‘The most important directors of world cinema are Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini’
- Martin Scorsese (to the Academy, 1990).
‘Without any efort Ray stirs deep emotions. How does he achieve this! What’s the secret of his excellence?’
- Akira Kurosawa (remark made in Moscow, 1975)
‘Kubrick didn’t let anyone enter the sets but Satyajit Ray was an exception. To him he was number one!’
-Arthur C. Clarke (remark made in an article in ‘Ray at 70’, 1990)
Only Satyajit Ray is missing at Criterion, hope to see him soon.
Days and Nights in the Forest (1969) [Ray’s personal favorite]
Charulata (1964) [Ray’s personal favorite]
The Apu Trilogy [With a commentary by Robin Wood who had written a book on it]
Distant Thunder (1973) [ With commentary by Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen who has done research on the bengal famine and loves the film]
There is a very good possibility of Ray’s titles becoming bestsellers more than others since his movies are always ’entertaining with simple stories told simply.
I think that Donald Richie’s commentary on ‘Rashomon’ is excellent. Donald Richie per se is superb, the next best thing to Kurosawa himself. His book is one of the best film books ever. So I don’t really care for variety, if somebody is good, stick with him. I hope we get more commentaries from him.
Another favorite is Peter Cowie. His track on ‘Seventh Seal’ is magnificent. He is to Bergman what Richie is to Kurosawa.
YOJIMBO.Yojimbo is one of the most entertaining films ever. It is equally enjoyable to see it without sound or just listen to the soundtrack without the image. That’s how good Yojimbo is!
It is indeed sad that Satyajit Ray is ignored by Criterion. I had written several times to Criterion regarding this over the last five years and they keep saying ‘we don’t have the rights’, ‘no plans at the moment to release Ray’, ‘keep an eye on new releases’ etc. Always cold.
Yet Kurosawa wrote to Ray’s biographer, Andrew Robinson ’ Not to have seen his films is like living without seeing the sun or the moon.’
Arthur C. Clarke said, ‘For Kubrick he was number one.’
Bergman ‘was extremely eager to know more about Mr. Ray and his working methods’ when a journalist from Delhi went to interview him.
Henri Cartier Bresson said that ‘he is undoubtedly a giant in the film world’.
Martin Scorsese said ‘the four greats are Kurosawa, Ray, Bergman and Fellini’.
We can only hope that Criterion would be more articulate about the matter.
Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection about 3 years ago
Bergman is here. Kurosawa is here. Fellini is here. When will Satyajit Ray be here?
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Dear Criterion about 3 years ago
I hope to see Satyajit Ray’s Charulata 1964. It deserves a 2 disc release.
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WHICH DIRECTORS...NOT...CURRENTLY REPRESENTED IN THE CRITERION COLLECTION DO YOU WANT TO SEE INCLUDED? about 3 years ago
‘The most important directors of world cinema are Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini’
- Martin Scorsese (to the Academy, 1990).
‘Without any efort Ray stirs deep emotions. How does he achieve this! What’s the secret of his excellence?’
- Akira Kurosawa (remark made in Moscow, 1975)
‘Kubrick didn’t let anyone enter the sets but Satyajit Ray was an exception. To him he was number one!’
-Arthur C. Clarke (remark made in an article in ‘Ray at 70’, 1990)
Only Satyajit Ray is missing at Criterion, hope to see him soon.
Go to Comment
Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection about 3 years ago
Satyajit Ray films-
Days and Nights in the Forest (1969) [Ray’s personal favorite]
Charulata (1964) [Ray’s personal favorite]
The Apu Trilogy [With a commentary by Robin Wood who had written a book on it]
Distant Thunder (1973) [ With commentary by Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen who has done research on the bengal famine and loves the film]
There is a very good possibility of Ray’s titles becoming bestsellers more than others since his movies are always ’entertaining with simple stories told simply.
Go to Comment
Which Criterion film has the best commentary ? about 3 years ago
I think that Donald Richie’s commentary on ‘Rashomon’ is excellent. Donald Richie per se is superb, the next best thing to Kurosawa himself. His book is one of the best film books ever. So I don’t really care for variety, if somebody is good, stick with him. I hope we get more commentaries from him.
Another favorite is Peter Cowie. His track on ‘Seventh Seal’ is magnificent. He is to Bergman what Richie is to Kurosawa.
Go to Comment
Which Criterions are best for multiple viewings? about 3 years ago
YOJIMBO.Yojimbo is one of the most entertaining films ever. It is equally enjoyable to see it without sound or just listen to the soundtrack without the image. That’s how good Yojimbo is!
Go to Comment
Satyajit Ray, his strange neglect, auteurism and American taste about 3 years ago
It is indeed sad that Satyajit Ray is ignored by Criterion. I had written several times to Criterion regarding this over the last five years and they keep saying ‘we don’t have the rights’, ‘no plans at the moment to release Ray’, ‘keep an eye on new releases’ etc. Always cold.
Yet Kurosawa wrote to Ray’s biographer, Andrew Robinson ’ Not to have seen his films is like living without seeing the sun or the moon.’
Arthur C. Clarke said, ‘For Kubrick he was number one.’
Bergman ‘was extremely eager to know more about Mr. Ray and his working methods’ when a journalist from Delhi went to interview him.
Henri Cartier Bresson said that ‘he is undoubtedly a giant in the film world’.
Martin Scorsese said ‘the four greats are Kurosawa, Ray, Bergman and Fellini’.
We can only hope that Criterion would be more articulate about the matter.
Go to Comment
Satyajit Ray about 3 years ago
‘The World of Apu’ is a favorite of mine as well. I also love ‘Days and Nights in the Forest’.
Go to Comment