Kane on Blu-ray

[JMcBride]

The 16mm print I used to have of KANE and watched
more than 60 times while writing my first book
on Welles was sharper and had clearer details
than any Blu-ray or 35mm print I've seen since.

[Wellesnet]

It's being reported on a few websites that in a recent Zoom lecture Jonathan Rosenbaum mentioned that he is planning to record a commentary track on Citizen Kane with James Naremore. Also there is talk that Criterion might release it on Blu-ray or a 4K release by Warner Bros?

While we were unable to get Criterion to confirm the release (no surprise), two sources tell us a Criterion release is currently in production. The Rosenbuam/Naremore commentary is among the extras. No firm word on a release date or formats.
https://www.wellesnet.com/citizen-kane-80th-blu-ray/

[atcolomb]

There could be a chance that Kane might be Criterion’s first 4K release?

[KurosawaWorld]

Hi all, first post here. Since this place has a lot of Welles fans and scholars, does anyone know if the 75th Anniversary bluray of Citizen Kane is from a different 4K restoration than the one used for the 70th Anniversary blu? I'm only asking since I noticed that a theater in Florida was playing a 4K DCP of it, and a representative from there told me that it was created from an 8K downres to 4K scan from the original nitrate 35mm print and believed that it was made for the 75th Anniversary. The technical detail was provided by a WB representative.

[RayKelly]

... does anyone know if the 75th Anniversary bluray of Citizen Kane is from a different 4K restoration than the one used for the 70th Anniversary blu? ...

From a 2018 review on Flickering Myth:

Warner Bros. is celebrating Citizen Kane‘s 75th anniversary with a Blu-ray that’s the same one included in the previous 70th anniversary set. However, the DVDs with the Battle Over Citizen Kane and RKO 281 supplements aren’t included, nor are the print materials. The bonus features on the Blu-ray are worthwhile, though, making this a great introduction for anyone who hasn’t seen the movie.

[KurosawaWorld]

Thank you for that! I was actually planning on getting the 75th anniversary blu before I read the article on here saying that there was a Criterion release coming alongside the post from yesterday on Criterionforum that also confirmed the future Criterion release. I guess I'll wait for that to come, though I must admit to being confused that Warner Brothers are open to licensing one of their most well known titles instead of putting out a 4K UHD themselves.

[cinescot]

Thank you for that! I was actually planning on getting the 75th anniversary blu before I read the article on here saying that there was a Criterion release coming alongside the post from yesterday on Criterionforum that also confirmed the future Criterion release. I guess I'll wait for that to come, though I must admit to being confused that Warner Brothers are open to licensing one of their most well known titles instead of putting out a 4K UHD themselves.

Warner Brothers have only released 1 golden-age Hollywood feature on UHD and that was The Wizard of Oz in 2019. Their focus on modern films for the format has possibly led to them licensing Kane (and maybe other titles) to Criterion for 4K releases.

Whether or not it is UHD or just standard BD, I hope (and expect) that the Criterion will have a unique set of special features and doesn't replicate bonus material from the WB releases (besides the original trailer). Perhaps they could include The Complete Citizen Kane documentary and port some archive extras from the Laserdisc alongside newly commissioned material.

[atcolomb]

Maybe The Eyes of Orson Welles will be a extra on the KANE release?

[cinescot]

Maybe The Eyes of Orson Welles will be a extra on the KANE release?

Yeah, I guess it could be included. I've been wondering if and how Criterion would release that one. It doesn't strike me as something that would get it's own release, but then again, Criterion did release David Lynch: The Art Life (with barely any extras) not that long ago.

And how would Criterion release Journey Into Fear? They are reported to have the rights to that as well. I'm guessing that would be more likely as an extra. It may have been a better fit for their release of Ambersons but I guess it could now end up on a new release of Kane.

[RayKelly]

Maybe The Eyes of Orson Welles will be a extra on the KANE release?

I would love to see The Eyes of Orson Welles on a Criterion disc along with every episode of BBC Sketch Book.

[KurosawaWorld]

No to mention that they also have the rights to "It's All True".

[RayKelly]

No to mention that they also have the rights to "It's All True".

I read that in another forum years ago, but I never been able to confirm it.
Last spring, Paramount Home Entertainment reissued it on DVD after it being out of print for several years.

[KurosawaWorld]

No to mention that they also have the rights to "It's All True".

I read that in another forum years ago, but I never been able to confirm it.
Last spring, Paramount Home Entertainment reissued it on DVD after it being out of print for several years.

Obviously things can change in easily but this was from a Criterion representative who also confirmed the releases for The Immortal Story.

To keep things on topic, an insider on twitter shared the news that Criterion will be releasing Citizen Kane on 4K UHD: https://twitter.com/GeekGabNews/status/ ... 62754?s=19

[Wellesnet]

A hour or so after GeekGabNews posted on Twitter it was a 4K UltraHD release, they added: "I can confirm 100% Citizen Kane license is back with Criterion. I’m not saying UHD is 100% coming."

[KurosawaWorld]

The tweet is now deleted and has been replaced by a new tweet saying that a WB rep had requested them to delete it