7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
This comedy drama from Jean Renoir chronicles the revival of Paris' most notorious dance as it tells the story of a theater producer who turns a humble washerwoman into a star at the Moulin Rouge.
Starring: Jean Gabin, Françoise Arnoul, María Félix, Anna Amendola, Jean-Roger CaussimonForeign | 100% |
Drama | 89% |
Romance | 41% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Musical | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
French SDH, English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Jean Renoir's "French Cancan" (1954) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Gallic distributors Gaumont. The supplemental features on the disc include the documentary features "Le spectacle avant tout! (La joie de vivre par Jean Renoir)" and "Renoir(s), en suivant les fils de l'eau"; restoration presentation by Gaumont's tech team; and the film's restored original trailer. In French, with optional English and French SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Nini and her lover
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jean Renoir's French Cancan arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont.
French Cancan has been meticulously restored by Gaumont, and this high-definition transfer is indeed quite remarkable -- fine object detail is exceptionally strong, clarity excellent and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. What impresses the most, however, is the color-scheme; reds, blues, yellows, greens, browns and blacks are so lush and rich it truly is hard to believe that French Cancan was filmed some fifty five years ago. Edge-enhancement is never an issue of concern. I did not see any traces of heavy noise reduction either. On the contrary, blown through a digital projector French Cancan conveys wonderful depth and natural crispness. Last but not least, I also did not see any disturbing scratches, flecks, debris, or cuts to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 (Mono). For the record, Gaumont have provided optional English and French SDH subtitles for the main feature.
The audio treatment is as impressive as the video treatment. The French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track delivers crisp and nuanced sound that is also exceptionally well balanced (a quick comparison with the R1 SDVD from Criterion's Jean Renoir boxset reveals a number of improvements addressing the frequent sound fluctuations present on the R1 SDVD release). Additionally, the dialog is clean, stable and very easy to follow.
Note: Some of the supplemental features on this Blu-ray disc are encoded in PAL. Therefore, if you reside in North America, or another region where PAL is not supported, you must have a Region-Free player capable of converting PAL to NTSC, or a TV set capable of receiving native PAL data, in order to view them.
Le spectacle avant tout! La joie de vivre par Jean Renoir - a documentary feature by Pierre-Henri Gilbert, with special guests Francoise Arnoul, Guy Cavagnac, Sophie Renoir, Rosine Delamare, Max Douy, Claude Gauteur and Olivier Curchod. In French, not subtitled. (57 min, 1080p).
Renoir(s), en suivant les fils de l'eau - a documentary film by Anne-Marie Faux and Jean-Pierre Devillers focusing on Renoir's legacy. In French, not subtitled. (51 min, PAL)
French Cancan restaure - a wonderful presentation by the tech team at Gaumont responsible for the restoration of French Cancan. In French, not subtitled. (6 min, 1080p).
Bande-annonce - the trailer for the restored version of French Cancan. In French, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p).
French distributors Gaumont's Blu-ray release of Jean Renoir's French Cancan is a thing of beauty. Actually, it might well be the best looking French Blu-ray release I have seen thus far. Bravo Gaumont, and please keep on releasing. Do not hesitate to place your orders, folks - this is a very, very special release. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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