The Criterion Collection - B Portable

: A cornerstone of Italian neorealism, this heartbreaking story of a father and son searching for a stolen bike is frequently ranked among the greatest films ever made. Blue Velvet (David Lynch, 1986)

Terry Gilliam’s dystopian masterpiece is arguably the most famous "B" in the collection, bar none. Brazil is Criterion’s ultimate "battle for the director’s cut." The story of the studio fighting Gilliam over the film’s tragic ending is legend. The Criterion laserdisc and subsequent DVD set are history lessons in film preservation. "B" here stands for bureaucracy, beauty, and breaking the system.

Next week: We tackle the letter C. Spoiler: It involves Chaplin, Cassevetes, and a very large shark. The Criterion Collection - B

Many of the most celebrated titles in film history that start with "B" have been given the "Criterion treatment," which includes high-definition digital restorations and extensive scholarly supplements.

(1966) : Gillo Pontecorvo’s documentary-style recreation of the Algerian struggle for independence is so realistic it was famously studied by both military strategists and revolutionaries. Battleship Potemkin : A cornerstone of Italian neorealism, this heartbreaking

(1987) : A beautiful Danish film about a French refugee who prepares a lavish meal for a strict religious community—a literal and figurative feast for the senses.

What’s your favorite "B" spine? Leave a comment below—just don’t mention the ending of Brazil without a spoiler tag. The Criterion laserdisc and subsequent DVD set are

: This strikingly realistic depiction of the Algerian War of Independence is lauded for its documentary-like aesthetic and powerful political message. Barry Lyndon (Stanley Kubrick, 1975)

(1946) : Jean Cocteau’s surreal, poetic fairy tale remains one of the most visually enchanting films ever made, far removed from the more sanitized modern remakes. Cult Classics & Genre Gems