The Criterion Collection usually announces their next batch of BluRay and DVD releases around the middle of each month, but this month some details have have slipped out early.
Following up on a Blu-ray.com report that revealed Amazon may have jumped the gun giving pre-order pages (now down), The Playlist got in touch with Criterion who confirmed those listings were correct and that Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line,” Lars von Trier’s “Antichrist,” Wes Anderson’s “The Darjeeling Limited,” a new, Blu-ray edition of David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome,” and a high-definition restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s “The Seven Samurai” will all be coming this fall. Also confirmed, and not picked up initially by BluRay.com is a forthcoming BluRay of Stanley Donen’s “Charade” with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.
While Criterion will firm up release dates and extras in their upcoming official announcements there is still a lot to be excited about. The biggest title, at least for us, is Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” (previously hinted at by Criterion in a clue in their monthly newsletter). While the film currently has a fine, if bare-bones DVD release, the prospect of an extras-laden, high-definition release is exciting stuff. We really hope that some of the cutting room floor footage that featured Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Sheen, Gary Oldman, Bill Pullman, Lukas Haas, Viggo Mortensen and Mickey Rourke finds its way into the release. Even some of the excised footage of guys who managed to stay in the film (albeit in greatly reduced roles) like Adrien Brody and John C. Reilly would be great. Can we wet dream of the notorious 4-6 hour cut as well? Dare to dream, but don’t count on it.
The other surprise is the appearance of Wes Anderson’s “The Darjeeling Limited.” Fans of the director were disappointed when it was first revealed that the film wouldn’t be appearing, like the director’s previous works, in the Criterion Collection. And when the first DVD arrived, it was disappointingly bare, sporting only the short “Hotel Chevalier” and a brief making-of documentary. Well, Criterion will be re-issuing the film, and we can only hope that the extras will be fleshed out. Wes Anderson has done commentaries for each of his previous films with The Criterion Collection and we would be surprised if he doesn’t do one here. Not to mention that the previous films were stacked with extras from nearly every aspect of the production; if that continues this time around, Anderson fans will have an early Christmas present for themselves.
The rest of the titles are also quite exciting. As we previously revealed, Criterion will be issuing Lars von Trier’s divisive “Antichrist” on DVD and BluRay. The cinematography will undoubtedly look phenomenal in high-def and as for the extras, we would love to see some input from both detractors and advocates of the film. How about the reportedly rowdy Cannes press conference for the film as well?
Rounding out the fall slate are BluRay treatments of David Cronenberg’s “Videodrome” and Stanley Donen’s “Charade” to accompany the already stellar DVD releases, and Criterion will also finally re-issue “Seven Samurai” this fall as well. –additional reporting Kevin Jagernauth
**Please note the pictures above are fan art, not official covers.**