NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Carlotta - Region 'B' Blu-ray - March 2012: Everything seems improved visually on the new 1080P transfer from Carlotta in France. Contrast is more layered and hence detail a notch sharper, colors (a significant facet to the viewing experience) are more robust, there is some depth - essentially it looks significantly more film-like than the flatter SDs (both of which were excellent renditions for that format.) At times I thought it looked a little waxy - but I don't suspect it was anything manipulated in the transfer process. Overall it looks very impressive and Renoir fans should be extremely pleased with the video performance.

Audio is exclusively in original English (no French DUB offered) via a DTS-HD Master mono track at a modest 855 kbps. We can only expect that this is very faithful to the film's theatrical experience. There are optional French subtitles removed with the remote button (not via the menu). The Blu-ray is coded for region 'B'.

Extras give us some crossover material from the Criterion. WE get the 13-minute discussion with Scorsese on the restoration. He discusses the emotional impact of the colors and the positive influence that the cinema of Renoir exerts on him. Carlotta include Arnaud Mandagaran's hour long, 2008 feature 'Around The River'. It is described at Unitel HERE as "While the film (The River) may be rapturously luminous and as gently flowing as the Ganges itself, its making was nothing short of miraculous. In this one-hour documentary, Arnaud Mandagaran retraces the genesis of Jean Renoir's first Technicolor film shot on location. In conversations with a number of friends and colleagues of the great filmmaker both in Hollywood and India, Mandagaran provides a vivid account of the many obstacles that threatened the realization of Renoir's visionary concept. Finding the locations, working with amateur actors, coping with the loud and bulky cameras... An arduous task made lighter by the enormous interest and graciousness shown by the many Indians who contributed to making this masterpiece, which remains "a lesson in freedom and the story of an unprecedented fascination with the nature, the customs, and the refined culture of this land" (Le Monde)." While the film is mostly English - unfortunately some of it is drowned out by a French Narrator translating. There are many sequences (Satyajit Ray) with French subtitles supporting the English dialogue. It still offers a lot to English-locked audiences although this supplements seems designed more for French-language viewers. Now, there is also a BD-ROM feature with images, a PDF document - but I wasn't as adept at accessing it - so can't really comment - however it does look like a lot of effort went into it. There is also an unrestored trailer.

Tremendous Blu-ray release by Carlotta - an unforgettable film, The River is luminous and the extras make it a worthwhile investment. We can strongly recommend this package.

***

ADDITION: - BFI - Region 2- PAL - July 06' - I can't recall seeing two separate DVD productions of the same 50 year old film that looked so pristine. The BFI release gives absolutely nothing away to the sterling Criterion edition - in terms of image. If there are minor differences - the BFI is slightly brighter - giving a minutely sharper appearance (occasionally), and shows the Criterion to have some negligible cropping on the top and bottom edges. Colors appear duplicated. They both look immensely impressive - stunning - in a word.

NOTE: the BFI bitrate is substantially higher - possibly as the Criterion filled the feature disc with supplements. As I recall Criterion used the 'alchemist system' for transfer and hence there are very infrequent examples of combing possibly noticeable on high-end systems.

Audio and optional subtitles were very acceptable on both.

Extras: I really enjoyed the 7 short films set in India. Seeing the activity on the Ganges in 1899 was certainly a unique experience. Kumar Shahani's 15 minute insights were also great fodder for the feature experience. Although the BFI added a second disc (no doubt helping improve the image quality of the first disc) I still think the Criterions extras have more extensive (relevant) information - Renoir intro, Scorsese interview, Ken McEldowney (the producer) audio interview and the documentary about Rumar Godden. I have real trouble choosing one over the other and am glad I have both issues as they each have strong qualities regarding a film that was a very special viewing experience for me.

If I am to give a slight edge to BFI for the image, I, in-turn, will give the same degree of superiority for the Criterion extras. Truthfully though both these releases are two of the top DVDs I have seen in the past 5 years. Outstanding seems like an understatement.

One thing - I am not crazy about is the BFI cover.

In a not-so-totally-irrelevant suggestion - most are aware of Rumer Godden's Black Narcissus and Powell and Pressburger's untouchable filmic translation. But I'd like to mention another Rumer Godden narrative that was beautifully translated to film - Enchantment. It is very underrated cinema, which I strongly recommend if you are keen on her work. 

***

Another beautiful DVD from Criterion. I felt I could have taken screen captures all day. This transfer is from the 2004 film restoration (and its states so at the beginning of the presentation). It is extremely sharp with outstanding colors - neither muted nor overly brilliant. Stellar contrast. The whole film reminded me of Jack Cardiff and Powell and Pressburger's work of the same period. Stunning is an appropriate word. The DVD is loaded with insightful and valuable extra features. Original English audio and unobtrusive subtitles for the hearing impaired. What a magnificent DVD to own. I see it becoming Feature of the Month. I am blown away again Criterion. out of

Gary W. Tooze