Martin Scorsese Presents Masterpieces of Polish Cinema

[GaryC]

the blu-ray format is the clincher for acquiring these sets.

It would be for me, given that I watched most of them as PAL SD screeners when they were being shown as part of the London Kinoteka festival last year. But I don't have the money just yet.

[shadedpain4]

Even though those that own Volume 1 of this set are just now getting around to viewing said contents, I'm curious as to what the proposed timeframe for the next two sets might be, quarterly or once a year. Once again they'll be some double-dipping for those that own these films in other formats or contained in other box sets but the blu-ray format is the clincher for acquiring these sets. Hopefully next time they'll reconsider how they distribute these bulky sets as well so as to incur less damage. We shall see...

I think Volume 2 is expected in June

[MichaelB]

The rough plan that I heard was the middle of the year for vol 2 and the end of the year for vol 3, but that's subject to change - if vol 1 does unexpectedly well, there's a case for accelerating things. It's not as though these are a huge production challenge - the restorations already exist, as do the design templates, and the discs are all but barebones.

[feihong]

I watched Camouflage this afternoon and I was suitably impressed. The film was a little bit despairing for my tastes, but it was exceptionally well done, I thought. I watched the Polish blu ray of Austeria the other day and was much more profoundly moved by that film.

Is it my imagination, or is there quite a bit of DNR on the disc? This is the first of the discs in the box I've watched, and I don't know really what to expect from the rest. I was thrilled to be able to see the film, but a little disappointed in the quality of the image.

[MichaelB]

The Poles are, sadly, quite keen on DNR, although this seems to be a quirk of individual restoration houses rather than an across-the-board policy. For instance, The Saragossa Manuscript is a veritable Madame Tussaud's, whereas The Hourglass Sanatorium looks fabulous.

[L.A.]

The Telewizja Kinopolska DVD set from Wojciech Jerzy Has is a keeper then. For the extras department at least, two lengthy documentaries included (totally forgot it had these).

[TheDoug]

I just found out that Milestone Films is once again posting the MASTERPIECES OF POLISH CINEMA set with the caveat that one send them an email to get on their waiting list. They have a January 25, 2016 re-stocking date. The pricing is the same as their first USA listing a month or so ago. Link here: http://milestonefilms.com/products/mart ... ish-cinema" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Raulduke]

There is an offer now on facebook that gives you 10% at store.mspresents.com with promo code WINTER50. But they don't ship to US :-(

[ermylaw]

Since I have just successfully locked in my order, I can now safely report that they are taking more orders for this set.

[perkizitore]

I have noticed that they now ship to DPRK for a very respectable 110 zloty!
Can we soon expect an endorsement from the Supreme Leader?

[Lowry_Sam]

Saw on Facebook that Milestone has them back in stock & "on sale" for $169.95, & so I impulse bought despite not finding a review yet & already owning the previously released individual titles. But I'm pretty certain that all the titles in all of these sets probably will not make it to individual releases, so I'm not too worried if it's not up to par.

[kekid]

Received this box today. The service from Milestone was exemplary.
I have not had a chance to see any film from the set yet (though I have seen 3 of the films in blu ray format).
However, I am surprised that no-one has so far commented on the packaging. The box is huge. It is about twice as wide as it needs to be. The dead space is taken up by cardboard buffers on both sides. This is a real issue for people with limited shelf-space.
I am happy to get these films, and eagerly await the second volume. (Perhaps I can get rid of the cardboard buffers and put discs from both volumes in a single box.)

[swo17]

Some discussion of the packaging in the Milestone thread

[kekid]

Can some of the films included in this project have separate blu ray releases in USA?
We know that "Blind Chance", listed as included in a future box, has already been issued by Criterion.
The booklet also lists "Knife in the Water" as part of the project. Does that eliminate it from future Criterion consideration?

[pedromvu]

Can some of the films included in this project have separate blu ray releases in USA?
We know that "Blind Chance", listed as included in a future box, has already been issued by Criterion.
The booklet also lists "Knife in the Water" as part of the project. Does that eliminate it from future Criterion consideration?

I don't think there is anything avoiding them to be released in the US, this release is a Polish release that Milestone is distributing in the US, but it is not a different release.

My guess is that if there are right issues with any of the future titles, those discs may just be region locked on the Polish release, will have to wait for the Vol 3 to see what happens with the titles Criterion owns the rights in the US.

[domino harvey]

I suspect Criterion et al won't be bothered to threaten legal action against a small label selling ~200 copies of a specialty item to US customers. I'm sure there's some kind of legal loophole or preexisting arrangement to allow it, but this can't really be seen as a legit financial threat to anyone's stateside rights

[drdoros]

I suspect Criterion et al won't be bothered to threaten legal action against a small label selling ~200 copies of a specialty item to US customers. I'm sure there's some kind of legal loophole or preexisting arrangement to allow it, but this can't really be seen as a legit financial threat to anyone's stateside rights

I don't usually answer these kinds of questions, but Milestone doesn't distribute films without the proper rights and besides, we are best friends with the people running Criterion. It's just not going to happen that way. Janus/Criterion worked out a deal with us and the Polish producers for the theatrical release and a solution (either way) will be worked out before any distribution in the US occurs.

[dda1996a]

apperantly after asking them about the next set, they told me it might come out in May, and there will be a bundle for those like me who did not buy the first one yet.
Can anyone speak about the image quality though? I found no info online

[jsteffe]

apperantly after asking them about the next set, they told me it might come out in May, and there will be a bundle for those like me who did not buy the first one yet.
Can anyone speak about the image quality though? I found no info online

They look fine--I wouldn't hesitate to buy. A number of recent Polish restorations are overly cleaned up and thus are missing grain and some detail, both in the DCPs and their Blu-ray incarnations. That is true of some of the titles this set, but it's not that serious of an issue for me for me personally. They still look vastly better than anything I have seen before for almost all the films. I'm thrilled to have these films on Blu-ray.

[Arrow]

Any updates on volume 2? I haven't been able to find anything.

[drdoros]

Volume 2 is printing this month. Join Milestone's email list at http://milestonefilms.us3.list-manage1. ... f30d1906e2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; as it's the way we're announcing their availability to the public. It will be about 10 minutes after the shipment gets to our office.

[Arrow]

Fantastic! Thank you

[domino harvey]

Any update/word on volume two's arrival yet?

[drdoros]

Poland is hoping in the next few weeks -- late July or early August.

[Perkins Cobb]

Is my Volume 1 worth enough to pay for grad school yet?