more features

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swo17
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#57 Post by swo17 » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:05 pm

When you're counting bullet points in the special features section, don't forget the four in kogonada's name.

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Drucker
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#58 Post by Drucker » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:07 pm

Perhaps not "overwhelming", but there is plenty. Plus, they've put out three films by the director already which have lots of stuff that presumably also would make sense here.

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chatterjees
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#59 Post by chatterjees » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:23 pm

I have nothing left to bitch about to Criterion anymore, at least for an year. I do have a small issue. Why are the excerpts from the 2003 documentary The Song of the Little Road made by Priyanka Kumar, why not the whole film? I waited so long and now I have to buy the DVD, selling for 30 bucks, really?
What could be the reason for not releasing the whole documentary? It can't be rights issue. I am confused.

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zedz
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#60 Post by zedz » Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:28 pm

ryannichols7 wrote:I have no problem paying a higher price for these great films, and would've even taken them in a barebones set, but is anyone else kinda surprised the extras here aren't like, overwhelming?

I even think Dont Look Back has more features
It seems pretty stacked to me. I count ten presumably substantial and worthwhile extras (documentaries and interviews), one presumably insubstantial one (Ray's Oscar speech) and one presumably worthless and counterproductive one (kogonada's latest off-gassing): there's probably 3+ hours of stuff amongst that lot.

AK
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:06 am

Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#61 Post by AK » Tue Aug 18, 2015 1:55 am

An absolutely thrilling set. I can't wait to finally see the restoration - I've been putting off revisiting these films for a few years waiting for the Blu-ray, and here it is.

I think the extras are substantial, taking into consideration that it's the restoration itself that is the thing here, and rightly so. The documentaries and interviews should be more than plenty.

As for the B&N question that has been addressed, here's a happy customer who has always received everything in great condition and reasonably quickly from their Criterion sales, regardless of the reindeer occasionally dropping other things ordered from the US. I think I'll be brave enough and get this from their sale.

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mostly asia
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 5:54 pm

Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#62 Post by mostly asia » Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:46 am

how is the rights situation for the UK?
are they still at AE/Curzon?

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krnash
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#63 Post by krnash » Tue Aug 18, 2015 2:26 pm

domino harvey wrote:$100 MSRP for three films?
Considering a single title on Criterion costs $40 MSRP, and these are all masterful films on their own, I don't see how this is unreasonable.

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perkizitore
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#64 Post by perkizitore » Tue Aug 18, 2015 2:33 pm

For the DVD set , MSRP is indeed a bit high, but for the BDs is reasonable (even if they were priced at $80, with 50% off is only a $10 difference)

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swo17
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#65 Post by swo17 » Tue Aug 18, 2015 2:39 pm

krnash wrote:
domino harvey wrote:$100 MSRP for three films?
Considering a single title on Criterion costs $40 MSRP, and these are all masterful films on their own, I don't see how this is unreasonable.
I'm sure he's asking because 3-film/3-disc sets like this are commonly priced at only $80. (Have there been any other exceptions?)

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zedz
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#66 Post by zedz » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:08 pm

swo17 wrote:
krnash wrote:
domino harvey wrote:$100 MSRP for three films?
Considering a single title on Criterion costs $40 MSRP, and these are all masterful films on their own, I don't see how this is unreasonable.
I'm sure he's asking because 3-film/3-disc sets like this are commonly priced at only $80. (Have there been any other exceptions?)
The 3 disc Les Blank BluRay set was $125 MSRP (though the DVD equivalent was 5 discs).

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swo17
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#67 Post by swo17 » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:22 pm

That's why I said 3-film/3-disc, so things like Three Colors, The Qatsi Trilogy, and Trilogy of Life. Actually, I see the Gregory and Shawn set from earlier this year was also priced at $100, so maybe that's the new price for sets like this.

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Ashirg
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#68 Post by Ashirg » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:33 pm

Also, perhaps, because Criterion financed restoration themselves, they might have priced it higher to recoup some money they spent on it.

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swo17
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#69 Post by swo17 » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:36 pm

I guess we'll find out next November when Criterion announces their next boxset.

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hearthesilence
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#70 Post by hearthesilence » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:39 pm

I would never pay $100 for three movies on Blu-Ray. $50 for these three though during a cyclical sale? Hell yeah.

criterion10

Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#71 Post by criterion10 » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:58 pm

swo17 wrote:I guess we'll find out next November when Criterion announces their next boxset.
All kidding aside, we'll find out for sure when Criterion releases the Before Trilogy.

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FrauBlucher
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#72 Post by FrauBlucher » Tue Aug 18, 2015 6:43 pm

criterion10 wrote:
swo17 wrote:I guess we'll find out next November when Criterion announces their next boxset.
All kidding aside, we'll find out for sure when Criterion releases the Before Trilogy.
Or the Wenders box.

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ryannichols7
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#73 Post by ryannichols7 » Tue Aug 18, 2015 8:38 pm

FrauBlucher wrote:
criterion10 wrote:
swo17 wrote:I guess we'll find out next November when Criterion announces their next boxset.
All kidding aside, we'll find out for sure when Criterion releases the Before Trilogy.
Or the Wenders box.
thinking that may have more than 3 films though.

Before Trilogy will be a better indicator. no restoration work needed.

criterion10

Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#74 Post by criterion10 » Mon Sep 07, 2015 2:19 pm

I was able to see these remarkable films on the big screen this past weekend, and I cannot express enough how great of an experience it was. All are great, with Pather Panchali being the jewel in the crown and a new all-time favorite film of mine. The humanist label Ray often receives is certainly well justified, as these are some of the most life-affirming and beautiful films of all time. Ebert put it best in his review of the trilogy, claiming, "It is about a time, place and culture far removed from our own, and yet it connects directly and deeply with our human feelings."

And yes, the restoration itself is absolutely stunning. One would never know how significantly damaged the original negatives were, minus some shots here and there that do contain irreversible damage. And despite only salvaging two negatives of Apur Sansur, that one seemed to be the most damage free (at least according to my memory and eyes), so whatever source Criterion had to rely on was indeed in pretty good shape.

Now I must ask: What Ray films would make for an excellent follow-up? (The Apu Trilogy was my first experience with any of his films.) The ones Criterion has put out I'll probably get to sooner rather than later, but his Calcutta Trilogy also seems very interesting.

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RossyG
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Re: 782-785 The Apu Trilogy

#75 Post by RossyG » Mon Sep 07, 2015 2:28 pm

If you're multi region, the five disc Artificial Eye set from the UK is a great collection.

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