ADDITION: Artificial Eye - Region 'B' Blu-ray - March 2014 - This new 1080P transfer of Bresson's brilliant Mouchette looks reasonably solid. It certainly advances over the R2 DVD and seems to have the purer contrast as the Criterion SD. It's a bit brighter, adds some depth and has less in the way of compression artifacts. It is single-layered with a high bitrate in the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. There are still a couple of scenes - about 3/4's in - that have full vertical scratches. They are very faint and only last a couple of minutes. There is also some minor flickering but overall it looked quite good in-motion on my system. The higher resolution adds the more noticeable depth, and layered contrast supporting improved detail. There is also some consistent and pleasing texture. This looks very beautiful at times.

The linear PCM 2.0 channel used in original French at 2304 kbps adds depth to the film's important soundstage with rustling trees and shrubs, the Fair's amusement rides, children in the playground, church bells, and Mouchette humming. I'd definitely say this augmented the presentation beyond the simple Dolby of the DVDs. Unfortunately, the Artificial Eye has non-removable English subtitles for those detracted by this. It is, predictably, region 'B'-locked.

AE add Zum Beispiel Bresson aka Au hasard Bresson directed by Theodor Kotulla in 1967. It is the same 30-minute documentary as found on the Criterion DVD about the director, including behind-the-scenes footage of Robert Bresson directing Mouchette. It has German audio, and burned-in English subtitles.

I'm glad I own this Blu-ray, as I have no idea if Criterion will be releasing Mouchette in 1080P anytime soon. Personally, this is a keeper and a film I will continue to revisit for the rest of my life.  

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ADDITION: Criterion - January 07' - The Criterion is magnificent. Improved in every single area upon the Nouveaux PAL edition. Sharper image, better contrast (blacks and whites), more information in the frame, extras, subtitles (they are optional on the Criterion) etc. etc. For the image differences you can see clearly from the below screen captures. Audio, although still mono on the Criterion, does seem more dynamic and consistent to my ear on the newer NTSC version.

Rayns' commentary is wonderful - as professional, prepared, and adept as any of his others. As the film is relatively short he is moving at quite a clip to get in all the information he is able to share. So far I feel this is easily the best commentary of 2007! I am sure it will be recognized at our next year end poll.

The Criterion also includes some featurettes - Au hasard Bresson is a a half-hour documentary about the director, including behind-the-scenes footage of Robert Bresson directing Mouchette. “Traveling,” is a 7 1/2 minutes segment from the cine-magazine TV series Cinéma, featuring on-set interviews with Bresson and actors Nadine Nortier and Jean-Claude Guilbert. We are also privy to the original theatrical trailer, cut by none other than Jean-Luc Godard - at 1:30. Finally there are 4 pages of liner notes with an essay by Robert Polito entitled Girl, Interrupted.

Debatably one of the most important pieces of film work made in the 20th century, Mouchette is essential cinema and will be added to our listing HERE. Criterion have given us another example of why they are the best DVD production company in the world -important films packaged at the highest available standard. out of

Gary Tooze

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On the Nouveaux (written in 2004):   After a long, excruciating wait we finally have Mouchette on DVD in a decent transfer. As in the case of the simultaneously released Au hasard Balthazar, this DVD is based on a newly restored print, and the end result is very pleasing: again we have a well-balanced contrast (a tad softer than Balthazar, with some very slight chroma that is virtually unnoticeable when the film is projected at normal speed) and no trace of dust/scratches. The audio is nice and crisp. The subtitles are very good, but switching them "OFF" doesn't actually remove them. A wonderful DVD of a wonderful film. Highly recommended!

 out of   (due to inability to turn subs off)

--Trond Trondsen, mastersofcinema.org