I have not seen the film yet. ( Blu-ray is in the mail!)
I do love Classical Indian music, it has such a emotional purity in it's performance that is completely unique to this art form. (though its improvisational nature is similar to jazz or fusion) This should be a special first viewing. Great job Criterion.
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By David Hollingsworth July 13, 2011 04:36 PM
Unfortunately, I haven't seen the film, but as soon as I do, you will definitely have my three reasons, but judging by the look of the film, I think it looks like a brilliant tour de force.
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By Craig J. Clark July 14, 2011 08:58 AM
1. Because it will introduce Ray's work to a wider audience.
2. Because Indian cinema is underrepresented in the Collection.
But most of all...
3. Because it may pave the way for the long-anticipated release of the Apu Trilogy.
Finally, FINALLY one of Ray's films gets the treatment it deserves. Now you guys better be prepping a launch of Apu!
Seriously though...wondering whether I need the Blu Ray. Is Blue Ray necessary for a 50+ year old film?
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By chris browning July 18, 2011 09:47 AM
It makes a huge difference with older films if done right! Criterion for example has released many blus that blow the Dvd versions out of the water. Depth, richness of color, no more compression artifacts...the list goes on and on.
Damn! Love love love love love this film. from the opening credit shot of the chandelier to the end. I saw this in 1993 on BBC4 in ireland - and it made a perma-impression in my heart - i bought a terrible DVD version in Bombay 10 years ago that held me over until some Ray retrospective would come around to a Museum and i could see it again on the big screen. Im so happy Criteron came through to share the love....
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By Justin A. Merkin July 19, 2011 04:56 PM
I am jumping! This is one of Ray's great movies and he made many. It is hard to fathom but perhaps his vision was so subtle, which such depth, it seems to have yet to fully reach it's impact, even with the many years since his passing.
What a searing look at passion, relationships, and the complexity of our own humanity this film is.
More Ray on Blu Ray. Please.
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By Kevan July 19, 2011 10:40 PM
^ I don't believe Criterion can justify NOT doing more of Ray's movies after this release. I seem to remember several years back that the official answer for the lack of Indian movies in the Collection was that they didn't have the rights. Well, hopefully this is the first release that will see that rather sizable hole filled.
After seeing about 7 of his movies on poor-quality Indian and Asian discs with atrocious subtitles and a dearth of special features, I'm thrilled that Criterion has finally come through.
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By Rajesh Balkrishnan July 25, 2011 07:09 PM
1. One of Ray's greatest but most under-appreciated works where he just exudes a complete mastery over the cinematic form...
2. Chabi Biswas's towering career-milestone performance which ranks amongst teh finest ever seen in Indian cinema...
3. Vilayat Khan's superb score, which features the legends of Indian classical music and dance...
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By Stan Glick August 18, 2011 06:26 PM
Embarrassed to admit that this is the first of Ray's films that I've seen. Still better late than never, and the Criterion DVD is a great way to experience this wonderful film. Hopefully more or Ray's films will be added to The Collection, and soon.
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By Luc Labelle August 19, 2011 08:36 AM
I saw the Criterion BluRay of "The Music Room" a week ago. An absolute masterpiece from Ray. The themes of the movie are really thought-provoking (i.e. old aristocracy v. the "nouveaux riches").
PLEASE add the Apu Trilogy in the Criterion collection. I have a DVD version of these movies. They are watchable but a lot of dirt, scratches and the sound is not very good either. I bought the two novels in India - that served as the base for the Apu trilogy - some time ago (in English) and it is very very good.
Other very good movies from Satyajit Ray: "Desi" (The Godess) and "Charulata"
1. Satyajit Ray
2. It's an unforgettable film, one of the best EVER made
3. Excellent example of the suffering of change
So glad this is finally on disc (DVD/Blu-ray). I often think of this film, and have since first seeing it at a Satyajit Ray film festival in 1994. When I think of Ray, I don't first think of his masterpiece Apu trilogy, I think of "The Music Room." I look so forward to seeing this again! It's one of my favourite films of all-time.
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By Bibhuti Bhusan Banerjee September 13, 2012 10:54 PM
I bought Jalsaghar on Criterion, and it's superb. We have been waiting for other Satyajit Ray films on Criterion -- maybe we can get one per year? Please?
The Three reasons should be different on this one as I noticed it's the same as the trailer when viewing the film on the info page about the film it's self but yes Indian music is fascinating and am into world music just to say.
“Having just revisited this peculiar but stupendously worthy film, I have to express a contrary opinion to the effect that I found Steiger's magnificently fleshed-out and characterized villain to . . .”
“I don't see why this shouldn't get made. Back in the early days Criterion released another Ivan Reitman film. Laserdisc edition of Ghostbusters. Both combine humor and action to make a different . . .”
“"Benjamin Button" is one of the least gratuitous movies I've ever seen, it's so well-constructed. I felt as if the whole movie was 'ephemeral', not just the Cape Canaveral scene. ”
13 comments
By LJ
July 13, 2011
02:20 PM
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July 13, 2011
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July 14, 2011
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July 17, 2011
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July 18, 2011
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July 19, 2011
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July 19, 2011
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July 19, 2011
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By Rajesh Balkrishnan
July 25, 2011
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By Stan Glick
August 18, 2011
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August 19, 2011
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September 20, 2011
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November 20, 2012
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February 05, 2013
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