Criterion DVDs

[MrMike667]

Can someone please explain why these are so expensive?

I'm just curious.

[muzikul]

A couple of answers I found over at criteriondvd.com:

"Criterion is an independent company. The only revenue earned are through sales of DVDs. Since they do not make any of the films they release, they must also pay licensing fees to release each DVD. Given the amount of special features include on some of the DVDs, most consumers find the price fitting."

"Criterion uses, for the most part, a two-tiered pricing structure. DVDs with extensive special features are usually priced at $39.95 while less feature-laden DVDs are usually $29.95."

[Cipher Jo]

Because they can........and they are the best DVD's on the market

[muzikul]

Originally posted by Cipher Jo
Because they can........and they are the best DVD's on the market

Well, any company can do almost anything they want, but that doesn't mean that they should. Criterion has good reason to charge higher prices, considering that they earn their profit based solely on sales. Most people that buy these DVDs will do so because they appreciate the quality that is offered, and so most buyers of Criterion will not complain about the prices. I have yet to buy a Criterion release so far, and the main reason is the cost. I won't complain about the costs because I think they are justified, it's just that I'm a college student and I simply can't afford their discs at this time. Someday I will invest some money into their releases though, and I think that it will be money well spent.

[cafeman]

Because very few people buy them. Movies they release are not commercial cinema, and while a ton of people will line up behind Terminator 2, not too many will buy the Carl Theodor Dreyer Box Set.

Well, that, and they like to eat.

[muzikul]

Originally posted by cafeman
Because very few people buy them. Movies they release are not commercial cinema, and while a ton of people will line up behind Terminator 2, not too many will buy the Carl Theodor Dreyer Box Set.

Well, that, and they like to eat.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that few people buy these DVDs. Maybe few people that you know buy them, but there is definitely a big market for the releases that they have. And as for "commercial" releases, there are quite a few that are very much so. 'Silence of the Lambs,' 'Spinal Tap,' 'Robocop,' 'Great Expectations,' 'Armageddon,' 'Rushmore,' 'Spartacus...' to name quite a few.

[lechuck13]

Originally posted by cafeman
Because very few people buy them.

That has to be one of the most ignorant responses I've read in quite a while.

[cafeman]

Originally posted by muzikul
I wouldn't go so far as to say that few people buy these DVDs. Maybe few people that you know buy them, but there is definitely a big market for the releases that they have. And as for "commercial" releases, there are quite a few that are very much so. 'Silence of the Lambs,' 'Spinal Tap,' 'Robocop,' 'Great Expectations,' 'Armageddon,' 'Rushmore,' 'Spartacus...' to name quite a few.

There`s about 10 percent mainstream cinema in their lineup. Most of them are fairly obscure films, and usually dumped y their own studios into bare bones relases or none at all, and are then salvaged by Criterion because of their artistic values.

And really, how many people are gonna buy xXx, Men in Black, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, LotR, Spider-man or Harry Potter? NOw how many people are gonna buy Bob le Flambeur, Carl Theodor Dreyer Set, Solaris, Man Bites Dog or Straw Dogs? Some people will, a lot of people will, but still a vastly smaller number that the first lineup, therefore the difference in price.

[muzikul]

I agree that in comparison, Criterion buyers make up a small percentage of DVD buyers as a whole. But I really don't think that the price difference has anything to do with that.

[Citizen Kane]

It does, sort of. A lot of it is the fac that Criterion spends oney to track down supplements and deluxe editions of prints, and then spend money to render the audio and visual to perfection. These costs, and the fact that Criterion appeals to an obscure corner of the DVD market, explains the higher pricing.

[Dracula]

If you but them through DVDplanet.com thier only like $25

[Jaydawg]

Hmmmmm weird. I bought The Rock and Armageddon Criterion dvds and they only cost 20 bucks each. The Men in Black one....was like 30, but the other 2 were normally priced.

[Phil Parma]

I paid $40 for my Criterion Collection Rushmore DVD, but it was definately worth it. That's a really great disc.

[Riddle]

1. Because their titles are all limited releases.
2. It costs a lot of money to secure the rights to release a film.
3. Think about how many people it would take to make all the special features on the discs.
4. DVDs are the Criterions only source of profit.
5. The production value of the entire package is top notch.

When people as me what's so special about "Criterion Collection" editions, I tell them that they're the Rolls Royce of DVDs.

[IanTheCool]

the price certainly has something to do with it i think. i would love the criterion sparticus, but tehres no way im paying 70 CAD for it