"Un Couer en Hiver" A Heart in Winter Emmanuelle Béart

(aka "A Heart in Winter" or "A Heart of Stone")

directed by Claude Sautet
France 1992

"Intimacy and expression of affection are not capable in everyone. Claude Sautet shows us a prime example in "Un Coeur en Hiver". Wonderful performances by all involved. Two people who are "in love" but only to the degree that one can transmit that emotion. A detailed study of individuals caught in circumstances of fate and persona who cannot connect by overcoming a inbred hurdle. One which exists, demands to be recognized and dealt with."

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 2nd, 1992- France

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DVD Comparison:

Second Sight - Region 2 - PAL vs. Koch Lorber - Region 1 - NTSC

(Second Sight - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Koch Lorber - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	Second Sight Films Ltd - Region 2 - PAL	Koch Lorber Films - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:40:15 (4% PAL speedup)	1:44:12
Video	1.63:1.00 Letterboxed WideScreen / 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.83 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.66:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.38 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
Bitrate: Second Sight
Bitrate: Koch Lorber
Audio	French (Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0)	French (Dolby Digital Stereo 5.1), French (mono)
Subtitles	English, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Second Sight Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic widescreen- 1.63:1 Edition Details: NONE DVD Release Date: 7th July 2003 Keep Case Chapters: 16	Release Information: Studio: Koch Lorber Films Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic widescreen- 1.66:1 Edition Details: • Newly restored HD transfer supervised by the film's director of photography, Yves Angelo • Four page booklet with essay by film critic Michel Boujut • Interview with the director • French TV appearances by director Claude Sautet and Andre Dussolier • Excerpt from the documentary Claude Sautet ou la Magie Invisible • Original French theatrical trailer DVD Release Date: November 7th, 2006 Keep Case Chapters: 12

Comments:

ADDITION - Koch Lorber - Nov 2006 - Quite a spectacular difference in brightness/color between the two releases. The Koch Lorber states - 'restored HD transfer supervised by the film's director of photography, Yves Angelo', so we believe that the NTSC edition is most accurate in representing the color scheme of the film. Aside from that the Second Sight, although also being progressively transferred, shows more digital noise and some minor speckles that are not apparent on the Region 1 release. Part of this could be compression as the PAL is on a single-layered DVD where the Koch Lorber is on a dual layered disc. The audio is also improved from the initial release with a 5.1 track as well as the optional mono. Koch have stacked the supplements with some interviews and an excerpt from Claude Sautet ou la Magie.

Really an easy choice. I am encouraged by Koch Lorber's DVD production on this beautiful, prosaic and touching film.

***

On the Second Sight:

Decent image quality from Second Sight Films. Very bright although it may be artificially induced. The sound is quite buoyant from a 2.0 channel - the classical music sounds excellent. It has removable English subs (white and clear - see below) and no Extras at all. A very good film and a solid, if simple DVD.

Gary W. Tooze

Recommended Reading in French Cinema (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)


The Films in My Life by Francois Truffaut, Leonard Mayhew	French Cinema: A Student's Guide by Philip Powrie, Keith Reader	Agnes Varda by Alison Smith	Godard on Godard : Critical Writings by Jean-Luc Godard	Notes on the Cinematographer by Robert Bresson	Robert Bresson (Cinematheque Ontario Monographs, No. 2) by James Quandt	French New Wave by Jean Douchet, Robert Bonnono, Cedric Anger, Robert Bononno	French Cinema: From Its Beginnings to the Present by Remi Fournier Lanzoni

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(Second Sight - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Koch Lorber - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

Subtitle Sample

NOTE: Not exact frame capture