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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'La Femme sur la plage' or 'Desirable Woman')

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/renoir.htm
USA 1947

 

Captivating and stylized Film Noir from Renoir is deftly delivered with fog-shrouded atmospheres'.

 

Recuperating coast guard Lieutenant Scott Burnett (Robert Ryan) has his head turned from wholesome fiancé Eve (Nan Leslie) for a non-consummated affair-of-the-heart with comely Peggy Butler (Joan Bennett) wife of a famous painter who is now blind (Charles Bickford). Peggy is held psychological prisoner in the marriage over guilt that she may have caused his blindness so the Lieutenant tries to prove he is faking. The mood is quintessential noir and although the plot is sparse the mysterious atmosphere, performances and overly-powerful score carry the film. One can't help but feel the neurotic aura under the surface of the under-spoken dialogue and meaningful character glances. Both female leads are stunningly attractive and it was interesting to see a young Irene Ryan (yes, Granny from The Beverley Hillbillies!) as the local gadabout. I rank this as a sublime Noir and is highly recommended.

Gary W. Tooze

  Poster

Theatrical Release: June 2nd, 1947

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DVD Comparison:

Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC

Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC RIGHT

 

DVD Box Cover

 

 

Distribution Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL

Warner Home Video

Region 0 - NTSC

Runtime 1:10:42 (4% PAl Speedup) 1:10:48 
Video 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.1 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.62 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate: PAL

Bitrate:  NTSC

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0)  English (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles French, None None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Éditions Montparnasse

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Serge Bromberg introduction

DVD Release Date: March 1st, 2006

Slim, transparent keep case
Chapters: 7

Release Information:
Studio: Warner Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• None

DVD Release Date: June 21st, 2011
Keep Case

Chapters 21

 

 

 

Comments:

ADDITION: Warner Archive - Region 0 - NTSC - June, 2011 Easy to see the bare-bones, single-layered Warner Archive release is the obvious winner with a huge disparity in contrast and detail. There is a bit of frame specific damage. The Warner is progressive and we can now state that the Montparnasse is an incorrect standards conversion. The Warner audio is fine, there are no subtitles or extras - not even a trailer.

LOVE this film - it's an oddball in some respects but what a great concept and cast. Magnificent!

***

ON THE MONTPARNASSE: Although some 'trailing' is exhibited this looks well-above standard for tube viewing. There is some contrast boosting no doubt (minor edge enhancement). Strong grey-scale and detail give a good balance to the image. Audio is very consistent. The French subtitles are removable on-the-fly and there is an introduction (in French only) by Serge Bromberg running about 3 minutes.

I know some critics were indifferent to it - possibly expecting too much from Renoir's reputation but I was very impressed with this film as an excellent film noir. Recommended!

Gary W. Tooze

 





DVD Menus

 

Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC RIGHT


 

 


Subtitle Sample

 

Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


 

Screen Captures

 

Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM

 


Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM
 

Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM
 


Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM
 

Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL TOP vs. Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM
 

 


DVD Box Cover

 

 

Distribution Éditions Montparnasse - Region 2 - PAL

Warner Home Video

Region 0 - NTSC

 




 

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Gary Tooze

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