The Criterion Collection is a distribution company that specializes in distributing important and significant films. Titles that can be found as part of the collection include Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” or Federico Fellini’s “8 ½.” Criterion is dedicated to making older or rarer films that would otherwise be harder to obtain more accessible.
The company creates DVDs and Blu Rays of top tier movies from around the world, and Criterion Collection titles are usually priced higher than your normal DVDs or Blu Rays. Although Criterion Collection copies are usually accompanied with supplemental essays or documentaries, many justify the price for the collection by pointing to the quality in their films and the company’s attention to detail during the laborious restoration process.
Since many older films can become damaged due to many factors such as improper storage or simply because of age, Criterion is famous for restoring those films to their former glory. Through a tedious and thorough process, Criterion is able to restore and preserve cinematic gems that may otherwise be forgotten and destroyed by time in order to enhance the viewing experience and to ultimately share films that are both worth your money and time.
Check out Gizmodo’s video to get a first hand look at the step-by-step process of how films are restored and brought back to life at Criterion.
