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For this unprecedented collection of Criterion Collection DVDs, it's easier to talk about what's not in the massive collection: namely, a few future releases and several films that have had the rights returned to the original studio. But that's only 20 titles out of the 261-title library (as of fall 2004). Criterion set the standard in Laser Discs in the first digital age. Although other studios create some great DVDs, no one has matched Criterion for consistently producing fabulous-looking, extras-laden films on DVD, especially if your thing is classic or international films. The care in print and sound quality is a marvel. Something like the 1932 comedy Trouble in Paradise shouldn't look like it was made yesterday. The reconstruction of the original 1928 print of The Passion of Joan the Arc is legendary. Subtitles are always new and reexamined for translation; original aspect ratios and sound design are carefully presented.

Being about "a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films," Criterion has developed relationships with many top directors, including Steven Soderberg (Traffic), Terry Gilliam (Brazil), David Cronenberg (Dead Ringers), and Robert Altman (Short Cuts). The extras are not fodder from the publicity train, and often outside sources round out the retrospection of the film. What other company would conceive of presenting Truffaut's Antoine Doinel series this way? The label is so strong, film mavens often buy the next Criterion disc without knowing anything about it (ever heard of Onibaba, The Ballad of a Solider, or the Orphic Trilogy?). Either they know they are getting a history in film, or they don't want a gap in the numeric order of releases (plus Criterion discs hold their value better than most DVDs). Either way, this collection is the ultimate way to quickly start your cinema library, be it for your organization, office, or suddenly bigger home collection. As you ponder over the striking cover art or read a printed essay, know this: all classic films--and many contemporary ones--dream of being a Criterion disc. There is no better digital fate. --Doug Thomas

Description

Now available for the first time, The Criterion Collection is proud to present its prestigious collection of films together in one gift set! Totaling 282 discs, The Criterion Collection Holiday 2004 Gift Set consists of all of their published DVDs through October 2004 (except for the out-of-print editions): that's 241 titles on 282 discs and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. This much sought after collection of films is the most significant archive of contemporary filmmaking available to the home viewer. Included in this set:

Alexander Nevsky	Hiroshima Mon Amour	Pornographers
Ali: Fear Eats The Soul	Honeymoon Killers	Port Of Shadows
All That Heaven Allows	Hopscotch	Pygmalion
Alphaville	Horse's Mouth, The	Quai Des Orfevres
Amarcord	I Am Curious - Blue	Rainer Werner Fassbinder: The BRD Trilogy
And God Created Woman	I Am Curious - Yellow	Rashomon
And The Ship Sails On	I Am Curious Yellow/Blue Set	Ratcatcher
Andrei Rublev	I Fidanzati	Red Beard
Armageddon	I Know Where I'm Going!	Red Shoes
Autumn Sonata	I Vitelloni	Renoir Boxed Set: Stage & Spectacle
Ballad Of A Soldier	Ikiru	Richard Iii
Band Of Outsiders	Il Posto	Rififi
Battle Of Algiers, The	Importance Of Being Earnest, The	Rock, The
Beastie Boys	In The Mood For Love	Royal Tenenbaums. The
Beauty And The Beast	Indiscretion Of An American Wife/Terminal Station	Rules Of The Game
Bed And Board	Ingmar Bergman Makes A Movie	Ruling Class, The
Big Deal On Madonna Street	Ingmar Bergman: A Film Trilogy	Rushmore
Billy Liar	Insomnia	Salesman
Black Narcissus	Ivan The Terrible I & II	Salvatore Giuliano
Black Orpheus	Jimi Plays Monterey/Shake! Otis At Monterey/Outtake Performances	Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto
Blob, The	John Cassavetes: Five Film Boxed Set	Samurai II: Duel At Ichijoji Temple
Blood Of A Poet	Jubilee	Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island
Bob Le Flambeau	Juliet Of The Spirits	Sanjuro
Branded To Kill	Killers Double Disc Special Edition	Scarlet Empress, The
Brazil	Killing Of A Chinese Bookie. The	Scenes From A Marriage
Brief Encounter	Knife In The Water	Schizopolis
By Brakhage, An Anthology	Kwaidan	Secret Honor
Carl Theodor Dreyer Boxed Set	La Strada	Seven Samurai
Carnival Of Souls	Lady Eve, The	Seventh Seal
Charade	Lady Vanishes	Shadows
Chasing Amy	Last Temptation Of Christ, The	Shock Corridor
Children Of Paradise	Last Wave, The	Shop On Main Street
Cleo From 5 To 7	L'Avventura	Silence, The	Sisters
Cocteau's Orphic Trilogy Boxed Set	Le Corbeau	Slacker
Constant Forge, A	Le Dames Du Bois De Boulogne	Smiles Of A Summer Night
Contempt	Le Million	Solaris
Coup De Grace	Le Trou	Spartacus
Coup De Torchon	Leopard, The	Stolen Kisses
Cranes Are Flying	Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp	Stories Of Floating Weeds
Cries And Whispers	Lola	Stray Dog
Day Of Wrath	Long Good Friday	Sullivan's Travels
Devil And Daniel Webster, The	Lord Of The Flies	Summertime
Diabolique	Lost Honor Of Katherina Blum, The	Tanner '88
Diary Of A Chambermaid	Love On The Run	Taste Of Cherry
Diary Of A Country Priest	Loves Of A Blonde	Testament Of Dr. Mabuse