7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In the end of the first Indochina War, an open-minded teenage boy finds himself between the urge to discover love and the ever-present, dominating affection of his mother.
Starring: Lea Massari, Benoît Ferreux, Daniel Gélin, Michael Lonsdale, Ave NinchiForeign | 100% |
Drama | 59% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
French SDH, English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Nominated for Palme d'Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival, Louis Malle's "Murmur of the Heart" a.k.a. "Le souffle au coeur" (1971) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French label Gaumont. The only bonus feature on the disc is a documentary film featuring interviews with cinematographer Ricardo Aronovich, actor Benoît Ferreux, sound editor/mixer Jean-Claude Laureux, and assistant director Ghislain Uhry. In French, with optional English and French SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
"What a dope. He does not understand you."
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Louis Malle's Murmur of the Heart arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French label Gaumont.
Excluding a few darker sequences where shadow definition could be more convincing, the film looks very healthy and natural. Typically, during close-ups clarity is lovely, while larger panoramic shots boast pleasing fluidity. Depth is very good. Colors are stable and natural, never appearing artificially boosted. Contrast and sharpness levels are also well balanced. There are no traces of problematic degraining corrections. Grain could be slightly better defined, but it is visible throughout the entire film and well managed. There are no traces of sharpening adjustments. Overall image stability is very good. Finally, there are no large cuts, damage marks, splices, debris, or specks to report in our review. All in all, this is a lovely organic presentation of Murmur of the Heart that is guaranteed to please fans of the film. My score is 4.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player 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 standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English and French SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
The film does not have a prominent music score. Naturally, dynamic movement is rather modest. However, clarity and depth are very good and during the mass scenes (see the celebration at the end) separation and balance are excellent. The dialog is always clean, stable, and easy to follow. There are no no pops, cracks, distracting background hiss, or digital distortions to report in our review.
Louis Malle's Murmur of the Heart is one of the best coming-of-age films ever made. This isn't an exaggeration. Indeed, I don't know if there is anyone that has seen the film that hasn't been touched by its honesty. Countless directors have also copied what Malle did in it. French label Gaumont's Blu-ray release is sourced from a new restoration of the film, which I like a lot. I think that it is only a matter of time before the film transitions to Blu-ray in the U.S. as well. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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