Of those five films, Umberto D. and Children of Paradise are the only previously available Criterion entries receiving Blu-ray upgrades; the rest are new to the Criterion Collection.
Furthermore, Les visiteurs du soir, The Game, and Eating Raoul are making their respective debuts onto the North American Blu-ray format, while the Children of Paradise reissue utilizes the new digital restoration created for the film.
Quoted below are Criterion's release date and disc specifications for each film.
Umberto D. (September 4th, 2012) —
New high-definition digital transfer
Uncompressed monaural soundtrack
That's Life: Vittorio De Sica, a fifty-five-minute documentary made for Italian television in 2001
Video interview with actress Maria Pia Casilio from 2003
Trailer
A booklet featuring an essay by critic Stuart Klawans and reprinted recollections by De Sica and Carlo Battisti, who plays Umberto D.
Les visiteurs du soir (September 18th, 2012) —
New high-definition digital restoration
Uncompressed monaural soundtrack
L'aventure des Visiteurs du soir, a documentary on the making of the film
Trailer
New English subtitle translation
A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Michael Atkinson
Children of Paradise (September 18th, 2012) —
New high-definition digital transfer from Pathé's 2011 restoration
Uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Audio commentaries by film scholars Brian Stonehill and Charles Affron
Video introduction by director Terry Gilliam
Once Upon a Time: Children of Paradise, a 2010 documentary on the making of the film
New visual essay on the design of Children of Paradise by film writer Paul Ryan
The Birth of Children of Paradise, a 1967 German documentary that visits Nice, where the film was partially shot, and features interviews with cast members Arletty, Jean-Louis Barrault, Pierre Brasseur; production designer Alexandre Trauner; and others
Restoration demonstration
U.S. trailer
New English subtitle translation
A booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Dudley Andrew and excerpts from a 1990 interview with director Marcel Carné
The Game (September 25th, 2012) —
New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director David Fincher and director of photography Harris Savides
Two 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks:
Original theatrical 5.1 surround theatrical soundtrack
Alternate 5.1 surround mix optimized for home theater viewing, supervised by sound designer Ren Klyce and Fincher
Audio commentary by Fincher, Savides, actor Michael Douglas, screenwriters John Brancato and Michael Ferris, digital animation supervisor Richard "Dr." Baily, production designer Jeffrey Beecroft, visual effects supervisor Kevin Haug, and visual effects producer Robyn D'Arcy
An hour's worth of exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and film-to-storyboard comparisons for four of the film's major set pieces, with commentary
Alternate ending
Trailer and teaser trailer, with commentary
A booklet featuring an essay by film critic David Sterritt
Eating Raoul (September 25th, 2012) —
New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director of photography Gary Thieltges
Uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Audio commentary featuring screenwriter Richard Blackburn, art director Robert Schulenberg, and editor Alan Toomayan
The Secret Cinema (1968) and Naughty Nurse (1969), two short films by director Paul Bartel
Cooking Up Raoul, a new documentary about the making of the film, featuring interviews with stars Mary Woronov, Robert Beltran, and Edie McClurg
Gag reel of outtakes from the film
Archival interview with Bartel and Woronov
Trailer
A booklet featuring an essay by film critic David Ehrenstein
These Blu-rays will be available for pre-order on Amazon shortly.
Can't wait to finally see "The Game"... Marcel Carne in HD is going to be stunning...He's easily become one of my favorite French filmmakers. I'll never forget seeing "Port of Shadows" at MoMA in NYC. (I really wish Criterion could re-do that one.) Anyway, "Children of Paradise" is going to be great and "Les visiteurs du soir" sounds interesting.
I have the UK version of The Game, but I always thought the transfer could be so much better. I will be selling my UK copy and pre-ordering the new US Criterion transfer.
Children of Paradise ... finally. One of the greats at last makes its way to Blu. I saw the restoration recently at the Film Forum at it was spectacular.
People have been waiting for THE GAME for what seems like forever. I actually just bought the HD-DVD the other day for $3, so I think I'll watch that soon.
Open letter to Criterion fans from Blu-ray.com readers everywhere:
...O-KAY! O-freakin'-KAY, already! You got yer stupid GAME! Now can you shaddup about it whenever we get the next Criterion announcement?
(Oh well, I'll just have to start the next ball rolling: "This's lame! When're they going to announce Pulp Fiction and Cat People?")
holly crap !!! The Game ? what a surprise thats been rumored for so long. Maybe we will get Y Tu Mama Tambien soon since thats also been rumored for so long ?
Finally a version approved by David Fincher. The Universal BDs will probably look pretty pale compared to this version. I was glad i waited for this version, since the Universal BDs looked poor.
Wow...best Criterion news in a long time! The Game, Eating Raoul and Children of Paradise for me. Only thing better would be the long-awaited Brazil set!
I don't expect this to be a very popular comment, but I really don't understand why everyone is fawning over the release of the Game. For me, it is the epitome of everything Criterion DOESN'T represent. The plot is maddeningly contrived; as if everything could be meticulously planned out to that degree. I mean, did they sub-contract out the chick from Minority Report to forecast his every move? For me, suspension of disbelief can only go so far if you're not watching something like say, Superman. And the ending is so incredibly Hollywood. What a cop out. I obviously don't mean to put anyone here down, (we all have our own opinions and that's what makes the world go round), but for me this movie is easily Fincher's worst and one of the typical Hollywood crap piles that Criterion stays away from on their releases. Glad those of you who worship it are getting the Criterion treament. Congrats to you. Personally I wish their resources were dedicated to something more worthy.
Yes, "Royal Tennenbaums" last month, "The Game" this month, really starting to enjoy these criterion announcements!
@nametag I had that same feeling after the movie, but came to appreciate it more over time.
Eating Raoul is one of the most hilarious movies I have ever seen. Campy with bad acting, but that makes it even more fun, especially the hot tub scene. "Swing on this!"
I'm all in for The Game. The others are decent but I don't like them enough to buy them. I'm still waiting for Kurosawa's Throne of Blood to get the Criterion BD treatment, though.
Darn, I almost thought The Bicycle Thief was coming as soon as I read De Sica. Well in my opinion recent Criterion titles are'nt as diverse as they were during the DVD era. Would love to get The Game down the road sometime though.
David Fincher is awesome, and that cover is awesome. The Game is definitely in the lower tier of Fincher's efforts (along with Panic Room and TGWTDT, still above Alien 3), but even his lower tier are some pretty great films.
So funny all the love for The Game, when there are two CLASSIC films - Umberto D and Children of Paradise - that are more deserving of accolades. I guess that's why so many modern movies stink - people have no love for great movies anymore, just passable ones.
I'll definitely plan to receive two of my favorite films from this list on release day, both very long awaited: Vittorio De Sica's Umberto D. and David Fincher's The Game.
I haven't seen the other three yet—though I remember hearing about Eating Raoul as a kid. After researching them a bit and watching their trailers, I'm quite interested in owning them, too.
So glad The Game is announced, for 2 reasons: first, it's my favorite Fincher film, and second, everyone on here can shut the hell up about asking "Where is The Game?!" with each and every Criterion announcement.
Thank you, Criterion for giving me a break! With two great releases this month and Tenenbaums in August, you are taking a big bite out of my EDD money!
I'm not a fan of The Game but am glad it's making its way to BD since there are a lot of other people who love it. Personally, I'd rather have Panic Room.
Children of Paradise is a must for every true film fan. And yes Finally The Game if only to shut all those people up "where the hell is the game"...sheesh, I can think of at least 50 more titles worthy of Criterion treatment but fine.
I remember being fond of Children of Paradise. It's been decades since I've seen it. Might pick that up as well as The Game. Yes, it takes an extraordinary level of "disbelief suspension" for that last one to even work, but it's kinda fun nevertheless.
I agree that there are more worthy films, but The Game is a fun movie and I think people have just been waiting so long for it to be given better treatment than the crappy one it received on DVD.
Only about four more months or so now to keep hearing about THE GAME THE GAME :-)
Until about the end of October. First the coming months on how they can't wait for it to come out and then September and October as they will be talking non stop on how they have seen it and so on. After that it should calm down a bit, or so I hope ;-)
It's pretty sad that in a month where we get two classic Marcel Carne releases all that most people can talk about is The Game, oh well should soon be over.
Don't people understand that it's titles like The Game that bring new fans to the collection. (as well as, finance the other obscure films that the vast majority of viewers are oblivious to) It is obviously not in the same league as many of the classics that Criterion release, but it is a well made movie that is fun to watch. Folks need to lighten up.
With that said, I'm in for Eating Raoul, Umberto D. and The Game
Glad to see The Game coming. Still surprised they have yet to announce The Hidden Fortress; it's only one of the most influential films to ever come out of Japan.
While The Game isn't necessarily a bad film, the main reason I'm excited for it to come out is so we don't have to hear people whining anymore when Criterion doesn't announce it. And kong73, Rosemary's Baby will probably be announced for October.
Aside from the selection of movies here, these are all fantastic covers. I've been a bit concerned with the direction Criterion has been going with some of their covers recently, but all of these are top notch. Anyone else agree?
@ Monty70 - Because folks don't like a movie and/or don't think it's worthy of the Criterion name, it doesn't mean they are too high strung or need to as you say, "lighten up". It can be as simple as they think it's an over-rated piece of Hollywood pap. Nothing more. Comments like "lighten up" are more worthy of trolls than anything else, and I don't get the sense that is your intent at all.
@MPerry - Didn't say anything about trolling, your words not mine. Criterion has released many films that I do not care for, just like any other home video distribution company. In these instances, I exercise my right as a consumer and do not buy them.
Never understood the "Criterion spine numbers are a sacred and limited resource" argument, hence my lighten up comment. IMO, some people take the Criterion Collection a bit too seriously. (typed by a person with eighty plus CC Blu-rays on my shelf in order of spine #)
Well we have one thing in common for sure. I would venture to say I probably dislike more Criterions than you do! I think many of their art house eosteric movies go way over the top to remain "artsy" to the point I would call them banal. (I would call them worse names but I like to remain civil on discussion boards)!!! I KNOW that will be an immensely unpopular comment for the folks around here who worship Criterion and actually buy every release they produce. But I am stickler for plot and character development most of the time; not exactly the focus of many Criterion movies...
Even though I probably only like about 30 to 40% of their releases (at most), I still think they are an invaluable resource because of their dedication to lesser known/foreign movies. So when they decide to associate themselves with a movie like "The Game", for me it's the equivalent of Bob Dylan doing a duet with Brittney Spears to sell more records.
Re the trolling - just to be clear, I wasn't calling you a troll at all. (I hope I was clear about that). I was just saying that when you tell folks to lighten up, it comes across as hostile and/or demeaning to those of us who don't share the enthusiasm of the board's majority concerning this release. Hope that makes sense. Peace to you.
Phrasal Verb:
lighten up (Informal)
To take matters less seriously -thefreedictionary
This is the first time I've ever heard that phrase associated with being hostile or demeaning, but just to clarify that was not my intent. Peace to you as well.
Back to the September films...
Just viewed Eating Raoul online and it is as funny and crazy as I remembered it.
Enough with these lame movies. Come on folks at criterion, where's my "Ilsa" Quadrilogy? I was hoping they would have been released in time for Mother's Day.
There are very few movies that don't have a plot. In fact the only I can think of right now are some in the Brakhage collection, but that's because the focus of most it to literally be art not movies.
I can't wait to get my hands on The Game! Now if Fincher would just put Panic Room on blu-ray I would be one happy man. Wouldn't it be so cool if Criterion did that one to. I can dream,right?
I started writing a very long reply to your post but decided against it to spare the board of my long winded nature!! I'll just say that I understand there is at least SOME form of plot to every movie ever created. It's just I find the quality of the plot and character development on Criterions to be suprisingly lacking many times over.
For every Paths of Glory or 8 and 1/2 (movies I worship) there are two Double Life of Veroniques, Pierrot Le Fous etc....
I'm in for The Game as well. Umberto and Children of Paradise are OK, but nothing I'm interested in owning.
@monologuerecords: L'Avventura is on Turner Classic Movies HD this week. I can think of more than one example of an older movie's Blu-ray release being preceded by a showing on TCM.
(and in other news... some poor soul lies in wait, hidden discretely in his parent's basement, eagerly awaiting any type of positive comment about The Game finally being released, so he can proudly demonstrate his condemnation of said joy by emphatically ushering in his all-powerful minus vote!)
Never fear, for I shall plus them back to fivedom.
