Should I buy Brazil Criterion?

[BeanBandit]

So here's the situation.

The 3-disc Brazil Criterion set is available for me to buy at the World's Biggest Bookstore. I think they have two copies left at $90 CAN. From what I've been told, the set is now out of print. So should I buy it? I have $200 right now so I can afford to, and I like the movie. So should I buy the set? Is it worth it, at least if I can eBay it later on?

I ask for advice from the wise members of the forum. But, hurry, time's a wasting!

[feldon23]

It's an incredible box from all accounts.
http://dvd.ign.com/articles/37225p1.html

I was sure it was only available on eBay for $70 USD.

[willb3d]

If you've only got $200, then by all means don't get the Criterion, just get the regular edition - which happens to have the same director's cut that is in the Criterion edition. What the regular edition lacks is the television/studio version and some extras.

The director's cut is what you really want, anyway, right?

[Avid]

That is a good question, one I have asked myself alot. I haven't watched the Criterion set, only heard great things about it.

The problem with this for me, is that it is a non-anamorphic transfer and I have not broken my "must be anamorphic rule" yet. If I do start buying non-anamorphics I might wind up grabbing quite a few and replacing them all down the line which will be expensive.

But with Brazil you get so much more than just the movie. Maybe the answer is to go ahead and buy this, for all the extra goodies and if Brazil is ever released again with a 16 x 9 transfer pick that up. Apparently this is the definitive release for Brazil, and, I am guessing, will probably never be released again.

When I think Criterion, I usually just want to scream. I really wish a this and a bunch of their other movies were anamorphic transfers. I wonder what other people think about this issue. Are they worth it, or do people think they will be redone just as good in a few years?

I think you need to think about that BeanBandit while deciding if you can afford it or not, do you think you are going to have to replace it later with an upgrade, so is this version worth the money now? Since you mentioned eBay, you might not be thinking about keeping this in your collection, you just might want to watch it. If that is so, and you can't rent it, buying it and flipping out after watching it might be worth it. I am assuming that $200 is extra spending money, and not money needed for real living expenses such as food and rent.

[Cinephile]

No need to panic, the Criterion Brazil isn't out of print. Here's a really good site to look at if you want to keep tabs on Criterion DVDs:

http://www.criteriondvd.com/home.asp

Deb

[Wirehed]

it's a great disc and a great movie. As far as I'm concerned it's a must own.

[SolidSnakeASS]

Only buy it if you like the movie. It is a kickass set with lots of extras, but do you want to watch extras and commentaries to a film you don't like. I myself liked the film, but I just haven't gotten around to buying it. I can get it for $61 CND so I might buy it soon.

[Mistienght]

Noooooo!

Don't buy it.... for that price I mean.

It may not be anamorphic, bit is is a great transfer and has awsome extras.

And i is not out of print and won't be anytime soon.

If you pay more than 49.99-59.99 you are getting ripped off, as those are the average retail prices, 59.99 being the official Criterion price. But stores carry it for 49.99 unless it is a place that loves to rip you off or never lowers original price of 59.99

[SolidSnakeASS]

We were talking about Canadian prices. $1 CND = $0.60 AMR.

[Avid]

I was surfing the site Cinephile posted and found a link saying Criterion is thinking about rereleasing some titles in anamorphic. I am going to pass on Brazil right now and wait it out. Here is the link:

http://www.criteriondvd.com/forum/to...riterion+Discs

BeanBandit, if you don't care about the anamorphic transfer, could you order from DVD Planet? Brazil is $38.97 + shipping US right now. I tried to find their Canadian policy, but my browser kept locking up (too many windows open). I don't know if that would be cheaper than the place you are looking at righ now or not...

[SolidSnakeASS]

I can't see Criterion re-releasing these titles in anamorphic widescreen, since they still release new titles in non-anamorphic every once in a while. Once again, buy it if you like the movie, if you don't then don't buy it. Rent it if you haven't seen it because it doesn't suit everyones tastes, I learnt the hard way not to buy Criterion titles (other any at that) without having at least rented a DVD (or at worst a VHS version) of the film. Unless ofcourse it's a director you like a lot. It won't become a collector's item anytime soon eith.

[AnonomusBob15]

In that same forum, one person states

"Criterion never intended on releasing their movies in any other form than originally released."

Brazil is probably the best dvd ever made. Anamorphic or not, it is still a great transfer and is director approved. I highly doubt this will be released by Criterion again, but when Criterion looses it's rights, then Universal will more than likely do one of their Collector's Editions of the titles while the value of my Criterion goes up in value.

By all means, if you have the mullah, and you like the movie, then buy the disc. It is by far the best dvd around to my standards and I will never sell it even if it's value goes up to 400 smackers ala 400 Blows. No I am not Criterion freak, the only titles I have are Armageddon, Brazil, Chasing Amy, Robocop, Rock, Rushmore, and Silence of the Lambs, and will not buy another Criterion unless a new one comes out that sparks my interest. Personally, I think most of their titles are crap. But, hey, that's me. I had the pleasure of getting my Brazil at a Best Buy Grand Opening for 44.99 US. So ha.


Best dvd ever, buy it before it is to late. There is my thoughts.

[BeanBandit]

Thanks for the responses guys. From the look of things I will be getting the set, just not right now, and not from them. The issue was whether or not I should buy the set considering I thought it was out of print, but since I still have time there's no hurry. Plus if I can order it for $40 US why pay $90 CAN? Snake, you said you can get it for $60 CAN? Online or at a store?

[SolidSnakeASS]

I can get it for $61CND at the store I work at. I get new DVDs at cost so I can get Criterions pretty damn cheap.