7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The clumsy postman of a sleepy French village tries to apply more efficient, modernized methods to his mail delivery after watching an American educational film, but the results become chaotic and comical.
Starring: Guy Decomble, Paul Frankeur, Santa Relli, Maine Vallée, DelcassanForeign | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
French: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Jacques Tati's "Jour de fete" a.k.a. "The Big Day" (1949) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the British Film Institute. The release contains the 1949 Thomsoncolor version and the alternative 1964 version of the film; original trailer; Jacques Tati's first short film, "L'ecole des facteurs" (1947); Rene Clement's short film, "Soigne ton gauche" (1936); and Nicolas Ribowski's short film, "Cours du soir" (1967). The release also arrives with an illustrated booklet featuring film notes and credits. In French, with optional English subtitles for the two versions of the film. Region-B "locked".
The ambitious postman
The BFI's Dual Format Edition of Jacques Tati's Jour de fete contains two versions of the film, both encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted 1080p transfers: the 1949 Thomsoncolor version, running at approximately 79 minutes (01.19.57), and the alternative 1964 version, running at approximately 81 minutes (01.21.59).
Please note that the screencaptures included in our review appear in the following order:
1. Screencaptures #2-14: Thomsoncolor version.
2. Screencaptures # 15-22: 1964 version.
Both versions of Jour de fete need serious restoration work. The Thomsoncolor version, in particular, is plagued by multiple damage marks, scratches, debris, and even small warps. The color-scheme is also very unstable, though admittedly there are different inherited limitations that contribute to the instability. Contrast fluctuates, with many of the nighttime sequences looking disappointingly flat. One of the most serious issues, however, is the presence of the inherited vertical lines (a byproduct of the Thomsoncolor process). Combined with some of the flicker, warps, and debris mentioned earlier, many of the daylight sequences look disappointingly weak. Finally, there are some transition issues as well.
Portions of the 1964 version look rather good (see screencaptures #17 and 18). There is decent depth and even pleasing clarity. Healthy grain is also visible. Elsewhere, however, there are various rather large damage marks and edge wear. Contrast fluctuations are also present. Contrast is uneven but the majority of the time it is far better than that observed on the Thomsoncolor version. To sum it all up, there is a lot of room for serious improvements in virtually every single area we address in our reviews on both versions of Jour de fete. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
Each of the two versions of Jour de fete arrives with a French LPCM 2.0. track. For the record, the BFI have provided optional English subtitles for each version.
The lossless track enhances Jean Yatove's score quite well. The strings sound fuller and better rounded while the flute solos have the appropriate crispness. Some light background hiss remains and occasionally there are even small pops, but the narration and dialog are easy to follow. The English translation is good.
DVD
I think that at this point it is probably best to wait for a new restoration of Jacques Tati's legendary Jour de fete. The two versions of the film included on BFI's Dual Format Edition show significant wear which, in my opinion, could be minimized with modern digital tools. I believe that stability could be dramatically improved as well. So, if you really want to have this film in your collections now, my advice is to look around and see if you could find it on sale. Otherwise, I would suggest that you wait. RENT IT.
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