Y'know, Warner could have slapped Magnificent Ambersons on BD and made it exclusive to the box and probably charged an extra $25-$30. I'd have paid it. Who cares if the film elements aren't in the best shape? A bluray is going to look better regardless. The DVD only decision makes no sense.

He's only in the Flubber cut.

I'm almost on board w/ that idea...I of course would want various features on that film as well to warrant the purchase more so.

I don't think this will remain an Amazon exclusive very long. I seem to recall the Casablanca set being an exclusive and a few months down the line was everywhere. If so, I'll snag it when Costco puts it on sale for $30, like they did with all the other overpriced, giant Warner sets.

It's only the version with Ambersons that's Amazon exclusive.

Agreed. Its probably just going to be the Kane box & Ambersons in a regular case shrinkwrapped together.

Considering the Ambersons edition is only $5 more on Amazon, it was kind of a no-brainer for me to prebook that version. Yes, it's just a DVD, and yes, it's more than likely bare-bones - but for $5 more dollars, it's not that much of an additional investment to own a version of that film.

I'll pick up the set with Ambersons as I've always wanted to see it. And now I can replace my cracked copy of RKO 281.

I agree it would have been nice if everything was on Blu ray instead of tossing the rest on DVD

I'll wait for a normal, single disc Kane

I thought the big set was national and the single disc was someone's exclusive. Or maybe I'm confusing it with Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind.

You're right. But Costco got the single discs and had them for $13 when Target, who had the "exclusive" rights to them were still charging $30. I didn't see the single disc releases turn up for wide sales until many months later.

I'm torn. I've never seen Ambersons, but I do not buy DVD's anymore. I figure at some point, Ambersons will be released on some amazing blu-ray with extra features... but then again, I wonder if the studio will get the exact wrong message from people avoiding this set. They'll figure that there's no interest in Ambersons and that they shouldn't spend the money to remaster it and release it properly. But I don't want to buy the DVD because I feel the film deserves a proper HD release in its own right, which I WOULD buy. Ah, fuck it. Not gonna cave on this one. I'm in for Kane only. I'll wait for Ambersons to get the respect it deserves before I reward these hooligans with any cash. My first viewing of Ambersons must be either in HD, or preferably, a screening in a theatre.

Wait a minute... is the "Battle over Citizen Kane" documentary still the same old DVD? I bet it is... I may be joining those holding out for just the single-disc release. Or maybe I'll just netflix it to check out the HD transfer. It's not like I watch Citizen Kane more than once every few years, anyway.

I'd be shocked if it weren't the same. The RKO 281 DVD is probably the same one that's out there too. Unlike some of their other collector's editions, this one doesn't seem to add any new features which may have something to do with why they didn't put these films together on a BD.

As for Ambersons...well, that's a tough one. Everyone knows classics don't sell enough on BD to please the bosses, and while Kane may be considered a worthwhile investment, they may not feel Ambersons is worth the release. If so, it's a shame.

This set is in my amazon Gold Box right now at $47. I don't typically go for these big box sets; the Gone with the Wind one is the only other one I own. Maybe I should order it in the event there's a price drop prior to release. My usual self, however, says to wait until next year for the likely release of the compact version without the printed items. Will Ambersons get a separate release down the line also though, and will it cost me less to buy that and the compact version of Kane?

Decisions, decisions...

I cancelled my pre-order in the hopes that it appears in my Gold Box as well.

oh god...this is like the CC thing again.

Ordered it. Isn't coming out for quite a while, so I can always cancel if I decide it's not worth my while later.

What's a gold box? You guys are getting me tempted to jump in and order... but still, I already have the previous DVD edition with most of these features.. arg.

go amazon, log in, look at the top row of buttons, the deal link is there....w/ a gold box.

Although Ambersons itself apparently isn't exclusive to the Kane box.

Interesting: "Sorry, this item is either discontinued or does not exist."

This is from June:

Sweet!

Including the commentary track, which I highly doubt will be on this bare-bones DVD.

TLK

First review

blu-ray.com review