I don’t remember what exactly the first title was, but I know for sure the first Criterion I bought was Ran. That movie just has staggering power. I first saw it when I was 12 on the Fox-Lorber edition a friend had, and it blew me away. When I turned 14 or 15, I bought the Criterion.
Samurai I – Musashi Miyamoto
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Well, I can’t remember exactly which one was my first. It was either Seven Samurai, The Sword of Doom, Spartacus, or Le Samourai. I know that the first one I purchased on my own was Ugetsu, though, and ever since I’ve been draining my low income on this strange addiction.
The Magic Flute
I’m not really sure if it was Charade or Shoot the Piano Player…can’t remember :)
Before I ever knew what the Criterion Collection was, I saw Milos Forman’s the Loves of a Blond. I was about ten years old and I remember not reading any subtitles but still thinking the whole dance scene was hilarious. It was the first black and white film I remember ever seeing, and It was also the first foreign film I ever watched.
first i saw was royal tenenbaums, first i purchased was probably the rock
Dead Ringers. I saw it on IFC
I don’t remember the first I watched but the first I bought is Short Cuts. The fact that it had an amazing picture, the best features I’d seen on any DVD, and the original short stories they were based on sold me on Criterion.
“Army of Shadows”
That goes back a long way. Must be “Straw Dogs” or “3 Women”.
With “3 Women” I was told by my movie going crowd that I was no longer allowed to chose the flics.
I knew then I was on to something great and needed a new crowd.
The first Criterion I watched was back in 2000. I still remember it because it opened my eyes to world cinema, and most importantly, classics from the 20th century. I have never been the same since…Children of Heaven. WOW!!! i now own every single Criterion released, including all eclipse sets. Next up, I wonder what my first Criterion Blu-ray will be?
First Criterion I bought (in 2000) was Brazil. I can’t recall what the first ever Criterion film I watched was, but the more I think about it the more convinced I am that it would have to have been Monty Python’s Life of Brian (I bought myself the VHS for my birthday – I think – in 1995). If it wasn’t that, then it was either Lord of the Flies (which I saw as part of my grade 10 religion class which would make it 96 or 97), or The Rock (saw it theatrically, Summer 97).
Fittingly, Stranger Than Paradise.
The Red Shoes
Through a Glass Darkly
A poster by the name of Anna said The Conformist. Is that right? Was that movie actually on the Criterion Collection at one time? On laser disc or something? God, I’d love to have a CC of that one. The current Paramount is good though.
My first was either 8 1/2 or an overpriced Seven Samurai. I’ve never rented or borrowed them – nothing against this I simply don’t have those options where I live.
My memories of first discovering the Criterion Collection are sunkissed memories of spring; Amarcord, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Notorious, M, Fanny and Alexander, Au Hazard Balthazar, M. Hulot’s Holiday, The Red Shoes, Withnail & I, The Lady Eve, The Pornographers, and the two mentioned above all in a short period of time. Ah, to be young again!
You know that’s Criterion’s greatest gift – discovering a new film is rejuvenating.
WKW’s In the Mood for Love.
Gillo Pontecorvo’s ‘Battle of Algiers’. Saw it in class, went straight home and ordered the dvd. When it arrived, I was like, “Ooooh, look at all the neat extra stuff they give you!” I had no idea about the concept of the Criterion collection :P
the haunting and chilling “Les Yeux sans visage”
AND my first Blu-ray Criterion DVD was “the Third Man”
First Criterion film you ask? Hmm. That would have been Seven Samurai by film director Akira Kurosawa. I’ve been hooked on Japanese films since then! Hard habit to break.
“Mouchette” was the first one I bought, can’t remember what the first one I watched was. But I read some great reviews of Mouchette and since I couldn’t find it for rent anywhere, I took a chance and bought it. Instantly, I loved it, went online to find out more about Criterion and became hooked ever since. I am very grateful that a company like Criterion exists here in America, otherwise I would have missed out on tons of great films and directors.
Brief Encounter. The quality of the film (which I had not seen before) and the quality of the Criterion rendering made me an instant fan.
For me it was the “Last Temptation of Christ.” The Criterion version was the only one I could find and I was hooked thereafter.
For me it was the “Last Temptation of Christ.” The Criterion version was the only one I could find and I was hooked thereafter.
spartacus… and that was my first criterion movie i bought. now im hooked and want every spine in the criterion collection.
The Royal Tenenbaums was the first that I purchased. I’m not sure if it was the first I had ever seen. I remember spending hours in Virgin Megastore trying to choose between Tenenbaums and Rushmore. I should have gone with the latter :P I mean, I already knew that I loved it. I hadn’t seen Tenenbaums yet. I dropped $50 on a blind buy!
matt
M. It’s perfekt. No remakes please.