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

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (April 2020): Criterion have transferred Eric Rohmer's Six Moral Tales to Blu-ray. They are housed on three dual-layered Blu-rays - two films per disc. It appears to be from the same director approved transfers from 2006... but there are some details to note. Framing is basically the same, a few exact captures may show minor cropping - but it was not consistent. I loved the heavy grain exported by the 1080P in The Monceau Bakery Girl and Suzanne's Career. The subtitle translations are updated... and we have the teal-demon surfacing in the three color features. I compared to the French Region 'B' (often 1080i) Potemkine Films Blu-rays - and the color schemes are the same with that occasional teal-shift. Although we identified the teal phenomenon years ago - we were initially criticized - but you can Google "teal orange blu-ray" and see numerous articles with theories on why this is prevalent in modern Blu-ray transfers. Please see our comparison captures below. Despite the teal distraction, the contrast (black levels) are generally better - the visuals have darker interiors and brighter exteriors. They are still a big bump over the SDs from 14 years ago (or more with the Fox-Lorbers.) The higher resolution brings out more detail and film-like qualities i.e.. 'texture'. I didn't find the teal overly-distracting and these are the best presentations I have seen of these six films.

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a linear PCM mono tracks (24-bit) in the original French language. It is another advancement in the film's audio sounding marginally deeper with more clear dialogue. Criterion offer optional English subtitles (updated from their DVDs) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray has the same extras (described below) as on the 2006 DVDs. There is plenty here, for those who appreciate the director, to enjoy and learn.

This Blu-ray package represents a new opportunity for a new group of fans to discover the masterful power of Rohmer's calmly-centered and emotionally-probing cinema. I've always loved his cinema - in particular - Pauline at the Beach (1983), Chloe in the Afternoon (1972), Claire's Knee (1970), My Night at Maud's (1969), Boyfriends and Girlfriends (1987), plus, my favorites; The Green Ray (1986) and The Aviator's Wife (1981). Fans are French cinema are encourages to indulge. 

Gary Tooze

***

ON THE DVD SET (2006): The films of Eric Rohmer are very special to me. His work was my first real endeavor, and concert effort, to delve into foreign cinema. His style captured me with its simplicity of production and intensity of the human emotional expressions of love, jealousy, selfishness, sexual dalliance, desire, morality, humor and impropriety. Rohmer's ability to capture the female essence on film may be unmatched. Many still consider him the greatest living film-maker in the world today. It was so gratifying when we heard that Criterion, the pinnacle of DVD production companies, were to undertake this boxset of his Six Moral Tales. For his loyal fans it is one of the most anticipated DVD packages ever produced.

Technical specifications of the discs: Each DVD is in an individual case - a beautiful slim book-style cardboard case (un-clickable) which is housed, along with two exceptionally bound books, in a large cardboard box. In keeping with their current policy of windowboxing (see our description in the comment section of our Kind Hearts and Coronets comparison HERE) these films are indeed all windowboxed with a black border circumventing the edge of the frame. Criterion have faithfully maintained the 1.33 aspect ratio that Rohmer shot almost all of his films in. Every feature film is transferred progressively. They all have original audio, optional English subtitles and are region 1 coded in the NTSC standard.

NOTE: The films/DVDs are not available separately but only in this package at present. 

Image quality: I never imaged that Rohmer's films (often shot in 16mm) could look as good as they do in this boxset. I've seen many appearances of his work (digital and analog), but can only assume that Criterion must have bumped them to 35mm (a costly production detail) - it says on their website:

'Director Eric Rohmer supervised and approved this new high-definition digital transfer, which was created on a Spirit Datacine from a 35mm interpositive (or from a 35mm duplicate negative). Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, and scratches were removed using the MTI Digital Restoration System.'   

Specifics: Understandably the shorter Suzanne's Career is the weakest of the six with some damage showing in the bottom of scene shifts, but in comparison to the Fox/Lorber DVD edition it has obviously had some attentive work done. The Monceau Bakery Girl looks fairly clean but its age and production method have it as the next to weakest in the collection. The final four - My Night at Maud's, La Collectionneuse, Claire's Knee and Love in the Afternoon look unbelievably good - as sharp as anyone could have hoped with Criterion's meticulously rendered contrast and brilliant colors (for the 3 that are in color). I was blown away by their crispness, clarity and detail. There are no digital artifacts here and no unsightly 'combing'. I was particularly impressed with My Night At Maud's which has a very pristine look to it. Now, there are very infrequent instances of light scratches and speckles but overall it is not a factor in viewing.  

NOTE: It may have been excessive to compare so many captures with the obvious lackluster Fox-Lorber editions, which are taken from unconverted PAL sources, are non-progressive, single-layered and have ingrained subtitles, but it helps you realize how fortunate all the 'region 1-locked' crowd are at having this Boxset now available to them. The differences in the two editions are phenomenal. The Fox/Lorber for the most part are cropped when shown beside to the Criterion transfers. Arrow films (PAL) extensive Rohmer Boxset (reviewed HERE) has only one of the Moral Tales and it is compared below (Love in the Afternoon). I could also have compared the French editions, which I also own, but they unfortunately do not have English subtitles. I can assure you they don't hold a candle to these new Criterion transfers.

Audio was very clean and consistent - as they are all mono they are expectantly lacking in dynamic range, but dialogue was always audible. I did notice that the Criterion subtitles are far more detailed than the Fox Lorber.

Supplements: The extras are extensive and I would guess that I am about 50% complete. From what I have seen - I enjoyed both Rohmer interviews (archival and the 'new'), 3 of his shorts, the Labute 'Afterword' and the included booklet which has brilliant essays on each segment (The Monceau Bakery Girl and Suzanne's Career are combined by Ginette Vincendeau). Nelson Almendros writes one for La Collectionneuse, and I especially enjoyed Kent Jones' called 'Chances Are...' about My Night At Maud's. Included at the end is 'For A Talking Cinema' by Eric Rohmer (this is an essay that actually first appeared in the French Journal Les temps modernes in Sept 1948). There is also a fine introduction in the booklet by Geoff Andrew. The other book included is quite large (262 pages) and is Rohmer's translated stories that he wrote of the Six Moral Tales.

Package: The package itself is visually beautiful. You can tell by the detail and work put into this that you are holding something very special in your hands. The photos chosen for the covers, booklets and box have a strong artistic sense to them - appropriate for Rohmer's work. Some extensive time and effort went into this. Like most items that Criterion produce they operative words would be 'totally professional'. No other DVD company can touch them in this area. 

It might be premature but we would love to see this branch out into Criterion joining this effort with Rohmer's Tales of the Four Seasons and Comedies and Proverbs. It may be too much to hope for, but regardless this collection will immediately find a place in our Essentials DVDs listing. It is a wonderfully extravagant digital package masterpiece. I consider this a must-own for all film fans - the DVD will undoubtedly be in top consideration for DVD of the Year for 2006.