7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
An American group of exchange students come to Paris to study the language and culture for a year. The film depicts the various interactions between the students and the instructors, including the pretty female director of the institute where they are enrolled.
Starring: Miles Chapin, Blanche Baker, David Marshall Grant, Valerie Quennessen, Debra WingerDrama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Willard Huyck's "French Postcards" (1979) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent distributors Olive Films. There are no supplemental features on this release. In English and some French, without optional English SDH subtitles for the English dialog. Region-A "locked".
That day when they fell in love
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Willard Huyck's French Postcards arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films.
The release has been sourced from a pre-existing master, which I assume is the only one Paramount Pictures has in its vaults. There are some traces of very light fading that affects density during a couple of sequences early into the film, but there are no traces of compromising digital tinkering. This makes a huge difference because even though the film does have a dated appearance it also has some fairly stable organic qualities. Obviously, grain could and should be better exposed, but there are enough native textures that have been retained. There is one short fragment where colors are a bit shaky, but otherwise stability is good. However, ideally saturation should be much better. There are no large debris, cuts, or damage marks, but a few flecks can be spotted. Ultimately, it is easy to see that the film could look better in high-definition, but this is an acceptable organic presentation that at least makes it easy to view it on larger screens. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There are a few exchanges in French, but they have printed theatrical subtitles (see screencapture #13). Optional English SDH subtitles have not been provided.
Generally speaking, clarity and depth are quite good. Some minor unevenness can be noticed during a few of the outdoor sequences, but there are no serious anomalies to report. Separation is also good, though dynamic movement is underwhelming. The dialog is stable and easy to follow.
Most unfortunately, there are no supplemental features to be found on this Blu-ray release.
Willard Huyck's French Postcards is a small gem that was largely ignored during the DVD era. This is unfortunate because I think that it is as charming and refreshingly honest as the three films in Cédric Klapisch's popular Spanish Apartment Trilogy. Olive Films' upcoming Blu-ray release of French Postcards has been sourced from what I assume is the only master Paramount Pictures currently has in its vaults and has the original music that was used during the film's theatrical release. RECOMMENDED.
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