Au hasard Balthazar Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Au hasard Balthazar Blu-ray Movie Review

A top-notch 4K restoration by the Criterion Collection

Cinema can be open to divisive reactions from audiences and critics alike. Au hasard Balthazar is such a work of art. The film originally opened to mixed (and downright negative) critical responses (and was even regarded as a bore by the likes of the great Swedish filmmaker, Ingmar Bergman – who reportedly did not take to the film at all), the French drama is now often regarded as a masterpiece of cinema. Produced by Mag Bodard (The Young Girls of Rochefort, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) and directed by the prolific Robert Bresson (The Trial of Joan of Arc, Diary of a Country Priest), Au hasard Balthazar is unquestionably a prime example of cinema at its most polarizing.

A philosophical film which is open to a wide range of possible interpretations, Au hasard Balthazar is an unusual story which revolves around a community's donkey which is given the name of Balthazar. Treated poorly by almost everyone surrounding it (as the donkey is casually traded from one owner to another with little thought or care given to its actual needs), the storyline follows the series of cruel events that unfold to Balthazar (with only a few individuals showing the donkey true compassion). Tragedy seems only a step away for the sweet-natured donkey.

Events unfold while intersecting with the storyline of a young girl, Marie (Anne Wiazemsky). The girl is considered a beauty by men in the community and she is sought after by the older gang-member Gerard (Francois Lafarge). A brutish man involved in some unscrupulous trades, Gerard attempts to win over Marie at any cost, continually pushing himself to gain her affections and ultimately make her succumb to his pursuit. The two start a tango with one another as Gerard continually lusts after Marie.

The Soul of a Donkey

Experiencing both her own frustrations of growing up and dealing with the economic hardships facing her financially struggling father (Philippe Asselin), Marie also encounters a wealthy merchant (Pierre Klossowski) on a bleak and rainy night. Soaked from the stormy weather outside, Marie enters the merchant's home and once again faces the leer of an older man seeking her affections. The story intersects the tragedy of the donkey, Balthazar, with the events which unfold with the girl.

Robert Bresson both wrote and directed Au hasard Balthazar with his own unique cinematic approach to the language of filmmaking. There's a distinctive cinematic voice on display with the film and with many film historians considering it to be one of the director's most personal works in his storied career, there's much that can be dissected. The film is never outright religious (though some undertones might be open to interpretation) and the final work feels just as driven by its philosophical concepts as it does by its core narrative.

The film offers no answers to its often complex questions. Even for viewers who dislike the film, Au hasard Balthazar is going to provoke thought and stir up emotions from its finale. The filmmaking is strong in many respects, with its lush cinematography by Ghislain Cloquet (Tess, Love and Death) and a strong music score composed by Jean Wiener (Lady L, The Captain). Yet the film is also difficult to appreciate to some degree and its easy to see why the film has been so divisive with viewers. I often found myself agreeing with Ingmar Bergman and his less-enthusiastic response to the film. Au hasard Balthazar is beautiful to look at yet it fails to create a compelling story which remembers the essential foundations of true classicism. Au hasard Balthazar may look like a masterpiece on the surface but it feels like a missed opportunity on another level. A frustrating experience that is simultaneously hard to shake off.

Au hasard Balthazar Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection, Au hasard Balthazar has received a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 widescreen. The film has received a new 4K digital restoration effort which utilizes the original 35mm original camera negative as the source for the scan. The release looks downright beautiful with stunning resolution, clarity, and fine detail. A sublime and naturalistic layer of fine film grain is left intact. The black and white cinematography looks superb with excellent black levels and impressive depth to the image. There are no specks of dirt or signs of print damage to the scan (such as scratches, burn marks, and other detriments sometimes found on film scans). A truly superb 4K restoration which will leave fans of the film pleased.

Au hasard Balthazar Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The audio presentation on the release is preserved with a lossless 24 bit uncompressed PCM 1.0 mono soundtrack. The original mono sound design for the film has been left intact for the release. The track received restoration efforts utilizing the original magnetic tapes of the audio. This is a excellent audio presentation which capably presents the dialogue with exceptional clarity. The music score also comes through with terrific precision and detail. The track is free from distracting pops, hiss, cracks, and other possible detriments. A highly engaging lossless soundtrack that perfectly befits the master-class transfer of the film. The release is presented in French with optional English subtitles. The included subtitles are superb and are free from spelling or grammatical errors.

Au hasard Balthazar Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Donald Richie (HD, 13:41) is an interview which was recorded for the Criterion Collection in 2014. The film scholar discusses his views on the works of director Bresson and his unique appreciation for his renowned filmography. Interestingly, Richie discusses how another close friend of his (also a film connoisseur) feels the opposite when it comes to the works by Bresson and usually falls asleep to his productions. It's an interesting comment given the sometimes polarizing nature of Bresson and his works as a filmmaker. The interview is engaging and Richie gives a lot of insights into why he appreciates Au hasard Balthazar with such engaged passion.

"Un Metteur En Ordre: Robert Bresson" (SD, 1:02:06) is a feature-length episode of the television program Pour le plaisir. Originally broadcast on May 11^th, 1966, the entirety of the episode is devoted to a discussion of Au hasard Bathazar. Featuring a series of informative interviews including director Robert Bresson and fellow-filmmakers Jean-Luc Godard, Louis Malle, and Francois Reichenbach, there's a rich abundance of information about the filmmaking on display and the perspectives of both the film's author and the director's who admire it's unique cinematic tapestry. There are also some insightful interviews with members of the cast and crew, including both Anne Wiazemsky (Marie) and Francois Lafarge (Gerard). This is a well-assembled collection of interviews which provides viewers with a lot of distinctive views on the film, the story, and the characters.

Theatrical Trailer (SD, 01:57)

The release also includes a leaflet featuring an essay by film critic James Quandt, production credits, notes on the restoration, and cast/crew information.

Au hasard Balthazar Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While some may consider Au hasard Balthazar to be a masterpiece there are others who will find it a struggle to even finish. The supplements on the release acknowledge as much (with film scholar Donald Ritchie talking about Bresson putting his close friend to sleep while entertaining himself). The filmmaking is never easy but there are a lot of layers to explore. Even if one doesn't enjoy Au hasard Balthazar, it's the type of film that is going to leave a strong impression. The Criterion Collection release includes a 4K restoration (of the original camera negative), exceptional lossless audio, and an engaging selection of supplements which round out the package. Fans of the film can consider it a must-own (while newcomers may wish to "rent it" beforehand).