03/07/2005

Criterion DVDs

Would be interesting to hear some thoughts about the Criterion range of DVDs.

Many of kamera's favourite films are available in special Criterion editions, usually at a vastly inflated cost. The Criterion seal of quality is certainly a major draw for people buying them - superior transfers, exclusive interviews and commentaries, directorial seals of approval etc - but are the Criterion versions really that much better to justify their £30+ pricetag?

For context, I'm writing as a Criterion devotee - I've got lots on my shelves, so I certainly have something of a vested interest. But should kamera be recommedning the Criterion DVDs as the definitive editions?

Best Criterions on my shelves:
Rushmore & The Royal Tenenbaums
The Adventures of Antoine Doinel (5 DVD boxset)
Brazil (3 DVD boxset)
L'Avventura
Last Tempatation of Christ (with exclusive Scorsese commentary!)

Any nominations for the best Criterion DVD edition?
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3 comments:

Cullen Gallagher said...

I think that Criterion DVDs are very worth the pricetag. Even if they don't have loads of extras, they usually are providing the best print available (at the time) of a very worthwhile film. Sometimes I look back at some of my VHS and see how poorly the production sometimes was, such as the incredibly incorrect ratio on Godard's "A Woman is a woman."

My favorite Criterion's are Cocteau's "Orphic Trilogy," Antonioni's "L'Eclisse," Fellini's "8 1/2," and especially Olmi's "I Fidanzati" and "Il Posto" - those last two are magnificent transfers.

July 19, 2005 6:47 pm
Anonymous said...

I only own a few but I love Criterion's Ace in the Hole, Yi Yi and Ran.

October 12, 2008 8:05 am
louis said...

I am huge fan of Criterion DVDs and its quality. Now, I am planning to buy The Silence of the Lambs and Tokyo story on it.
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November 07, 2009 9:47 am

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