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http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/dardenne.htm
Belgium 1996

La promesse is the breakthrough feature from Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, who would go on to become a force in world filmmaking. The brothers brought the unerring eye for detail and the compassion for those on society’s lowest rungs developed in their earlier documentary work to this absorbing drama about a teenager (Jérémie Renier) gradually coming to understand the implications of his father’s making a living through the exploitation of undocumented workers. Filmed in the Dardennes’ industrial hometown of Seraing, Belgium, La promesse is a brilliantly economical and observant tale of a boy’s troubled moral awakening.

Poster 

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Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL vs. New Yorker Films- Region 1 - NTSC vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 

Box Covers

 

 

Distribution Artificial Eye
Region 2 encoded 
New Yorker Films (USA)
Region 1 encoded - NTSC
Criterion Collection - Spine #620 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 130:12 (4% PAL Speedup) 1:30:18 min (taken from PAL source) 1:34:24.700
Video 1.66:1 Letterboxed WideScreen Anamorphic
Average Bitrate: 5.93 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
1.66:1 Letterboxed WideScreen Anamorphic
Average Bitrate: 8.35 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,018,703,295 bytes

Feature: 28,265,256,960 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Bitrate:

Artificial Eye

Bitrate:

New Yorker Films

Bitrate:

Blu-ray

Audio French or Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)

French Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo

DTS-HD Master Audio French 2930 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2930 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles White : English, Italian, Dutch, None White: English, Italian, None English, None
Features
Discographic Information:
DVD Encoding: Region 2 - PAL
Layers: Dual
Available Audio Tracks: French (Dolby Digital 2.0)

Special Features

  • Interview With Luc & Jean-Pierre Dardenne
  • Cannes Award Ceremony Footage (other disc)
  • Theatrical Trailer ( 1:10 min )
  • Stills Galleries ( 20 Photos )
  • Director Biographies and Filmographies
  • Cast Biographies : On Other Disc included, the feature film "Rosetta"

Keep Case - 2 Disc Set
Chapters: 16

Discographic Information:
DVD Encoding: Region 1
Layers: Dual
Available Audio Tracks: French (Dolby Digital 2.0)

Edition Details:
• Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
• European trailer of the film

• Filmographies of the two main actors and directors
• Photo Gallery ( 20 Photos )
 

Keep Case
Chapters: 16

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion 

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 45,018,703,295 bytes

Feature: 28,265,256,960 bytes

Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Edition Details:
• Conversation between film critic Scott Foundas and filmmakers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne (1:00:25)

• New interview piece featuring actors Jérémie Renier and Olivier Gourmet (18:33)
• Trailer (1:16)
• 32-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by film critic Kent Jones

Blu-ray Release Date: August 14th, 2012
Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 23

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (August 2012): NOTE: The Artificial Eye DVD is actually a set including the Dardenne's "Rosetta" as well. The DVDs are over a decade old and it is so great to have Criterion release this incredibly visceral film in the new format. This new high-definition digital transfer is supervised by director of photography Alain Marcoen and is significantly different than the faded SD renderings. Colors are more intense and richer, grain textures are prevalent - overall this dual-layered 1080P transfer with max'ed out bitrate produces an entirely new film experience. Improved contrast brings detail to a high level and makes for a very rewarding visual presentation. Top marks!

The audio comes in a lossless DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 2930 kbps and there are some separations notable in the boys make-shift go-cart runs and subtle areas in the public transportation corridors. Depth is available but rarely utilized and there are optional English subtitles.

Extras are similar to Criterion's Rosetta package with another hour-long conversation between film critic Scott Foundas and filmmakers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne - about the production of La Promesse. There is an 18-minute new interview piece featuring actor Olivier Gourmet and briefer time with Jérémie Renier. There is an HD trailer and the case contains a 32-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by film critic Kent Jones.

What a surprise that the a/v would be so much more vibrant than my previous viewings creating an even stronger presentation impact. La Promesse emotionall ripped me to shreds in HD. Our highest recommendation.

 - Gary W. Tooze


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Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 


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Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray



1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 

 


1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 


1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 


1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 


1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 


1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 


1) Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE

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

 

 

More Blu-ray Captures

 


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Blu-ray

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Blu-ray

Extras:

Blu-ray

 

Box Covers

 

 

Distribution Artificial Eye
Region 2 encoded 
New Yorker Films (USA)
Region 1 encoded - NTSC
Criterion Collection - Spine #620 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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