GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 19541975 The Criterion Collection - October 29, 2019
#27
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
Seems like many of the commentaries from the Classic Media SEs didnt get ported over, which makes me wonder what else from those discs didnt make the grade. Obviously Criterion has supplements that those discs dont, so Id imagine some folks will need to keep both sets.
#28
Senior Member
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
Im right there with you. Everything in this set except the movies seems great, but not at $112.50 during a sale. I was on the fence but was warming up to the set until I saw the movie stills at Criterion. That was a reminder of what these movies would be like, so it became an easy pass.
#29
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
Question...how much better would the PQ be compared to the flurry of individual blus that came out maybe 2-3 years back? I picked all those up and added them to my digital collection (they contained digital codes, which was awesome) so I want this set but also do not want or need it, if you know what I mean.
#31
DVD Talk Legend
#32
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
Eight-Blu-ray Special Edition Collector’s Set Features
- High-definition digital transfers of all fifteen Godzilla films made between 1954 and 1975, released together for the first time, with uncompressed monaural soundtracks
- High-definition digital transfers of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, the 1956 U.S.-release version of Godzilla; and the 1962 Japanese-release version of King Kong vs. Godzilla
- Audio commentaries from 2011 on Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters featuring film historian David Kalat
- International English-language dub tracks for Invasion of Astro-Monster, Son of Godzilla, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, and Terror of Mechagodzilla
- Directors Guild of Japan interview with director Ishiro Honda, conducted by director Yoshimitsu Banno in 1990
- Programs detailing the creation of Godzilla’s special effects and unused effects sequences from Toho releases including Destroy All Monsters
- New interview with filmmaker Alex Cox about his admiration for the Showa-era Godzilla films
- New and archival interviews with cast and crew members, including actors Bin Furuya, Tsugutoshi Komada, Haruo Nakajima, and Akira Takarada; composer Akira Ifukube; and effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai
- Interview with critic Tadao Sato from 2011
- Illustrated audio essay from 2011 about the real-life tragedy that inspired Godzilla
- New English subtitle translations
- Trailers
- PLUS: A lavishly illustrated deluxe hardcover book featuring an essay by cinema historian Steve Ryfle, notes on the films by cinema historian Ed Godziszewski, and new illustrations by Arthur Adams, Sophie Campbell, Becky Cloonan, Jorge Coelho, Geof Darrow, Simon Gane, Robert Goodin, Benjamin Marra, Monarobot, Takashi Okazaki, Angela Rizza, Yuko Shimizu, Bill Sienkiewicz, Katsuya Terada, Ronald Wimberly, and Chris Wisnia
#33
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Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
I wouldnt normally either. But would like the original at least. And what Criterion does with these sets or just single movie releases just gives you appreciation for stuff you might not otherwise consider...
#35
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
There’s been talk about it for years. They’ve had streaming rights for them for a while.
#38
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
I love Godzilla movies but I can't see myself paying that much for it. I guess if I was a die-hard fan I would. I also understand that Criterion went through great lengths to remaster all 15 films.
I'll gladly pay $125 for it though. But not $200.
Not feeling the artwork.
I'll gladly pay $125 for it though. But not $200.
Not feeling the artwork.
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#40
#41
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
Yeah, I'm a fan of the Big G, but I'm definitely waiting for the sale, especially since I'll have to hang onto many of the older releases.
#42
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
The only Godzilla movie I own is the embarrassing Godzilla 1998 on DVD. Which I might fling out the window one day.
Funny thing is the other day I was thinking how I miss watching some old Godzilla movies. Here we are today with that announcement of a box-set.
This will be mine when the price is just right.
Funny thing is the other day I was thinking how I miss watching some old Godzilla movies. Here we are today with that announcement of a box-set.
This will be mine when the price is just right.
#43
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
I was reading a review on Amazon and info obtained from Criterion is that Toho is not including the original American English Language dubs but new English dubs recorded in Canada in the 90s....that really is a major knock against getting the set because I grew up watching these films with the original English language dubs, any changes to that just feel wrong. Maybe I will just take it upon myself to watch the films in Japanese with subtitles...technically, the best way to watch them anyway.
It sounds like the version of King Kong Vs. Godzilla is the American edited version I believe I watched when it was on Sunday’s as part of KTLA’s Family Film Festival, and you know what....that is just awesome. I would say the majority of fans of this film only viewed the American version and any other version would just not feel like we are watching the same film that we grew up with. Usually, I do not consider the American Dub version the definitive presentation of a Godzilla film but for King Kong Vs. Godzilla I will make an exception to this rule.
It sounds like the version of King Kong Vs. Godzilla is the American edited version I believe I watched when it was on Sunday’s as part of KTLA’s Family Film Festival, and you know what....that is just awesome. I would say the majority of fans of this film only viewed the American version and any other version would just not feel like we are watching the same film that we grew up with. Usually, I do not consider the American Dub version the definitive presentation of a Godzilla film but for King Kong Vs. Godzilla I will make an exception to this rule.
#44
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Criterion releases on Blu-Rays, Part II
It also has the original Japanese version of King Kong vs Godzilla which for some reason is listed as a special feature. I'm glad they are including both but curious why the original version is listed as a special feature (for the 1954 film, the Japanese is listed as the film and the American Godzilla, King of the Monsters is listed as a special feature which makes more sense).
#45
Banned
GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 19541975 The Criterion Collection - October 29, 2019
#46
DVD Talk Legend
Re: GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 19541975 The Criterion Collection - October 29, 2019
Yeah, it’s in the Criterion thread but this is important enough to have its own thread.
#48
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 19541975 The Criterion Collection - October 29, 2019
I ordered these custom cases off EBay so I can put that monstrosity away.
#49
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 19541975 The Criterion Collection - October 29, 2019
Those are tempting, but I wish they'd thought of doing them in the style and sizing of Criterion's standard issue cases, i.e. full sleeve coverage without needing to accommodate the plastic bar of the case across the top. The only trade-off would probably be finding Criterion-style cases that house four discs. I've got some unused 2-disc Criterion cases here (I requested some replacements years ago but received extras in the package), but I don't know if that style comes in a 4-disc option (or a double-wide 8? I could only find a 3-disc option on Amazon). If so I'd be tempted to customize my own sleeves based on the ones posted above.
Last edited by Brian T; 03-02-20 at 09:13 AM.
#50
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Re: GODZILLA: THE SHOWA-ERA FILMS, 19541975 The Criterion Collection - October 29, 2019
From @ET13Productions on Twitter:
For clarification on recent reports:
Janus/Criterion already acquired both 1984 and Biollante a couple years back in 2021 when Kraken lost the rights to the film.
King Ghidorah and Mothra (92) were presumably acquired in 2019 when Sony lost the rights to those films.
Sony lost the rights to ALL Godzilla movies BESIDES 2000 this year, unlike the other films, 2000's contract expires in 2025.
Janus/Criterion did NOT pay to get the film early. They will wait for the licensor to lose the rights or...
....Sublicense the film through Sony for a Blu-ray box set next year.
The report that everyone is sharing is not including its source, which is somebody who talked with a representative of the Music Box theatre (in Chicago which recently showed a handful of Godzilla films)
And the representative made the claim, "Janus had all the theatrical rights to the Millennium films." which was a generalization. The Music Box showed Biollante, Destroyah, GMK, and Final Wars (all with Janus logos at the beginning).
It's safe to assume that Mechagodzilla (93), SpaceGodzilla, Megaguirus, X Mechagodzilla, and Tokyo S.O.S. are also under the Janus umbrella as those were up for grabs too. Toho historically prefers to do package deals instead of individual licensing when it comes to films.
It was also revealed that new subtitle tracks were commissioned for Final Wars, GMK, and Destroyah by Music Box (not Janus). Janus is still working on their official releases of these films, so it will take time.
For the first 15 films, it took two years to get the films from theatrical and streaming to Blu-ray (and it took awhile for them to get those ready). It will likely take as long if not longer for these films. Don't expect a release until 2025 or 2026 for these films.
Side note: I would also expect both the Heisei and Millennium eras to be packaged together in a 13 film box set.
My personal hope is down the road a 4K box set titled "GODZILLA: THE ORIGINAL TOHO COLLECTION 1954-2004".
One more side note: I believe Shin Godzilla is also going to be up for licensing soon, so it may be possible for Janus to grab that film too! I'm saying it'll happen, that's purely fan speculation.
Hope this helps!
Janus/Criterion already acquired both 1984 and Biollante a couple years back in 2021 when Kraken lost the rights to the film.
King Ghidorah and Mothra (92) were presumably acquired in 2019 when Sony lost the rights to those films.
Sony lost the rights to ALL Godzilla movies BESIDES 2000 this year, unlike the other films, 2000's contract expires in 2025.
Janus/Criterion did NOT pay to get the film early. They will wait for the licensor to lose the rights or...
....Sublicense the film through Sony for a Blu-ray box set next year.
The report that everyone is sharing is not including its source, which is somebody who talked with a representative of the Music Box theatre (in Chicago which recently showed a handful of Godzilla films)
And the representative made the claim, "Janus had all the theatrical rights to the Millennium films." which was a generalization. The Music Box showed Biollante, Destroyah, GMK, and Final Wars (all with Janus logos at the beginning).
It's safe to assume that Mechagodzilla (93), SpaceGodzilla, Megaguirus, X Mechagodzilla, and Tokyo S.O.S. are also under the Janus umbrella as those were up for grabs too. Toho historically prefers to do package deals instead of individual licensing when it comes to films.
It was also revealed that new subtitle tracks were commissioned for Final Wars, GMK, and Destroyah by Music Box (not Janus). Janus is still working on their official releases of these films, so it will take time.
For the first 15 films, it took two years to get the films from theatrical and streaming to Blu-ray (and it took awhile for them to get those ready). It will likely take as long if not longer for these films. Don't expect a release until 2025 or 2026 for these films.
Side note: I would also expect both the Heisei and Millennium eras to be packaged together in a 13 film box set.
My personal hope is down the road a 4K box set titled "GODZILLA: THE ORIGINAL TOHO COLLECTION 1954-2004".
One more side note: I believe Shin Godzilla is also going to be up for licensing soon, so it may be possible for Janus to grab that film too! I'm saying it'll happen, that's purely fan speculation.
Hope this helps!
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