(aka 'Il Diario di una cameriera" or "Diary of a Chambermaid" or "The Diary of a Chambermaid')
This wicked adaptation of the Octave Mirbeau novel is classic Luis Buñuel. Jeanne Moreau is Celestine, a beautiful Parisian domestic who, upon arrival at her new job at an estate in provincial 1930s France, entrenches herself in sexual hypocrisy and scandal with her philandering employer (Buñuel regular Michel Piccoli). Filmed in luxurious black-and-white Franscope, Diary of a Chambermaid is a raw-edged tangle of fetishism and murder—and a scathing look at the burgeoning French fascism of the era.
Posters
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Theatrical Release: March 4trh, 1964
Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL
Big thanks to Arvid for the Warner (Bunuel Box 1) Screen Caps!
(Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)
DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Criterion Region 1 - NTSC |
Warner Region 2 - PAL |
Runtime | 1:37:57 | 1:33:42 (4% PAL speedup) |
Video |
2.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced
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2.29:1 Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Criterion (Criterion Collection)
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Bitrate:
Warner (Bunuel Box 1)
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Audio | French (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
French (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
Subtitles | English, None | English (burnt in) |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion / Home Vision Aspect Ratio: 2.33:1
Edition Details: • Video
interview with screenwriter and longtime Buñuel collaborator Jean-Claude
Carrière (18:57) • 12
page liner notes booklet with essays etc. |
Release
Information: Studio: Warner Aspect
Ratio:
Edition
Details:
DVD Release Date: Chapters 20 |
Comments |
The Warner appears to be zoomed in and hence cropped. It doesn't have the same level of sharpness or contrast that the Criterion does (or extras), but the big bonus of this Warner PAL Boxset is the stellar Belle De Jour and hence unseen on DVD Bunuel's The Milky Way. Its a shame about the burned-in subtitles on the Warner but we still consider the Warner a valued purchase, but the Criterion is the definitive "Diary of a Chambermaid" DVD (as if we ever doubted). - Gary Tooze NOTE:
Some people have said they had
problems with edge enhancement on this DVD, but
even where that might be the case, I think this
is still was one of the best looking monochrome
scope films in the DVD format to date. Of
course, Roger Fellous' cinematography is amazing
and a beautiful use of the scope frame at that.
The Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono is not bad either and
when you add its extras, this is one of
Criterion's best DVD releases to date. Jeanne
Moreau is great in one of her best roles.
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DVD Menus
(Criterion
(Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT
vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
(Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion (Criterion Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (Bunuel Box 1) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
Image: |
Criterion |
Sound: |
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Extras: | Criterion |
Menu: | Criterion |
DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Criterion Region 1 - NTSC |
Warner Region 2 - PAL |
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Gary Tooze
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Thank You!