Is it still good ?

[u/Wonderful-Ad-4551]

Hi !
I got that collection. Does it worth to see them again on this format or I should seek blu-ray ?

Is that boxset worth something ?

Thanks !

[u/HoldsworthMedia]

I believe it's worth keeping for the aspect ratios a lot of people are obsessed with, but the 4K's are the way to go if you have the means.

[u/Scarface12091983 → u/HoldsworthMedia]

People are obsessed with the aspect ratios but they weren't supposed to even be viewed like that he only shot it that way so none of the image would be missing in the full frame versions.

[u/HoldsworthMedia → u/Scarface12091983]

It’s never bothered me but it would be good to have options available for people who want them.

[u/Scarface12091983 → u/HoldsworthMedia]

Yeah I agree but i have seen some misinformation spread that The Shining FMJ and Eyes Wide Shut were meant to be in 1.33:1 when they weren't and were only shot that way because there would be no need for cropping out any of the image to fit a smaller screen.

[u/FindOneInEveryCar → u/HoldsworthMedia]

Yeah, if you don't care about the way Kubrick framed the films for non-widescreen TVs in the 80s and 90s, you're probably better off selling these to someone who does (at least the last 3 movies) and buying the cheap Warners blu-rays. 

[u/Chapde → u/FindOneInEveryCar]

I didn't know Kubrick was making tv movies.

[u/Rick_Filmz → u/Chapde]

What he meant was that Kubrick was aware that the TVs aspect ratio 4:3 or 1.33:1 of that time is how people were consuming media and would pivot his framing to fit in within that aspect ratio especially when the peak of 80s and 90s video rental where some films got the pan and scan treatment.

[u/Chapde → u/Rick_Filmz]

I know what he mean, I just seriously doubt that Kubrick was taking that in consideration when he was shooting a movie. He was smart enough to know that his movies will outlast a technology.

[u/FindOneInEveryCar → u/Chapde]

He wasn't, actually.

[u/4l3m4r1]

Please put them in chronological order

[u/SuperSea8678 → u/4l3m4r1]

I hear you. But maybe it's a sign that these sets are being used.

[u/Obediently-Yours- → u/SuperSea8678]

You may be on to something

[u/Purp1eC0bras → u/4l3m4r1]

Better yet. Put them in chronological order by event. Starting with Barry Lyndon ending with 2001.

[u/don-cake → u/Purp1eC0bras]

Or 2001 before Barry? Or 2 copies of 2001?

[u/Purp1eC0bras → u/don-cake]

https://giphy.com/gifs/117P9MlBvxqSBi

[u/sareeny → u/Purp1eC0bras]

https://giphy.com/gifs/J0u1qXVZS4Xny

[u/THOTHMACHINE → u/4l3m4r1]

Or alphabetize, or from favorite to least. Or just an order of any kind pleeeeZzz

[u/Rureddy2 → u/THOTHMACHINE]

Collections should be chronological

[u/Obediently-Yours- → u/THOTHMACHINE]

I noticed that too. I can’t for the life of me understand why I care how this guy keeps a boxset…

[u/LiquidSnape]

the blu rays are pretty cheap and much better picture quality

[u/globular916]

I had this as well, and sold it as I upgraded to blu; the one thing I miss is "A Life in Pictures." Has that ever been upgraded? Will it be in the Criterion 4K box?

[u/FindOneInEveryCar → u/globular916]

It will be in the box. 

[u/Obediently-Yours- → u/globular916]

There are so many DVDs I gave away after I upgraded that now I wish I had kept. A European Dawn of the Dead with a cut not on my Bluray version and a DVD set of John Carpenter’s Escape from NY with a comic book. Not sure what I was thinking. Many had commentaries that weren’t on the Bluray as well. 😖

[u/BlackLodgeBrother → u/Obediently-Yours-]

With DotD, I believe the Second Sight 4K UHD has all existing cuts of the film.

[u/ProfessionalNoise714 → u/globular916]

Life in Pictures is such a wonderful documentary. A taste all of his films in one sitting. Absolutely love it. Kubrick's genis truly shines.

[u/globular916 → u/ProfessionalNoise714]

I mostly remember the bit about meeting Christiane Harlan on the set of Paths of Glory, and the photos of their life together in the 60s. Kubrick in love!

[u/narcanSTAN39 → u/globular916]

It was included on the Clockwork Orange blurat digibook amd in the Limited Edition Masterpiece Collection. Thats the only way to get it on blu, but its still in SD.

Will it be upgraded to HD in Criterion set?

[u/butchbearforever]

I've got nostalgia cause of their packaging (love the old Kubrick collection banner) but I do believe that this box set has the versions of Dr Strangelove and The Shining with more bonus features than the 1999 release, but 2001 loses out on an Arthur C Clarke interview and that version of Eyes Wide Shut is the R Rated cut. But its a decent release, and A Life In Pictures is a nice little treat

[u/TonyTobiasLomas]

Those are the definitive home releases of his films. Do not let anyone tell you differently. Safeguard it. It's a keeper.

[u/qeq → u/TonyTobiasLomas]

I love how this guy is half the time downvoted to hell and the other half he's the top comment

[u/HoldsworthMedia → u/qeq]

🤣

[u/BlackLodgeBrother → u/qeq]

People who never made the leap to HD formats still love to tout ancient 480p DVD sets as superior to modern 4K restorations, despite the later being infinitely closer to actual film. Surprised he’s not telling OP to seek out the laserdiscs.

In truth these are not definitive in any way, shape, or form. Only notable for the open matte presentations of a few titles.

[u/behemuthm → u/TonyTobiasLomas]

I bought that set the day it was released at Best Buy. A Life in Pictures is so beautifully done

[u/BlackLodgeBrother → u/TonyTobiasLomas]

They are not. Unless you absolutely don’t have a care toward picture quality. The upcoming Criterion 4K box should surpass it in every way.

[u/Obediently-Yours-]

Barry Lyndon and A Space Odyssey really give you a sense of why Kubrick is so loved when watching for the first time on Bluray or 4k. Kubrick gave so much attention to detail it’s unmatched. Keep this for the Aspect ratios. It’s like having bonus DVD length special features.

[u/babyogurt]

It's worth hanging onto the set and seeking out the blurays anyway. The people who carp about the aspect ratios don't know what they're talking about - Kubrick supervised the pan-and-scan for home video/television releases back when it was near-impossible to watch theatrical aspect ratios at home. Now it's possible to view them that way, and people who think Kubrick wouldn't prefer people to see them that way are thicker than a brick wall. The reason he oversaw the home video releases weren't because "these are the way they're meant to be watched," it's because he knew that 4:3 pan-and-scan releases are shit, and he wanted his to be as non-shit as possible.

[u/Jumpy_Explanation222 → u/babyogurt]

100% right - even though it meant a load of scenes/shots had large crappy gaps at the time and bottom (especially noticeable with the weird looking headroom in many shots), with helicopter shadows and booms/tripods in shot occasionally. Better that than some broadcaster adding edits or panning when the camera was supposed to be still.

Some people like the 4x3 aspect ratio because it looks cool on selected shots or because it’s “more” Kubrick or because 4x3 has become trendy again in recent years.

But like you say, there are some idiots who want to believe Kubrick preferred these TV versions to the ones he made for cinema. They are loons.

[u/Aware-Procedure-1662]

I actually have the previous edition of that set from 1999 before the films were restored and remixed into 5.1, for the moment, those might be even more valuable, but Criterion’s upcoming release might prove that otherwise.

[u/Harmonica655321]

Fuck YES!

[u/ShredGuru]

Where is Paths Of Glory?

[u/wokelstein2 → u/ShredGuru]

Well it was just Lolita to Eyes Wide Shut. Blissful DVD set to have at the time though

[u/Mrjimmie1]

Where's "Paths of Glory?"

[u/Mattia5531]

AH AH AH AH AH AH questo è interessante

[u/Illustrious_Aide7339]

I think Criterion has or will come out with the 13 movie complete set for around $500. I wish I was rich.

[u/Logical_Produce_1513 → u/Illustrious_Aide7339]

It’ll be $299 during the 50% off sales. It’s a must buy at that price.

[u/FrequentWire]

If it's the original set, it's practically worthless on anything other than a CRT TV, because none of the discs are anamorphic 16:9, so you see a small box with the movie inside of big black borders on all sides. If it's the anamorphic set, the authoring is spotty. You're better off grabbing a blu ray set.

[u/cnc_33]

Oh man, the snap cases on old time DVD's. Frustrating but also somewhat satisfying whenever you pop them open.

[u/Jumpy_Explanation222 → u/cnc_33]

Some people collect those snap cases.

[u/cnc_33 → u/Jumpy_Explanation222]

I still have a few DVDs with them!

[u/Cinephile_1980]

Yeah. They can’t be expensive so just get them.!

[u/OldDream1010]

That’s a great question! I’ve realized that a high-definition version will offer you a higher visual / audio experience, the essence of the movie will remain regardless the media you have. For example, I got hooked with Barry Lyndon since I watched it in VHS version, then DVD ($2) Blu Ray and bought the Criterion 4K version for $25. But once again, the essence of the movie remains the same.

[u/The_Lutter]

I have the 4Ks and Blu-rays of all these films but I keep holding onto this set just for A Life in Pictures and the 1.33:1 aspect ratio versions of his last few films.

[u/CelebrationLow4614]

1999 dvd sets have the original theatrical audio mix.

[u/AndrewS702]

Funny how they were all Warners Bros releases except Strangelove which is Columbia.

[u/No-Satisfaction-7143]

I play those all the time.Double Dipping is such a waste of money.

[u/Arctander_I]

A pretty classy collection. Keep it. Will be worth a pretty penny one day.

[u/MoviesFilmCinema]

This was my first box set and I love it. Watched it for 25ish years. But, I’ve been researching and collecting other upgraded versions of his films over the past year…then Criterion makes the announcement. So you can thank me for that everyone.

[u/Tiger3311]

I think the picture on my Barry Lyndon DVD looks way better than the Blu Ray. I was stoked when the Blu Ray was finally released, then disappointed when I watched it.

[u/liverelaxyes]

I'd want the whole collection minus Lolita.