The Criterion Collection Reveals Its March Of 2018 DVD And Blu-ray Release Calendar

The Criterion Collection announced its March of 2018 release slate of new DVD and Blu-ray film restorations this past week and leading the parade (which is always a subjective evaluation) is auteur filmmaker Martin Scorsese’s 1993 film adaptation of the Edith Wharton novel, The Age of Innocence, teaming Daniel Day-Lewis with Winona Ryder (nominated for Best Supporting Actress … losing out to Anna Paquin for her performance in The Piano) and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Image Entertainment released the film back in 2010 on DVD without any special features … this new 4K restoration (approved by Scorsese) arrives as both Blu-ray and double-disc DVD product offerings on Mar. 13.

Bonus goodies include a new video session with writer/director Martin Scorsese and co-writer Jay Cocks (they were nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay … losing out to Steven Zaillian’s adaptation of the Thomas Keneally’s best seller, Schindler’s List), plus there are additional interview sessions with production designer Dante Ferretti (Oscar nominated for his work here … frequently works with Scorsese, winning Oscars for Best Art Direction for both Hugo and The Aviator) and costume designer Gabriella Pescucci (who won the Oscar for her work here).

Also include is documentary filmmaker Laura Davis’ 30-minute making-of film, Innocence and Experience.

Also on the March of 2018 release calendar from The Criterion Collection is the only film that director Ken Russell received an Oscar nomination for — as Best Director — the 1969 film adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence novel, Women in Love, starring Oscar-winner Glenda Jackson (Best Actress), Oliver Reed, Alan Bates and Jennie Linden.

This is a new 4K restoration on Mar. 27, featuring a double-disc DVD release and a Blu-ray product offering.   

Bonus nuggets include two vintage commentary options, one featuring the late Ken Russell and the second with screenwriter Larry Kramer (nominated for his work on this film … losing out to MASH), a vintage interview with Glenda Jackson (circa 1976) and newly-prepared video sessions with director of photography Billy Williams (nominated for his work here … he would go on to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for Gandhi in 1982) and editor Michael Bradsell.

Also included among the bonus selections is writer/director Stephen Dartnell’s 1972 short film, Second Best, based on D.H. Lawrence’s 1914 short story … also starring Alan Bates, with Victoria Ward and Annette Widdowson as the sisters.

Rounding out the March 2018 selections from The Criterion Collection are director Volker Schlöndorff’s 1970 film Baal (2K restoration on Mar. 20, DVD and Blu-ray editions with new English subtitles), writer/director Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 silent film, The Passion of Joan of Arc (Mar. 20, DVD (two discs) and Blu-ray product offerings, with vintage commentary by film scholar Casper Tybjerg) and the 1930 film release of King of Jazz (a new 4K restoration on Mar. 27 featuring both Blu-ray and DVD (two discs) editions).