Criterion Collection sets Blu-ray editions

The Criterion Collection is going Blu-ray.

The big news, long-awaited by high-definition buffs, came in a company bulletin late this afternoon.

Criterion lists these dozen titles as "in the pipeline."

(Update: There are new release dates for the initial batch of Criterion Blu-rays. Some but not all of the titles below are included. They are: on Dec. 16, "The Thin Man," "The Man Who Fell to Earth," "Bottle Rocket" and "Chungking Express." In January, "El Norte" and "The Last Emperor.")

• The Third Man
• Bottle Rocket
• Chungking Express
• The Man Who Fell to Earth
• El Norte
• The 400 Blows
• Gimme Shelter
• The Complete Monterey Pop
• Contempt
• Walkabout
• For All Mankind
• The Wages of Fear

I count three black-and-white titles, which should be interesting. The studios have only released a couple of B&W titles.

"These new editions will feature glorious high-definition picture and sound, all the supplemental content of the DVD releases, and they will be priced to match our standard-def editions," Criterion said.

"The Last Emperor" also is coming in a (cheaper) stand-alone theatrical version on Blu-ray and DVD. "Walkabout" updates an older Criterion title. The Nicholas Roeg film gets new extra features and a new transfer. An updated DVD will be updated at the same time.

Terrific list and a thoughtful mix. I'm especially interested in Blu-rays of "The Man Who Fell to Earth," "The Wages of Fear," "Chungking Express" and "Contempt."

(Update: Criterion streaming video debuts as part of its web site redesign.)

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Comments

[Bill]

WB released "Casablanca" in HD DVD. Since I have a copy, I am certain of that. I think you may be correct about no other black and white films being released in hi def, except for My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface, a Bob Hope double feature, the former of which is BW, which I think has been recently released.

(Thanks, Bill. The post was updated to fix reference to no B&W studio movies out in high def. Glenn)

[Liz]

This is good news indeed. I'm a little concerned about hi-def highlighting some of the technical flaws in older films, though. It seems to be something that only bothers certain viewers, but it might give people more of an excuse to criticize older movies.

[Mike]

I'm really looking forward to picking up Contempt, myself.

I hadn't really thought about hi-def highlighting flaws in older movies, Liz. I hope it doesn't have a very noticeable effect!

[Martin PS3 Wizz]

Hello all. With Bluray bringing back old classics in high def i am slightly excited about what it may do in the future. Only a week or so ago i think Panasonic stated it hopes to have a 3D BluRay spec out for next year! Can you imagine old classics being brought back in high def and 3D. The big question would be can standalone bluray players be upgraded in the same way PS3s can through the internet. Either way exciting times ahead dont you agree?