Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by 4season (A) on September 24, 2006 at 10:04:19

Although I already own the original Criterion release of the movie, I caved in and picked up the reissue yesterday and I'm glad I did.

The film transfer appears to have been completely redone: The original always looked vibrant to me, but had been criticized for actually being cropped, and sure enough, this latest transfer shows more: The wide shots in opening airport scenes, for instance, are now wider and better show the cool impersonal nature of the space.

The soundtrack! Greatly improved, I think. Much better sense of the stacatto sounds throughout, and hushed conversations which were formerly just about inaudible are considerably clearer. Possibly some enhanced surround-sound ambiance too: At one point, I was surprised to hear distant footsteps behind me, and I only have a 2 speaker setup :-) The overall effect heightens the sense of disorientation and alienation.

Added footage: This release is 124 minutes long, compared to 120 for the original Criterion DVD. What you get in those extra minutes are more room for the "false Hulot" jokes to develop and add a bit of context.

English translation: I am a little bothered by airport scene as the VIP passes through customs saying "I have no statement..." when I think it was supposed to have been translated as "I have nothing to declare..." So a joke has been lost in thetranslation.

Extra features: Greatly expanded, onto a 2nd DVD, including interviews with Tati, and a look at St. Marc sur Mer and it's famous hotel, as it existed around 1980. The longest interview is banal at times, but here and there are gems: Tati's actual views on modernism for instance. I wished he had spoken about later influences, like his apparent homage to the movie "Jaws" in Les Vacances.

All in all, great if you want the best small-screen Tati experience with a lot of background and behind-the-scenes features; a modest upgrade from the original Criterion release if you simply want to enjoy the movie.