What to do with the Criterion David Lean films?
 

Appearing on the Digital Bits' "Rumor Mill"...
"Speaking of MGM... we've got a heads-up on some of the titles the studio is tentatively planning for September release. Look for a Judgement at Nuremberg: Special Edition, a David Lean Collection featuring Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter, Great Expectations, In Which We Serve, Madeleine, Oliver Twist, Passionate Friends and This Happy Breed."

So, there's a good chance that these Criterions will go OOP, however, MGM's versions will more than likely have better transfers than the Criterion versions. What to do, what to do.

What do you mean, "What to do"? Once you find out the specs of the new releases, make the decision to keep the better Criterion editions or sell 'em on eBay while they're hot.

I'm very much doubting the Criterion versions will be better. Brief Encounter is pretty much guaranteed to get a better transfer from MGM (I believe they're putting it through a new digital restoration), although the Criterion has a commentary. Not sure about Great Expectations or Oliver Twist but neither of the Criterion transfers are that hot so it won't be hard for MGM to top them.

is there any chance the criterions will remain i print? Sometimes other studios come out with their versions and the criterions remain available.

If the MGM versions are better, go with the MGM ones. The exception might be Brief Encounter that has a pretty good Bruce Eder commentary track.

sorry to threadcrap on David Lean but:

JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG: SE

Yah! :D

Wow, I totally missed that the first two times I looked at the Bits story. I mean, I'm excited about David Lean, but Judgment at Nuremberg is way overdue.

I'll wait for the reviews to see if I want to pick up the boxed set or just pick up the titles that I don't already have through the Criterion Collection.

In any case, I'm holding onto my Criterion version of Brief Encounter for the commentary. It's one of my favourite films, and one that I've oft-replayed.

I was waiting for a more affordable version of Brief Encounter, I'll pick it up.

The Criterion discs will all be staying in print, so no need to rush to buy them if you don't have them already. Wait for the reviews and comparisons.

It would be wise to hold on to your Criterions, after all. From DavisDVD:

"MGM Home Entertainment has removed The David Lean Collection from its release schedule indefinitely. The eight-disc set (which included the films In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, The Passionate Friends, and Madeleine) was due on September 7th. No new date has been set."

Bummer.

It's not a bummer if they're going to take some extra time to make better DVDs. They were barebones, so hopefully that will change.