According to Amazon.com and emails from J. Mulvaney (posted on the CCF), Criterion has delayed Akira Kurosawa's The Lower Depths until late 2003 or early 2004. The latter source has given the reason: new materials to be added to the disc.

If they're going to make it a better DVD ... I can wait.

Ahh, I got an email from amazon, but I thought it was an error just because I applied a gift certificate to my preorder yesterday (and it's not out yet). That sucks, but if they add something new I guess it'll be worth it.

Home Vision's website lists The Lower Depths under December...it was listed briefly yesterday, then vanished. Now it is back, and apparently staying. No news on what improvements will be made, but the emails to Mulvaney specifically stated that the purpose of the delay was to add new special features. A confirmation from Criterion themselves will be made by the end of this month, unless this December listing simply isn't true.

Isn't December traditionally the month of the year without any Criterion releases?

Yes, but odd that HVE would have it posted on their calendar otherwise (I assume there is some reliable crosstalk between Criterion & HVE).

HVE has it listed as a December 1 release. December 1 is a Monday so I doubt that's correct.