The Criterion Collection

Region 0 - NTSC

1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.2 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

French (Dolby Digital 1.0)

French (Dolby Digital 2.0)

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• New Digital Transfer, with restored image and sound
• Video introduction by filmmaker Terry Jones (Monty Python)
• Rene Clement's 1963 short film, Soigne ton gauche, starring Jacques Tati
• Optional English language soundtrack, created by Jacques Tati
• New and improved English subtitle soundtrack

DVD Release Date: January 6, 2004
Keep Case

Chapters 21

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Interview with film-maker Richard Lester (35:39)
• Original trailer and trailers for Mon Oncle and Playtime
• Insert with notes and director's biography by film historian Philip Kemp
 

Chapters 18

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Jacques Tati short films:
• Soigne Ton Gauche (1936) (11:53)
• L'Ecole des Facteurs (1947) (14:25)
• Cours du Soir (1967) (26:30)

DVD Release Date: November, 2003
Keep Case

Chapters 16

Addition: The 2004 BFI edition of Les Vacances de M. Hulot has recently been rereleased as part of their Jacques Tati Collection along with Jour de fête / Les Vacances de M. Hulot / Mon Oncle / Playtime and Parade. The only changes that the BFI made with this version is the keep case has been turned into a slim case and the individual booklets have been collected into one and some new artwork added to it. The image is identical to both the Criterion and Future Films editions, but has more information on all four sides than eother of the other two releases. Although the audio here is Dolby Digital 1.0, rather than the 2.0 found in the Future Films release, I doubt that the former sounds significantly better as the audio here is typically quite good. For those looking for English subtitles, you won't find them on this Finish release, but they are the only subs to be found in the BFI edition. The real difference between the three releases comes in terms of the extras. While we get three Tati shorts from the Future release, and several valuable extras with the Criterion, the BFI has trailers for three of films, a typically invaluable booklet, and a fascinating interview with Richard Lester about his love of the film. If you're only interested in picking up this film and none of Tati's others, then the choice would come down between the BFI and the Criterion. I'd pick the BFI for image, but the Criterion for the extras. If, however, you want to purchase either of the two Tati sets, then doubt that you could go wrong with with either one. I suppose that the choice ultimately will come down to whether you need the English subs on the BFI release, the sum total of extras on both sets (mighty impressive for both, I might add!), what you'd prefer for your fifth film (the BFI has Parade, while the Future Films release has Trafic). Definitely recommended.

Picture:
I have never seen this movie in a cinema with so sharp and clean picture like this both DVD's have. Fine job here! It seems that they are made from the same material, they are almost identical. The Criterion seems to be slightly cropped compared to the Future Film DVD, but it's on the acceptable level.
There are some print damage and scratches, but they don't disturb at all.

DRAW

Sound:
Both DVD's have excellent, clean and dynamic sound. Criterion has 1.0 mono, when the Nordic has 2.0 mono. The Criterion disc contains also an optional English Dub.

Extras:
Even tough the Nordic disc has more short films than the Criterion version, these short films can be found separately in the other Jacques Tati Criterion DVD's. The Criterion also includes short film notes and a introduction by Terry Jones.

 Per-Olof Strandberg