“Barry Lyndon” is certainly a most expected release in Blu-Ray. I own the WB DVD edition and a high definition version of this film would be excellent. I just hope they maintain the original grain of the film instead of digitally smoothing the image as we’ve seen in other classic film releases. The candle lit sequences must be a challenge for them in order to be correcly translated to 1080p definiton. I trust WB will do a good job with this timeless and frequently forgotten Kubrick masterpiece. As for Criterion’s “Paths of Glory” it’s already on my list of Fall purchases.
That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long while.
Sweet! I’ve been wanting to check out Lolita recently but now I’ll wait for the pristine version on bluray, since I’ve heard they jacked up the aspect ratio or framing or something on the latest Lolita DVD they released.
when i read this thread title my instant thought was criterion? (fingers crossed). a little disapointed though lyndon will look amazing in blu-ray
The only thing I’m nervous about is that they’ll re-do Lolita and BL ONLY for Blu-ray, and not released a DVD counterpart. I adore the SE DVDs for the “big 5” Kubrick films from 2007, so they’d better not screw me up. Otherwise, time to get a Blu-Ray player …
You can be sure it will be released on dvd, but you’re right when you say it’s time to get a blu-ray player.
I’m trying to find the interview where Kubrick flat out said he liked the taller image. I remember reading it, although I’m having a hard time finding it on the internet or in the stanley kubrick archives. I’m not crazy though. I did see it. Kubrick was asked specifically about how he photographed things and he said that his preference was for a taller frame. Therefore, I am of the opinion that Kubrick preferred his films open matte, but because theaters will flat out not show something in 4X3, he had to make the compromise of composing in 1:66:1 and protecting in 4X3. I have a polaroid from the shining that demonstrates his intentions very clearly. Of course he also states that he shoots 4X3 so his films won’t be screwed with for television releases.
My personal belief is that kubrick preferred his films to be shown academy. He composed for both but preferred academy. I wish they would release his Blu-rays academy. I am very unhappy that Paths of Glory is being cropped to 1:66:1 for this criterion release. I definitely wish that Kubrick’s close “collaborators” would stop making assumptions about how kubrick wants his films presented and that they would instead honor the decisions he made while he was alive. All decisions about Blu-ray releases should stem from the Stanley Kubrick collection DVDs, which were very carefully supervised by Kubrick when he was alive. End of story.
It wasn’t Kubrick who said that, it was his dipshit coffee gopher Leon Vitali. Read the rest of this thread and you’ll see what I mean. The misinformation on these films will live on for eternity.
The matter is made worse since the old DVD cases literally say something along the lines of, “These films are presented 1:1.33, as the director intended.”
Erratum: “These films are presented in 1.33, as the director intended — that is, for square cathodic tubes.”
The matter is ultimately put to rest. At long last, Barry Lyndon will be released on May 2011 in glorious 1.85.
Kaminari, can you name your source on that?
are there any updates for release of Gettysburg?
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5887
Barry Lyndon and Lolita both coming to Blu-Ray. Here’s some info about this set:
- 40th anniversary A Clockwork Orange is the SAME TRANSFER as the 2007 release but with 2 new extras. The book part is obviously new
- Barry Lyndon and Lolita are bare-bones (no special features) but are NEW TRANSFERS (FINALLY)
- The other movies are EXACTLY THE SAME as the 2007 releases. HOWEVER: the special features are only available on Blu-Ray. The DVD version of the set is equivalent to throwing out the 2nd discs from the 2007 stand-alones.
- SPARTACUS and DR. STRANGELOVE are being licensed from Universal and Sony, respectively. So, they are the same as the most recent Blu-Ray releases of said films.
- The 40-page book in the box sets is new
… so then, about damn time. People have been clamoring since this news came out (mid February) for stand-alone releases of Barry Lyndon and Lolita, but Warner have yet to speak definitely about it. Word is, in Germany and France, you can order stand-alone new releases of these two with the same release date as the box sets. No word on UK or USA yet.
Between no current stand-alone plans (in general) and not owning any of these in Blu-Ray, I guess it’s the Blu-Ray box set for me. I have heard nothing but disappointment with the SPARTACUS Blu-Ray, which stinks because many say it’s better looking on Criterion DVD than on the Universal Blu-Ray (which is what’s in this box set).
If I heard that Barry Lyndon and Lolita were going to have stand-alone DVD (in addition to Blu-Ray) releases, I would wait for those and be done with it. I bought the 40th anniversary DR. STRANGELOVE, own the Criterion SPARTACUS, the 2007 special editions for 2001, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, THE SHINING, FULL METAL JACKET (had to eBay this one since they only did Blu-Ray for stand-alone), and EYES WIDE SHUT. I have the AWFUL versions of BARRY LYNDON and LOLITA, so I’d love to ONLY have to upgrade those instead of dropping $110 on the set, especially since I don’t (yet) own a Blu-Ray player.
FINAL THING IF ANYONE’S STILL READING: Killer’s Kiss, The Killing, and Paths of Glory are NOT included at all in any way.
The BARRY LYNDON Blu-Ray is available for pre-order from amazon.com in a stand-alone version, although there’s no definite release date on the page.
I am going to get the Blu Ray box set, as it has blu ray editions of a few of the lesser known Kirbrick films, and the only Kibrick that I currently have on Blu Ray is 2001.
The Blu-Rays for BARRY LYNDON and LOLITA will be available in the stand-alone versions apparently as an Amazon.com exclusive, with the same release date as the Blu-Ray Box set.
What I really want to know is if the DVD of BARRY LYNDON in this box is a new transfer or the same old non-anamorphic one. And if it IS a new and improved transfer, I really hope it gets a standalone release. I haven’t yet made the switch to blu, and I’m not about to shell out however much money for a blu-ray player just for one film (however much I love it).
Also, worringly, the back-cover for the BARRY LYNDON blu-ray as seen on Amazon states that it is in 1:85.1. So does the back of the blu-ray set. If true, this is truly heinous; chopping off the top and bottom of the image will all but ruin the compositions. What’s so difficult about keeping it in the proper 1.66:1 ratio, Warners? Ridiculous.
Hopefully the reported aspect ratio on Amazon isn’t correct.
I got the Amazon Blu-ray, and have watched the first half, through the intermission. It looks gorgeous, a splendid transfer overall. I understand that folks are unhappy with the aspect ratio, but it looked fine to me.
I understand the basis for Kubrick’s reputation as a perfectionist, but…
There are TWO radically different “official” releases of THE SHINING circulating from 1980 till his death, and neither ever got his seal of approval as the authoritative version. To me, the aspect ration stuff seems insignificant compared to that. Especially because the stuff looks amazing whatever shaped frame it’s in.
“I got the Amazon Blu-ray, and have watched the first half, through the intermission. It looks gorgeous, a splendid transfer overall.”
Good to hear.
Now if we can just get a good HD of THE DUELLISTS.
strawdawg
Finally some information regarding a release. So far, this is only a rumor, but this guy’s rumors usually are accurate.
Warner Brothers say that they are preparing Lolita and Barry Lyndon for release and there is more. from The Digital Bits:
“8/20/10
All right… as most of you Stanley Kubrick fans are no doubt already aware, Warner Home Video has released Blu-ray Disc versions of 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut and Full Metal Jacket. Universal recently released Spartacus, albeit in a mediocre Blu-ray edition with a substandard quality HD master. Meanwhile, Sony’s done a fine job of Dr. Strangelove on Blu, and Criterion is preparing a Blu-ray release of MGM’s Paths of Glory on 10/26. So a lot of you have probably been wondering, where are Warner’s Blu-rays of Lolita and Barry Lyndon?
Well… that’s a question we here at The Bits have been asking the folks at Warner Home Video for months now. And today, they surprised us with an answer! Yes, both Lolita and Barry Lyndon are currently being prepared for Blu-ray Disc release by the studio in 2011. And here’s the even better news: They hinted that the films are going to be available both as singles AND as part of a new Stanley Kubrick Blu-ray Collection! We’re waiting on more details, and no doubt it will be a while before the release gets officially announced, but it appears that Warner plans to really do their Kubrick catalog up right on Blu-ray in the new year!
What with Criterion having licensed Paths of Glory from MGM for DVD and Blu-ray release, could they have obtained rights for Kubrick’s The Killing and Killer’s Kiss from MGM as well? And with so much new Kubrick Blu-ray product on the way, might Universal see fit to give Spartacus a fresh high-def transfer and re-release the title in a better Blu-ray edition? (Believe me, judging by the hundreds of e-mails we’ve gotten in recent weeks, a LOT of you would love for that to happen. Rest assured, I strongly suggested it to the studio on my recent visit.)"
For actual article go here:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/rumormill.html#082010
I’ll this guy’s rumors over Jan Harlan’s facts any day.