Or Criterion did not provide enough money to support them and Lionsgate bought them out. Simple economics.
—PolarisDiB
Thanks for the speedy response, Po…but the question for me remains, is it really likely that Lionsgate will be selling more copies of Mayerling and Le Trou than Criterion was able to?
On things more mainstream, like Traffic perhaps—or maybe even more high-profile foreign films like Grand Illusion, I can see a remote possibility. But if Lionsgate is going to be releasing things with the same price tag, (ie the Ran blu) with less attention to quality and attractive packaging, I’d have to wonder if it’s a sensible move even in the practical realm of economics.
All that said, I do hope Criterion manages to make a tidy sum off of the Stagecoach release. I’m saddened to know that some of my faves will be leaving the Collection, (and by extention, being “upgraded” to blu-ray by a company less capable of giving them due attention) but the announcements for May take a bit of the sting off.
I’m just glad that Criterion managed to do (most of) these films justice on their initial releases—especially the Clouzots. Still sad to see Grand Illusion going to Lionsgate, though.
Well maybe not, but Lionsgate selling DVDs and making profit still = more profit for Lionsgate than Criterion selling DVDs and making profit.
Not necessarily—I’m wary as to the question of whether Lionsgate will actually release all of the movies, or is buying the rights to distribution as part of a properties deal for…
…you know…
…remakes….
I am not aware of whether the prices will be the same or not—as far as I understood it, they would be cheaper. I have not looked much into the issue but Studio Canal probably does not get money on a disc-by-disc sale basis, they probably get lump sums for distribution rights, which for Criterion might be harder to provide. Lionsgate can pay a higher initial sum and then find ways of marketing and pushing DVDs harder than Criterion while, yes, cutting costs on not-quite-as-good transfers and little-to-no special features. Basically imagine it like Essential Art House, but more commercial.
—PolarisDiB
@PoDib:
Well said, and completely understood…but looking at their releases for Ran and Comtempt, it seems they’re offering EAH quality at the prices of Criterion’s major releases.
And again, I understand that Lionsgate won’t be paying The French Beast on a disc-by-disc basis, but I don’t see how SC could think Lionsgate will be able to swing these boutique titles at all. It just seems the releases will end up being neither fish nor fowl, and ultimately have less of an audience.
If they’re going to be only marginally profitable, it at least makes sense to give them proper treatment as historical works.
No T.Hanks
Just what the HAYel is up with that French conglomerate?
Is there anyone around with the actual skinny as to why they’re pulling their catalogue from Criterion? Is it really that important to them to insure that future blu-ray releases are of lesser quality than the present Criterion standard editions?