Anthony Mann

It looks like Criterion has some fresh competition. Former Miramax chiefs Bob and Harvey Weinstein, now of the Weinstein Company, launched their own DVD label, the Miriam Collection (named after their mother, how sweet!) in January. Reuters reports that the duo is shooting for 12 to 15 branded releases per year, ranging from major productions, like Miriam's inaugural DVD, Anthony Mann's El Cid, to niche titles like Stephen Frears' (The Queen) made-for-British-TV movie, The Deal. Miriam's second release, slated for April 29, will be The Fall of the Roman Empire, also by Mr. Mann, "a lavish 1961 production starring Alec Guinness, Sophia Loren and Omar Sharif ... that earned its place in the record books for the largest outdoor set in Hollywood history: more than 55 acres, with a reconstructed Roman Forum."  read more »