MovieChat Forums > Tôkyô nagaremono (1966) Discussion > The Criterion DVD Sucks.

The Criterion DVD Sucks.

posted 18 years ago by Guybrush_Lechuck
10 replies | jump to latest

The Criterion release for this film was one of their first, and it definitely shows. The transfer is abysmal, definitely one of their worst to date. The image is also non-anamorphic, adding to the suck factor. I'm thinking that maybe they just did a straight port from the laserdiscs, which would explain the crap quality of picture and the letterbox transfer. The other Seijun Suzuki film "Branded to Kill" released about the same time sufferes from the exact same issues. The more recently released "Youth of the Beast" looks terrific in comparison.

Does anyone know if Criterion will re-release these anytime soon with a better transfer and anamorphic picture? Surely these 2 films are deserving of better treatment. Perhpas they will wait until HD becomes the standard? Hope not, it will still be quite a while before that happens.

"Dammit, Sulik died again! I'm taking back my Mega Powerfist, worthless tribal!"

[–] jaydubsky 17 years ago

I've never heard of Criterion re-releasing any of their DVD's.

"Death, you are my bitch lover!"

[–] ishiidobie 11 years ago

That was then...this is now...

[–] polysicsarebest 11 years ago

SALO was re-released a few times, wasn't it?

But yeah.

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Shuji Terayama forever.

[–] Dxamanda 17 years ago

I hope they re-release it but I don't see it happening. They're still releasing first time films to Criterion. Maybe somewhere in the distant future- a Seijun Suzuki Criterion boxset? A girl can dream, right? Well, I'm just happy they released it at all. Seijun Suzuki is, sadly, a very underrated director.

I died then I thought of you and came back to life.
How can you think if you're dead?

[–] Father_TerryDunn 16 years ago

I wish they'd stop doing that, besides Seven Samurai and Amarcord their transfers of the film are the same and you are paying twice for a better bonus features.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EK4UuKoJcaw

[–] mk_82 15 years ago

The Seven Samurai and Amarcord transfers are not the same. Where'd you get your info?

I have to agree that they need to re-release TOKYO DRIFTER and BRANDED TO KILL with good transfers. Perhaps as a box set.

[–] brainofj72 16 years ago

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing while I was watching this. The transfer is god-awful.

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BORIS LIKES A LOT OF LITTLE THINGS TO KICK

[–] Avoltaire 13 years ago

There's going to be a (Criterion) Blu-ray coming out in december!

BD Collection:
http://avoltaire.dvdaf.com/owned/blu-ray-disc

[–] bureau203 12 years ago

Apparently they just released this.

http://www.criterion.com/films/577-tokyo-drifter?q=autocomplete

"I've seen things that would make you want to write a book on how to puke."

[–] ohmemercylard-58-17610 8 years ago

I agree about the original DVD, but the blu Ray is a joy to behold. It's perfect.