In the fall, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will bring Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection to Blu-ray. This limited edition box set compiles fifteen titles from the legendary filmmaker's career, thirteen of which make their respective U.S. Blu-ray debut through this package.
While the exact technical specifications are still unknown for the individual discs, Universal's press release notes that the fifteen pictures have been "digitally restored from high-quality film elements." The set also includes over fifteen hours of bonus supplements, such as:
Saboteur -
Saboteur: A Closer Look behind-the-scenes featurette
Storyboards for the "Statue of Liberty" setpiece
Alfred Hitchcock's sketches
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
Shadow of a Doubt -
Beyond Doubt: The Making of Hitchcock's Favorite Film behind-the-scenes featurette
Production drawings by art director Robert Boyle
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
Rope -
Rope Unleashed behind-the-scenes featurette
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
Rear Window -
Commentary with Hitchcock's Rear Window: The Well-Made Film author John Fawell
Behind-the-scenes featurettes:
Masters of Cinema
Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary
A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes
Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of The Master
Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock
Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts
Production photographs
Theatrical trailers
Re-release trailer narrated by James Stewart
Blu-ray exclusive BD Live and Pocket Blu functionalities
The Trouble with Harry -
The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over behind-the-scenes featurette
Production photographs
Theatrical trailers
The Man Who Knew Too Much -
The Making of The Man Who Knew Too Much behind-the-scenes featurette
Production photographs
Trailers
Vertigo -
Two audio commentaries:
Associate producer Herbert Coleman, restoration team Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz, and other Vertigo participants
Filmmaker William Friedkin
Behind-the-scenes featurettes:
Obsessed with Vertigo: New Life for Hitchcock's Masterpiece
Partners in Crime: Hitchcock's Collaborators
The Vertigo Archives feature
Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts
Foreign censorship Ending
100 Years of Universal featurette: The Lew Wasserman Era
Theatrical trailer
Restoration theatrical trailer
Blu-ray exclusive BD Live and Pocket Blu functionalities
North by Northwest -
Commentary by screenwriter Ernest Lehman
Behind-the-scenes featurettes:
Destination Hitchcock: The Making of North by Northwest
North by Northwest: One for the Ages
The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style
Cary Grant: A Class Apart
Music-only audio track
Stills gallery
Theatrical trailers and TV spot
Psycho -
Commentary with Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho author Stephen Rebello
Behind-the-scenes featurettes:
The Making of Psycho
Psycho Sound
In The Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy
Breakdowns of the "Shower Scene" setpiece:
With and without music
Storyboards by Saul Bass
The Psycho Archives feature
Vintage newsreel: The Release of Psycho
Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts
Posters and Psycho ads
Lobby cards
Behind-the-scenes photographs
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
Re-release trailers
The Birds -
Behind-the-scenes featurettes:
Blu-ray exclusiveThe Birds: Hitchcock's Monster Movie
All About The Birds
Vintage Universal International newsreels:
The Birds Is Coming
Suspense Story: National Press Club Hears Hitchcock
Tippi Hedren's screen test
Hitchcock-Truffaut interview excerpts
Deleted scene
Original ending
Storyboards
Production photographs
100 Years of Universal featurettes:
Restoring the Classics
The Lot
Theatrical trailer
Blu-ray exclusive BD Live and Pocket Blu functionalities
Marnie -
The Trouble with Marnie behind-the-scenes featurette
The Marnie Archives feature
Theatrical trailer
Torn Curtain -
Torn Curtain Rising behind-the-scenes featurette
Selected scenes scored by Bernard Herrmann
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
Topaz -
Alternate endings
Topaz: An Appreciation with film historian and critic Leonard Maltin
Storyboards for "The Mendozas" setpiece
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
Frenzy -
The Story of Frenzy behind-the-scenes featurette
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
Family Plot -
Plotting Family Plot behind-the-scenes featurette
Storyboards for the chase scene
Production photographs
Theatrical trailer
In addition, the collection comes with a fifty-page book featuring storyboards, costume sketches, correspondence, and rare photographs.
Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection streets on September 25th.
So, pretty much the exact same release as the DVD boxed set.
Damn, I don't really want to triple-dip on a lot of these titles, but I don't know if I can resist having Rope, Shadow of a Doubt, Rear Window, The Birds, and the Man Who Knew Too Much on blu. I already have Psycho and North by Northwest, but . . . damn.
How did Universal get hold of North by Northwest? That's a Warner title. I have to admit, that's the only title I found was missing from the UK set for it to be perfect. This one is the best of the two now. Soooo tempting!!! I need more money!!!
Mother of god! Madre de dios! Day one abso-freakin-lutely. Happy dance all day today. Kind of miffed that I already have North and Psycho, but I can at least trade those in for something else. I'm buying this round of beer, folks.
Also, September 25 is a HUGE release day. Bond 50, Avengers, The Game, AND this.
north by northwest is Warner.
is that really included??
packagingwise this set doesn't look to hold a candle to either the German or UK set.
figures the US would get screwed.
very happy this is coming out, but I just wish the US could get the same amazing set as the Uk one.
Yes. Warner's North by Northwest Blu-ray IS included in this set. While I'm happy to see it here, I wonder why Warner let Universal use it; Warner Bros. did enough films with Hitchcock to fill its own sizable box set.
I really want this box set even if I have to double dip North by Noryhwest which is the only one I own. I hope for a good price around Christmas because September is already packed!!
I imported the UK Psycho disc for its better compression, audio and extras; I wonder what the specs on the version included here will look like. I want all of these (save the two I already own), but I'm waiting for individual releases.
Awesome set as far as the fact that it will include the North By Northwest, however i personally don't like the box's artwork, i would rather prefer the original DVD box artwork or the new UK Box.
Not only is this the same day as Bond 50, it's just one week after Indiana Jones comes out. It looks like I may have to exercise some restraint and NOT buy all this stuff on day 1.
I may have to get the UK set as I do prefer thier Packaging it does look much nicer. I am glad this is coming out Now I am torn because this set has a 50 page book and the UK states 15 pages The bonus with the UK set is that it comes out the week after Bond so money will be more managable.
I already own the DVD counterpart to this set but I will probably be double dipping like I am am sure a lot of people will. The biggest reluctance I have with the set is that Universal's other older titles that have been released this year so far have had mixed results. Universal really needs to put the extra effort into this set. After all it is Hitchcock.
Phxsns1
"Nice. Looks like it's time to sell Psycho and North by Northwest."
Yep, I sold back my copies to Amazon and got about $10 credit. I also pre-ordered the UK edition of this as it may end up being about the same price, $150 shipped from the UK. Worth it to me.
WOW.....a beautiful box!!! I love the letters and little pictures corresponding to each film! Thank you Universal (and Warner)!!!! Now, a pre-order button from Amazon!!!!
Unless there's some sort of world class goof-up on the technical side, I'll simply have to get this. Already own 'Psycho' and 'North By Northwest', but even with those two down, I'm fond of all these films and half of the remaining titles are all-time favorites ('Shadow of a Doubt', 'Rope', 'Rear Window', 'Vertigo', 'The Birds', 'Frenzy').
Enjoy it now boys! Cause once the PC police get a hold of the packaging they're gonna pull it off the shelf because the word "COCK" is prominently placed on the package.
Where's "The Wrong Man" !?!? If this is a collaboration between Universal and Warner, I can't see why they'd exclude The Wrong Man....unless Warner is planning on a box set of their own inclucing it with Strangers on a Train, Foreign Correspondent, Dial "M" for Murder, Stage Fright, etc.
I'm feeling a powerful wave of stupid for buying "Psycho" and "North by Northwest". I had a little voice fire off in the old noggin while I was buying them saying a collection like this would probably be coming soon enough.
Well, yea, I'm not crazy about Topaz or Family Plot. But I'll be buying the HELL out of this. I (of course) have Psycho and N by NW already, but I have no prob dipping again. Heck, I had Vertigo on VHS, laserdisc and DVD. If any director deserves another dip it's Sir Hitch! I'm space-challenged too, but that UK set looks really tasty.
My seven favorite Hitchcock movies (Rear Window, Notorious, Psycho, To Catch a Thief, The Lady Vanishes, The Birds, Rebecca) will finally all be on blu! I'm content now :-)
Oh, this is going to be great. I'll definitely get this, even though there are a couple that I own on DVD and Blu-ray...there's plenty of others in the set that I haven't seen, I'm afraid to admit.
September is going to be one busy month...
Hell, already got Psycho and North by Northwest but I can make a couple nice presents out of them. What about the price? I'm thinking of working some extra hours, eh.
Nice, been waiting for a Hitchcock set to come out on Blu-ray. Good to see North by Northwest included too! Hope it comes out in the Fall just in time for my birthday!
Would have appreciated a few more audio commentaries -- especially one on Marnie -- but the crown jewel of cinema, Vertigo, is finally arriving on Blu! That, along w/ Children of Paradise and Sunset Boulevard make late 2012 a truly spectacular time for cinephiles. Andrew Sarris is smiling down on all of us.
Regarding NxNW.
Yes, it is a Warner title, but Warner has quite a relaxed policy concerning allowing their existing discs to be included in comprehensive box sets by other studios. Their Kazan DVDs were featured in a Fox set, and "Blazzing Saddles" was included in the Fox retrospective, for instance. Studios tend to have this cross-licensing for box sets. Fox (still them) got "Die Hard with a Vengeance" in their European Die Hard anthology, even if the movie is Touchstone here. And, of course, there's the Bond collection, with Casino Royale, which is actually handled by Sony and still included with MGM titles.
Why no Strangers on a Train, The Wrong Man, I Confess, Dial "M" For Murder, Stage Fright, Suspicion, Mr and Mrs Smith, Foreign Correspondant? They weren't likely ready for release... Warner lent their existing Hitchcock Blu-ray to Universal, but that doesn't mean that Warner worked in sync with Universal to prepare their own catalog on HD. When Warner is ready to release their other titles, expect the Universal collection to be re-released minus NxNW.
Looks amazing! I've watched all the dvds within that Hitchcock Masterpiece Collection on DVD and it was absolutely fantastic. I can only imagine (until I get my hands on the bd's) how incredible these discs look/sound!!
I guess Warner is a Team Player. Paramount could have easily added To Catch a Thief but hey, they are Paramount. We are lucky to get To Catch a Thief on its own from them. Warner should do a box set but Foreign Correspondent they no longer have rights to, it along with To Be or Not to Be, Stagecoach and others are controlled by Castle Hill, they licensed the rights to Criterion. There have been rumblings about WB releases of Dial M and Strangers on a Train though.
I don't care about the size or price. Just bring it on!! Glad to hear this is getting a US blu ray release. These are all classics and all deserve to be see in hi def after all these years. I can't wait!! They should look awesome!
Im going to be Triple dipping on North by NW since I have the Warner Hitchcock set, the Blu Ray Digibook and now if I get this, will be the 3rd version. I mean the film is Great but...I wish another title would have been selected instead...
Finally after years of waiting for these Classic Hitchcock films we are getting them. Especially can't wait for Rear Window and Vertigo. To see Grace Kelly in blu-ray high definition at her best is all that I need to buy this box set. Day one purchase absolutely.
Gotta be honest, I'm not a big fan of the artwork. I'm a much bigger fan of the more distinguished, classy looking UK set. Plus, I already have the North By Northwest digibook, so I might just go with the UK set.
Only if they could license Rebecca, Lifeboat, The 39 Steps, Notorious and Spellbound too. Then this would be Hitchcock Boxset to end all Hitchcock Boxes.
I already own all of the DVDs--except for Family Plot and Frenzy--but if it is true that the films have been digitially restored---then my order goes in as soon as Amazon posts the set. These movies looked fine when I bought the DVDs---but the digital restoration and blu ray process has made me more critical of these earlier, less than stellar versions.
Outstanding, but then they will release the individual films in special digibooks so everyone buy everything again, like Warner is doing with Kubrick's films.
Actually I think the U.S. packaging looks kinda tacky. Not a disaster, but...anyway, it looks like the discs might be easier to access than in the U.K. set. Can't quite tell...looks like they might slide into cardboard sleeves live the Alien set. Despite the other omissions, it's nice to see Saboteur on this set.
Wow! I beg to differ. This is way better than the U.K. packaging!. Love the box front cover, with hint from his masterpiece films!! DAMNED, CAN'T WAIT!!!
too bad the UK set is region B only, cause the US version looks cheap. Why is it sooo difficult to put out the same product in two countries from the same company.
I'd love to have these on Blu-ray, but in a way I'd hate to replace my velvet DVD set with that box art. But, it's really all about the film quality, so hopefully the price will be right.
For those who keep asking why they're not included, Warner is releasing Strangers on a Train and Dial M for Murder (the latter on Blu-ray 3D) October 9. They're not gonna license Hitchcock titles to Universal that they haven't yet released themselves.
WOW! What a collection.... Almost all classics, with the exception of Family Plot, but where is Foreign Correspondent? Now that would make this set perfect.
I just hope the release titles on their own. I only want rear w, harry, vertigo,the birds, marnie, and frenzy. nbnw and psycho have day one bought ! just want the wrong man NOW WB !!!!!!!!!!
This is a pretty solid set from one of the all time great directors. Just wish these were all released on steelbooks like Psycho & Lifeboat but this is a must own as well
@swansong
"WOW! What a collection.... Almost all classics, with the exception of Family Plot, but where is Foreign Correspondent? Now that would make this set perfect."
Warners originally had the rights to "Foreign Correspondent" but they lost it. There's talk of Criterion possibly releasing it in the near future.
That is a fantastic collection, but I really hope they release those titles individually as well. I really want Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and The Birds, and I don't really need the rest.
Vertigo was on StarzHD about a month ago. I think it will be compared to Patton on the use of DNR. Most of the movie looks really good, especially outdoor shots. I thought the scenes early in the movie with the white steering wheel showed a lot of edge enhancement.
If you think The Birds and Rope are too disturbing I forbid you to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre (original) and the Hills Have Eyes ! Ya hear me, youre grounded !!!
I think I'm going to buy the UK release since is around $150 and the US release is $209 and I already have North by Northwest in BD so I won't be double dipping.
I hear ya Zoodermin. I'm thinking that the UK set might be the way to go too. It has all the movies in the US set with the exception of North By Northwest. (Which I already have.) This would also be a way for me to get Psycho with the lossless audio. I have a gut feeling that the US set will just use the same US disc that contains the lossy audio. The UK set actually works out to about $175 US dollars as of right now. But I like the look of the US set better. I'll have to wait and see what the tech specs are on these sets before I make a final decision.
@Yojimbo68 The price for the UK set is Ł112.49 which is indeed around $175 but when I ordered the set, my order total was Ł96.82 which is around $150. I don't know why that happened but I have a lower price now.
The preorder price is a staggering $209 for the pre order. the price will go down but not much and some are allready on blu. Ill save up for it. its a must have
Although I have tentatively preordered both versions, I, like many here, will likely decide to actually acquire just the UK version, which, from what I've seen, seems to have packaging that is more elegant (though I also like the US packaging) and a substantially lower price tag. I also already have North by Northwest, so its exclusion from the UK set holds no sway for me.
Hopefully, more details about the US packaging will surface. I'd like to know how the discs are being housed (in a separate digipak with plastic trays; in slits in the book or digipak?
Also, I want to know if all the tech specs are identical between the US and UK versions.
I'm a bit surprised the studio chose to use such different packaging for this box set, based on territory. But, whatever, right?
I just pre-ordered the UK version and for some reason it shows up as 93 pounds at checkout (instead of 117 pounds on the site). Total price shipped to the US comes out to be $150 US!!!
It's difficult to tell what kind of material the UK set is made of. Is that a rigid clear plastic "cover", or something like acetate that could easily be damaged? Hmmm.
I do not like the fact some of these Movies are filmed in 4:3 Ratio. I'd rather have CinemaScope what ever they called widescreen back in the day. maybe these trailers are of a home video release and hopefully universal will go back to original film and make a new Master which will be in Widescreen. I hate movies in PAN & SCAN
I hope this time they come up with a re-mixed 5.1 soundtrack for The Birds. With all the sound effects so prominent in that film, it would be well worthy of a re-mix. Listening to the bird effects all around you would increase the tension to the max.
210 bucks + s&h + import fees is just hideous. I'm sticking with the UK box (no s&h or import fees to me)...! IMO it's also more nice looking than this one. Even if it's a nice touch with the letters from each movie. But I'd like some more details about other differences. However I think it's hard to justify such a difference in price between both sets. USD 150 seems more humane...
Looks like Universal finally found a hubless cardboard accident waiting to happen packaging system for their box sets. Who's next? Probably will get this anyway (even though Fox's version has been a pain in the ass to deal with). Note to myself to buy more blu cases, 3 5ers should cover it.
I hope all of these movies look as good as To Catch a Thief, North by North-West and Psycho look. I am looking forward to this release!!!! From the looks of the packaging, it looks like the discs will be in a cardboard slip..... Hmmmm.... Not so sure I like that! Perhaps, each movie will be released individually in their own Blu-Ray case...
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