"Les Dames Du Bois de Boulogne" Criterion Region 0 NTSC vs BFI - Region 2

( aka "The Ladies of the Bois de Boulogne" )

France 1945

This unique, modern love story, based on a novelette by Denis Diderot and with dialogue written by Jean Cocteau, follows the maneuverings of a society lady as she connives to initiate a scandalous affair between her aristocratic ex-lover and a prostitute. With his second feature film, director Robert Bresson was already forging his singularly brilliant filmmaking technique as he created a moving study of the power, revenge and the strength of true love. Bresson's next film after this, was regarded by many as his masterpiece; 'The Diary of a Country Priest'. With subtleties such as hand gestures, strong visuals and inert themes of naiveté in direct contrast to the cultural environment of the times are all tell-tale pre-cursors of Bresson's forthcoming and essential cinematic work.

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 21st, 1945 - France

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DVD Comparison:

Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Charles Girdham for the BFI screen captures!

(Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Criterion Collection - Spine # 183 Region 1 - NTSC	BFI Video Publishing Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:25:42	1:21:39 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	1.37:1.00 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.61 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.2 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.
Bitrate: Criterion
Bitrate: BFI
Audio	French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Subtitles	English, and none	English, and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Home Vision Entertainment / Criterion Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • New digital transfer, with restored image and sound • New and improved English subtitle translation • Still gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes photos - 18 shots of Poster, Bresson, and cast • Essays by Francois Truffaut and David Thomson - 4 pages of linear notes DVD Release Date: March 11th, 2003 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 16	Release Information: Studio: BFI Video Publishing Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Robert Bresson Biography • Jean Cocteau Biography • Marie Casares Biography • Original Film Poster • Acknowledgements / More DVD Release Date: August 30th, 2004 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 10

Comments:

These images are very similar, but the BFI may have had some slight brightness boosting. Both issue are equally as sharp showing moderate film grain. However, the Criterion has quite a bit of cropping from the top edge and the BFI perhaps less-so on the left edge. The BFI has , surprisingly, richer black levels. These points are all very small as both images are very similar - but with Bresson I want the best of all available in my collection. For image I think I'll take the BFI. Extras are too meager on both releases, but the Criterion may notch ahead.

- Gary W. Tooze

******

They're different transfers, but probably from the same print. When the first title comes on screen - "Paul Bernard" - the BFI version repositions itself, and "Paul Bernard" moves down the screen slightly. This does not happen on the Criterion version. Hence, definitely different transfers.

The BFI version seems to have ever so slightly better contrast and resolution but the difference is marginal. The sound defect "skkkwrrrr.... skkkwwrrrr... skwrrrr" (sound defect that remedies itself after 15 minutes on both discs) is present on both versions. The BFI thank Films Ariane (same as Criterion).

The BFI disc only offers the original film poster (a 10 second video piece that goes back to the menu of its own accord, and might have been better as a static gallery screen)."

Nick Wrigley of Masters od Cinema.com

DVD Menus

(Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

Screen Captures