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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

(aka 'Dare e avere" or "La Nuit" or "The Night")

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/antonioni.htm
USA 1961

One of the masterworks of 1960s cinema, La notte [The Night] marked yet another development in the continuous stylistic evolution of its director, Michelangelo Antonioni — even as it solidified his reputation as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. La notte is Antonioni’s “Twilight of the Gods”, but composed in cinematic terms. Examined from a crane-shot, it’s a sprawling study of Italy’s upper middle-class; seen in close-up, it’s an x-ray of modern man’s psychic desolation.

Two of the giants of film-acting come together as a married couple living in crisis: Marcello Mastroianni (La dolce vita, 8 1/2) and Jeanne Moreau (Jules et Jim, Bay of Angels). He is a renowned author and “public intellectual”; she is “the wife”. Over the course of one day and the night into which it inevitably bleeds, the pair will come to re-examine their emotional bonds, and grapple with the question of whether love and communication are even possible in a world built out of profligate idylls and sexual hysteria.

Photographed in rapturous black-and-white by the great Gianni di Venanzo (8 1/2, Giulietta degli spiriti), La notte presents the beauty of seduction, then asks: “When did this occur — this seduction of Beauty?”

Excerpt from the MoC website located HERE

***

Michelangelo Antonioni's 1961 follow-up to L'avventura--and the middle feature in a loose trilogy ending with Eclipse--repeats many of the melancholic themes and stylistic moves of its predecessor, with particular emphasis on the boredom and atrophied emotions of the rich. The results are somewhat more mixed, though on the whole the performances are better--which may not matter so much in an Antonioni context. The minimal plot, restricted to less than 24 hours, involves the death of passion between a successful novelist (Marcello Mastroianni) and his frustrated wife (Jeanne Moreau). The best parts of this movie tend to cluster around the beginning and end, and include the novelist's brief encounter with a nymphomaniac patient at a hospital and his longer encounter with the daughter (Monica Vitti) of an industrialist at a party; one of the worst is a walk taken by the wife around Milan, full of symbolic and pretentious details. Whatever one's occasional misgivings, this feature comes from what is widely considered to be Antonioni's richest period, and evidence of his stunning mastery is available throughout. German director Bernhard Wicki plays the couple's dying friend.

Jonathan Rosenbaum capsule review from the Chicago Reader located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: January 24th, 1961 - Italy

Reviews                                      More Reviews                                          DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

1) Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT

2) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL SECOND

3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

Box Cover

   

Distribution Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC Masters of Cinema (Spine # 61) - Region 0 - PAL

Masters of Cinema - Spine #47

Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Criterion Collection - Spine #678
Region 'A' -Blu-ray
Runtime 1:54:56  1:57:08 (4% PAL Speedup) 2:01:47.000 2:02:18.539
Video 1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.5 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.96 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 38,306,217,348 bytes

Feature: 35,687,344,704 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,527,688,739 bytes

Feature: 35,827,507,200 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.97 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate:

Fox/Lorber

Bitrate:

MoC

Bitrate: MoC

Blu-ray

Bitrate: Criterion

Blu-ray

Audio Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0)  Italian (Dolby Digital mono)  LPCM Audio Italian 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit LPCM Audio Italian 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles English (burned in) English, none English, none English, none
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Fox Lorber

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.66:1

Edition Details:

• Filmographies and Awards (text screens)
• Production Credits (text screens)
• Web Links

DVD Release Date: May 8th, 2001

Keep Case
Chapters: 16

Release Information:
Studio: Masters of Cinema

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.66:1

Edition Details:

• Original Italian theatrical trailer.
• 56-page booklet with a new essay by film-critic and scholar Brad Stevens, and the transcript of a lengthy Q&A conducted in 1961 with Antonioni upon the film’s release.

DVD Release Date: Ma
rch 24th, 2008
Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 16

Release Information:
Studio: Masters of Cinema

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.85:1

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 38,306,217,348 bytes

Feature: 35,687,344,704 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Edition Details:

• Original Italian theatrical trailer (3:10 in 1080P)
• 56-page booklet with a essay by film-critic and scholar Brad Stevens, and the transcript of a lengthy Q&A conducted in 1961 with Antonioni upon the film’s release.

Blu-ray Release Date: September 23rd, 2013
Transparent
Blu-ray Case
Chapters: 15

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

Aspect Ratio:

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,527,688,739 bytes

Feature: 35,827,507,200 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.97 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• New interview with film critic Adriano Aprà and film historian Carlo di Carlo (26:52)
• New interview with professor Giuliana Bruno on the role of architecture in La notte (31:21)
•Trailer (3:11)
• PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Richard Brody and a 1961 article by director Michelangelo Antonioni

Blu-ray Release Date: October 29th, 2013
Transparent
Blu-ray Case
Chapters: 15

 

Comments:

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

 

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (October 2013): There are very minute differences between the Criterion's new 1080P transfer and the Masters of Cinema from the last month. Technically they are almost exactly the same but looking under the microscope the MoC, occasionally, looks a shade green which, I should add, I have no idea whether it is authentic to the original. I don't doubt Criterion has deftly used their magic and created more pure-appearing black + white visuals. I would say that for the vast majority it would be imperceptible. Those who project may be more sensitive to the green. Personally, I consider it a non-issue.

 

Likewise the audio - also a linear PCM - I can detect no difference in the sound quality. Criterion also offer English subtitles but their disc is region 'A'-locked like all their Blu-rays to date.

 

Okay, moving on to extras. Criterion, usually unmatched in this area, offer some new material including a 26-minute interview with film critic Adriano Aprà and film historian Carlo di Carlo. They discuss Antonioni's oeuvre also examining the film's style. We also get a new (2012) interview with professor Giuliana Bruno on the role of architecture in the narrative of La notte. It runs 1/2 hour and should be fascinating for fans of the director. There is a trailer and the transparent keep case contains a liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Richard Brody and a 1961 article by director Michelangelo Antonioni.

 

So a/v is a wash but Criterion advance with their digital extras although the MoC booklet is also excellent. You won't go wrong with whatever geographical region you belong but those patient region free'ers may opt for the Criterion (or the cheapest for their shipping charges.) Our highest recommendation!

 

 

***

 

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (September 2013): What a thrill - Antonioni in 1080P! I'm very excited about the Masters of Cinema's new Blu-ray of La Notte. My first exposure to this film was the censored, letterboxed, Fox/Lorber DVD - which I would now consider unwatchable. This new MoC Blu-ray is transferred at 1.85:1 and it looks like we may lose a small amount of information on the top of the frame but gain extensively on the side edges. I have no explanation for the aspect ratio alternation from the DVD but, in my viewing, composition looked balanced. I suspect it is correct and IMDb may be wrong. The upcoming Criterion is also in 1.85:1. I anticipated there might be some issues with contrast but it far exceeded my negative suspicions. Actually, I am going to project it in the next day or two to determine any anomalies. On my 60" Plasma - it looked quite good, but zooming into some of the stills - there may be potential artifacts. Stay tuned.

 

Audio is lossless with a linear PCM transfer. Giorgio Gaslini's score and the dialogue sound flawless. Crisp but flat and there are optional English subtitles on this region 'B' Blu-ray.

 

Extras duplicate MoC's 2008 DVD with the, 3-minute plus, theatrical trailer and extensive liner notes - essay by film-critic and scholar Brad Stevens, and the transcript of a lengthy Q&A conducted in 1961 with Antonioni upon the film’s release. I'd have loved a commentary but still what a pleasure to have this highly anticipated release.

 

***

 

ADDITION: Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL April 08': the running time differential is explained by the MoC being 'with previously censored sequences restored for the first time.' where the Fox/Lorber does not contain them.

 

So this is really not a comparison as the Masters of Cinema disc is so far in advance of the old Fox/Lorber. The PAL DVD is dual-layered where the F/L is single - the MoC is anamorphic, where the F/L is not, the Eureka has removable subtitles where the Fox are burnt-in. etc. etc. The Fox-Lorber has some terrible noise, ghosting and combing, on its pictureboxed frame and was really only a stop-gap for fans who have been awaiting this release (English friendly) for years.

 

MoC appear to have taken the trouble of improving the subtitles and aside from the original Italian theatrical trailer, offer a wonderful 56-page booklet with a new essay by film-critic and scholar Brad Stevens, and the transcript of a lengthy Q&A conducted in 1961 with Antonioni upon the film’s release.

 

NOTE: It has been rumored for quite a while that Criterion would indulge in this title but that speculation has given us no concrete release date.

 

***

 

ON THE FOX LORBER: This single-layered Fox-Lorber DVD is a typical disaster from them. For a film of this stature, this transfer is totally unacceptable. Burned-in subtitles, non-anamorphic image and no viable extras are this disc's major weaknesses. On the positive side, it doesn't look to have any excessive manipulation and therefore contrast is fair at best, but the image looks quite fragile and the bitrate spikes indicate it probably did not come from a PAL source, as typical of Fox-Lorber. This is another Antonioni masterpiece that we need to have Criterion do to the 9's. As for this -  out of.

Gary W. Tooze

 

Menus

(Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL RIGHT)


 

 

Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Subtitle Sample

 

 

1) Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC TOP

2) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL SECOND

3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

NOTE: Not exact frame!

 

Screen Captures

 

 

1) Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC TOP

2) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL SECOND

3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC TOP

2) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL SECOND

3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC TOP

2) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL SECOND

3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC TOP

2) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL SECOND

3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC TOP

2) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL SECOND

3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 


1) Eureka (Masters of Cinema) - Region 0 - PAL TOP

2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

 

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP

2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


Michelangelo Antonioni films on DVD (NTSC) - CLICK COVERS or REVIEW BUTTON for more information

 

 

Recommended Books for Michelangelo Antonioni reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

 

Report Card:

 

Image:

 Blu-rays

Sound:

 Blu-rays

Extras: Criterion Blu-ray

 

 

Box Cover

   

Distribution Fox Lorber - Region 0 - NTSC Masters of Cinema (Spine # 61) - Region 0 - PAL

Masters of Cinema - Spine #47

Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Criterion Collection - Spine #678
Region 'A' -Blu-ray

 




 

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Gary Tooze