MovieChat Forums > The Battle of the River Plate Discussion > How come no R1 DVD yet? And as for TCM....

How come no R1 DVD yet? And as for TCM...

posted 16 years ago by hobnob53
2 replies | jump to latest

This is one of the few overlooked Powell-Pressburger films, and still unrepresented on DVD in North America. It was available twenty years ago on VHS (under its American title, PURSUIT OF THE GRAF SPEE), but so far no DVD. Criterion has released most P/P films on its label and this would seem a good title for them to put out. But somebody, please -- and make it a quality disc.

Meanwhile...why does TCM keep running this full screen and not in its VistaVision widescreen format? And why do they usually (not always) list it under its US title, then run the UK print with the original title? Not that it makes a lot of difference, but doesn't anybody at TCM check their films' prints before listing and broadcasting them? They used to do the same thing with Billy Wilder's ACE IN THE HOLE, listing it as THE BIG CARNIVAL even though the print carried Wilder's superb, cynical original title. Bob! Watch your movies!

[–] Steve Crook 16 years ago

For your second point, ask TCM. They offer a feedback path on their web site, although I don't know if they pay any attention to it. And not many TV companies do pay much attention to original aspect ratio.

As for your first point, Criterion are gradually working their way through the P&P catalogue. They've already released quite a few but they have a lot more to offer. But it takes them about 6 months (or more) to produce every DVD, they do such a good job. And they already have a few others in the pipeline. But hopefully they'll get to this one as well, in the correct aspect ratio.

Steve

[–] hobnob53 16 years ago

Hi Steve, and thanks for the reply. We'll see about Criterion, but this would be a nice addition, toy battleships and all.

My screed re TCM was just a wail in the wilderness. They almost always run films in the correct a.r. but there have been a few exceptions, at least in their first one or two showings. At least, with a proper 1.85:1 a.r., the picture when shown full screen isn't too much of a loss (unlike, say, a 2.35:1 film).