Hmmm, I was just wondering what the copyright status is on this 53-year-old film. If it has passed into public domain then really anyone could release it regardless of what the Kubrick estate says. I think its absurd to supress the film for so long to protect Kubrick's ego. All that has done is create a ready-made market of curiousity seekers.
Anyone know for sure?
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to appear in a tortilla in Mexico." - God, The Simpsons.
In a word: Yes. F&D is listed as being in the public domain in a blue book at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., called Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1950-1959, volume 3. It was originally copyrighted in 1953, but the copyright was never renewed.
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Are any other s.k. films in public domain?
shareSo does that mean that mean that any film distributer can get a hold of a copy of this and sell it? Why don't they do it then?
I'm with the monkey that's using the force!
Good question indeed. Why, for that matter does only one company (Elusive DVD) seem to be distributing it then, and for such a ridiculous price? It's madness that Kubrick kept the film out of circulation. All it does is make people want to see it all the more, regardless of whether it is any good. If this finally got out into the public domain, I can guarantee you any and every two-bit DVD out fit would fall over themselves to distribute it.
"Oh, I did my thesis on life experience." - Anonymous Harvard Guy, The Simpsons.
Prints are exceedingly rare. There are some very poor dupes around but too poor to sell to anyone who wasn't desperate to see it for its historic value.
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