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Criterion Collection Arrives on iTunes

Tuesday November 8, 2011 1:14 PM PST by Jordan Golson

criterion1
The Criterion Collection, film distribution company specializing in "gathering the greatest films from around the world" and releasing them in the highest quality, has debuted 46 of its 680 films on iTunes.

Criterion is offering a very small selection of films from their collection... but it is a start. They seem to be beginning with 46 films, including such hallmarks of cinema as Ingmar Bergman’s THE SEVENTH SEAL, Jean-Luc Godard’s BREATHLESS, Akira Kurosawa’s SEVEN SAMURAI, and Francois Truffaut’s THE 400 BLOWS.

Oddly, the movies are only available in HD on the iPad and Apple TV. Also disappointing is the lack of extras -- Criterion is famous for offering extremely high quality interviews and other extras in its releases. Regardless, the films [iTunes Store] are $14.99 to buy and $2.99 to rent.

Top Rated Comments

ChristIsLORD

186 months ago

This is interesting to see, but Criterion is really the only reason to have physical media for films anymore. Criterion Blurays are fantastic in quality, production, special features and packaging (with essays).

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Undecided

186 months ago

So many HD movies in iTunes aren't available via iTunes on a Mac. I don't understand why. Very frustrating.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Ironduke

186 months ago

Can wait for Criterion's Debbie Does Dallas;)

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

thejadedmonkey

186 months ago

There goes what's left of Barnes and Noble's Music and DVD department! :(

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Laird Knox

186 months ago

Speaking of which, when will we see DDD in HD 3-D?

Wouldn't that be 3-DD?

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

dernhelm

186 months ago

Love it! I'm a very big fan of the Criterion Collection, especially releases of Akira Kurosawa's films.

I don't make films, but if I did, they'd have a Samurai...

;) :D

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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