Criterion Collection - How are they chosen?

Josey Wales

I was wondering the other day about the Criterion Collection. What are the criteria they use to select the films that they release? Also do they have to buy the rights for the films from the studios that made them?

johnny_ultimate

I'm not a hundred percent sure on this, but I honestly think they pick films they perceive to be important, and ones worth restoring. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Criterion_Collection has a general overview of the company, which doesn't quite explain it though. They are clearly there for film fans, and the high prices of their DVDs (I'd have tonnes more if they weren't so expensive!) suggests they only expect to sell a certain amount of copies.

As for deals with studios, Wiki says they deal with studios on a film to film basis. I'm sure there's a licence fee paid to the studios for every copy sold or a general one upfront. With a few exceptions, I'd say the studios licenced out aren't the most profitable cash cows any more!

They are a fine company though, definitely fantastic to have around restoring and giving new life to old classics. It is such a shame that they aren't released over here, and while Optimum / Tartan / Artificial Eye etc... still do a decent job, most DVDs don't get quite the same care as Criterion versions. I only have two I ordered a few years back (Kagemushua and Noah Baumbach's debut Kicking and Screaming) but they are amongst the most impressive packages I've seen.

Renn

Browsing through some of the dvds/blu-rays on their site - Does anyone know if they work on a PS3 or will I have to fork out some cash for a Region 1 player?

Basq

Nope, they won't work on a PS3.

Get a cheap ol' region free DVD player.. they're not pricey!

Renn

Cool. They're probably cheaper than the dvds themselves

Otis Driftwood

The newest release of Salo in this format is well worth getting,superb packaging,interviews,transfer and a wonderful booklet too,awesome.

I do agree that alot of the releases are very over priced.For example,their original release of Salo ("white ring" version) frequently sells for up to and over 100 pounds sterling and its a pretty bare bones edition.

Renn

basquille wrote: »

Nope, they won't work on a PS3.

Get a cheap ol' region free DVD player.. they're not pricey!

This one should do the trick?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-SD2010-DVD-Player-USB/dp/B003DA63A0

Basq

Renn wrote: »

This one should do the trick?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-SD2010-DVD-Player-USB/dp/B003DA63A0

Yep.. from an Amazon review:

You have to enter the standard Toshiba hack to make it multi-region (use remote to open the tray; enter 98790 and there you are) but that's quite straightforward

That should be just fine!

S.M.B.

Short Cuts is the only criterion release I have, lovely little package though.