Few names in cinema preservation carry the prestige of the Criterion Collection. For decades, Criterion has been the gold standard in curating, restoring, and presenting films in a way that both honors their artistry and elevates the viewing experience. With the release of CC40 (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray], Criterion celebrates 40 years of cinematic excellence by offering fans a box set that is as monumental as the films it contains.
At 49 discs and over 74 hours of runtime, the CC40 Blu-ray box set isn’t just a collection — it’s a journey through world cinema, curated with the care and detail that has made Criterion a trusted name for film enthusiasts. Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile or someone who wants to own a piece of cinema history, this box set stands out as one of the most significant home video releases of 2024.
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The Legacy of the Criterion Collection
Since its founding in 1984, Criterion has revolutionized how films are presented outside of theaters. Known for meticulous restorations, insightful special features, and beautifully designed packaging, Criterion helped legitimize home video as more than just a way to watch movies — it became a way to experience cinema on a deeper level.
The CC40 Blu-ray collection is a tribute to that legacy. It embodies Criterion’s mission of treating films as works of art and ensuring that audiences have access to them in the highest possible quality. From Hollywood classics to international masterpieces, Criterion’s curation reflects not just entertainment, but film as cultural heritage.
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What Makes CC40 Special
The CC40 Criterion Collection Blu-ray is not your average box set. Here’s what makes it extraordinary:
- 49 Blu-ray discs featuring a curated selection of films and special features.
- Over 74 hours of runtime, offering weeks of immersive cinematic exploration.
- Stunning restorations, many in 2K or 4K digital transfers supervised by directors or cinematographers.
- Special features galore: director commentaries, documentaries, interviews, essays, and behind-the-scenes material.
- Premium packaging designed with Criterion’s signature aesthetic, making it as much an art piece as a functional collection.
- Subtitled options for accessibility and enjoyment across languages.
For fans who already own individual Criterion releases, CC40 represents a thematic and celebratory collection, carefully assembled to commemorate the label’s 40th anniversary.
Packaging: A Work of Art in Itself
Criterion has always treated packaging as part of the experience, and the CC40 box set continues this tradition. Housed in a beautifully designed case, the set feels substantial in the hands — a collector’s edition that looks stunning on a shelf.
Each disc is accompanied by detailed artwork and a booklet that includes essays, film notes, and background on Criterion’s restoration process. The packaging doesn’t just protect the discs; it adds context and enriches the viewer’s appreciation of the films.
This tactile, physical quality is what keeps Blu-ray and physical media alive in the streaming era. Collectors know that a Criterion box set isn’t just about the films, but about owning a piece of cinematic history.
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The Films: A Global Celebration of Cinema
The true heart of CC40 lies in its films. While Criterion has not released a full public list of every included title at the time of writing, the set spans various genres, directors, and decades. From early silent cinema to mid-century classics and contemporary masterpieces, CC40 acts as a time capsule of film history.
Criterion’s strength has always been its diversity of curation — offering not just the best of Hollywood but also treasures from France, Japan, Italy, Sweden, and beyond. For example, many Criterion box sets include works from auteurs like Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Federico Fellini, Agnès Varda, and Martin Scorsese. CC40 is expected to reflect this same international richness.
This variety makes CC40 perfect for both seasoned cinephiles and newcomers who want to expand their cinematic horizons.
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Blu-ray Quality: Why Criterion Remains the Best
While streaming platforms continue to grow, physical Blu-ray remains the superior choice for cinephiles who want the best possible picture and sound. The CC40 Blu-ray discs showcase Criterion’s commitment to high-definition transfers and lossless audio.
Each film has undergone meticulous digital restoration, ensuring accurate colors, sharp detail, and faithful sound reproduction. For older films, this often means the difference between a faded, damaged print and a pristine cinematic experience. Criterion’s restorations are supervised whenever possible by the original filmmakers or their estates, guaranteeing authenticity.
The result? Watching a Criterion Blu-ray feels like seeing the film as it was originally intended — sometimes even better than its theatrical release.
Special Features: Deepening the Experience
One of Criterion’s hallmarks is its extensive collection of special features, and the CC40 Blu-ray box set continues that tradition. Viewers can expect:
- Director commentaries that provide behind-the-scenes insights.
- Documentaries exploring the making of the films and their cultural impact.
- Interviews with actors, directors, and film scholars.
- Essays and written supplements offering critical analysis.
These features don’t just add context — they enrich the films, turning a simple watch into an educational, immersive experience. For students of cinema, these extras are as valuable as the films themselves.
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A Collector’s Investment
At a retail price of $430.05, the CC40 Criterion Collection Blu-ray is undeniably an investment. But for serious collectors, the value is clear. Similar Criterion box sets — like Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema or 100 Years of Olympic Films — have not only sold out quickly but also appreciated in value on the secondary market.
CC40 is not just a purchase; it’s a long-term collectible that could become even more coveted in the years to come. With Criterion’s reputation for limited runs and premium packaging, owning CC40 means holding onto a piece of Criterion history.
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Who Should Buy the CC40 Blu-ray Set?
The CC40 box set is designed for:
- Film collectors who value physical editions and preservation.
- Cinephiles who want to expand their knowledge of world cinema.
- Students and educators who need a curated resource for film study.
- Gift buyers looking for an unforgettable present for a movie lover.
- Fans of Criterion’s craftsmanship who want to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
For casual viewers, streaming might be enough. But for those who see cinema as art, CC40 is an essential addition to any collection.
Streaming vs. Owning Physical Media
In the streaming age, one might ask: why spend hundreds on a Blu-ray set when films are available online? The answer lies in quality, ownership, and permanence.
- Quality: Blu-ray provides superior video and audio fidelity compared to streaming, which often compresses files.
- Ownership: A Blu-ray disc is yours forever, regardless of licensing agreements or expiring streaming rights.
- Permanence: Criterion’s packaging, artwork, and extras are part of the experience — something streaming can’t replicate.
The CC40 Blu-ray box set ensures that even if films disappear from streaming platforms, you’ll always have access to them in their best form.
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The Cultural Significance of CC40
Beyond being a product, the CC40 box set carries cultural weight. It celebrates 40 years of Criterion’s dedication to film preservation, curation, and education. In a time when physical media is declining, CC40 makes a bold statement: that cinema deserves to be preserved, celebrated, and cherished in tangible form.
For collectors, this isn’t just about movies — it’s about participating in the ongoing history of film itself.
Conclusion
The CC40 (Criterion Collection) Blu-ray box set is more than just a purchase — it’s a once-in-a-generation collector’s piece. With 49 discs, over 74 hours of content, world-class restorations, and extensive special features, it captures the spirit of Criterion and the art of cinema itself.
If you’re passionate about movies, history, or collecting, the CC40 is a treasure worth owning. It represents not just films, but the cultural legacy of the medium.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What films are included in the CC40 Criterion Collection Blu-ray set?
The set spans a wide range of international and American classics. While Criterion has not revealed the full public list, it includes films across genres and decades curated for the 40th anniversary. - How many discs are in the CC40 box set?
The set includes 49 Blu-ray discs, totaling more than 74 hours of viewing. - Are the films restored for Blu-ray quality?
Yes. Each film has undergone digital restoration, with many approved or supervised by filmmakers or their estates to ensure authenticity. - Does the set include special features?
Absolutely. Expect director commentaries, documentaries, interviews, essays, and behind-the-scenes material. - Is the CC40 set limited edition?
Most Criterion anniversary box sets are produced in limited numbers, making them highly collectible. - Can I find these films on streaming services instead?
Some may be available on platforms like the Criterion Channel, but the Blu-ray set guarantees superior quality, permanent ownership, and exclusive extras not found on streaming. - What languages and subtitles are available?
The set is primarily in English with subtitle options for accessibility. Criterion typically provides accurate, high-quality subtitle translations. - Is CC40 worth the price?
For collectors and cinephiles, yes. It’s both a celebration of Criterion’s legacy and a rare collectible likely to appreciate in value over time.
