Don't Quite Get It
The Criterion guys are coming out with a restored high-definition digital transfer DVD of Martin Ritt's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965). And as much as I respect and appreciate this company and their first-class efforts, my first thought when I read about this was "uhhm...what for?"
It's not as if the existing DVD, which Paramount Home Video put out in July 2004, is anyone's idea of poor quality or underwhelming or whatever. It allegedly suffers from dirt and scratches, but it's never caught my attention, much less bothered me to any degree. All I knew when it came out is that the PHV DVD was a big improvement over the godawful versions that had played on the tube in decades past.
The Criterion web page for their Spy Who Came In From The Cold disc says that their "new high-definition digital transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35 mm composite fine-grain master positive," and that "thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System." Okay...if they say so. I sound like a rube who doesn't get it, but I know the difference between so-so and high-quality monochrome, and the Paramount DVD is a lot closer to "very good" than "good enough." By my standards, at least.
The Criterion disc extras sound to me like the usual upscale fellatio. They include (a) new interviews with original book author John Le Carre and cinematographer Oswald Morris; (b) The Secret Center: John Le Carre (2000), a BBC documentary on the author's extraordinary life and work; (c) Acting in the '60s: Richard Burton, a 1967 interview with the BBC's Kenneth Tynan examining the actor's performances and accomplishments; (d) a gallery of set designs; (e) a theatrical trailer for the film; and (f) a booklet featuring a new essay by critic Michael Sragow and a reprinted interview with Ritt.
I may as well post an mp3 of Oscar Werner's summation speech to the East German tribunal, even though I've posted it at least once before. I love his pauses, particularly after he says "with the advantage of hindsight"; I love the way he says "quite" and his decision to use the word "grotesque" to describe an erroneous conclusion; I love the way he respectfully cautions the tribunal not to fail to appreciate the "full bestiality" of a crime committed by a rival East German agent.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 17, 2008 at 1:35 PM
comment #1
Mgmax says ...
I would assume that the answer to "what for" is "because it will sell better than, say, Ozu: Three Family Comedies."
Posted by Mgmax at August 17, 2008 2:58 PM
comment #2
corey3rd says ...
and what's the purpose of a Hi-Def transfer if you're not offering a Blu-ray?
Posted by corey3rd at August 17, 2008 3:16 PM
comment #3
jjgittes says ...
I'd really rather FINALLY have Criterion do David Mamet's never on dvd masterpiece "Homicide" to go along with "House of Games" which they did a few years back.
How about Alan Pakula's "Orphans" also never on dvd and soon to be staged in NYC with Pacino 9in 2009) in the Finney role. The movie is a smashing stage to screen transfer with 3 terrific performances.
Posted by jjgittes at August 17, 2008 3:21 PM
comment #4
Joe Leydon says ...
Two words: Charlie Bubbles/i>.
Two more: Les Mieserables.
Posted by Joe Leydon at August 17, 2008 3:36 PM
comment #5
Richardson says ...
"and what's the purpose of a Hi-Def transfer if you're not offering a Blu-ray?"
They aren't doing it on Blu-Ray now, but what's the point in doing a new transfer in 2008 and not doing it in Hi-Def at all in anticipation for a later release?
Posted by Richardson at August 17, 2008 3:38 PM
comment #6
Aris P says ...
I, too, am awaiting for countless titles to get the Criterion polish but, alas, I believe they had certain deals with studios to release their films back in the day, and i think they no longer have access to those film rights. That's why all their releases over the last few years have been from countries like Japan, France etc, not to mention the fact that most of their US films are now out of print.
Speaking of Homicide, Netflix doesn't even carry it...
Posted by Aris P at August 17, 2008 3:57 PM
comment #7
corey3rd says ...
But the Criterion releases coming out at the same time include Blu-rays of Man Who Fell to Earth, Third Man, Bottle Rocket, Chung King Express & THE LAST EMPEROR. Why tease us with a brand new HiDef transfer if they're holding back on the 1080p love.
And they seem to be charging the same for Bluray and DVD. So why pay the same for less?
Posted by corey3rd at August 17, 2008 4:08 PM
comment #8
Ponderer says ...
They've always transferred at the highest possible resolution since the 1980s for archival purposes.
With Blu-Ray, the availability of pressing facilities is limited and you need to get in line if you're a specialty publisher. I'm sure they had to decide what they could get out this year with existing HD transfers and go with that.
Posted by Ponderer at August 17, 2008 4:51 PM
comment #9
corey3rd says ...
I understand the reason to have the 35mm print transfered 35mm. But at this point, it is a tease. Right now you can buy the DVD of Spy from Paramount for $7.50. Why spent $40 now knowing that shortly down the line, Criterion will offer this same release for the same $40?
Posted by corey3rd at August 17, 2008 5:21 PM
comment #10
MickTravis says ...
What I don't get is why we're talking about "The Spy Who Came In..." and not THIS....
http://www.criterion.com/asp/release.asp?id=450
Looks good, right down to the usual upscale fellatio.
Posted by MickTravis at August 17, 2008 6:21 PM
comment #11
lipranzer says ...
SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD isn't quite up to the book, but it's still very good, and one of the best spy movies ever made. Also, IMHO, contains Burton's best performance. It's not a movie I would have nominated for Criterion (for that matter, I'm puzzled Costa-Gavras' MISSING is coming out in Criterion, even though I like the film), but I'm not upset about it.
Posted by lipranzer at August 17, 2008 7:45 PM
comment #12
gruver1 says ...
Wells to Mick Travis: I didn't mention the Criterion Bottle Rocket DVD because as sublime and truly wonderful as this romantic crime comedy was and still is, the Wes Anderson brand has been devalued a bit since, and celebrating Bottle Rocket almost feels like wistful nostalgia for a bygone era than a celebration of the beginning of a great career with a humming engine and a bright future. Wes could certainly come back -- I certainly hope that he does -- but the c.w. (let's face it) is that the Anderson-Wilson stock began brilliantly with Bottle Rocket but then it peaked with Rushmore, and it's been downhill ever since. Besides, Bottle Rocket should have Criterion-ized eight or nine years ago. They missed the moment to bring it out.
Posted by gruver1 at August 17, 2008 7:46 PM
comment #13
Aris P says ...
Christmas in October.... Criterion releases The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. awesome.
Posted by Aris P at August 17, 2008 7:54 PM
comment #14
TheJeff says ...
I'm amazed at some of the obliviousness to the real world mechanics of DVD releasing here. Criterion has been transferring EVERYTHING in hi-def for a long time. That doesn't mean they have the rights to release everything in Blu-ray. Their license from Paramount only includes the standard-def version. They were not able to license films from Sony until very recently, which is why they're just now getting to Bottle Rocket. It's not like they decided not to release it eight years ago because they figured nobody would buy it. They desperately wanted to.
As far as incentives to buy the Criterion edition of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, the BBC doc should be enough to convince any le Carré fan.
Criterion is expected to make fans of Mamet's Homicide very happy in 2009.
Posted by TheJeff at August 17, 2008 9:12 PM
comment #15
MickTravis says ...
Mick Travis to Wells: Nahh, you're overthinking it. Brand devalue? I'm talking about movies, not careers.
All that matters is: "Bottle Rocket" is an excellent movie and it's finally getting its long deserved due in grand style. I cannot wait to delve into the goodies. I'll bet you one dollar right now that come November, you'll wax nostalgic maybe just a little.
And brand devalue? "Bottle Rocket" is my favorite, but "Rushmore" set the bar high in terms of a style, an eye and a voice. The subsequent films may or may not reach beyond that bar, but I love "Tenenbaums," I love "Darjeeling" and although "Life Aquatic" may be an acquired taste, it's not as bad as people think.
People who think he's just spinning his wheels don't understand or aren't considering a brand, devalued or valued. Seriously.
Posted by MickTravis at August 17, 2008 9:27 PM
comment #16
cjKennedy says ...
Yeah, what Mick said.
Posted by cjKennedy at August 18, 2008 8:16 AM
comment #17
Rich S. says ...
A number of years back, I planned a trip to Italy to view the Pieta, David and the Sistine Chapel. But then I decided that San Lorenzo and the Laurentian Library devalued the Michelangelo brand, so I skipped it.
Posted by Rich S. at August 18, 2008 10:49 AM
comment #18
Terry McCarty says ...
Maybe Sony can license THE DION BROTHERS aka THE GRAVY TRAIN to Criterion--which could then include a Terrence Malick/David Gordon Green interview or commentary track.
Posted by Terry McCarty at August 18, 2008 12:28 PM
comment #19
janee
says ...
Si vous etes interesses par le dossier, ou desirez en savoir plus, contactez-moi par mail, et je vous mettrai en contact.
Best regards,Jane, CEO of high availability network
Posted by janee
at May 18, 2011 12:30 AM