Over the last couple years, the Warner Archive Collection has done a great service for film fans by making available on DVD more than available more than 1,500 films, short subjects, TV movies and mini-series from the studio’s vault that might not have ordinarily received a home video release through an online-order/manufactured-on-demand system that was quickly imitated by a number of studios. The Warner Archive is not getting ready to step up to high definition this week as they release the first two titles of a newly announced blu-ray line.
The studio is kicking off the initiative with two titles – the 1982 thriller Deathtrap, starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve, and the 1962 musical Gypsy. Then, starting in February 2013, the studio will add two more titles a month, with their announcement hinting at the Coen Brothers’ The Hudsucker Proxy (1993) starring Tim Robbins and the 1993 Jeff Bridges film Fearless being among some of the initial offerings.
You can access the Warner Archive’s blu-ray offerings here.
The release of Deathtrap will mark the first time that the film has been made available in its original widescreen aspect ratio. It’s 1999 DVD release was pan-and-scanned.
OK, there is a part of me that is a bit bummed that I won’t be able to see a film like Gypsy or my favorite Coen Brothers movie on the shelf at my local big box electronics store, but at least it is getting a high-def release. And that’s the whole point, and what’s pretty great, about the Warner Archive Collection.
