It looks like 2016 is going to be a big year for Terrence Malick fans. The director’s latest, "Knight Of Cups," opens next week, his long brewing documentary, "Voyage Of Time," looks to be on the way, and now, one of his most treasured films is getting The Criterion Collection treatment.
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The boutique label confirmed today they are bringing Malick’s 2005 film, "The New World," to the collection, and are working with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki on a new 4K restoration. They’ve even gone so far as to provide some early teaser footage of what the film will now look like, comparing the original camera negative with the newly color-graded version. The contrast is striking.
Criterion also reveals they’ll be releasing the director’s "preferred 172-minute cut," but no word if they’ll also be including Malick’s limited release 150-minute cut, or his wide release 135-minute version (true to form, Malick tinkered with the movie even after it hit theaters, and it was only on home video that his extended cut was finally unveiled). My guess is probably not, but it would be fascinating to see how those versions evolved.
No word yet on when "The New World" will street, but it looks like sooner rather than later. Maybe Malick, Lubezki, and Criterion can get going on that six-hour version of "The Tree Of Life" next?