Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• My Uncle (Jacques Tati, 1984): the English version of Mon Oncle shot simultaneously
• Mon Oncle trailer (DVD only)
• Fully illustrated booklet with film notes and credits
 

Blu-ray Release Date: October 29th, 2012
Transparent Blu-ray case

Chapters 10

***

Addition: The 2004 BFI edition of Mon oncle 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. Unfortunately, the visuals have proved to be a problem for past release of Mon oncle, and the BFI release is no exception. While it lacks the excessive grain, combing, and cropping issues of the Criterion and it doesn't have the edge-enhancement of the Atlantic, it suffers from a notable softness in comparison with the other two releases. The sound on the BFI is quite good, and I would guess is about the same as the other two editions. Unlike the Atlantic, this one has English subs, and much better looking ones than the Criterion's. The extras here are rather limited, lacking the shorts of the other two discs. Instead we get three Tati trailers and a typically insightful booklet. If you're looking to buy the disc individually, then you'll probably want to go with the Criterion (unless you don't need the English subs, in which case the Atlantic is a decent choice). However, since the BFI also can be purchased with four other Tati films at a very reasonable price, those looking to buy in bulk should go this route. Either way, it's certainly recommended.

About Criterion
The Criterion image is marginally overscanned ~1% versus Atlantic, and has 2% cropping of the top, which again may be contributed to the scan.

The most notable difference is, that Criterion is very grainy versus a very smooth Atlantic image. Criterion is not sharper in detail, even though it looks that way, but zooming in reveals almost identical patterns, but the many "grains" give more contour.

Artifacts-wise, Criterion has lesser, being 50% less compressed than Atlantic, which basically is a DVD5 (films takes up 4.25 Gig on the dual layered disc), but Criterion still has its share of edge enhancements and halos. It is not that superior an image.

A problem which recently also has been identified on other Criterion DVDs is a combing-flaw in the first frame on chapter change. While chapters aren't identical, there is no such error on Atlantic.

About Atlantic
The same transfer as the Finnish Future DVD (see Playtime and Jour de Fete reviews), being a DVD5, it displays edge enhancements, color banding and macro blocking, but even so, the transfer isn't all that bad. Details are sharp and colors are very true to what I recall of it in the theatres.

The extra material, as on all the five DVDs in the collection, consists of three Tati short films: "Soigne ton gauche" from 1936, "L'École des facteurs" from 1947 and "Cours du soir" from 1967. The quality of these shorts is surprisingly good, especially "Soigne ton gauche" surprised me, being the oldest, but looks the best - great contrast and sharp details.

 - Henrik Sylow

2) BFI (The Jacques Tati Collection) - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Atlantic Film (The Jacques Tati Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - THIRD

4) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM