UK: BFI 2009 Release Schedule

[MarcMorris]

I've been sent the BFI release schedule, so for those who may have missed the last few releases:

Sep 01 2008:
MovieMail Exclusive boxset
Play Exclusive boxset: Play.com
Amazon Exclusive boxset: amazon.co.uk

Oct 20 2008:
Killer of Sheep: amazon.co.uk | Play.com
My Brother's Wedding (2 discs) amazon.co.uk |
Orphée: amazon.co.uk | Play.com

Oct 27 2008:
Red Desert (2 x DVD): amazon.co.uk | Play.com
Red Desert (Blu-ray): amazon.co.uk | Play.com

Dec 01 2008:
The Fairy Tales Films of Lotte Reiniger: amazon.co.uk | Play.com
British Transport Films Box Set (18-DVD + book): amazon.co.uk | Play.com
British Transport Films 9 (2-DVD set): amazon.co.uk | Play.com

Jan 19 2009:
Anchoress (Chris Newby, 1993): amazon.co.uk | Play.com
Manufacturing Consent (Achbar / Wintonick, 1992) (2-Disc): amazon.co.uk | Play.com
The Fan (Preminger, 1949 / Extras inc. Lady Windermere's Fan, 1916 version): amazon.co.uk | Play.com

Feb 09 2009:
Pasolini's Trilogy of Life (3-DVD set)
Pasolini's Trilogy of Life (3-Disc Blu-ray set)
Note: The Trilogy of Life consists of The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales and Arabian Nights.

The Gigolos (Richard Bracewell, 2006)
Joy of Sex Education, The (2-DVD set)

Feb 23 2009:
Jeff Keen (3-DVD box set)
Jeff Keen (Blu-ray edition)
GPO Vol 2 - We Live in Two Worlds (2-Disc Boxset)

Mar 09 2009:
Derek (Isaac Julian, 2008)
Of Time and the City (Terence Davies, 2008) (DVD)
Of Time and the City (Terence Davies, 2008) (Blu-ray)

Mar 23 2009:
Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (DVD re-issue): amazon.co.uk
Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Blu-ray): amazon.co.uk
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (DVD re-issue)
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Blu-ray)
Bodysong (DVD)
Bodysong (Blu-ray)

There are additionally some other staggering titles coming up in 2009 that I'm sworn to secrecy on too

[finishominis]

Any idea if Arabian Nights will be getting a standalone release?

[jacksmith1983]

I may pick up Pasolini's Trilogy Of Life set as I got shut of my older BFI disc of The Canterbury Tales some time ago and have never seen The Arabian Nights.

[Tim Rogerson]

I don't surpose they are releasing their "restored" version of Hammer's Dracula on DVD ? (they showed it in the cinema but presumably Warner still have the DVD rights).

[RobMesure]

V interested in the Pasolini, and concerned to see a 2nd GPO set already when I am still deliberating over the first! My kingdom for more shelfspace... "Of Time and the City" will be a certainty, saw it at the NFT, wonderful stuff. Will have to double-bill it with a 3rd viewing of Maddin's "My Winnipeg"...

[Pecker]

Marc, do you think there's any chance of The Innocents or any of the Powell & Pressburger films on Blu-ray Disc in HD?

The BFI have previously released SD versions of The Innocents and Edge of the World on SD DVD, and the latter was shown on Sky Arts HD. Apparently Sky worked with the BFI to restore a number of films, and HD masters were made from which the DVD was then taken.

Steve W

[MarcMorris]

Yes, I would say there is a good chance providing HD masters are already in existence.

[chrisoneill99]

RADIO ON screened on Sky Arts HD who co-funded the HD transfer.

[AMOLAK MANN]

Tim this ithe BFI's response to my email about Dracula:

Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, although there has been sone negotiation, the BFI has not currently secured the rights to release the title on DVD. I am sorry not to have positive news at this time. Kind regardsBFI DVD Dept

[Toten Corps]

Originally Posted by finishominis

Any idea if Arabian Nights will be getting a standalone release?

Arabian Nights, Canterbury Tales and The Decameron are all coming out individually as stand alone releases now on both DVD & Blu-ray on April 27.

Canterbury Tales features a fascinating documentary (shot in HD) called "Pasolini and the Italian Genre film", created by Severin Films for the BFI.

This is an exceptionally well made and very insightful extra feature, that explores the relationship between Pasolini's Trilogy films and the slurry of exploitation knock-offs that followed (in true Italian exploitation fashion) in wake of the films success.

Genre fans will be pleased to know that the doc features interviews with such Italian exploitation veterens such as Luciano Martino and Gabriele Crisanti, who speak eloquently and candidly about there reltationship to Pasolini's work and the Italian commercial cinema of that time... Um yes, you read that right The British Film Institute have commisioned an extra feature that includes the producer of GIALLO A VENEZIA, BURIAL GROUND and PATRICK STILL LIVES...

[finishominis]

Great news. Looks like I'll be buying all three then!

[claire]

Has the "Trilogy Of Life" set been abandoned in favour of standalone releases?

[Toten Corps]

Hi Claire - yes all three releases are coming out individually now as stand alones on DVD and Blu-ray

Look out for the coming issues of DVD World and Darkside which both have indepth editorial about the releases...