8.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
Clumsy Monsieur Hulot finds himself perplexed by the intimidating complexity of a gadget-filled Paris.
Starring: Jacques Tati, Rita Maiden, France Rumilly, France Delahalle, Laure PailletteForeign | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
French: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Jacques Tati's "Play Time" (1967) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the British Film Institute. The supplemental features on the disc include an audio commentary with film historian Phillip Kemp; interview with Jacques Tati; conversation with script supervisor Sylvette Baudrot; short biographical film; short film directed by film scholar Stephane Goudet; and the film's original theatrical trailer. The release also arrives with a 24-page illustrated booklet. In French and English, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Unimpressed
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jacques Tati's Play Time arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of the BFI.
The Following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:
"Playtime was originally photographed in 70mm. The master used for this release was transferred and restored in High Definition from the 35mm reduction internegative which was made from the restored 65mm interpositive."
Considering the source BFI had to work with, which appears to be the same one Criterion used for their Blu-ray release of Play Time, I am pleased with the presentation. Fine object detail is very good and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. Compared to the old SDVD release of Play Time, clarity and color-reproduction are also dramatically improved. Traces of mild edge-enhancement are often easy to spot, but they are never overly distracting; macroblocking is not an issue of concern. There are no serious stability issues either. Lastly, when blown through a digital projector the high-definition transfer conveys pleasing depth and tightness. All in all, despite a few inherited limitations Play Time looks very good on Blu-ray, and I have absolutely no problem recommending that you consider adding it to your libraries. (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).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: French LPCM 2.0 (with portions of English) and International LPCM 2.0, which appears in our database as English LPCM 2.0. For the record, the BFI have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The French LPCM 2.0 track is solid. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and exceptionally easy to follow. There are no balance issues with Francis Lemarque's score either. Understandably, the range of dynamics is quite limited, but the sound has wonderful organic qualities.
On the Criterion Blu-ray release of Play Time the alternative International track is encoded as Dolby Digital 2.0. On this release, the International track is encoded as LPCM 2.0. I tested a couple of different scenes with it, and to be honest, the only marginal improvement I noticed was during the club disaster in the final third of the film. The dialog is practically identical - crisp, clean, stable, and very easy to follow. For the record, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts to report in this review.
Blu-ray
The BFI Blu-ray release of Jacques Tati's Play Time is a good alternative for those who could not take advantage of Criterion's Blu-ray release - the high-definition transfer is practically identical to the one used by Criterion. The BFI Blu-ray release also contains Phillip Kemp's wonderful audio commentary, only portions of which appear on the Criterion Blu-ray release. Keep in mind that this is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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