Like "Murmur of the Heart" and "Lacombe, Lucien" the transfer looks remarkable. Colors look fabulous although a shade orangy-red (skin tones) at times indicating there may have been a small bump in black/red levels to bring up sharpness. The image is dark and detail is excellent. Blacks are pitch and contrast is superb. This DVD image is very close to perfect in all areas. The subtitle font, consistent throughout the boxset, is a shade larger than usual. Sound is original one channel but clear and audible.

This individual release of the film on DVD is quite bare-bones with an anamorphic teaser and some excellent liner notes (Philip Kemp essay with many color photos) but here we have one small issue (and one large). When you choose the "Teaser" to play it appears to run the trailer and activating the trailer does nothing but bounce back to the original screen. I suspect this may only be on my screener but anyway an authoring error like this is pretty infinitesimal. The only real issue we have with this DVD is the price - with no commentary and lauded as the gem of the package the individual release is gouging a bit at almost $40 considering there is no commentary or digital extras with substance. Presently it is twice that of the "Murmur of the Heart" and "Lacombe, Lucien" releases with the only justification being the film's reputed 'name' value. I won't say that I prefer "Lacombe, Lucien" but it is equally as good in my mind with "Murmur of the Heart" certainly nor far behind. I expect the exorbitant price is to let people justify the purchase of the entire boxset - which we endorse whole-heartedly regardless. It is a must-own. The film is regarded by many as Malle's masterpiece and I'd be a fool to argue.

Gary W. Tooze