TCM recently announced the films to be shown at its 2023 Classic Film Festival on 13-16 April 2023.
They include the world premiere of a new 4K restoration of Howard Hawks’ 1959 Western classic ‘Rio Bravo’. The film remains amongst my all-time favourites and is probably the one I have watched more than any other. The previous 2007 Blu-Ray release included a transfer that looked saturated and lacked the natural filmic look you would expect. I have high hopes that the 4K restoration will present ‘Rio Bravo’ as was originally intended and that the subsequent physical media release will include a heap of extras and material worthy of a film of its note.
In 2007, Warner also released an Ultimate Collectors Edition 2-disc DVD set in the USA, which included:
Special Features:
Commemoration: Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo (included in later Blu-Ray release).
Old Tucson: Where the Legends Walk (included in later Blu-Ray release).
Commentary by critic Richard Schickel and film director John Carpenter (included in later Blu-Ray release).
Richard Schickel’s 2001 documentary, The Men Who Made the Movies: Howard Hawks (included in later Blu-Ray release).
John Wayne Trailer Gallery.
Merchandise:
Reproductions of the film’s original 8-card lobby set.
Reproduction of the movie’s original pressbook.
A reprint of the 1959 Dell comic book tie-in.
This release was reviewed by Cinema Retro back in 2014.
It would be nice to see these merchandise items included as a bare minimum in a new 4K/Blu-Ray physical media release in 2023, along with any other material available in Warner Brothers’ archive such as PDF’s of the script and production materials. Maybe also a new interview with surviving cast member Angie Dickinson.
Other films being shown at the TCM Classic Film Festival include:
‘American Graffiti’ (1973), which will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
‘The Batwoman’ (1968), a Mexican cult favourite.
‘Casablanca’ (1942), currently celebrating its 80th Anniversary with a new 4K scan and release.
‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (1931), a new restoration of still the best version of this oft-filmed tale.
‘East of Eden’ (1955), another world premiere of a new 4K restoration.
‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ (1923).
‘Shadow of Doubt’ (1943), a new 4K restoration of Hitchcock’s classic thriller for its 80th Anniversary.